Sons & Daughters of Thunder

Crafting the Lane Rebels' Melody

Part 2

By Jessica Karolczak

After excitedly joining Fourth Wall Films' Sons and Daughters of Thunder production team, accomplished composer William Campbell of St. Ambrose University has begun crafting the film’s melody.

Ever since he was young, Campbell has been able to “hear the music.”

He frequently could copy styles of music, which has greatly aided him during his composing career. The first part of Campbell’s composing process is watching at least part of the film to get a feel for the “world” his music is in. For some films, he then researches the time period and listens to the popular songs of the time.

“At this time, Cincinnati, which is where this film is set, was a bit of a pioneer town,” Campbell said of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 19^th century. “But, the group of people that we’re following were used to refined culture. There wouldn’t have been large orchestras. But, there would have definitely been professional-level piano players and string players.”

Because of this research, Campbell is choosing to create the music using mostly piano with the occasional accompaniment of solo woodwinds and a string quartet. This is to match the film’s “sound palette.” He also focused his research on hymns because director Kelly Rundle and producer Tammy Rundle asked for hymn-like music.

The next step in Campbell’s process is improvising music on the piano using the styles and songs he researched. Sometimes, this involves starting with familiar tunes and then branching off while other times he starts from scratch.

“Sometimes I can just write down that improvisation, and it’s pretty much done,” Campbell said. “Usually, that’s just the beginning of the process. Whether I whittle away what I just wrote or chip away. Think about it like a sculptor with a block of marble. I’ve got more than enough material, and I have to take some away.”

“Or, if I have to change it, it would be like if I was a visual artist,” Campbell continued. “Right now, it would be all greens and browns that I just improvised and really what I need is blue and yellow. The figure or the image is correct, but now the colors need to change.”

This “chipping away” includes changing notes, adjusting chords and potentially revising the tone with different key signatures. This process can take weeks, but Campbell said the amount of time spent on it depends on the deadline. For Thunder, the goal is to have the music finished by the end of May.

Once the songs are completed, Campbell has two ways of recording them: a live studio or a control room. The live studio is his living room, which features a grand piano. In the control room, he creates the songs using digital software.

Directly afterward, he uses a double monitor featuring the scripted music on one screen and the film on the other. He then lines up dramatic moments with specific parts of the music.

Yet, the biggest challenges for Campbell are in the final steps of the process. One obstacle is balancing the music with the film’s dialogue and background sounds. This is to ensure the music is supportive and not dominating.

“This is a challenge I’ve come to really like,” Campbell said. “I treat it as if I’m a duet partner and accompanying them [the actors].”

The other challenge is possible rejection. Occasionally, the music doesn’t fit the directors’ vision or intention for a scene. So, Campbell must adapt to cope with the rejection. This includes using the rejected piece for a different scene, incorporating aspects of the song into a more fitting melody and/or utilizing the song in a future project.

Once the music is done, he shares it with the director/editor, who inserts it into the film.

 

"Walnut Hills" - Excerpt from Kelly Rundle on Vimeo.

Reviewing the completed project is rewarding, Campbell said. However, his human nature and perfectionism occasionally send his mind wandering to what he could have done better. Still, he said he usually happy with a lot of his work.

“I do look back and think about how that film project changed me as a person and how the music I contributed was such a big part of my life for that moment,” Campbell said.

For more about Campbell, see part one of this blog called “Accomplished Composer Brings Musical Life to ‘Sons and Daughters of Thunder,'” or visit www.williamcampbellmusic.com.

 

'Props' for the "Thunder" Props Masters

Just a small sampling of props used in Sons & Daughters of Thunder that will be on display during the premiere.

It takes a lot of people to make a movie.  It takes even more people to make an historical film.  From the director of photography, sound director, assistant director and gaffer to the costume designer, hair/make-up personnel and the props master, the smallest details need complete attention. 

When Lyman Beecher needed a pocket watch and bifocals during a pivotal scene in which abolitionist Theodore Weld and his supporters requested the historic anti-slavery debates at Lane Seminary, it was props masters Melinda Carriker and Sandy Freel who made sure actor Janos Horvath had a key-wound watch on a chain and bifocals on his nose.

