Where Have We Been?

Jim and Sue L.

Jim and Sue L.

Junior Ranger
Well, I'll tell you....

For the past year we have been involved in the making of "Eleven" a great WWII documentary about the last surviving veterans of The USS Hornet Carrier Group 11 and their exploits in the Pacific Theater. This is a George Retelas/Lazy Panda Studios film and as George is such a wonderful perfectionist, the documentary looks to be a doozie!

George has managed to locate eleven of the surviving members of CVS11 and traveled across the US to interview them. We were fortunate enough to be part of the film crew for the last interview in Leavenworth, Wa., where we had the pleasure of meeting Verg Bloomquist and his wife. He was a vibrant 89 year old (two weeks short of his 90th birthday) and after a full day of shooting, he proved the life of the rap party that closed down the local beer joint. What an adventure.

By the way, Jim makes a wonderful roadie (and yes, Spamalot came along).

Jim says I need to mention (explain, excuse..?) why I haven't been using my "writing talent" on the forum...I've been up to my expectations in a new art form: screenplay. A couple of short films (Franklin, Honeymoon Riot) all for George and Lazy Panda and now "Eleven".

The trailer for "Eleven" has just been completed and can be viewed at www.eleventhemovie.com - please do so and give us your feedback.

There is a lot of work yet to be done before the documentary is premiered Veteran's Day, 11-11-14 (there's that eleven again...) on the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, Ca. My son James and I are hard at it doing illustrations and James is also the storyboard artist and technical adviser while Jim continues to be the go-to guy for sudden emergencies like dinner, stand-ins, chauffeur location scout and film star (he's Franklin). I can't begin to name all the wonderful artists donating their time and talent to this film. It is just so inspiring.

So that's why...in case you missed us. We're still here, but over there, too...just a lot there and not so much here for now.

And if you can figure that last sentence out, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.

Sue and Jim says
 
I missed the gathering, too. It's always so much fun. And the apples!!! Can't get those Cortland apples on the west coast - rats!

Have our eyes set on next CICO. We shall see.

Sue
 
Sue, you are such a wonderful story-teller; I'm not surprised you're writing screenplays. Please keep us posted on the progress of your projects. Look forward to a remake of Gunsmoke with Jim as US Marshal Matt Dillon and you as Miss Kitty.

Kathy
 
Yeah! I could see Sue writing a remake of Gunsmoke. She could cast Bob as "Doc" and Kathy as Miss Kitty's side kick at the Longbranch Saloon and Doc's love interest.

Jim
 
And just to set the record straight..I'm not writing the screenplay for ELEVEN. With all the wonderful stories from the vets, it wrote itself. I'm just filling in a few blanks where needed and supplying artwork where archival footage is not available - and so is our son, James. He is one heck of a fine draftsman (proud mother here).

All the kudos for this film goes to the veterans, the director, George Retelas, the historian, Tim Hammond and all the fine artists and specialists who donated their time and talents to make it all possible. There are so many wonderful people involved in this project and they are all so very, very excited and eager to contribute that I pop a button with pride every time I think about it.

Lots of good folks out there.

And now back to the drawing board...literally. So many illustrations and so little time left. That November 11 is coming awful fast!

Yikes!

Sue
 
And, and....If I did write a remake of Gunsmoke, Miss Kitty would be a special investigator for Seti, hot on the trail of alien reconnaissance team: Doc (he was always just a bit too sharp for a down-home country doctor) and Festus (who was obviously way out there. Jim asks," Too many drugs?". but we'll let that pass.) And as for Matt...he'd stay the same: a clueless, loveable lug.

Maybe the horses could be the advanced invasion force...?

Hhhhmmmm....

Sue and Jim says
 
I want to say, "Thank You" for all your family is doing to make this documentary possible! It is so sad that we have so few of our vets left from "the greatest generation", and I love to see them (and all vets) honored as they should be! I hope to see this film! Will it be available on dvd to the general public?
 
I has to do the independent film circuit first, but I'm sure it will be available soon. I'll talk to George (the director) about it today.

Sue
 
Mark and Cassandra,

Sorry it took so long to get back with the info. George confirmed what I said above; it has to hit the 2015 film festivals first, but he is confident it will be available to the general public. I'll certainly let you know when that will be.

I saw 28 minutes of the rough cut yesterday and I want a copy, too. These guys and their stories are phenomenal. It is amazing to watch - how can I put this - as each one starts out, you see a frail old man, but as soon as the stories start, their eyes light up, the cheeks flush and suddenly you have the young warrior right there in front of you! A stunning transformation that leaves me breathless each time I see it.

We are so grateful for the chance to contribute in any small way to this project and I can't wait to share it with the world. But that would depend on whether or not it gets picked up by the Big Boys of the film industry. So keep your fingers crossed "Eleven" stands out amongst the other WWII documentaries and catches someone's eye.

I think it will.

I hope...

Sue
 
Thanks for the encouragement, Casandra.

Finishing up the commercial version now. The premier showing of the director's cut on Veteran's day aboard the USS Hornet was a huge success. 6 of the veterans in the film were there for a meet and greet with 500+ attendees. We got a standing ovation! Lots of tears, hugs and laughter...then some of the vets hit the bar. What a pack of rascals those guys are.

Anyway, lots of interest from different quarters, so cross your fingers someone drops the other boot and backs us. Next up for the film....well, let's not jinks it and just say we are looking forward to the Independent Film Festival circuit.

I'll keep you informed. Until then...

Camp On

Sue
 
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