It's been a dizzy autumn for Uproar in Pawtucket!
We premiered the film at the Pawtucket in two viewings at Pawtucket Public Library, to 80 people.
The paparazzi were there and the crowd enthusiastically welcomed both cast and crew.
After the showings, representatives from two film festivals joined us and asked us to submit Uproar to their events.
That led us to be the opening night film at the Pawtucket Arts Festival Film Festival on Sept. 28th- just a week after the previews. Most of the audience there were filmmakers and they had a lot of good questions about the making of and where we would go from there.
Jamestown Arts Center, which is a pre-screener for the RI International Film Festival, has also asked for a copy of the film.
We've worked really hard on Uproar and I'm proud to say that people seem to get a lot out of the film. The hardest part was to balance all viewpoints- of both those people who loved her and wanted her to stay in Pawtucket, and those who saw her suffering and worked to get her out.
So I think Uproar has a lot to say about wild animals, separation, activism, and love. That's why we sometimes call it- "How do you Love an Elephant?" If you know of any place that would love to screen this film and pay a stipend, please let us know! We'll try our best to be there!
11.16.2012
9.21.2012
Tomorrow's the day
Tomorrow's the premiere Day for Uproar in Pawtucket.
The Providence Journal touted it in today's news.
Read all about it at-
http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/09/fanny-the-eleph.html#
The Providence Journal touted it in today's news.
Read all about it at-
http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2012/09/fanny-the-eleph.html#
9.16.2012
Countdown!!!
This is the big week!
We're premiering Uproar in Pawtucket; the Story of Fanny the Elephant at the Pawtucket Public Library at high noon.
All the glitterati and our supporters will be there and the paparazzi are lined up for the event.
Be there or be square- even out of staters are flying and driving in!
We have copies of Uproar available as well as some copies of The Ballad of Baby Roger for those who haven't picked theirs up yet. At $10 a pop, they're quite a deal.
It's been a long haul, and I know there are some people who didn't get in touch and would have liked to add their stories to Fanny's film- but all is not lost for them.
I'm working on the book that includes a lot of stuff I couldn't fit into the film, and if anyone wants to contact me with more info, this would be the time to do it.
But for now, I'd like to focus on thanking the cast, crew, and supporters who made the film possible, and hope to see you all at Pawtucket Library (13 Summer St. Pawtucket) on Saturday.
We're premiering Uproar in Pawtucket; the Story of Fanny the Elephant at the Pawtucket Public Library at high noon.
All the glitterati and our supporters will be there and the paparazzi are lined up for the event.
Be there or be square- even out of staters are flying and driving in!
We have copies of Uproar available as well as some copies of The Ballad of Baby Roger for those who haven't picked theirs up yet. At $10 a pop, they're quite a deal.
It's been a long haul, and I know there are some people who didn't get in touch and would have liked to add their stories to Fanny's film- but all is not lost for them.
I'm working on the book that includes a lot of stuff I couldn't fit into the film, and if anyone wants to contact me with more info, this would be the time to do it.
But for now, I'd like to focus on thanking the cast, crew, and supporters who made the film possible, and hope to see you all at Pawtucket Library (13 Summer St. Pawtucket) on Saturday.
9.04.2012
more publicity
Today the Rhode Island Council on the Humanities promoted Fanny's premiere!
They were the ones that funded my initial research for "Elephants in RI", so they have a stake in letting everyone know about what;'s coming up!
Also, PBS RI has expressed interest in airing Uproar when we've got it tweaked to their specifications.
I saw the latest cleaned-up edit of it today, and am really happy. Just a few more tweaks and we'll be ready to roll.
I hope to see everyone at the premiere, Sat. Sept.22, at high noon (or 2PM).
They were the ones that funded my initial research for "Elephants in RI", so they have a stake in letting everyone know about what;'s coming up!
Also, PBS RI has expressed interest in airing Uproar when we've got it tweaked to their specifications.
I saw the latest cleaned-up edit of it today, and am really happy. Just a few more tweaks and we'll be ready to roll.
I hope to see everyone at the premiere, Sat. Sept.22, at high noon (or 2PM).
