On the Trail to Crocker Pond, January, 2008
Winter 2008
January 17, 2008
This has been a great winter with lots of snow for winter fun. Judy and I had a great ski into Crocker Pond one of our favorite quick get aways from Portland. On the way in four dog sled teams passed us. We usually share the trails with snowmobiles but this was a real treat to see the silent running dog sleds. To see photos go to http://www.filmsbyhuey.com/ and click on "Latest News"
Speaking of which I am having a screening of Wilderness and Spirit, A Mountain Called Katahdin on February 9 as part of SnoFest in Greenville. SnoFest features a 100 mile dog sled race from Greenville to Brownsville and back. The screening of Wilderness and Spirit starts at 4PM. I hope to see you there! Also see below on the release of the DVD of Bonsoir Mes Amis, Good Night My Friends on Franco-American culture in Maine.
I hope you get outside and enjoy some time in the Maine Woods this winter.
Peace, Huey
**Let me know if you are interested in my doing a residency at your school, library, art center, and after school program. Below are residencies for 2008.
**If you are a non-profit, arts group, band, troupe, or individual artist and want a video made showing the good work you do let me know and we can work together in figuring out a video that fits your need and budget. Recent videos done for hire are listed below.
Dog Sled on the Trail to Crocker Pond
Residencies & Workshops
On the road to Van Buren
2008
*New England Film Academy is expanding its offerings to now include a February Vacation workshop from February 18--22 for youth ages 10--13. I’ll be offering a 2 day clay animation workshop. To learn more http://www.nefilmacademy.org/minicamp.aspx
NEFA has more 2 week film camp sessions scheduled for Summer 2008 for youth ages 11-13 and 14-18, in expanded locations. http://www.nefilmacademy.org/
*New Boston Central School, New Boston, NH, a long term residency with the fifth grade students making a movie on “The American Spirit in New Boston” From 1775 to Present”. This will combine animation, documentary, and some reenactments . The gala premiere will be held in conjunction with New Boston’s Memorial Day Celebration on May 30.
Funded with a grant from the NH State Council on the Arts.
*Van Buren High School, Van Buren, ME. Working with students we finished the school’s accreditation video this Fall. I am now editing a documentary on the closing of Gateway Elementary School and the merging of K-12 into one building in the center of town.
*Southern Maine Community College. I am teaching a course “Introduction to Documentary” in the Spring semester as part of the Communications and New Media Department. This is a history of nonfiction film from 1890 to 2007.
Let me know if you are interested in my doing a residency at your school, library, art center, and after school program, huey@filmsbyhuey.com
Videos
Prescribing The Arts: Arts and Health Care Programs in New Hampshire
New Video Made for the NH State Council on the Arts
I had the pleasure of working with Judy Rigmont of the NHSCA and several artists in creating this video. Filmed at a Concord Hospital with breast cancer survivors and at Havenwood-Heritage Heights where the liveliest senior citizens you’ll ever meet reside . The video features Kelly Doremus Stuart, dancer, Carolyn Parrott, folk singer and musician, and Michael Wingfield, percussionist. NHSCA will be screening the video at workshops starting in 2008. http://www.nh.gov/nharts/
Improvox Promotional Video
The talented singers of Improvox have asked me to make a video featuring their workshops and concerts to be used for promoting their work. Improvox is made up of Deb Hensley, Kathy Slack, Martin Swinger and Fred White. You can learn more about Improvox at http://www.improvox.com/home.html
If you are a non-profit, arts group, band, troupe, or individual artist and want a video made showing the good work you do let me know and we can work together in figuring out a video that fits your need and budget. huey@filmsbyhuey.com
Film Screening
Wilderness and Spirit, A Mountain Called Katahdin, 4PM, Saturday, February 9, at SnoFest, Community Center, Greenville, ME
Come early at 9AM to watch the 100 Mile Wilderness Sled Dog Race.
Appalachian Mountain Club is sponsoring workshops and the screening. Contact is Shannon LeRoy at AMC, Greenville, 207.695.3085 Office, sleroy@outdoors.org
Now Available
Bonsoir Mes Amis, Good Night My Friends is now on DVD.
Originally released in 1990, Bonsoir Mes Amis is a portrait of Franco-American culture in Maine and features traditional musicians Lionel "Toots" Bouthot, singer/musician, and fiddler Ben Guillemette.