Actor Janos Horvath poses in the original Lyman Beecher study at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Set in 1834, with scenes dipping into the 1850s and 1880s, finding period-correct props for Sons & Daughters of Thunder kept Production Assistant Melinda Carriker on her toes. Fortunately, she had Sandy Freel's vast collection of antiques (which would make any Hollywood props master salivate) to draw from.

"We knew the project was going to be challenging, and Melinda is someone we have relied on heavily for our documentary projects Lost Nation: The Ioway 1, 2 & 3 and Country School: One Room - One Nation, and Good Earth: Awakening the Silent City" said producer Tammy Rundle.  "We took a lot of creative license with Thunder, and it was not easy to make a period piece on a tight budget.   But we had no doubt that Melinda would be up for the challenge of finding the correct props for the film, and that Sandy Freel would be an incredible resource.  They were a fantastic team."

Costume designer Emily Busha attends to final details on actress Jess Taylor's dress.

When Harriet Beecher, played by actress Jess Taylor, needed that extra special little piece of jewelry on her dress collar, Freel produced a human hairwork brooch.  "Mourning jewelry" reflected the lives and times of the people who wore them.  For hundreds of years, especially during the Victorian age, jewelry often times integrated human hair into brooches, rings and watch chains, which were then worn as a souvenir to remember a loved one.  Harriet might have worn a mourning brooch in which to remember her deceased mother, Roxanna Beecher.

Production assistant/props master Melinda Carriker shows actress Kim Furness (Catharine Beecher) how to light the whale oil/lard lamp.

One of the most interesting requests for Carriker was an 1830s whale-oil/lard lamp to be lit during a scene in the Lyman Beecher home.  

Carriker's list of 'finds' grew over the seven months of production on Thunder, including period pens, books, bibles, letters, jewelry, handbills, satchels and lanterns.

"Many times you watch a film and you do not realize all that went into making it as close to "right" as is possible.  We were very fortunate to have a cast and crew on this project that were committed to making it the best that they could," said director Kelly Rundle.  "It is the little things that make the difference--right down to that key-wound watch in Lyman Beecher's hand, when he takes note of the changing time."

Melinda Carriker and Lora Adams prepare Jessica Taylor (Harriet Beecher) for the Goodbye scene. Jess sits on an 1848 handmade coverlet donated by prop master Sandy Freel to the production.

Sandy Freel presented Kelly & Tammy Rundle with the gift of the key-wound watch and the 1848 coverlet (Harriet Beecher sits on it during the goodbye scene) used in Sons & Daughters of Thunder. The items will be on display for the public to enjoy during screenings.  We are deeply grateful for this beautiful gifts that will always mean so much to us.

Sons & Daughters of Thunder premieres Saturday, March 16, 6:30P (SOLD OUT) and Sunday, March 17 at 3PM at the Putnam Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa.  Advance tickets are STRONGLY recommended at Putnam.org/calendar. The film will also have a Cincinnati premiere at the Garfield Theatre, March 23 at 4PM or 7PM.  Reserve tickets at http://www.cincyworldcinema.org/Thunder2019.php.

Accomplished Composer Brings 'Musical Life' to "Sons and Daughters of Thunder"

"Lifeboat" composer Bill Campbell on the red carpet at the 2019 Academy Awards.  Campbell is composing the soundtrack for "Sons & Daughters of Thunder".

Part 1
By Jessica Karolczak

As Sons and Daughters of Thunder comes to fruition, Fourth Wall Films has enlisted help to bring 'musical life' to the film.  William “Bill” Campbell has joined the team to compose the film’s soundtrack.

Most recently, Campbell’s composing earned him a trip to the Oscars.  He created the soundtrack for the Oscar-nominated documentary Lifeboat. The documentary was directed by Skye Fitzgerald and examines the mass immigration crisis of refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from the northern coast of Africa.  Campbell has worked with Fitzgerald since college.

“If you are part of the Oscar nominations list, you’ve basically won,” Campbell said. “I have to stress how important it is that it was all Skye. I’m not diminishing my work, but he really is an amazing man, and I’m very proud to be associated with what he does.”