8.14.2012
Wow!
It's unbelievable how fast time goes...
Here are the latest updates from "Uproar in Pawtucket".
We have a composer, Joe Rizzo, who has scored the film and we're tweaking it on the timeline as we speak.
The final versions of the film are being reviewed!
We're scheduling the premiere for September 22, which is National Elephant Appreciation Day.
It will be at Pawtucket Public Library in Pawtucket, RI at noon!
We're hoping to contact everyone who has been a part of this film to express our appreciation.
More as things develop
Here are the latest updates from "Uproar in Pawtucket".
We have a composer, Joe Rizzo, who has scored the film and we're tweaking it on the timeline as we speak.
The final versions of the film are being reviewed!
We're scheduling the premiere for September 22, which is National Elephant Appreciation Day.
It will be at Pawtucket Public Library in Pawtucket, RI at noon!
We're hoping to contact everyone who has been a part of this film to express our appreciation.
More as things develop
7.05.2012
UPdate and good news
So much has happened in the past month I can't believe I have posted more about it all here!
Most of the updates have appeared on the facebook page- Uproar in Pawtucket.
The principal shooting is done and I'm on the third pass editing the rough cut. That's very good news. I could actually have stopped at one or two passes, but I really want this to be the best film I can make it.
I'm shooting for a late summer premiere in Pawtucket.
Stay tuned!!!
Most of the updates have appeared on the facebook page- Uproar in Pawtucket.
The principal shooting is done and I'm on the third pass editing the rough cut. That's very good news. I could actually have stopped at one or two passes, but I really want this to be the best film I can make it.
I'm shooting for a late summer premiere in Pawtucket.
Stay tuned!!!
5.31.2012
It's all shaping up...
Fanny's story is shaping up nicely. I'm 25% done with the rough cut.
And we have a composer/musician who is glad to work with us!
Meet Joe Rizzo- a composer from PA who was once part of a group called Amoeba Crunch. It may not sound too appetizing, but many of his cuts caught my ear and I've been using them as a working score for the film.
I am still looking for more pictures and footage- especially of Fanny's early days, and the zoo in general from 1970 on. I ran across a shot of Bob and Jenny Feather riding Fanny in 1984 and would love to find someone who knows them to see if I can get a good quality print to use in the film.
Please contace me at elephantsinri@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or help you may want to give.
And speaking of help- here's another tip of the hat to all those who participated so generously in the fundraising. We are thrilled to be able to acknowledge you and have you as our partners in the film.
There's a new trailer up on youtube for those who want to hear our Voiceover guy enticing you to see the film.
See it at http://youtu.be/ikh4OHEePRo
Stay tuned for further progress updates....
And we have a composer/musician who is glad to work with us!
Meet Joe Rizzo- a composer from PA who was once part of a group called Amoeba Crunch. It may not sound too appetizing, but many of his cuts caught my ear and I've been using them as a working score for the film.
I am still looking for more pictures and footage- especially of Fanny's early days, and the zoo in general from 1970 on. I ran across a shot of Bob and Jenny Feather riding Fanny in 1984 and would love to find someone who knows them to see if I can get a good quality print to use in the film.
Please contace me at elephantsinri@gmail.com with any questions, comments, or help you may want to give.
And speaking of help- here's another tip of the hat to all those who participated so generously in the fundraising. We are thrilled to be able to acknowledge you and have you as our partners in the film.
There's a new trailer up on youtube for those who want to hear our Voiceover guy enticing you to see the film.
See it at http://youtu.be/ikh4OHEePRo
Stay tuned for further progress updates....
5.04.2012
Updates and outlook
Life has been busy here and there is a lot of good news on the Uproar front.
We've got most of our voiceover actors picked for the film, including some great kids, but we hope to have a few more Pawtucket youngsters on board soon.
Unfortunately, the winners of the contest for the best picture haven't given us permission to publish their names so we'll thank them anonymously.
I can't tell how much everyone's generosity has touched us. We're working hard to make sure that the movie repays you many times over!
The money we raised through indiegogo will pay for music, voiceover actors and supplies we need to move the film forward.
