Thanksgiving

Hello, all -

I know I'm a week early, but I don't know that I'll have the chance to post during the coming week. I do work in retail and it's already exhaustingly busy at the bookstore. I just wanted to take a moment to share with my faithful readers the things for which I am thankful.

1. For all of my family and friends and my "fire family", as well as all of our Everyday Heroes who watch out for us each and every day.

2. For the opportunity to make this film and work with so many wonderful people. It is something that I will never forget and will always remember fondly.

3. For the fact that I still have a job in this horrible economy.

4. For the hope of a new team of leaders running our country.

5. Most of all, I am thankful for the fact that my father has been officially declared cancer free. Pop is still sick with COPD, but lung cancer is an absolutely horriffic disease and I am so grateful for the fact that his doctors caught it early and treated him with the most advanced methods available. I know how lucky I am and I treasure every second I have with my father.

I hope that each of you has the time to take a moment and reflect upon the things for which you are thankful. Whether they be small or large, it's a humbling experience to realize just how lucky we are in this life. Even through hard times, most of us are blessed with even the smallest of things to help us get through and become stronger for it.

I am also thankful for all of the support and the friends I've made through my work on this film and through this blog. I greatly appreciate it!

I wish all of you a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving and I ask that if you're going to partake of a turkey dinner - PLEASE do not attempt to deep-fry a frozen turkey!!! It is EXTREMELY hazardous and 99% of the time results in a devastating fire or burn injuries!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

With much love and appreciation,

Erin

Rain... Rain... Rain...

So... today and tomorrow are out for filming the opening monologue for the film, which has been re-written. Next weekend's weather looks better, so we'll have to see if that holds true. Once that's done, we can get to post-production and be on our way, folks.

Once I have the cut that I'm happy with, it will be shown to my project partners/producers and as long as all are pleased, we'll start pitching it to stations for airing.

I've had many people ask me if I plan to sell DVD copies of the film, so while I'm thinking of it, I'll address that question here.

Once this film is completed, it is no longer my property. The film will belong to the Providence Firefighters, IAFF Local 799. I explained to them that my job with this will end once it is secured for airing on television. If the Providence Firefighters choose, they will have the freedom to sell DVD copies if they wish to and I will help with any packaging, production, etcetera that they need. This project has never been about making money or making a name for myself. It is about getting their story told - regardless of the work involved in doing so.

So, when it's decided what will be done, I'll post information here.

Thanks again for all of the support and interest in the project. I greatly appreciate it!

Absolutely Fabulous!

So, I shot the interview with our extra-special guest participant on Friday. It is fantastic... I could not have asked for a better piece.

I am still going to keep the person's identity quiet for the time being. Suffice it to say that the presence of this person in the film will only serve to make it more provocative.

My thanks to the mystery person and those who assisted in getting the interview set up for me. I am absolutely ecstatic!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Erin

Extra-Special Guest Interview

I have finalized plans for the extra-special interview I've been talking about. It will be filmed on November 7th. I am very excited about this... but still, I will not reveal who it is that is joining the list of fine folks who have participated in the interviews for the film. Yeah... I know... I'm a tease. Trust me, it'll be worth it.

I am disappointed that a few people that I wanted to be involved will not be, however, I do understand how weird it is to allow yourself to be filmed. I will still find a way to mention those folks - even if only in the credits. Overall, though, I seem to be gathering great stuff and I'm sure that will continue.

I'll be working on the intro monologue over the next week - a re-write is needed.

My thanks, as always, to all who are keeping track and staying in touch. It's all coming together!

Be well & stay safe, everyone.

Plugging Along....

Hey, all -

I finished the remainder of my exterior shots of the stations yesterday. I also made arrangements for the extra-special interview that I talked about (I'm still not announcing it!!). That should be happening next Friday.

I'm planning to re-write my intro and hopefully film that within the next two weeks. Talked to my editor last week and I hope to be able to get together with him shortly to begin dumping the footage to the hard drive for editing.

So... it's coming along. I've got offers for assistance in getting the film aired and publicized from several sources. Channels 6, 12 & 36 are the most likely outlets at present. I've also been offered assistance from the RI Film & Television Office, so I'm sure that this thing will get aired without too much of a problem. Also, John Vilella & Walt Buteau would like to do a follow up on "Street Stories" when we're close to the release of the film.

I know it's been a long, long haul and no one wants to see this finished product more than I do. I appreciate everyone's patience, encouragement and interest in the project and I thank those who have stayed in touch and kept me on my toes with it.

Be well & stay safe, everyone and STAY TUNED... I promise... it's going to get finished!

Gettin' There is Half the Fun!

Well, folks... it's coming along nicely. I now have all of the "company tours" (for lack of a better term) shot. I filmed pieces with the Special Hazards Unit and Ladder 4 earlier this year. Today, I filmed with an Engine and a Rescue Unit.

Lieutenant Russ McDonald took me around Engine 9 on Brook Street this morning and explained the truck and what it is used for. He was awesome - even showing how to properly dress a fire hydrant! Amazing... simply amazing. I am incredibly thankful to him for sharing his 28 years of Engine Company knowledge with me for the film.

Lieutenant "Ranger" Rick Blais was the next up for duty today. He filmed the Rescue Unit segment with me. I have the feeling that's the closest I'll ever get to taking one of Ranger's EMS classes. He, too, did a phenomenal job for me and I could not have written a better segment myself.

I then went to Washington Street to re-shoot DAC Dan Crowley's interview, which went very well. It's always difficult to talk about the loss of DAC Mike Day, but the Chief did very well and I am grateful for his participation in the interviews.

All-in-all, it was a very productive day and I am really thrilled with all of the footage that I shot today. Not too much more to go - hope to be able to get schedules together and have it all shot within the next two weeks or so. As my Dad says... "if the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise" - I should be able to make it happen.

My eternal thanks to Russ, Ranger and Chief Crowley. You guys are awesome and I greatly appreciate the hospitality, encouragement, assistance and friendship.

Thank (Insert Diety Here)

Finally... some progress!

So this Friday, I'll be shooting at Brook Street and Washington Street stations and possibly the DOT. Thanks are due to:

Lieutenant Russ McDonald (Engine walk-around)
Deputy Assistant Chief Daniel J. Crowley (interview re-shoot) and...
Lieutenant "Ranger" Rick Blais (Rescue walk-around) (Cuz Ranger Rocks!)

I also have a little ditty worked out with a surprise guest for the film. I'm keeping that one under wraps, though. It's top secret. I think maybe three people have clearance to know about it - possibly four. Tee hee hee.

I'll keep ya'll posted.