Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What's next?
Buildings of Broadway hit up the Marion Ross theater December 28th, and the Albert Lea High School Auditorium December 29th. We did it. Whew. A positive response from the crowds that showed up for our show has been encouraging and appreciated. What a long process, a LONG LONG process, ultimately extremely satisfying. Equipped with a iMac, and a Sony HD handheld and nothing else for technology on a shoe string budget, and the strings on these shoes are made for toddlers. We are grateful to those who helped us fund this project. We were able to put this film together, market, and rent the venues and order a first run of DVD's and never go over our tiny budget, that is a feat that I am the most proud of.
I was recently asked what's next? Well, after a brief hiatus from the project to celebrate the new year, we are back at promoting our project. And we are doing so aggressively. First of all is our DVD release party.
DVD release party @ 112 on Broadway
Saturday, Jan. 26th 2013
7-9 pm
featuring a very special guest and a comedic genius, local born Megan Radke
free admission
DVD's of Buildings of Broadway are $20
Hope to see you all there.
Also during that week were are having free shows at Thorncrest, St. John's and Knutsen Place. An idea we were planning on doing throughout the entire process of this project. We have even discussed having another big screen showing soon for those who didn't see it over the weekend of Dec. 28-29. So to answer that question, "What's next?" well, plenty, and we hope for much more to come. The website is still being constructed, and hope to have that up as well.
We thank everyone for your support throughout this entire project, Ryan and I are truly humbled by the massive positive support from our community. I hope to see you all at the 112 Sat. Jan 26th 7-9pm. until then keep on living the dream.
If you have any questions about the DVD, or the release party feel free to email buildingsofbroadway@yahoo.com. We encourage your feedback.
Thanks again everyone
Cheers,
Brent and Ryan.
Also that week we are
Friday, December 21, 2012
Buildings of Broadway
The show is on. For those who are just visiting this blog, I'd like to explain exactly what are project "Building's of Broadway" is. It's a documentary that expands on the stories we have received over the past months about downtown Albert Lea. It's a collaboration of stories on the history of downtown throughout the years. Through the eyes of the residents, a glimpse of what downtown Albert Lea meant to a community. At a time when there wasn't shopping malls or superstores, a downtown was the thriving heartbeat of shopping, eating, and night life. Everything was centrally located. With the idea of being a collection of stories, all the facts may approach the lines of fiction with the exact details of the history of downtown. But the idea is there, and it's captured in "Buildings of Broadway." Ideally the film is intended to be a conversation starter, with the ability to evolve and in means become a definitive history of downtown Albert Lea. With that said, it's been a pleasure to bring this project into fruition and see a great response from the community. I hope everyone enjoys the holidays (and come to the show!) I've enclosed photos from the film. Hope all will enjoy.
100 block of Broadway
Broadway theatre in the 1940's
The Canton Cafe in the 1970's
Colonel Albert Lea Days in the 1930's
Downtown Albert Lea, the 1940's
Friday, December 7, 2012
Show time
ABOUT time! All of the footage and photos are in for.....now. But we are gonna do this thing called "Buildings of Broadway." Tickets go on sale Dec. 15th. This has been an experience. My favorite aspect of this project was that when I'd be out and they knew who I was and said, "You should talk to this person..." and I would nod and smile. I knew I was on to something. I know that we aren't going to be able to cover everything that has happened downtown in 50 plus years in a 70-80 minute documentary. I am not a historian by any means, I'm just curious. The biggest fear of a project like this is that we didn't cover everything, but after stressing about it I'd rather have people engage it in their own way. The collection of stories that "Buildings of Broadway" has become, is only a starter that has no end in sight. And I like it. I can't pinpoint what came over me to wonder about downtown Albert Lea, but something did, and I'm glad it did. This is where I'm from. Plain and simple. "Buildings of Broadway," is a collection of stories of what downtown Albert Lea was, I had no idea as a child what downtown meant to meant to Albert Lea. Today which is a Friday, we filmed a car once owned by slugger Reggie Jackson cruising Broadway. To me, that's cool. People always ask me,"How you doing?' and I will always respond with "living the dream," and I can say that I am. "Buildings of Broadway" is living it's dream as well. Thank you all for checking out our blog, that is approaching 1000 hits. Thank you and remember to buy a ticket for the show. December 15th. Where? Coming soon.. Take care and hope all is well.
