Kelly Rundle with Martha Good from the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati.
An Update from Filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle
It has been a wonderfully productive year for the new docudrama film project Sons & Daughters of Thunder!
The screenplay, based on the critically-acclaimed play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, went through several revisions and was completed in July.
In August, a private read-through of the script was hosted by the Curtainbox Theatre Company in Davenport, Iowa. Producers Kent and Earlene Hawley attended the event. The film project came to life when eighteen professional actors read the characters' lines aloud. Earlene, who sat in the circle with the performers, found the experience extremely moving.
We kicked off the first phase of production in late September in Cincinnati, Ohio, capturing footage of Harriet Beecher Stowe's home and what would have been Lane Seminary grounds. We are grateful to Martha Good, President of the Friends of the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, for all of her assistance and support on the project. And, our appreciation the Ohio Historical Society for allowing us to film at the Beecher home.
In addition to filming Ohio landscapes and historic sites, we shot footage of James Thome's family plantation in Augusta, Kentucky. Thome is a key character in the film. Thank you to Christopher Desimio for making us aware of this significant historic site. Chris also saw to it that our production work at the Beecher home made the 6 o'clock news in Cincinnati!
Tammy and Kelly Rundle at Whitehall Plantation, the former home of abolitionist James Thome.
We were invited by Martha Good to talk about Sons & Daughters of Thunder at Stowe House Bicentennial Commemorative Conference, which took place September 30th-October 2, 2011. The conference celebrated Harriet Beecher Stowe's 200th birthday with informative presentations on "Writing For Justice: The Origins & Legacy of Uncle Tom's Cabin." The public was invited to take part in special programs at the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, The Mercantile Library, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House.
In November, we completed the teaser for Sons & Daughters of Thunder and it will be posted soon!
Great news! We are happy to report that one-third of the budget for the Sons & Daughters of Thunder film project has been raised! We extend our deep gratitude to everyone that has supported and contributed to the project. It is exciting to know that there are so many interested in helping us tell this important story on screen.
Tammy Rundle in the Beecher house with a cameraman from a local Cincinnati TV station.
Now for the challenge! Fundraising efforts continue and we hope to secure the remaining funds for the project before the Fall of 2012, when production will begin in and around the Quad Cities.
If you or anyone you know are interested in supporting Sons & Daughters of Thunder and making a tax-deductible contribution before the end of 2011, read on!
Tax-deductible contributions toward Sons & Daughters of Thunder can be made via our fiscal sponsor, the Shell Rock Historical Society in Shell Rock, Iowa.
Make your check payable to: Shell Rock Historical Society-Film.
Non-tax-deductible contributions can also be made directly to the production.
Make your check payable to Fourth Wall Films.
Mail all checks to:
Fourth Wall Films
P.O. Box 702
Moline, IL 61265
CREDIT CARD CONTRIBUTIONS
A way to contribute directly by credit card will be added soon. If you wish to contribute via a credit card in the meantime, please email us with the desired amount and you will receive a PayPal invoice by email.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions! Email us at: FourthWallFilms@aol.com
CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
Primary Benefactor - $500 or more
Website and onscreen credit, credit in printed programs for the premiere and other special event showings, two premiere or special event tickets, Sons & Daughters of Thunder movie poster and DVD, and a keepsake Thunder postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers.
Optional "In Memory of..." memorial message credit.
Special Patron - $250
Website and onscreen credit, Sons & Daughters of Thunder movie poster and DVD, and a keepsake Thunder postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers.
Contributor - $100
Onscreen and website credits, Sons & Daughters of Thunder movie poster, and a keepsake Thunder postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers.
Donor - $50
Onscreen and website credit and a keepsake Thunder postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers.
Supporter - $25
Website credit and a keepsake Thunder postcard in an archival sleeve signed by the filmmakers.