8.17.2011

She's still the one...

Folks are still in love with Fanny.
Even kids who never met her showed up last night at the library to hear stories, see the trailer, and learn more about Pawtucket's Sweetheart who left town almost 20 years ago.
One of them is going to be an official fundraiser at her school when it opens this fall.
There were 35 people there in all, including some of the original players, like Former Mayor Metivier who brought a priceless bit of tape. It followed Fanny on her last night in Pawtucket.
"We were all in tears that night," he and Aaron Wishnevsky agreed.
Aaron, who visited Fanny in Texas a lot with his wife Pat, brought a stash of pictures of the Black Beauty Ranch, and a full sized footprint.
Add to that Eclipse Neilsen of the "Free Fanny" coalition, the assistant zookeeper who took care of Fanny, and lots of people who knew and loved her.
Even Chris Kane, who made the sculpture of Fanny that stands in the park now, popped in, as did Jen Warmbold, lead elephant keeper Roger Williams Park Zoo. I could go on and on.
The pictures and memories that people shared are going to be invaluable as we go into high gear until this movie is done.
There was just one fly in the ointment- my business cards hadn't come in yet, and I didn't have a handout with our contact information for everyone.
So please- please- contact us through our email address (elephantsinri@gmail.com) or Facebook page (Uproar in Pawtucket)and we promise to keep in touch!
Ultimate conclusion? I'm positive this is the right story to tell and, once again, am gratified by the passion Fanny evokes, even today.

8.15.2011

Another Bombshell!


I heard today from David Bottai of the band The Hometown Rockers. They were the ones that wrote and performed Fanny's song that you can hear in the trailer, but there was much more to the song than the clip I had.
I am blown away!
Because we're going to Pawtucket tomorrow to meet everyone and have had some publicity, people are coming out with the greatest stuff.
I can hardly wait!
David also had a picture of himself as a kiddo riding on Fanny, which will definitely be in the film.
I am humbled to be telling her story- really-

8.14.2011

Good news and disappointing....

We've been working steadily, Producer Gennie and I, to move Fanny along.
This Tuesday we'll celebrate her life at Pawtucket Library, and have asked people to bring their stories and pictures of her to be included in the film.
I have plenty of tape, and hope to capture as much great stuff as possible.
We'll also be filming former Mayor Robert Metivier who was head honcho during the Uproar. It should be pretty amazing to get his side of the story.
We also hope to get plenty of pix of the event as there will be more than one "star" there.
One of the main reasons we're doing this event is to act as a spur for the main thrust of editing the film and filling in footage to make it more complete.
On the disappointing side, our indiegogo.com fundraising didn't net what we had hoped, though we're entirely grateful for those who did contribute to the cause. We'll use the money we raised for transportation, publicity, and, when we're ready, to compensate a musician and voice over actor.
More as things progress.