Fiddler Ben Guillemette and singer Lionel “Toots” Bouthot bring the old fashioned New England country dance and Franco-American soiree into your living room. These self taught Mainers learned to play music to make people dance and that they do! From town halls, senior citizen centers and folk festivals in Maine to the 50th National Folk Festival and the Festival of American Folklife in Washington, DC. Audiences can’t still when they hear Ben and Toots engaging blend of Franco-American, Irish, Canadian, and Western Swing music.
“It is with wholehearted enthusiasm that I applaud the author of Bonsoir Mes Amis for having traveled in the heart of the Franco-American community.”
”C’est avec un enthousiasme le plus sincere que j’applaudis l‘auteur de Bonsoir Mes Amis pour avoir voyage en plein coeur de la communaute Franco Americaine”
Yvon Labbe, Director, Franco-American Center, University of Maine
“Huey captures a joyous facet of Maine life.”
William D. Barry, Maine historian and writer
“The Camera faithfully records the warm, relaxed atmosphere of Saturday night dances and above all the kind of music you do hear on such occasions.”
Gerard J. Brault, author, The French-Canadian Heritage in New England
DVD $19.95 Go to order DVDs on this site.
NOTE when ordering via Paypal please send an additional e-mail to me saying that you want the DVD not the VHS version. It is still coming through Paypal as VHS. Sorry about the inconvenience.
Marian McPartland and Huey
New Film in the works on Marian McPartland
I can finally tell you about the film I am making on Marian McPartland, the Jazz legend and host of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz on NPR. I started production on In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland in September, 2006. I have filmed Marian McPartland and her Trio performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston. Four Piano Jazz recording sessions have been filmed. Two sessions in New York with young jazz pianist Julian Waterfall Pollack and renowned guitarist Bill Frisell. Also filmed were a Piano Jazz show at the Kennedy Center in honor of McPartland's 89th birthday with guest Dr. Billy Taylor and a session at Tanglewood with guest Renee Rosnes. In addition McPartland was filmed performing at the Centennial Concert for her late husband Jimmy McPartland at the JVC Jazz Festival, New York. In November the University of South Carolina Symphony’s premiere performance of McPartland’s concert piece, Portrait of Rachel Carson was documented. In Good Time will feature performances of McPartland's own musical compositions and discuss her pioneering role as a woman jazz musician.
Without the support of donations from individuals I could not continue making films that honor and document extraordinary people. These films are a testament to the arts and the artists they document. With In Good Time I have the opportunity to work with one of our national treasures. Please let me know if you would like to help by making a tax deductible donation to support production of In Good Time by sending me an e-mail. As always I appreciate your support. huey@filmsbyhuey.com
30th Maine Student Film and Video Festival, July 21, 2007
Laura Tyler, Huey, Reg Groff at the Alumni Panel discussion , 30th MSFVF
July 21, 2007 marked the 30th Maine Student Film and Video Festival. The Public Screening and Awards Ceremony was held at Waterville Opera House in conjunction with the 10th Maine International Film Festival. I am director of the Festival and have been since the 2nd Festival. I am always amazed at the range and quality of student movies we receive every year.
MSFVF is open to Maine residents 19 years of age and younger. This year there were 46 movies entered from 24 schools and 10 students working independently representing the work of over 100 students in grades K-12 from all parts of Maine. The movies submitted to the Festival are judged on the basis of originality, content, style, and technique. Movies are reviewed by categories: Pre-Teen Division, grades K - 6; Junior Division, grades 7 - 8; and Senior Division, grades 9 - 12.
This year’s Grand Prize winning film was "Island Prom" made by Galen Koch and Leti Douglas, Deer Isle-Stonington High School, Deer Isle. The judges also gave The Judges’ Special Award for Creativity to "The Art of Walking", made by Kevin Henthorn, who attends Freeport High School, Freeport. In recognition of its 30th year, Jake Smith, a student at Waynflete School, Portland, made a 12 minute documentary on the Festival. After the screening the public and the student moviemakers attended a reception. During the reception they took part in a panel discussion with past MSFVF winning moviemakers on how they made the transition from student moviemakers to professional film and video makers. The panelists were Laura Tyler, documentary filmmaker from Boulder, CO, Jim Cole, director of "Sundowing" and other features from Portland, and Reg Groff, owner of Groff Video in Portland.
