The Thomas Chapin Film Project
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AN IMPROVISATION: What shall I write?????

7/3/2013

 
PictureThis is me and my film crew in 1991, making my first film. I was a novice but still called myself a "fimmaker", a worthy life goal.



        It's July, almost the 4th, a time of celebration.
Ok, that's not a bad opening line.
        I haven't blogged in a while, ever since Kickstarter ended and the prep for filming my film began shortly after a mental break and after transplanting myself again to NYC from the island of Kauai where I had sequestered myself for the 45-day online fundraising campaign. I love that word sequestered, it has many uses these days.

Can you tell I am making this up as I go?  Why? Time is precious now as I begin to shoot my film this month with a to-do list is endless. So I'm writing off the top of my head, it's an improv, something I am learning about working on this film of mine.

In journalism, back in the days of my J-School years, we called it "free writing." Wikipedia defines it as: Free writing is a prewriting technique in which a person writes continuously for a set period of time without regard to spelling, grammar, or topic. It produces raw, often unusable material, but helps writers overcome blocks of apathy and self-criticism. It is used mainly by prose writers and writing teachers. Some writers use the technique to collect initial thoughts and ideas on a topic, often as a preliminary to formal writing.

In jazz, a band free writes with instruments, notes and chords. It's called improvisation. Some improv in jazz is so free, i.e. they go wayyyyyy out with their feelings, thoughts and emotions as they composeon the spot to express something new and fresh. That's what I am learning as I research the Thomas Chapin story. He was a free man, and he loved taking the journey to wherever it led him and his band, and he loved drawing the audience into that journey to give them one helluva ride! 

Well, I hope my improv here is going to draw you in, but I promise it won't be so wild.

The last few months, though, have been a wild ride for me. Packed up again and left Kauai for Jackson Hts, NYC where I am living and working on my film. I'm in the space where Thomas used to live with his wife, my sister Terri. She's a gracious host and good company, especially when I need to take a break and we go out for dinner or to a movie. She understands that I have to be glued to my computer and chair to get all this shoot planning done, so we're even skipping going out on the July 4th so I can keep working. My back hurts, my neck too, not to mention my body aches caused from sitting too long. This, my friends, is the life of a filmmaker on deadline. Nose to the grind, hands on the wheel.  Focus, focus, focus.

Yikes, I have 25 on-camera interviews to do this month, plus attend a big, grand wedding at the Plaza, a black-tie affair that will be a wonderful diversion in between my two shoot periods. The first shoot will be in Hartford, CT where Thomas grew up and later went to jazz school and played the clubs with friends, and where his long-time fans followed his every recording, radio interview, concerts, club gigs, and news articles from the time of his public launch into the Lionel Hampton Band and through the seven years of his own Thomas Chapin Trio. These fans are die-hards, and I loved meeting so many of them when we launched my film's fundraising trailer. 60 of them came out! And they glowed when I asked about their connection to Thomas.

I'll be seeing some of them again on July 8th on our first day of filmming, at the Monday Night Jazz Series at Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford featuring musicians/longtime friends who played with Thomas. They'll be a septet for this concert under band leader Mario Pavone, who was Thomas's bassist and fellow composer for the Trio and for all of those seven years. The band will be playing Thomas' SKY PIECE, on his last recorded CD before he passed. Thomas did it with a flute and his Trio; this will be a Septet version with horns instead. Can't wait to film this and capture it for my documentary.

The days to follow will be on-camera interviews with the Connecticut musicians who played with Thomas, including Mario. These were Thomas' homeboys. I'm sure the stories will be intimate and funny and sad. It was here Thomas played his last concert, a 10-minute flute solo at Cheney Hall when some 60 musicians played for him and a turn-away audience of some 500 fans and curious folks. Thomas died 12 days later; what's not to cry about. He was so beloved in Hartford.

One of the interviews will be with someone who only played with Thomas once, and that was in Hartford. But while Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers' fame, lives in this area, he is a world stage player who began as a drummer with blues man Otis Redding. Jaimoe remembers seeing Thomas for the first time and being wowed by his alto sax playing. He ended up having his gig with Thomas recorded on video, footage that we are now trying to locate. I just love gathering stories like this!

