Garden Bay Films Lizzie "Mini"

JoAnne · Post by **JoAnne** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:48 pm

Wow ! This just keeps getting better and better...or should I say wilder and wilder!
Thanks Richard for another fabulous job. Between you skill and Shelly's imagination, who knows what will be next.
Shelly ,ole gal, you are greeeeaaaattt!
You know you can count Barbara,Kristin and me in for the re-enactment. I know I can wash windows and perhaps with a little practice, even wield and ax. Video recording would be another thing all together. Richard don't sell yourself short. Not everyone can do that job, trust me.
Can't wait to see you all again.

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:43 pm

The problem if we wait until The Season starts at the house, is doing this during the time when the house is open for tours in the morning.- of course I bet visitors would love watching! Tours don't start until 11 so I think a great deal of it would be over by then except for Andrew's murder of course, and discovering the body of Abby and John's return- oh - we can work around it! Maybe for the May Mutton Eater's weekend. It will be here in no time.

Barbara · Post by **Barbara** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:34 pm

What a fantastic job!!! Shelley is a very convincing crazy-lady. I would love to help,along with JoAnne and Kristin,in a reinactment of the murder. Just think of the publicity the house would receive if this was done the week of the anniversary. I know we can't do it on the actual day,after the full day of tours we wouldn't have the energy to recreate anything,except playing dead. I must also compliment the composer,Justin,wonderful music,a perfect interpertation of the mood. I can't wait for the next Muttoneater's gathering. Lady Barbara

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:10 pm

Yes, Justin Durban is a professional film composer who I have used on all my films so far. He'll be composing original music for future Lizzie Minis.

So far finding the right music has been the hardest part, even harder than obtaining the film footage. I go through dozens and dozens of cues just to find the right mood.

What I like about the music in the new Lizzie Mini is that the music is sad, not scary, even though the subject matter and the images lends itself to scary.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:50 am

The first Lizzie Mini, Flowers for Eli, is at 499 viewings, just one viewing away from hitting the milestone of 500 viewings in one month.

If folks are watching the two posted films, don't be shy about rating them or leaving comments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlJumWmayLc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on_-jMcBs-8

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:47 pm

I saw the second mini just now. WOW!!!!!!!!! Shelley, Richard you guys made it so captivating I wouldn't take my eyes off this monitor. Great Job, Kudos to both of you.

Tina-Kate · Post by **Tina-Kate** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:50 pm

I finally got to see the movies (we got our new computer here) & they were both really enjoyable.

Shelley makes a very creepy Lizzie!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:30 pm

I do have more footage from the Mutton Eaters weekend ,but none of it is documentary material, just home movie type stuff.

I'm working on a new one THE DEATH OF ABBY BORDEN. It should be out in about three weeks.

I'm planning on one every month and a half.

kfactor · Post by **kfactor** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:51 pm

I finally watched the second of the Lizzie mini films (Borden Basement). It was wonderful. Congratulations to all involved. The music was especially perfect.

I am up for the "walk in real time" in May, Shelley, and for all additional adventures...

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:18 pm

Bring some comfortable shoes and a watch. Although we won't be doing the complete August 4th, there are some things we can recreate and hopefully draw some conclusions about. I am very interested in timing Morse's Weybosset jaunt. We can't know for sure, but it is highly likely he walked up Second and went east on Pleasant Street to get there. Jeff has the long legs and has volunteered to give it a shot while we cheer him along the route and await him at the other end. Bridget's Run is also on the docket as well as another careful timing of the time needed to do a round trip to Sargent's. Yes, we will manage some aerobic workouts including a change of dress and trip to the cellar!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 3:18 pm

Ssh!! Listen!! Can you hear it??

The third Lizzie Mini is coming our way!! Watch out!!!

Will be released by Friday, perhaps sooner.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:27 pm

Hey, Rich, do you plan to compile these minis and sell them (or otherwise make them available)? I'd buy them in a second (well, it would probably take me more than a second). : )

Michael

(Hope to see you in May.)

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:52 am

I don't know if the videos are up to commercial standards. I mean, they look good on YouTube, but when you play the high resolution versions on the television or digitally project them, you see all the focus problem, the rendering issues, the sound hisses, etc.

I see these as sketches for a larger more professional project. But that will reveal itself as time goes on.

It's good to know that people are interested. I hope the new one (released tomorrow) will be even better than the two that are posted so far.

kfactor · Post by **kfactor** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:05 pm

I can't wait to see the third installment, Richard.

I can't wait to see what documentary opportunities come from the May gathering. As usual, I am up for all Borden adventures. I' Know that JoAnne and Barbara are too!

See you soon,

Kristin

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 2:08 pm

I would love to make a documentary, or a few minis, about the May gathering. I don't think I'll be ready technically to make anything too ambitious. For example, I only have one consumer camera and primitive sound equipment.

I also need to clear permission to film in the house, although I can see it qualifying as home movies taken at a guest event -- but I still would want to get Donald and Lee-ann's blessing.

