News

Fun in the Field

2009-07-03T18:27:02Z

When they’re off the road from accompanying their father on production shoots around the country, a certain group of Franklin Springs children have been eagerly monitoring a new “Inherit the Land” endeavor at their domicile.

Last week, six year old Davis was gleeful when he caught sight of a local farmer having (at long last) arrived with his tractors and implements.

He and a few of his siblings watched excitedly as the cut hay was raked…

And then the big moment, as the process resulted in bales adorning their land…

Next step: more animals.

Good Neighbors

2009-07-03T00:42:13Z

In Birmingham, Alabama, we found ourselves next to the fine people from the American Family Association. They are launching an exciting new broadcast initiative that will provide innovative programming for families around the country. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the forward-thinking vision of The Homeschool Channel.

The New Ones

2009-06-30T19:56:58Z

Pre-releasing next week…

Pursuit of the Story

2009-06-25T16:23:23Z

A fundamental axiom of production is that you never know what you might have access to if you don’t ask.

At the George Washington Carver museum at Tuskegee, the curator graciously allowed us to get within the protective Plexiglas to shoot artifacts.

The grounds crew had yet to reach Carver’s grave when we were ready to shoot. A call was made, and they were happy to oblige.

Documentary filmmaking requires an awareness of peripheral stories that augment the core subject. We came to focus on Carver, but couldn’t ignore Booker T. Washington. Below is his famous monument “Lifting the Veil of Ignorance”.

Similarly, we had to pay visual homage to the inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen.

We’re now nearly finished with principal photography; the George Washington Carver DVD should be ready for release early this Fall.

Production Continues at Tuskegee

2009-06-24T16:01:29Z

A handy iPhone app denotes our production endeavors today…

While part of our crew is shooting exteriors…

... others have donned the necessary apparel required for admittance to the incredible Archives at Tuskegee. We’re researching and scanning documents and photos from George Washington Carver’s illustrious years here.

Two young production interns have earned their keep schlepping tripods, dollies, lights, and cameras - all while learning more about the inspiring life of George Washington Carver.

Tuskegee

2009-06-24T13:50:03Z

It’s quite warm in southern Alabama today, but the weather hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm for the task at hand.

The George Washington Carver story includes fascinating material from Carver’s time at Tuskegee Institute, where we’ll be shooting over the next three days.

Dividing and Conquering

2009-06-19T04:02:51Z

We’re spread across the country today working on various projects…

Missouri: Mark, Nathan, and crew are shooting scenes for our forthcoming documentary based on the life of renowned scientist George Washington Carver.

Texas: Another Mark is working in the Lone Star State for a season, focusing today on preparing a myriad of details for the Venture Academy series.

Colorado: Ken, Cole, and Peyton are exhibiting at the Colorado Home Educators convention in downtown Denver.

Virginia: Steve and daughter Liza are working within the Friends of Franklin Springs community network to spread the word on our forthcoming projects.

Tennessee: And back in our hometown of Franklin, TJ is busily editing on Venture Academy, which we’ll be releasing for pre-sale at some point in July.

Summer at the West Farm

2009-06-16T04:15:44Z

The Gardening and Canning shoots went well, and we’re pleased to say the same about last Friday’s shoot of the third title in the new Homestead Blessings series, Herbs. Look for these three new titles from the West Ladies later this year.

Hello, HEAV

2009-06-12T23:13:50Z

Getting from Los Angeles to the East Coast wasn’t easy. The thunderstorms in Dallas that kept us on the runway were the least of it…

But we finally arrived in beautiful Richmond, VA for the Home Educators of Virginia conference.

The conference is off to a bustling start…

And with some very nice young ladies to help brighten the booth, it’s nice to be in Virginia…finally.

He Walked With Carver

2009-06-09T13:57:41Z

We traveled to Los Angeles today to interview 98 year old Frank Godden, who attended Tuskegee and was tremendously influenced through his many hours spent under the mentoring of Dr. George Washington Carver.

Production continues in the weeks ahead on this story of Dr. Carver, a great American hero…

Have You Heard Them Sing?

2009-06-05T20:46:24Z

On the new Homestead Blessings DVDs (Gardening, Canning, and Herbs), there will be a special bonus feature on each disc…

In the Can

2009-06-04T20:15:37Z

The next Homestead Blessings DVD with The West Ladies is (as we say in the parlance of production) in the can.

The technology of the Panasonic High Definition tapeless camera (shooting in full resolution on P2 cards) met the timeless craft of preserving food…

The bounty of the Wests’ garden…

Smiles were plentiful throughout the day of shooting…

Coming soon: Homestead Blessings - Canning with The West Ladies…

Round Two

2009-05-29T19:00:23Z

Shooting began today for our three new titles in the Homestead Blessings series. First up: Gardening…

Stay tuned for updates about the exciting new DVDs in the Homestead Blessings Series.

Carver’s Wisdom

2009-05-27T18:05:47Z

Dr. George Grant, who we interviewed today for our new film about George Washington Carver, has a great appreciation for the insightful musings of Carver: http://grantian.blogspot.com/

Tennessee Transplants

2009-05-19T01:34:28Z

These six siblings (cousins of a Franklin Springs family) recently moved from Los Angeles to the countryside not far from Nashville.

The cause of these particular smiles? When their new garden was finished being tilled today, they realized it was bigger than the yard they had in Southern California…