The other shoot will begin in mid-July and go for six days in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Interviewees will be NYC musicians who played with Thomas and jazz writers/critics who followed him. My sister Terri, Thomas brother Ted, educator Larry Ridley, and long-time friend Arthur Kell will share their stories too. 

Yes, it's a vigorous schedule, but I want to keep the momentum up and do as much as I can with the money I raised at Kickstarter back in March. I'm working fast, I'm working hard, to keep my promise to backers to film this summer!! 

One last word. If you ever make a film, don't film in July, the middle of summer in NYC! My big concerns are the heat, air conditioners that work, and city traffic that could tie up my film crew. Other than that, I'm just so happy to get this going. I'll get that massage later when I am done, because I'm going to need it, and I will deserve it!!!

Stephanie, without regard to spelling, grammar,...

Building the Momentum. December blew hot!

12/27/2012

 
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The hand over her heart say a lot. The  Connecticut fans of Thomas Chapin -- long-timers and die-hards -- came out to a reception to celebrate Thomas' new CD and the showing of my film's new 15 min. trailer. This is the area where Thomas grew up and kept his connections strong until he passed.

It was a love fest, someone said.  And it was. Most of the 60-70 people who came to the Real Art Ways center in Hartford knew Thomas, watched him play many times during his visits back home, and acknowledged, when asked if they wanted to see a film on him, YES!  I was singing to the choir!  And it felt good, as I watched them watch my trailer. It grabbed, it spoke it, it stoked their heart fires for Thomas and their memories of him.  Good job Stephanie!

Yes, when you do a trailer for a film project, you want more than anything to communicate your idea that a film is worth making. My film will be an homage to a jazz great who left us too soon. And making this film about Thomas Chapin presents a way to preserve his memory and to keep his musical legacy alive and a good thing to remember.

December was indeed a hot bed of building the film project's momentum. I mentioned before in an earlier blog that there would be a convergence, there would be synergy, there would be a moment when the new CD, NEVER LET ME GO, and the Thomas Chapin Film Project would together generate PR and good exposure for the film. Well, it happened. The CD got good press in reviews in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Hartford Courant, with a CT radio interview, and in many blogs. It even made the Best of Jazz in 2012 in a few online columns and blogs.  And a few mentioned my film project, for which I was grateful. Riding the coat tails of the new CD release is an honor!

We also kicked off our fundraising campaign to aid the film project in these early days of development and research by selling the CD's at the Hartford reception and at a party in Manhattan, with all the proceeds and donations going toward the film.

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Thank you's are in order for allowing me to use the CD as a fundraising tool to CD producers Ted Chapin (Thomas brother) and my sister, Terri Castillo Chapin (widow and the keeper of Thomas' legacy).  With the funds that were raised, we were able to pay some outstanding project bills, including my grant writer, our research transcriber, and our travel expenses for the Hartford trip while setting aside some funds for an upcoming trip to North Carolina where I will visit Thomas' archives at Duke University.  These small steps to keep the film project's momentum going are no small thing.

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While in Hartford, Terri and I did an interview with jazz show host Chuck Obuchowsk at public access radio WWUH. The week before I spoke to Jim Siegel about the film project on his podcast Straight, No Chaser (listened to worldwide by some 15,000). 

Yes, December blew hot for the publicity and PR momentum. As we approach January and February, I'll be gearing up for a major push to build more awareness for the film project, and for our buildup to a major fundraising effort on kickstarter.com, a place where artists can raise money for their creative project.

I hope you're running with me. It will be your chance to be part of something very important and very worthy!  If you haven't already, please watch my trailer at https://vimeo.com/55292082.

Thomas Chapin: What's All the Fuss?  Importance and Urgency

11/17/2012

 
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Part 2, or What's All the Fuss?

When I last blogged, I had just arrived in NYC for a three-month stay to finish my film's research and to make the film's fundraising trailer.