Also, I would want everyone present to be comfortable with me running around with a camera filming everything. Not everyone is comfortable with that.

But having said that, I'm deifnitely going to bring camera equipment and get footage for a few Minis.

I may have the new one up tonight, not sure yet. But there will be announcements a'plenty, especially on the Blogs.

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:06 pm

I can't wait to see this new mini either. Richard the suspense is killing me. No pun intended. Can't wait to see everybody in May!!!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:05 am

Last night I uploaded the new film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvOueozZp4U

Enjoy!

Angel · Post by **Angel** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:00 am

Very well done!

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:21 pm

Bravo Richard, That was EXCELLENT. Shelley, you did a fantastic job narrating on this film. You come across very well and you are a natural. When you were lying on the carpet, I was wondering how you breathe. I wish you would put all the Lizzie Mini's on a disc, they would make quite a history. Again BRAVO

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 8:23 pm

Wow, that was quite powerful, I think it makes Abby more real as a person instead of the 2 dimensional person she is usually made out to be. Thanks for the wonderful work, Richard and Shelley.

SteveS. · Post by **SteveS.** » Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:14 pm

You did an AWESOME job again Richard. Shelley, you should receive an Academy Award. Your narration of what potentialy could have been the way the murder was commited was riveting. The music selected was perfect. I agree with Nadzieja, it would be wonderful if all the Lizzie Mini's were together on 1 disc. Great job folks!

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:30 am

Guys, I had to delete the video and repost, so the link will be broken for a bit.

The reason is that the opening title claimed the film was shot on Dec 28, 2008. Unless I had indeed stumbled across Bill and Ted's Most Excellent Time Travelling Phone Booth, I don't think that would be possible.

Rather than let it go and be a blooper, I figured I'd fix it before the video is blogged and hundreds of people start rushing at it.

Sorry for the down time and I hope to have it all back up and running by noon on Saturday.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:43 am

Just Reposted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW-mwDP8EPI

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:03 am

This is just so cool, Richard! Thanks for another intimate portrait! You have talent and talented performers! Yay!

Shelley · Post by **Shelley** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:18 am

Richard has such a fresh approach, not only in directing and filming various camera angles and points of view, but also in interviewing and staging the story. Rather than fire off a million questions as most of these shows do, then edit down to a few resposes (usually the more sensational ones), he simply perches quietly in a corner and says something like :"Talk to me about Abby Borden". After a few moments of nervousness, he manages to get the really human and universal aspects out without the interviewee even knowing it. All of the Lizzie minis were pretty much done in one "take"- we did a few repeats on the cellar sequence in Mini #2.
I suspect living in the house, sleeping in Abby's bedroom, telling and retelling the story to so many people week after week, year after year, the Borden family has become very real and the family becomes like people you know. Setting the table in the diningroom for breakfast yesterday, one can't help but think of Bridget making the same route around the table day after day. Climbing the steep stairs up the front, you can see poor Abby huffing and puffing up the same stairs. Making up the bed in the guestroom, it is very easy to imagine Abby's last hour on earth, taking care of people as usual- and that she would never go down those stairs again.
When I show that shaved head, full of gruesome wounds photograph of poor Abby Borden to guests, they just can't imagine who could hate an old lady so much as to do something like that. If Andrew were the intended victim, why slaughter a helpless, Innocent like Abby in such a horrific manner?

I think Richard's use of color adds a real element of reality too, for we are so accustomed to seeing the grisly news in full color these days, the color hurtles the crime into today's understanding of violence. The black and white photos seem to make the crime more remote- somebody else's reality from the distant Past- like old newspaper photos of people long -gone. Richard's gift is drawing out the passion people have for a subject, knowing what to edit, what to keep, and what will resonate with audiences.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:40 pm

Oh, that was well worth the wait!! Beautifully done! Shelley, Abby would be honored and grateful. What's up next Richard?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 3:51 pm

The Death of Abby Borden film came together in a wonderful way because of Shelley and Jill's availability plus access to the house. I'm not sure if the next one could top it, but I'll try.

I hope to have another one within a month, at least before our May gathering.

I hesitate to say what topics because I'm not sure what's possible yet, but an example of the type of things I'm thinking of is:

An Andrew Borden Tour of Downtown Fall River: Andrew's Last Walk.

shakiboo · Post by **shakiboo** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:27 pm

Oh that would be interesting! Doing Bridget that morning would be too. Can't wait!

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:30 pm

I have to say Richard that sounds kind of interesting. to see exactly where he actually went & how long it took him.

JoAnne · Post by **JoAnne** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:38 pm

Richard,
This is wonderful. I think this film was the most poignant. We often discuss the aspects of the murder, the mystery and the "spookiness"of the house; but seldom remember that two innocent people were brutally murdered. Especially Abby seems to get lost in the discussions. Shelly, you really made Abby come alive, a real person who had feelings,people she loved and a life.

Kudos to everyone involved.

Looking forward to May.

Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Garden Bay Films Lizzie "Mini"

Richard's Mini movie