Buildings of Broadway
Buildings of Broadway
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Crunch time
That time of the project is nearing in, crunch time. I knew it was inevitable, i knew it would be coming sooner than later, but when it finally rang the door bell I ran to the living room and hid under the couch. In similar fashion you would when you see a stranger approach your front door with the obvious intent of trying to sell you something. I took a deep breathe and realized that if this project was going to get completed I'd have to get up from under the couch. After all, we have had some interesting interviews, and tours taken recently. We sat down with Arnold Stadheim, who is the owner of the Stadheim Jeweler franchise in the area. Mr. Stadheim was an interesting interview with his insight after being a longtime business man in the community. He actually started in the Freeborn National Bank building, I have a pic to show in this blog of him with the original jewelry stand that laid in the lobby of that building. The screw holes still lay in the tile of the vacant building. Another interesting portion of this project was done last monday. I took a tour and interview of the old opera house downtown, with the current building owner Suzanne Crane. That building is the red brick building that currently houses the Albert Lea Art Center. When it was built, it was built for a world renown opera singer named Beatrice, and her husband built this grand opera house and conservatory for her in little known Albert Lea, MN around the turn of the 19th century. The opera house is pretty far removed from what it once looked like, but the upstairs housing rooms for the traveling singers and performers still stands and emanates it's history. This opera house has an incredible romantic story to it, and in due time (aka "Buildings of Broadway") it's story will be shared. This piece in my opinion has incredible enduring value that many residents older as younger may not truly know about, with that being said I am glad that a project like ours is being made.
We are closing in on finishing the filming process, but as the editing becomes more of the concern I am confident the record button the camera will be turned on once again. As all projects go, you can plan for how you want the project to go, but the unforeseeable is what you have to manage. Patience is a virtue and perseverance is a necessity. Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween and be safe. Enjoy a few of the photos we received lately. Take care, and cheers.
We are closing in on finishing the filming process, but as the editing becomes more of the concern I am confident the record button the camera will be turned on once again. As all projects go, you can plan for how you want the project to go, but the unforeseeable is what you have to manage. Patience is a virtue and perseverance is a necessity. Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween and be safe. Enjoy a few of the photos we received lately. Take care, and cheers.
This is Beatrice, the opera singer that the Rivioli/Art Center building was built for.
Although the auditorium is in a disarray, the projectionist room still houses the projector, and old film reels when the opera house turned into a movie theatre.
Here is Arnold Stadheim when his jewelry shop was in the lobby of the "Vault" building or also called the Freeborn National Bank Building.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Keep on keeping on....
Waking up this morning, just felt like it was going to be a great day. It's one of those days where you set the alarm the night before a half hour before you REALLY have to get out of bed. When you have the windows open and it's 57 degrees out and it's nice, cool breeze in your bedroom and you tighten the position with the warm body next to you to stay warm under the blanket as the cool air trickles in. Where you hit the snooze button because you can, and you don't want to leave the spot you've carved in your bed as the sun is coming through the windows. As that sun awakens you with the random interruptions from the alarm clock, something comes across your half asleep train of thought, that this just might be one of those days you are going to enjoy. Today is like that. In actuality, this whole paragraph is a metaphor for how this project is panning out. This week has been a busy one, and the next will be the same, but it is for the better to be busy. This community has been incredible. Only on a rare day lately do I go out in public and NOT have somebody talk to me about downtown Albert Lea. Almost every shift I work during my full time job, somebody new shares a story, an idea, or "you should talk to this person," etc. And it's unprovoked. Which makes me smile on the inside and out. For almost eight months I have only had less then a handful of detractors about this project, (there may be more out there, and they are entitled to their opinions.) But those detractors are like that cool morning breeze coming through the window in the morning, and the only response is to hold that warm body even closer, and hit the snooze button.