Everyone asks- "When will the film be done?" and it's been a hard question to answer, but we now have a solid target date- June 21st!
As soon as we're certain that the final cut looks great, we'll schedule a premiere in Pawtucket for everyone to join.
Please keep us posted on all things Fanny!
We've got most of our voiceover actors picked for the film, including some great kids, but we hope to have a few more Pawtucket youngsters on board soon.
Unfortunately, the winners of the contest for the best picture haven't given us permission to publish their names so we'll thank them anonymously.
I can't tell how much everyone's generosity has touched us. We're working hard to make sure that the movie repays you many times over!
The money we raised through indiegogo will pay for music, voiceover actors and supplies we need to move the film forward.
Everyone asks- "When will the film be done?" and it's been a hard question to answer, but we now have a solid target date- June 21st!
As soon as we're certain that the final cut looks great, we'll schedule a premiere in Pawtucket for everyone to join.
3.29.2012
Updates, updates
It's been pretty busy around here lately.
I posted a Director's statement on youtube- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FK68y5xW3ro which was a lot of fun to make and post.
It didn't occur to me until I began chatting about it how much Pawtucket reminds me of the small city I grew up in in upstate NY. Maybe that's why I connect with it so much. Of course, we didn't have a zoo there, or an elephant. Maybe that was a good thing.
But everyone has been great and the stories just keep flowing in. Although I'm working now on a very rough cut of the film now, there's always room for more info.
The latest great tale comes from Rachel Cresser who knew Fanny when she was a little girl (Rachel, that is- not Fanny!). She's also provided some really haunting pix of Slater Park Zoo as it is today.
We just grew our production team by 100%, too! Eclipse Neilson has joined us as Assistant Producer, and Steph Roberts is the twittermeister. Maybe she's the reason that Sundance Film Festival is now following us there...
We're running a contest for the best picture of Fanny or Slater Park Zoo when she was there. And
More questions, comments, stories, etc? Let us know at
And, of course, we're trying to raise money to take care of some of our basic needs. Check out www.indiegogo.com/Free-Elephants to support us and get your gifts!
We've only go 24 days left to reach our goal. Please let your friends and neighbors know about us and join our efforts....
We just learned that CBS news wants around $4000 to license one minute of footage that we need, so that's a whole new campaign!
"Like" us at https://www.facebook.com/UproarInPawtucket We're aiming to hit 100 followers by the end of March!
Follow us on Twitter as UproarPawtucket.
Never lose contact with the production!
3.16.2012
Meet us, greet us, join the contest!!!
"Uproar in Pawtucket" is going on the road!
We'll be at the Hope Artiste Village Pawtucket Indoor Winter Farmer's Market on Saturday, March 31, from 10AM-1PM for a photo contest and an opportunity to meet the director and producer of the film.
Learn more about the film, share your memories of Fanny, and get some flyers to share with your friends and family. But most importantly, bring your favorite pictures of Fanny for possible inclusion in the film and a chance to win a great prize!
First prize: A credit in the film, a copy of the finished DVD
Second prize: a copy of the DVD and some "Fanny" goodies.
Third prize: a copy of the DVD
Photos will be judged by Director Patti Cassidy and Producer Genevieve Belcher.
You can find us at 1005 Main Street Pawtucket, RI
We'll be at the Hope Artiste Village Pawtucket Indoor Winter Farmer's Market on Saturday, March 31, from 10AM-1PM for a photo contest and an opportunity to meet the director and producer of the film.
Learn more about the film, share your memories of Fanny, and get some flyers to share with your friends and family. But most importantly, bring your favorite pictures of Fanny for possible inclusion in the film and a chance to win a great prize!
First prize: A credit in the film, a copy of the finished DVD
Second prize: a copy of the DVD and some "Fanny" goodies.
Third prize: a copy of the DVD
Photos will be judged by Director Patti Cassidy and Producer Genevieve Belcher.
You can find us at 1005 Main Street Pawtucket, RI
2.23.2012
A New Campaign!
We really need some finishing funds for this project, so have set up a new campaign on indiegogo.
