California-based Waterline Entertainment is producing a historical documentary about Route 66 that is tentatively slated to be released sometime in 2011.
Geoff Foley, a writer and producer at Waterline, and I recently made connections through my Twitter account. He said the working title of the film is “Route 66: America’s Main Street.” His partner on the project, Anthony Boyer, envisions the documentary to be like Ken Burns‘ acclaimed historical films.
I e-mailed Foley a few questions about the project. The following are excerpts of his answers that should be self-explanatory:
The focus will be on the history of Route 66 and its impact on American culture through its heyday, and where it stands now. We want to show its history as well as the ghost towns that line the route in some places now. […]
We’re not sure what the running time will be yet. The editing on this project could take a year, given the scope Anthony has set.
We will complete the project and take it to the festival circuit first and then secure distribution. […]
We see three different aspects of the project at the moment. One will be a coffee table book documenting the many interviews we conduct along the journey, as well as the best of the thousands of photographs our photographer will take along the way. A second aspect might be a film edited together from the hundreds of hours of footage documenting the three week trip itself, acting as more of a “behind the scenes” look into the documentary. The third, and main, aspect of the project is the documentary itself. […]
I became involved in this project through my friend Anthony Boyer. It is his baby and we had casually talked about his wanting to do this some time in the next few years. Initially I wanted to go along for the ride as I have read about Route 66 for years and have always loved the idea of family road trips. My family never undertook such an adventure when I was a kid and I figured this would be as good a time as any to experience it.
If Waterline can create a documentary that evokes comparisons to Ken Burns’ work, I (and others, I’m certain) will be singing its praises for years to come.
That’s for the write-up, Ron.
We will do our best to not disappoint and give the fans of the Mother Road something that will appreciate for a long time and also hopefully help inspire a new generation of travelers.
Awww, “Thank’s” is what I meant!
Hello Ron & Geoff,
This holds a high interest for me, per the email below that my manager sent to you. Once the road gets in your system, you may as well give up any thoughts of forgetting what it means to you. It is an addiction that there is no cure…nor should there be.
I am in process of working on 2 more photo books, and writing more songs. She, ‘The Mother Road’ is in my soul….and at my age and with my ‘style’ I have shown her to so many, and those of a younger generation, including my daughters, who are now huge fans! It is ‘our’ Americana, she needs to be remembered, and in some cases ‘learned.’
peace in,
Mel Shaker~
(email from Albee)
Hello,
I saw your press release on your proposed Route 66 documentary. I also noticed you live in Sacramento, Ca. I live close by in Roseville.
I am one of four founding Board members for “The Route 66 Alliance” located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I raise funds for the Alliance and work on the business side of things. Jim Conkle and Michael Wallis are my fellow Board members and spokespersons.
Music Artist Melissa (Mel) Shaker from Healdsburg, CA. was the photo subject of a recent book called the “Route 66 Abandoned”. She may be able to help guide you in many ways, as she very recently traveled off the beaten path of Route 66 for a three week photo shoot. One outcome of the photo shoot was that Mel and Edward Mance completed a phenomenal coffee table book and captured the time when the highway was abandoned almost overnight after being decommissioned back in 1955-56. Mel has since been contracted to write songs about her amazing Route 66 journey. That same book is currently being used in some of our fund raising efforts because of it’s amazing quality.
If we can be of help, let me know …
Thank You,
Albert Thomas
Albert Thomas
Blue Summits
1756 Park Oak Dr
Roseville, Ca. 95661
Cell Phone 916-275-6032
email: athomas@surewest.net