Ryan and I have been shooting interviews as much as we possibly can. The people that we have met on camera and off, have been amazing. I always believe that everyone has a story, and they not only have a story but also have been giving us materials to use for our project. Outstanding. During one interview with Russ and Phiz Olson especially, not only a great interview, but we were given a legal pad 15 pages deep with names of everything that was downtown over the years. Above and beyond what we ever were asking for, just incredible. I had an interview with Bob Sullivan, who used to own Sullivan Paint downtown, and the business had been in the family for years. Bob and his wife are two of the nicest people I have met, as is Russ and Phiz. Both of these couples were gracious enough to let us into their homes, and not only conduct an interview, but yet again the Sullivan's had pictures and literature waiting for me. All I wanted was an interview and again we get pleasantly surprised by how above and beyond our interviewees go. We also interviewed Butch Donovan, and all you Albert Lean's out there would appreciate this as he was once the owner of Jake's Pizza. Butch's Special, is named after him. The infamous taco pizza was his creation, and if anyone that knows me would agree that I have spent a small fortune on the taco pizza. Thanks Butch, haha!! He was a great interview and a very nice man. It seems as this project continues to progress, the old saying of "Minnesota Nice," plays. Everybody needs to find that project with a cool breeze and a warm body to hold. I've found mine. Check out these photos, I hope all is doing well and until next time, keep living the dream.
Ryan and I have been shooting interviews as much as we possibly can. The people that we have met on camera and off, have been amazing. I always believe that everyone has a story, and they not only have a story but also have been giving us materials to use for our project. Outstanding. During one interview with Russ and Phiz Olson especially, not only a great interview, but we were given a legal pad 15 pages deep with names of everything that was downtown over the years. Above and beyond what we ever were asking for, just incredible. I had an interview with Bob Sullivan, who used to own Sullivan Paint downtown, and the business had been in the family for years. Bob and his wife are two of the nicest people I have met, as is Russ and Phiz. Both of these couples were gracious enough to let us into their homes, and not only conduct an interview, but yet again the Sullivan's had pictures and literature waiting for me. All I wanted was an interview and again we get pleasantly surprised by how above and beyond our interviewees go. We also interviewed Butch Donovan, and all you Albert Lean's out there would appreciate this as he was once the owner of Jake's Pizza. Butch's Special, is named after him. The infamous taco pizza was his creation, and if anyone that knows me would agree that I have spent a small fortune on the taco pizza. Thanks Butch, haha!! He was a great interview and a very nice man. It seems as this project continues to progress, the old saying of "Minnesota Nice," plays. Everybody needs to find that project with a cool breeze and a warm body to hold. I've found mine. Check out these photos, I hope all is doing well and until next time, keep living the dream.
Mr. Bob Sullivan getting filmed for "Buildings of Broadway."
Sullivan Paint circa the 1930's.
The originator of Sullivan Paint Store. This is his flyer for running for sheriff in 1914, he ultimately lost.
Sullivan Paint used to sell "The Minneapolis Journal," which was a newspaper. One of the only places to get it back in the early 1900's.
This is Butch. One of my favorites, and not because he was the originator of one of my addictions, Jake's taco pizza. Thanks Butch.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The buzz is there
This week has been filled with interesting events. But the word is out now as we made the paper last Friday. The buzz has been great. The community response has been nothing but positive. And we thank you. It's still pushing forward, but its an undertaking that I didn't exactly anticipate that requires this amount of effort. But with such the positive support we are receiving, it is worth the time. There are so many elements to this project that most people spectating do not understand that we have to go through, and I don't mean that in a way that is a complaint. If I could be paid to do this and quit my full time job I would hands down. Through scheduling interviews, holding interviews, fielding emails, processing and editing the footage, etc. etc. But you only live once. And even though I'm pressed for time, I've found something that I enjoy doing. We have had great interviews. Russ and Phiz Olson were a great interview last week. Mike Dorman, the owner of the Sportman's downtown AL was incredibly insightful. We continue to look for information and stories, and it keeps coming at us, better and better. I was up in the Twin Cities last week to connect with the musicians who are providing the soundtrack for this film. It's a project that continues to evolve day by day. So for Ryan Heath and myself we would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support. As we push further we want to show some photos we uncovered last week.
This photo is the old public library. Notice the church where the Aragon now resides.
This is the old high school. This view is from Central Park.
Fountain Street, circa the 1930's.
This is Lakeview Blvd. Monkey island is on the right, and Lakeview elementary would be on the left today.
The courthouse, with Hotel Albert next to it.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Progress being made
Mike Behrends and Jon Klocek working on a few songs for our film.
I may be smiling but I was crapping my pants during this photo from the downtown water tower in Albert Lea.
I didn't make this climb, but Ryan Heath did. That vertical latter is what you had to climb to get to the very top of the water tower. Note that you are already ten stories up and their is no railing. As you can imagine I stayed away from that climb.
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