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Saturday, 7 August 2010
Film Premiere Videos

We would like to thank our friends and fellow filmmakers Tom Van Winkle and Scott Eyestone of Heritage Media LLC for shooting, editing, and generously donating the following videos that were shot at our documentary's premiere on July 24th, 2010. In addition to producing the outstanding local television show "History Scene," Heritage Media LLC is also the studio behind Civil War: Fredericksburg Then and Now, a critically acclaimed DVD that presents the town's experiences during the War Between the States and how to best enjoy the sites that commemorate them. Right Stripe Media LLC looks forward to working with Heritage Media LLC to explore and promote our mutual interests.

 

 

Presentations: "The Angel of Marye's Heights" Premiere from Scott Eyestone on Vimeo.

 

Comments and Interviews: "The Angel of Marye's Heights" Premiere from Scott Eyestone on Vimeo.

 

Director's Interview: "Angel of Marye's Heights" Premiere from Scott Eyestone on Vimeo.


Posted by ny5/pinstripepress at 4:11 PM EDT
Updated: Saturday, 7 August 2010 4:12 PM EDT
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Thursday, 5 August 2010
The reviews are in

It’s one thing to have your mother tell you that she loved your movie. It’s completely another to have experts in the field do the same. Following our premiere we petitioned some of the audience members who work in the field of historical study and preservation to give us an honest critique. We are beginning to receive their comments via email. We thank them all for their thoughts and consideration.  

"This film was a poignant, inspiring portrayal of an unassuming hero.  It made a touching Civil War story leap from the pages of history and come alive." – Jane Conner, historian and author of Birthstone of the White House and Capitol and Sinners, Saints, & Soldiers in Civil War Stafford.   

"A great Civil War story brilliantly crafted.  The use of animation augmenting the experts was superb." – Scott Eyestone, Director/Editor, Civil War Fredericksburg: Then & Now DVD 

"A fine debut from filmmakers Clint Ross and Michael Aubrecht telling the remarkable story of American hero Richard Kirkland, with his touching act of humanity at Fredericksburg in an otherwise brutal war." – Scott C. Boyd, Civil War News 

"The Angel of Marye’s Heights demonstrates the selfless civil acts that individual soldiers made in a vastly uncivil war. The film was superbly done and conveys the truly personal side of those who gave all for what they believed." – Tom Van Winkle, Director of Communications, Central VA Battlefields Trust 

"The Angel of Marye’s Heights is as timeless as it is timely. As Americans get set to commemorate our country’s Civil War sesquicentennial, the film and the story it tells are a moving reminder of — and a fitting tribute to — the men behind the monuments." – Mark Coombs, Civil War Preservation Trust

"The Angel of Marye's Heights was a brilliantly produced documentary film about Richard Kirkland's selfless heroism in the eye of the storm. Michael Aubrecht and Clint Ross left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of patrons who attended the premiere. This story is one that needs to be shared across the country." - Chris Williams, freelance writer and critic

Posted by ny5/pinstripepress at 2:02 PM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 10 August 2010 8:43 AM EDT
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Monday, 2 August 2010
And we're off...


Now that our film has been released, I am very busy preparing speeches for multiple film screenings which will take place across 4 states over the next two months. This includes showings at Liberty University and Mary Washington University. As a result, the majority of my blogging will also be taking place over on the movie’s website. I do plan to share a series of broadcast quality videos from the premiere courtesy of our friends at Heritage Media LLC, as well as some other non-film related pieces. I also have a short feature on Ben Franklin coming out in Sept’s. Patriots of the American Revolution and my intention is to return to my Jefferson manuscript after things calm down a bit. Until then, my producer role takes precedent. Thanks for your patience and be sure to follow us on the road over at the AMH Blog.

 

BTW: Clint and I received a wonderful email this week by noted NPS historian and cast member Donald Pfanz, whose words of encouragement give us a great sense of validation. It was an honor to work with an author and historian of his caliber and we both look forward to doing so again. Thank you Don.

Clint and Michael,

It was an honor and a pleasure being a part of this film. The credit for its success goes to you, however. Without vigilant editors, the people in front of the camera can look pretty foolish. The cinematography and production were superb as well. I wish you the best of luck at your future showings. The film will get rave reviews wherever you show it, and rightly so. It would be nice to see it as a feature on "Civil War Journal" or some similar show. It beats 99.9% of what is on television these days. (I'd give it 100%, but it's hard to beat the old Andy Griffith shows.)

Don


Posted by ny5/pinstripepress at 9:55 AM EDT
Updated: Monday, 2 August 2010 9:49 PM EDT
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Sunday, 25 July 2010
A night to remember

UPDATE 7/30: A recap of the premiere is now posted over on the movie's website. Video of the evening's speeches and audience reactions to come. 

Above: Attending cast (left to right), Clint Ross, Donald Pfanz, Richard Warren II,
John Cummings, Megan Hicks, Michael Aubrecht

Last night’s opening here in Fredericksburg could not have gone better and I am still trying to take it all in. We will be adding an entirely new “Premiere” section to the film’s website at www.theangelmovie.com which will feature video, photos and commentary from the event. Until then, here’s a quick update…

After spending all morning configuring the theater, syncing the AV systems with our computers, setting up the posters, exhibit tables and lights, our team was joined by local exhibitors, preservationists and re-enactors who all added both a purpose and character to the evening’s festivities. As producer, I was very anxious about the kind of crowd that we would get. In all honesty, I thought that we might fill the seats. I never expected what was to come.

The doors opened at 6:00 and within 15 minutes the theater was at max-capacity and then some. Every seat and standing area was filled and they were forced to close the doors. As a result, we made the decision to hold a second showing later in the evening.

Following the first 30-minute screening and speeches by Clint and me, we were taped for broadcast by the good folks at History Scene and interviewed by Civil War News. We had a roving cameraman and photographer shoot the party crowd and even taped our own spots for video. The estimated audience count was approx. 200 at the first showing and the second was also successful (w/ a much smaller crowd).

Our film received rave reviews by everyone in attendance from NPS staff to non-history buffs. The donors contributing to the DVD portion of this project were very generous and we were able to shine a spotlight on several other causes including the National Civil War Life Foundation, Friends of the Wilderness Battlefields, the Friends of the Fredericksburg Area Battlefields, the Civil War Preservation Trust and local tourism promoters.

It was an exhausting and exhilarating experience and we are just getting started. To those who were turned away at the door after we met capacity, I am very sorry. The film will be running at the Civil War Life Museum daily starting in the next week or so. Believe it or not, this is just the beginning. We have some big screenings coming up along with lots of press.

Clint and I could not be more thankful. Stay tuned.


Posted by ny5/pinstripepress at 11:11 PM EDT
Updated: Friday, 30 July 2010 8:22 AM EDT
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Friday, 16 July 2010
UPDATE

I am very busy doing a lot of press and preparing for the upcoming premiere of our film The Angel of Marye’s Heights (July 24th - details below). Once this event passes and I am able to catch my breath, I will be back posting at a normal pace. Stay tuned for updates on the Jefferson book project, as well as my next feature in PAR magazine on Ben Franklin and our currency. I am also trying to pitch a lunch review and essay on Gadsby’s Tavern. There will be plenty to share over on the film’s website too including video, photos, and press links from the opening. Thanks for your patience and I hope to see you at one of our screenings.

Posted by ny5/pinstripepress at 10:56 AM EDT
Updated: Friday, 16 July 2010 11:04 AM EDT
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