Music has always been a part of Campbell’s life. He began playing piano when he was six and started writing simple music pieces around age 11. In high school, he music directed for musicals and wrote music for his church. One of his original songs was even sung at his high school graduation.

“Some people are drawn to draw. They are captured by light and the way it lands on things, and they turn that fascination into something they discipline themselves about and keep going with,” Campbell said. “I was given time, and my parents bought a piano and provided me with lessons. I was one of the kids that actually practiced and wanted to explore more at the piano. I always wondered why composers made certain choices rather than others.”

After high school, he studied music and wrote for some student-produced films at the University of Arizona. He pursued his master’s degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music before getting his Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Throughout his education he took advantage of any opportunities to hone his skills. He wrote music for theatre and dance, including a play soundtrack that he created using film techniques. He would watch and time the play while making notes about the actors’ movements. Then, he put together a small ensemble to pre-record the music. Now, he is Chair of the Music Department and a music professor at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. He continues to compose professionally on the side.

Campbell was drawn to Sons and Daughters of Thunder after hearing about the film’s topic. He jumped at the idea of creating piano-based music with some hymn-like elements. He is even exploring the idea of directly incorporating hymns into the soundtrack.

“This is right up my wheelhouse, so it makes sense for me to do it,” Campbell said. “I want to be associated with something that is trying to show people a period in history that we need to not forget about, and I think that the Rundles are going to do a good job with the film.”

"We are very excited to work with Bill on the Sons & Daughters of Thunder soundtrack," said producer Tammy Rundle.  "Thunder is a labor of love for us and Bill is extremely talented and such perfect fit with us and the project.  "Even though we are premiering the film this month, Bill's work on the soundtrack will continue until we release the film later in May/early June."

Visit WilliamCampbellMusic.com for more information about the composer's music.

Sons and Daughters of Thunder premieres on the Putnam Giant Screen on March 16 and 17th.  Advanced tickets are recommended at Putnam.org/calendar.  Stay tuned for more information on Campbell’s composing process.

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the critically-acclaimed play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter.

It tells the true story of the 1834 Cincinnati, Ohio Lane Theological Seminary anti-slavery debates.  The controversial meetings, led by abolitionist and firebrand Theodore Weld (played by acclaimed stage actor Thomas Alan Taylor), were the first to publicly discuss the end of slavery in America.  The meetings angered Cincinnati residents and Lane Seminary officials, who promptly slapped a gag order on the entire student body.  This action was followed by a freedom of speech protest and mass exodus of Lane students to Oberlin College.  A young Harriet Beecher’s (played by acclaimed stage actress Jess Denney) exposure to the debates and Weld's continuing work to free the slaves sparked a flame that led her to write her magnum opus Uncle Tom's Cabin.  

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is co-produced by Kent Hawley, and by Fourth Wall Films, owned by Emmy® nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle, a film and video production company specializing in historical documentaries for public television broadcast and DVD home video.  

The fiscal sponsors for the film project are The Shell Rock Historical Society, and The Moline Foundation.  If you are interested in contributing to the film project and receiving screen credit, please click here: SUPPORT THUNDER!

Pickup Shooting - Getting 'the Glue'

It is getting exciting! As we make progress with post-production (editing) on Sons & Daughters of Thunder, we take note of 'pickup filming' we will need to do to add atmosphere, close-ups of props at specific locations, and nature and scenery shots.  This 'glue' will help set a scene, establish time and place, and add ambiance to the film.

In late August we will be in Hartford, Connecticut filming at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House--the place she called home for the last 23 years of her life.  She died in the upstairs bedroom of the house in 1896 with her family around her.

We will also do pickup filming at the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover, Illinois and the Dillon Home in Sterling, Illinois.

Nature footage will be gathered during this summer, autumn and winter to be used in the film to add scenic texture to Thunder.



Once again, we are grateful to our generous supporters, our sponsors, our locations and the cast and crew of Sons & Daughters of Thunder. 
 


