It’s working with creative and friendly people like filmmaker RJ Norton that makes me long for returning to feature film production with Death & Glory. It’s no secret that I’m way overdue to post something here about RJ. Simply put, besides being a person of multiple talents, RJ Norton is one of the kindest and most upbeat persons that I know. I first met him a number of years ago before we worked together on Dangerous Crosswinds. And, right off the bat, it was apparent that RJ’s endless enthusiasm towards filmmaking and his unflappable positive outlook on anything creative separated him from so many others in local film circles who aren’t in it for the right reasons. Words like jealousy or networking or phrases like playing politics are not part of RJ’s vocabulary.

RJ’s also a musician, a documentary filmmaker and a television producer/host. Among countless other projects, he’s currently at work on a new television show which will soon be premiering on MCAM in Manchester. Also, RJ recently wrote and recorded a new song, Outside My Door, whose lyrics are about crime in Manchester, NH and evolve from researching city newspapers through the years as well as, in RJ’s words, “experiences I gained back in the 1970’s when I worked on some Lake Avenue buildings, played guitar at the “Zoo” and the old Oasis, lived on Manchester street, etc.”. Sounds really interesting RJ, I look forward to hearing it!

It was also during the Dangerous Crosswinds shoot, as well as during many of our screenings the following year, that RJ shot a ton of video footage. I honestly don’t think I can remember him ever being without his camera. He was such a big supporter of what we all were trying to accomplish with that film (he would constantly promote DC screenings on his weekly MCAM show) that he’ll never know just how much I appreciated his tireless efforts in that area. Even now, RJ goes out of his way and promotes our Digital Filmmaking Workshops and any other project I’m working on. That’s just the way he is.

Finally, below is a diary that RJ wrote about the second day of the Dangerous Crosswinds shoot (May 18, 2004). This first appeared in a film newsletter and, to this day, continues to make me feel as if I’m still on the set…Thanks again RJ for being so generous with all of your time and for your support in all of my work. I very much look forward to working with you soon on Death & Glory.

The Dangerous Crosswinds Diary by RJ Norton

R.J. Norton worked on the film as a production crew member, jumping in to help wherever he saw the need. When he wasn’t busy assisting with sound, lighting, and other production concerns he could always be found behind the lens of his video camera, working diligently to capture the “behind-the-scenes” action during our two-week shoot. Below is an excerpt from a journal he kept on day #2 of the shoot.

Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Brown’s Seabrook Lobster Pound, Route 286, Seabrook, NH.

The crew arrived at 7 a.m. For a moment or two, Producer/Director Bill Millios looked warily at the overcast sky and the warm mist rising from the Blackwater River. Then he told the crew to set up on the outside deck, as planned. Production Coordinator Jim McCrackin huddled with Director of Photography Marc Vadeboncoeur for a few minutes, then signaled the production crew to begin unloading equipment.

After about an hour of furious but well-coordinated activity, the lighting, audio, and video equipment was in place and we were ready for action. Then the rain came–in buckets. “Let’s move it indoors,” Vadeboncoeur shouted after conferring with Millios. Forty-five minutes later, everything was set inside and the filming began.

Millios was everywhere, directing camera locations, positioning the actors, and talking business on his cell phone. Every once in a while he’d grab his cup of coffee and raise it to his lips, although I never actually saw him drink anything. Production concerns repeatedly drew his attention away.

There are no put-you-to-sleep actors in this movie. Larry Jay Tish, with the dramatic look and charm of a leading man, and Julie McNiven, who is beautiful and has oodles of charisma, were no-nonsense professionals. Both knew their lines and hung on every direction from Millios and Vadeboncoeur.

A little before 10 a.m., Vadeboncoeur and the crew moved the camera to a marshy area outside the building. The rain seemed to come down even harder as the tarp-enshrouded camera was positioned outside a window from which McNiven looked pensively at the river. It was an affecting scene, but I chuckled a bit as the crew–stretching the tarp over the camera–slogged through the boggy mire. My laughter was cut short, however, when my own foot sank into the mud.

The pace of filming was swift; we had to wrap up shooting by 11 a.m., the restaurant’s opening hour. To save time, McCrackin and his crew immediately removed each piece of equipment after it had served its purpose. Filming ended at 10:30, and most of us left at 11 when, of course, the sun came out and the rain stopped.

All in all it was a good day, spent working with people who are dedicated to producing something of substance and artistic worth–a film that informs and entertains and perhaps, in some way, will help to calm the fevers of the world.

This past Monday and Tuesday was a blast as I was asked by Marc Vadeboncoeur and Morgan Murphy to assist on a music shoot they were producing in Haverhill, Massachusetts featuring the rock band Sevendust. The Atlanta-based quintet’s sixth full-length CD, Alpha, is due in store on March 6, 2007 and the group was busily rehearsing in preparation for their upcoming national tour (which kicked off in Fort Wayne, Indiana this past Thursday).

It was a lot of fun running camera over the course of two days as we captured the band playing their new single Driven as well as running through all eleven songs from their new CD. Marc and Morgan employed a four-camera shoot on high definition so things stayed interesting throughout, especially the last pass through each song as we were able to move right up on stage next to each band member to capture some especially exciting footage.

It was also a pleasure getting to meet the band and its crew – lead singer Lajon Witherspoon, guitarists John Connolly and Sonny Mayo, bass player Vince Hornsby and drummer Morgan Rose – all were very professional and easy to work considering a hectic shoot like this can often be difficult. Being a very ‘amateur’ musician myself it was a treat to witness first-hand how an talented group of musicians (they’ve sold over four million CD’s and have had several Billboard Top 20 songs) approach a video project such as this. Here’s a clip from YouTube when the group appeared on Dave Letterman’s show a couple of years ago.

I’ll post updates down the road once Morgan and Marc turn in their edit, I have no doubt that’s it’ll turn out wonderful.

This week I was asked by Matt Newton, head of the NH Film Office, to be a guest panelist for a Filmmaker Roundtable that he’s currently putting together. The discussion is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27 at 12-2 p.m. at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre in Wilton, NH. The topic of discussion will be distribution alternatives (self-distribution, online media, etc.) so it’s right down our alley, considering our approach with both Old Man Dogs and Dangerous Crosswinds. It should make for an interesting day and I’m hoping to have a number of those from our crew in attendance to be able to share their wealth of knowledge on the subject of four-walling local theaters. Thanks Matt for thinking of us.