Almost a month later now, the trailer is coming along very nicely, with a "premiere" date of Dec. 9 when I will show it to a small group (100 people or so) at the Manhattan home of Thomas' brother Ted. Thomas' latest 3-CD set, NEVER LET ME GO, will be celebrated, and the Thomas Chapin film project will be officially launched with the viewing of the trailer.

After that, I will be on my way to Hartford, Connecticut to do a few media interviews with two NPR radio stations and two Hartford newspapers.  This will kick off a media campaign for the film.  Why Hartford? Some of Thomas' biggest fans were/are there; Thomas was a native son of Connecticut. And it was the last place he performed -- some 500+plus fans attended, before he pass away just 12 days later in February of 1998.  It seems fitting to go to Hartford first to to there and talk with the media about the film, and to be there, on Dec. 11, the day of the official release of the NEVER LET ME GO.

Whenever Thomas could take a break from touring or playing, he'd come home to Manchester, CT where his parents lived, to walk in the woods he so loved,


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and to drop by and talk with NPR jazz broadcasters and Hartford newspaper reporters who were following his career. When he passed away, these same media folks paid tribute to him and fondly recalled the many visits he had made. I'm excited about meeting them and sharing on their NPR shows and their newspapers about my film on Thomas.

My sister Terri, Thomas' widow, will be traveling with me to Hartford, and we'll do as Thomas did, ....drop in on Thomas' media friends to begin the all-important media "blitz" to build awareness about the film project. The other strategy here is to make the project "real" to foundations, grantors and other possible funders in Connecticut. Nothing like an NPR radio interview or a few newspaper stories to say to these folks, "See, it's real and worthy of your support."

Two critical questions that will surely come up during the interviews with the NPR folks and the newspapers, WHY ALL THE FUSS ABOUT THOMAS CHAPIN?  and  WHAT'S THE HURRY?  Importance and urgency. Two inescapable words that will always be at the forefront when talking about funding this film.  They are so important that I have created an FAQ page for this website that addresses these questions.  I hope you will go and read about why I am making a fuss about some guy who died 15 years ago.

He wasn't just some guy. When he died, his obit was in the NY Times and the International Tribune Herald, and NPR jazz programs across the country paid tribute.  He was SOMEBODY that many do not know, and someone that should be known and not be forgotten.  My film will unfold the whys. 

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Be Mesmerized, Be Thomasized

6/27/2012

 
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On June 14 in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a sacred space called The Boulder House, an event hosted by Diamond Visions Events allowed me for the first time to expose an audience to Thomas Chapin's music.

There were some jazz lovers among the 50-plus who attended, but my guess is that most were among the "uninitiated". That is they were far from being jazz fans or afficiandos. 

They had been sitting for a while as I shared stories and clips of my 25 years of filmmaking; some got restless, I must confess, as I was going on a bit too long.

But when it was finally time to share about my new film project, the room stopped moving, and all ears and eyes were on the clip I played for them as an introduction to Thomas Chapin.

I had a feeling they would enjoy this clip, a 6-minute video of the Thomas Chapin Trio playing on the big stage before 10,000 people at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1995. 

What I didn't anticipate was the silence and stillness in the room as the music romped and the Chapin riffs and chops filled the space.  This powerful performance seemed to drench the air with energy and excitement.  It's that "Thomas Chapin thing" I thought. Folks who had seen him play live would talk about this phenomena. Captivating energy, mesmerizing, stimulating jazz.

That night, I became very sure that the film I was making would prove to be one that could hold any audience. Because Thomas could, his music could, did and still does. 

Can't wait to mesmerize and Thomasize everyone with this film!!




Yes, I've Been Interviewing. Who?

6/11/2012

 
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I've just spent three weeks in New York City and Tucson, AZ conducting research for the Thomas Chapin film. There were ten individuals I interviewed, all of them friends of Thomas', who, I feel, hold important parts of his story.

My interviews with them ran between two to three hours, which I recorded on a little pocket video camera. The "real" filmming will happen next year. These recent interviews are important for shaping the script, for honing the story, for making decisions about the film's content. 

I learned a tremendous amount, not just more intimate details about Thomas and how much he meant to the jazz scene back then, but what that scene was really like--a hot bed of aggressive improvisers exploring the music freely and a great, growing gathering of listeners who were excited by what they heard, and who wanted more!