We call it "Free Elephants" and are offering a helluva deal to everyone participates.
http://www.indiegogo.com/Free-Elephants
For only $25, you get your name on the big screen, a small gift, and personalized postcard thanking you for being part of the project, but for other amounts, you get more, more, more! You can even get an amazing souvenir for only $10 and updates as they're posted.
What a deal.
Come join us and be immortalized!
We call it "Free Elephants" and are offering a helluva deal to everyone participates.
http://www.indiegogo.com/Free-Elephants
For only $25, you get your name on the big screen, a small gift, and personalized postcard thanking you for being part of the project, but for other amounts, you get more, more, more! You can even get an amazing souvenir for only $10 and updates as they're posted.
What a deal.
Come join us and be immortalized!
1.06.2012
New discoveries and upcoming stuff
OK Guys- this is the year Fanny's story gets told on film!
I'm doing fill-in research, writing the script, adding more interviews, begging for more pix, video or visuals (including Slater Park Zoo in the mid-50's and circus pictures from 1958). If you have anything you'd like to show me, please contact me at elephantsinri@gmail.com. Thanks!
I found some great information on the results of the "Name the Animals" contest the city ran when they bought Fanny and six other animals from Ringling Brothers. She was given a very appropriate new name (it was the first of two times her name would be changed), but it obviously didn't stick!
On Sunday, 1/8/2012, I'll be interviewing Tom Keegan, who wrote the song to Fanny that opens the trailer (see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDpym4XGQSg) and his band will perform the popular tune for the camera.
I'm also ordering a copy of the archived TV show "60 Minutes" report on the zoo that was done in 1975. If I can scare up the dough (it costs around $40 just to LOOK at it!) I want to include it in the film. If you'd like to help (and buy a credit in the film along the way), please contact me!
Don't forget to check out our new website at www.rielephants.com and let others know about it!
More as things progress.....
I'm doing fill-in research, writing the script, adding more interviews, begging for more pix, video or visuals (including Slater Park Zoo in the mid-50's and circus pictures from 1958). If you have anything you'd like to show me, please contact me at elephantsinri@gmail.com. Thanks!
I found some great information on the results of the "Name the Animals" contest the city ran when they bought Fanny and six other animals from Ringling Brothers. She was given a very appropriate new name (it was the first of two times her name would be changed), but it obviously didn't stick!
On Sunday, 1/8/2012, I'll be interviewing Tom Keegan, who wrote the song to Fanny that opens the trailer (see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDpym4XGQSg) and his band will perform the popular tune for the camera.
I'm also ordering a copy of the archived TV show "60 Minutes" report on the zoo that was done in 1975. If I can scare up the dough (it costs around $40 just to LOOK at it!) I want to include it in the film. If you'd like to help (and buy a credit in the film along the way), please contact me!
Don't forget to check out our new website at www.rielephants.com and let others know about it!
More as things progress.....
12.26.2011
Great news!
There's some great news this week about Elephants in Rhode Island.
We've been working for a long time to get a web presence for Elephants in Rhode Island. True, we have this blog, a facebook page, a twitter feed and our own email address, but somehow, things were falling short without our own website.
So- today- after a month or more of intense work, we are delighted to announce that Elephants in Rhode Island now has its own website with pages for our projects as we go along.
It includes ways you can get involved, the details of what the project is all about, and the latest updates from our whole world of RI elephants!
You can find us at http://rielephants.com. Please make sure to check it out and let us know how you like it as well as what features you'd like to see us add.
On another front, I just discovered that there's a trivia team in northern RI called Free Fanny. They compete in trivia nights around the state and are named after Pawtucket's sweetheart, Fanny the Elephant. Turns out they all knew and loved her, and this is the way they keep her memory alive. Way to go, gang! I hope to include them in "Uproar in Pawtucket" the next doc in the series.
More as things progress...
We've been working for a long time to get a web presence for Elephants in Rhode Island. True, we have this blog, a facebook page, a twitter feed and our own email address, but somehow, things were falling short without our own website.
So- today- after a month or more of intense work, we are delighted to announce that Elephants in Rhode Island now has its own website with pages for our projects as we go along.