I enjoyed watching this year’s winning moviemakers ask questions of these alumni who I remember when the panelists entered their films as students. I guess that dates me but the panel discussion exceeded my expectations and I plan to continue it next year.
To get an entry form for the 31st MSFVF go to http://www.msfvf.com/
Maine Film Commission Presents the Third Huey Award to Randy Visser
In the spirit of Hollywood's Oscars the Maine Film Academy honored members the Maine film community at the 3rd Annual Maine Film Academy Awards Gala on Saturday, February 24, Waterville, ME. A celebration of film making and film exhibition in Maine, the Gala featured the Maine Film Academy Awards Ceremony, live music and dancing, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and Maine film updates and announcements. In addition, special guest Karen Young of The Sopranos and the critically acclaimed film, Heading South, presented a screening of her short film, The Pesky Suitor, directed by Young and starring Claire Danes.
There will be several awards given out including the Huey Award.
Huey, Abbott Meader (Huey Award, 2005) Randy Visser (Huey Award, 2007)
The Huey Award: Randy Visser; Named for Huey, a noted Maine filmmaker, educator and director of the Maine Student Film & Video Festival, The Huey Award is presented by the Maine Film Commission to a Maine resident who exhibits "exceptional contributions to film and education in Maine." This year’s recipient, Randy Visser established the Media Center at Southern Maine Community College in 1985, is the senior faculty member in the Communications Department and has been teaching media since 1981.
Portland Magazine picks Huey as one of Maine's 10 Most Intriguing People
Portland Magazine, November , 2006, "28 Saints & Strangers: The 10 Most Intriguing People in Maine"
Frances Auclair, Christopher Campbell, Stockard Channing, Asherah Cinnamon, Huey, Luke Muzzy, Shalom Odokara, Eric Weinrich, Owen Wells, and Seth Wescott. Huey is on pg 46-47. http://www.portlandmagazine.com/index.html
Now Available
Tony Montanaro, Theatre & Inspiration
by Huey, Leland Faulkner, Richard Searls. Premiere, July 2006.
"Tony Montanaro, he was lyrical , comical, he could be tragic too,... he was his own director."
Marcel Marceau
Tony Montanaro (1927-2002) was one of the great mime artists of the 20th Century. Theatre & Inspiration celebrates his life and contributions to the world of theatre and the joy he brought to audiences across America and Europe. In the film, rare archival footage of Montanaro is interwoven with interviews and performances. Featured in these scenes are Montanaro's wife and performing partner, Karen Montanaro, and legendary mime Marcel Marceau.
The premiere screening was at the Maine International Film Festival , Waterville. Then we went on to screenings at The Celebration Barn (founded by Tony in 1972), South Paris, and The Movies on Exchange St., Portland. Thanks to all of those who turned out for the screenings.
And thanks to Shipyard Brewing Company, Fred Garbo, and Tom Bergeron for sponsoring the premiere of the film. Also a great big thanks to our major benefactor and chief supporter Alan Day!
"I'm a mime. And as a mime I want to on a bare stage show that a man,
whose a miracle to me, can be anything, can be anybody."
Tony Montanaro
New Film in the Works
Trailer Ready in 2008
Sunset, Walden Pond, Concord, MA, July, 2006
Henry David Thoreau, Surveyor of the Soul, A Film by Huey
In October, 2005, filming began for Henry David Thoreau, Surveyor of the Soul, a feature length documentary film, scheduled for release in 2009. Interviews were filmed with Robert Bly, poet; Howard Zinn, author, A People’s History of the United States; Darren Ranco, professor, Dartmouth College and member Penobscot Nation; Walter Brain, who walks daily where Thoreau walked at Walden Pond; Denise Morrissey, Supervisor, Walden Pond State Reservation; Wai Chee Dimock, Professor, Yale Univeristy who believes Thoreau was a conduit for Eastern relgions into America in the 19th Century; and Joe Wheeler, filmed leading tours at the Thoreau birth home. Further filming was done at the Thoreau Gallery, Concord Museum, of the chair and desk Thoreau used at Walden Pond.
Laela Kilbourn filming in the Thoreau Gallery, Concord, Museum, October, 2005
We also fimed Representative John Lewis, the civil rights leader, past president of SNCC and Freedom Rider, in Boston. He was leading a re-enactment walk in recognition of the 40th anniversary of his march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL. Sen John Kerry, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, activist Ron Bell, and 5000 others took part in the March from Roxbury to Boston Common. Rep. Lewis will be interviewed for the film talking about how he and others studed Thoreau in preparing themselves for the protests and events that marked the Civil Rights Movement.