I learned also what great colleagues, music business promoters, and friends Thomas was surrounded by, and how much they respected and admired him on so many levels. Whether charmed by his raucous laugh or his crazed adventures to collect sounds and music of all kinds, to all of them Thomas stood out as a brilliant composer and musician, but most of all a giant of a caring, decent human being.

Who did I interview? In the order of the interviews:
  
Ted Chapin, Thomas' older brother, who spoke about the family and their lives together in the early years of Thomas' life. He told me about how Thomas rebelled against his strict family upbringing and New England roots to find his true self.

Mario Pavone, the bassist in the Thomas Chapin Trio, who played with Thomas for more than seven years.  He spoke about the tremendous energy that Thomas played with and how as a band leader Thomas was a "hard task master". "He was goin' somewhere fast."

Arthur Kell, who was Thomas' best friend since the two attended a prestigious prep school in Massachusetts. A bassist and traveler with Thomas to Africa. Arthur was the one who met a very sick Thomas in 1997 and put him on a plane for home, shortly after which Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia.

Bruce Gallanter, owner of Downtown Music Gallery in Manhattan that specializes in avant-garde music. He continues to push Thomas and his recordings because he believes in Thomas' legacy. He said though Thomas passed in 1998, his music lives and new jazz fans need to know about him.

Jerry Weldon, who played with Thomas in Lionel Hampton's big band. The two met as jazz students at Rutgers University and were roommates. Jerry's stories are colorful and full of hilarity; they called themselves Tom and Jerry.

John Phillips, retired from the jazz promotions scene, John produced the Newport Jazz Festivals and the 20 seasons of the show on PBS.  He was the one responsible for putting Thomas and his trio on the Newport stage and the big jazz stages in Japan, Canada and Europe. He and Thomas were friends, and with John, Thomas shared his dreams for the future.

Michael Sarin, drummer of The Thomas Chapin Trio, who spoke about Thomas' love for world music and world culture.  Thomas was a collector, said Michael, and wherever the trio went, the first thing Thomas wanted to do was to add to his varied collections be it money, record albums, native clothes, or instruments. "He was well-rounded and not all about playing jazz, though that was the biggest part of him."

Sam Kaufman, who became Thomas' manager towards the end of his life. The two were preparing to launch Thomas' newest CD and land a major record deal when things came to a halt when Thomas got very sick.  Sam spoke of how Thomas was at his greatest heights of achievement with plenty more dreams ahead.

Marty Khan of Tucson, AZ, who helped Thomas with career planning as Thomas advanced towards an economically and not just artistically viable career. Steeped in jazz history and jazz giants, he heard Thomas' music and recognized its rarity for the era of jazz that was the 80's and 90's.

Nadar Nihal Singh, also of Tucson, and I met at the Phoenix airport international terminal for a few hours to talk about Thomas.  Just returning from studying music in India for four months, he spoke about Thomas, who he had never met.  Nadar Nihal claims Thomas is one of his great jazz heroes, whose music still inspires him. Several years ago, Nadar Nihal had given up his sax and pursuit of a career in jazz to deepen his spiritual path as a Sikh. But he told me that an email from me about starting my film project on Thomas inspired him to return to NYC and to pick up his sax again.

Paul Jeffrey, celebrated jazz master and tenor saxophonist, was mentor/teacher/friend to Thomas. We spoke by phone. Paul lives in Durham, NC where he had been Director of Duke University's jazz studies for over 25 years. Paul took Thomas on as a young student at Rutgers University and saw the gold in him. Paul talked of helping develop and guide Thomas' musical development, even speaking to Thomas' parents about the need to support their son. 

During my ten days in NYC, I stayed in Jackson Hts., Queens at my sister's. Although I didn't "sit her down" for an interview, Terri Castillo Chapin, Thomas' widow and my younger sister, guided me to the key interviews above and talked of her Thomas and how beautiful a human being he was, and how people still love and miss him.

In my next blog, I will share how these interviewees responded to my question: DOES THOMAS CHAPIN DESERVE TO HAVE A FILM MADE ABOUT HIM? 