It includes ways you can get involved, the details of what the project is all about, and the latest updates from our whole world of RI elephants!
You can find us at http://rielephants.com. Please make sure to check it out and let us know how you like it as well as what features you'd like to see us add.
On another front, I just discovered that there's a trivia team in northern RI called Free Fanny. They compete in trivia nights around the state and are named after Pawtucket's sweetheart, Fanny the Elephant. Turns out they all knew and loved her, and this is the way they keep her memory alive. Way to go, gang! I hope to include them in "Uproar in Pawtucket" the next doc in the series.
More as things progress...
11.22.2011
A New Tribute to our friend Fanny
Poet Bea Lazarus was a nurse at Pawtucket hospital when she met Fanny. She'd often stop by Slater Park in Pawtucket to visit her friend after work, when the sun was golden and Fanny was at her best.
When it was time for the elephant to leave home in 1993, Bea was moved to write a delicate and heartfelt poem to her. She's taped it for us. You can see it at
► 3:41► 3:41 www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAnM1mnDnig
When it was time for the elephant to leave home in 1993, Bea was moved to write a delicate and heartfelt poem to her. She's taped it for us. You can see it at
► 3:41► 3:41 www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAnM1mnDnig
9.24.2011
Ashaway and a huge surprise!.
Thursday was National Elephant Appreciation Day (for those of you who didn't know) and I celebrated by giving a talk about (what else?) Elephants in Rhode Island at the Ashaway Free Library in SW RI. The kind library staff there enthusiastically hostd the talk. They even made a batch of "Elephant Ear" cookies that disappeared from the table in minutes... The RI Council on the Humanities sponsored the program.
What fun!
We talked about the big elephant stories, I played The Ballad of Baby Roger and both adults and kiddies had some good questions. I had to do a bunch of research when I got home to send them...
Yesterday I checked the email and found an utra-exciting note from a fan who actually visited Fanny the Elephant in her final home at the sanctuary and had video of her there, as well as an interview with her keepers! I'm looking forward to meeting her and seeing what comes up. This has been a big area that I've been missing in the film- footage of her final years, and this would be perfect!
More as things develop....
8.17.2011
She's still the one...
Even kids who never met her showed up last night at the library to hear stories, see the trailer, and learn more about Pawtucket's Sweetheart who left town almost 20 years ago.
One of them is going to be an official fundraiser at her school when it opens this fall.
There were 35 people there in all, including some of the original players, like Former Mayor Metivier who brought a priceless bit of tape. It followed Fanny on her last night in Pawtucket.
"We were all in tears that night," he and Aaron Wishnevsky agreed.
Aaron, who visited Fanny in Texas a lot with his wife Pat, brought a stash of pictures of the Black Beauty Ranch, and a full sized footprint.
Add to that Eclipse Neilsen of the "Free Fanny" coalition, the assistant zookeeper who took care of Fanny, and lots of people who knew and loved her.
Even Chris Kane, who made the sculpture of Fanny that stands in the park now, popped in, as did Jen Warmbold, lead elephant keeper Roger Williams Park Zoo. I could go on and on.
The pictures and memories that people shared are going to be invaluable as we go into high gear until this movie is done.
There was just one fly in the ointment- my business cards hadn't come in yet, and I didn't have a handout with our contact information for everyone.
So please- please- contact us through our email address (elephantsinri@gmail.com) or Facebook page (Uproar in Pawtucket)and we promise to keep in touch!
Ultimate conclusion? I'm positive this is the right story to tell and, once again, am gratified by the passion Fanny evokes, even today.
8.15.2011
Another Bombshell!
I heard today from David Bottai of the band The Hometown Rockers. They were the ones that wrote and performed Fanny's song that you can hear in the trailer, but there was much more to the song than the clip I had.
I am blown away!
Because we're going to Pawtucket tomorrow to meet everyone and have had some publicity, people are coming out with the greatest stuff.
I can hardly wait!
David also had a picture of himself as a kiddo riding on Fanny, which will definitely be in the film.
I am humbled to be telling her story- really-
8.14.2011
Good news and disappointing....