Rep. John Lewis speaking at First Church, Roxbury, MA, Ocotober, 2005. Sen. Kerry, Mayor Menino, Bryon Rushing, Ron Bell, and others look on.
David Darling, cellist, and Tom Myron composer, clown around after a recording session, November, 2005
In November last year Tom Myron completed composition and recording of sample music for Surveyor of the Soul. The music based on "Tom Bowling", a favorite song of Thoreau's, was performed on flute and piano. David Darling the grammy nominated musician and former Paul Winter Consort member played cello on the track entitled "Contact".
In the summer of 2006, I documented activities at the Annual Gathering of the Thoreau Society, Concord, MA. Thoreauvian Walter Brain led a walk around Walden Pond. Walter took his group to Emerson's Cliff and to Thoreau's favorite marsh and frog ponds which were subjects of many entires in his Journal.
Walter Brain, Rhonda Wanser, camera, James Demer, sound, near Walden Pond, July, 2006
Huey with Albena Bakratcheva, Antonio Casada daRocha, and Albena's daughter, Walden Pond, July, 2006
One of the exciting parts of the filming was interviewing the international visitors to the Gathering. Albena Bakratcheva from Bulgaria explained how her translation of Thoreau's essay "Civil Disobedience" into her native Bulgarian was instrumental in rallying her fellow citizens in Bulgaria's Velvet Revolution. Antonio Casada daRocha talked about the interest in Spain and the Basque Country in Thoreau's writings. We also interviewed visitors from Japan and Russia.
We ended the filming interviewing D.B. Johnson, the well known children's author and illustrator of Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and other books about Henry Thoreau. Johnson who draws Thoreau as a bear, read from his book Henry Climbs a Mountain.
Watch for the announcement of the release of a 10 minute film trailer for Surveyor of the Soul in 2008
Thanks to all our individual donors and to the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, NH Humanities Council, and the Maine Humanities Council for their funding support.
If you wish to make a tax deductible donation to the film please contact me at huey@filmsbyhuey.com
Our Biggest Selling Video
Wilderness and Spirit, A Mountain Called Katahdin, 100 minutes, 2002.
Available on DVD, VHS video, or Soundtrack CD
Order online at www.filmsbyhuey.com and order via credit card OR download the PDF order form and pay by check.
VHS Videos and DVDs are $24.95 each .
Soundtrack CDs are $14.95 each
Maine residents add 5% sales tax.
Shipping is $3 for one item. Add $2 per additional item.
Check payable to Films by Huey, 103 Montrose Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Also Available at filmsbyhuey.com
Honest Vision, A Portrait of Todd Webb, a Film by Huey
Honest Vision, A Portrait of Todd Webb chronicles the life and career of American photographer Todd Webb (1905-2000) told through the wit and stories of Webb himself. Featured are Webb’s elegant black and white photographs of Paris and New York in the 1940s and 1950s, and his photographs of the American West taken from 1955-65 when he retraced the Gold Rush Trails by foot, by bicycle, and by motor scooter. Honest Vision is also the love story of Todd and Lucille Webb. An inseparable team, the interviews with Lucille Webb give an insight to the influence a partner has on the creative life of an artist. . DVDs and VHS videos of Honest Vision will be available for sale.
Here's what the people are saying about Honest Vision.
"A photographic journey that is both historic and powerful. Recommended for all audiences."
Rosemary Arneson, “Library Journal”
Silver Plaque, Chicago International Film Festival
Bronze Apple, National Educational Media Network Competition
Taos Talking Picture Festival
Denver International Film Festival
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Broadcast on PBS and on television in France, Germany, Italy and Israel
“Middle school youngsters should get an insight into the esthetics of still photography, and older students should value even more the spirit of the artist as well as the expressive potential of the photographs.”
Kenneth Marantz, “Audio Visual Review”
“A refreshing portrait of an accomplished photographer, and I recommend that the film be added to your list of ‘required seeing’ for all students of photography.”
Jim Hughes, Author, "Shadow & Substance, W. Eugene Smith"
Honest Vision, A Portrait of Todd Webb, available in DVD and VHS for $19.95 available by clicking on "order videos"
To order Films by Huey videos click on "order videos and CD" on the home page of this site.
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