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.

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. 

It's a different and difficult task that you have to go through when you are not being paid to produce a project that is trying to serve the community purpose and in turn trying to market it within the community. With that being said we have also had to coordinate this project around two full time jobs that have no connection to this project. With that being said progress has been made, and it continues to move forward. This week seems to be the most fulfilling as of yet. We have musicians that are helping with putting down some great tracks, great shots of downtown and more interviews with thankfully kind and informative locals that are willing to take the time to sit down with us. The most exciting portions of this week will entail a Albert Lea Tribune tag along interview, a trip up the downtown water tower to shoot some footage, and inside look at one of the second floors of a building downtown. My personal favorite portion of this project will be working with the musicians this week and the music that they will be working with it. This project keeps moving forward and the slated holiday release time will be made with a little luck and a ton of work.