We've been working steadily, Producer Gennie and I, to move Fanny along.
This Tuesday we'll celebrate her life at Pawtucket Library, and have asked people to bring their stories and pictures of her to be included in the film.
I have plenty of tape, and hope to capture as much great stuff as possible.
We'll also be filming former Mayor Robert Metivier who was head honcho during the Uproar. It should be pretty amazing to get his side of the story.
We also hope to get plenty of pix of the event as there will be more than one "star" there.
One of the main reasons we're doing this event is to act as a spur for the main thrust of editing the film and filling in footage to make it more complete.
On the disappointing side, our indiegogo.com fundraising didn't net what we had hoped, though we're entirely grateful for those who did contribute to the cause. We'll use the money we raised for transportation, publicity, and, when we're ready, to compensate a musician and voice over actor.
More as things progress.
This Tuesday we'll celebrate her life at Pawtucket Library, and have asked people to bring their stories and pictures of her to be included in the film.
I have plenty of tape, and hope to capture as much great stuff as possible.
We'll also be filming former Mayor Robert Metivier who was head honcho during the Uproar. It should be pretty amazing to get his side of the story.
We also hope to get plenty of pix of the event as there will be more than one "star" there.
One of the main reasons we're doing this event is to act as a spur for the main thrust of editing the film and filling in footage to make it more complete.
On the disappointing side, our indiegogo.com fundraising didn't net what we had hoped, though we're entirely grateful for those who did contribute to the cause. We'll use the money we raised for transportation, publicity, and, when we're ready, to compensate a musician and voice over actor.
More as things progress.
7.07.2011
Tragic
I'm not sure whether to thank my contact in Denmark or not with his links about Baby Roger. They included a trove of newspaper clippings that it astounds me I hadn't found during my year's research on Roger.
They chronicle his deteriorating circumstances at the zoo and are ripping my heart out. Although the city was aware of how bad things were, they didn't know what to do with their "Baby" and life became unbearable all the way around.
The articles that I had read only referred to the famous fishook incident, but there was so much more going on.
This, of course, means the end of the booklet has to be changed, and the movie has to be recut as well.
More when I recover...
They chronicle his deteriorating circumstances at the zoo and are ripping my heart out. Although the city was aware of how bad things were, they didn't know what to do with their "Baby" and life became unbearable all the way around.
The articles that I had read only referred to the famous fishook incident, but there was so much more going on.
This, of course, means the end of the booklet has to be changed, and the movie has to be recut as well.
More when I recover...
7.06.2011
Bombshell!!!
I had an unexpected email from Joachim Endres of the European Elephant group asking for info on all the Alices at RWP Zoo here in Providence. I told him I would go through my info as soon as I returned home. But, in our conversation he was able to give me some dynamite info on Baby Roger that I hadn't tracked down.
According to him, the species survival plan studbook shows- Baby Roger (from 12.05.1893 to 1903; transfer to Sig. > Soutelle Circus due to aggression)
. I had no idea what happened to him after he went to Wm. Bartel's exotic animal holding pens in Yonkers, NY.
In his next email, Endres gave me this bombshell link fingering Roger's last days... They came sooner than I had thought.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=inVcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M1cNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4625,2091275&dq=elephant+roger&hl=en
Providence's "Evening Tribune" announced that "Baby Roger now listed as Murderer".
He also listed a number of links with records of Roger's misbehavior before the incident. Obviously this will require revising the Roger book and even the end of the film...
More as the story progresses...
According to him, the species survival plan studbook shows- Baby Roger (from 12.05.1893 to 1903; transfer to Sig. > Soutelle Circus due to aggression)
. I had no idea what happened to him after he went to Wm. Bartel's exotic animal holding pens in Yonkers, NY.
In his next email, Endres gave me this bombshell link fingering Roger's last days... They came sooner than I had thought.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=inVcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M1cNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4625,2091275&dq=elephant+roger&hl=en
Providence's "Evening Tribune" announced that "Baby Roger now listed as Murderer".
He also listed a number of links with records of Roger's misbehavior before the incident. Obviously this will require revising the Roger book and even the end of the film...
More as the story progresses...
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