Let's Get the Research Going! The travel begins!

5/11/2012

 
When you start a film project, there are so many things to "launch".  A website. A social media plan. A way to formally announce the project. The fundraising.  I'll come back to these to explain my strategies and thinking on their launching.

Let's talk Research. 

Research is what you do day and night while you do everything else.  On an average day since I created this project, I have been researching the subjects of Thomas Chapin and his life, the world of jazz, the people I should talk to, and the business side of launching this film. I probably have spent almost 8  hours a day!  Some in the morning, some in the afternoon, and a lot of it at night. Some of it in "dream" time.

Research, ie education, is a steep, vertical learning curve these days.

On Tuesday, May 15, I begin my first Research Trip.  First?  Yes, this is only one of many times I will have to leave my quiet, country-living in a cottage on the island of Kauai and head into the Big Cities where this story takes place.  Mainly New York City. Where I will be meeting with some of the primary storytellers for the Thomas Chapin film.  His brother Ted.  His trio members, Mike and Mario. A high school class mate of Thomas, Arthur. John, a jazz festival promoter who brought Thomas to the big performing stages of jazz at Newport, RI and in Europe.  Jerry, who played with Thomas in Lionel Hampton's band in the 1980's. Terri, Thomas' wife and partner for 10 years before he passed; she's my sister, a central storyteller for my film, and my host in NYC. And there are a few others important storytellers who I am still setting up appointments with. 

This trip will also take me to Tuscon, Arizona, where I will meet and interview two other storytellers. Marty, who met Thomas toward the end, but saw enough to know how special a musician and person Thomas was. He advised Thomas in jazz business matters and holds, I think, a very important perspective on the timing of Thomas' passing.  Interesting!! I will also meet up with young, next generation player, Nadar Nihal, who is an American studying spirituality and music in India. He knew Thomas only by listening to his music but was inspired to play his horn at Thomas' memorial on the 10th anniversary of Thomas' passing.

Also while in AZ, my dear friend Carmella will be hosting a fundraiser in hopes of adding to my Early Birds list of donors.  (Have you thought about becoming an Early Bird?  click here.)

Won't you follow my blog, and take this trip with me.  I will be posting as I go.  I will let you in on some of my Research findings and will be posting photos.

Yikes! You mean you need money to make a film??

4/25/2012

 
In filmmaking, funding the film is the greatest conundrum.

A great idea, but will they fund it?

For all filmmakers, funding is both a matter of faith--they will come, the funders-- and art-- the art of strategy, business acumen, and effective marketing and promotions.

Funding the film is a high-risk venture for any filmmaker who commits to "putting it all in".  That's why it sometimes feels like insanity to venture in.

But having raised several million dollars to make my nine documentaries--four that made it to PBS and one that won an EMMY, I know that it still takes unreasonableness to say, "I am going to make another film, because this is my gift and calling, this is what I do and do well."

Art is never a rational process when it comes to creation; funding, on the other hand, is a rational process and can be successful with smart thinking, out of the box strategies, and luck of your own making. 

Yes there is luck in business. And good timing. And fistfuls of stories of dreamers who found a way. I am up to it all and am asking you to take the journey with me, and to be a partner in making this film a reality. 

Early Birds are needed to assist in the film's launch and survival during its R&D (development and research) phase -- when there is nothing to see.  Who are the Early Birds? They fans or friends.  They are connected, like a supportive family or circle.  Or they just love the idea of the film, or just BELIEVE.  Belief is a strong expression of confidence in the film idea and in the filmmaker. 

When I had creative doubts early on if I could make this film and I was unsure of myself, the fear was strong.  My sister Terri sent me this quote to encourage and embolden me. It's from William Hutchinson Murray (1913-1996), from his 1951 book entitled The Scottish Himalayan Expedition.

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

                   Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.                   
               Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

And so I say:  I have begun. And so has Providence.

Early Bird Friends can donate now. 
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    I am an EMMY-winning filmmaker. I am making my 10th documentary.  It's always quite a ride to start a film as it is to finish one. Come along and watch from behind the scenes.  More about me...

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