Fourth Wall Films is anxious to share the finished film with you at the premiere in Cincinnati March 23 and at the National Geographic Giant Screen at the Putnam Museum in Davenport on March 16, 2019!

Remember to follow us on Facebook by LIKING our Sons & Daughters of Thunder fan page for all of the updates!  Check out LaneRebelsMovie.com to meet our talented Cast & Crew.

 

What Happens Behind the Camera...

As we get closer and closer to finishing this epic project, we are reminded of all of the work that went on behind the camera.  We had some long days. Some long nights.  We had a pretty talented and professional cast and crew that were patient and tolerant of the demands of the project and passionate about bringing it 'home'.

Most often you see only the beautiful clips from the film and the publicity shots or promotional materials. 

Here we give you just a glimpse of what goes on behind the camera.  Some of it very serious... and, well, sometimes you just have to let go of the stress and laugh a bit. 

Our thanks to every person who was a part of "Sons & Daughters of Thunder".  We are anxious to share the finished film with you at the premieres March 16th at the Putnam Giant Screen and March 23 at the Garfield Theatre in Cincinnati! (See advance ticket info below.)

Until then, enjoy!

A very serious Jessica Taylor/Harriet Beecher waits for her close-up.

Kelly Rundle gives some direction to seasoned actors Mike Schulz, Mike Kennedy and Janos Horvath.

Boom/Sound super genius Chris Ryder.

Director of Photography Kevin Railsback at the very first shoot for Thunder.

Our wardrobe super star Emily Busha removes lint from Justin Marxen's coat jacket.

Actress Lora Adams steps in to do make-up and hair when needed. 

A room-full of wonderful extras sing under the direction of Assistant Director Tyson Danner and actor Don Denton while Chris Ryder records sound.

Busy make-up and hair ladies Lora Adams and Farrah Ketron prep Jessica's hair.

DP Kevin Railsback, 2nd Camera Stephen Folker and Chris Ryder on sound set-up for filming the debate scenes at the Jenny Lind Chapel.

Assistant Director Tyson Danner reviews the script and producer Tammy Rundle reviews the shot list and schedule.

Actress Kimberly Kurtenbach/Catharine Beecher goes over her lines while Chris Ryder checks sound levels and lighting/camera assistant David Furness readies the slate.

Farrah Ketron applies a touch-up on Thomas Alan Taylor/Theodore Weld.

Only the very best! Our professional vintage gun experts (Ed Garrett and Mike Nightingale) brought the correct period gun for Janos and showed him how to hold and handle it.

Production assistant Melinda Carriker (center) wore many hats during the 9 month shoot.

Production assistant Olivia Ketron slates a scene at the Dillon Home while DP Kevin grabs the magic on camera.

You really have to watch what you are doing and saying. There are cameras everywhere! Thunder producers Tammy and Kelly Rundle (Fourth Wall Films) review a performance.

Janos gets accessorized with the help of our vintage gun expert Ed Garrett.

Snapshot of Thunder playwright Earlene Hawley and husband Kent Hawley (co-producer) waiting for their close-ups during the auditorium scene. (Photo courtesy Caroline Bredekamp.)

Numerous volunteers including Wendy Czekalski helped with wardrobe during big scenes that included dozens of extras! They are the unsung heroes of the project--so we will sing their praises NOW!

Mark your calendars and save the date for Saturday, March 16, 2019 for the Quad Cities premiere of Thunder at the Putnam Museum National Geographic Giant Screen at 6:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available HERE!  It will be a wonderful celebration with a number of cast and crew appearing at the event.  The film will be dedicated to Kent Hawley (whom we lost in November 2017) and his wife playwright Earlene Hawley.  

Saturday, March 23, 2019 join us in Cincinnati for the double premiere (4pm & 7pm) of Thunder at the Garfield Theatre. Advanced tickets are available at https://www.cincyworldcinema.org/

Follow us on Facebook by LIKING our Sons & Daughters of Thunder fanpage for all of the updates!

Keeping it Real with Lane rebel James Thome

Anthony Stratton stars as Lane rebel James Thome in "Sons & Daughters of Thunder".

James A. Thome took part in the 1834 Lane Seminary debates in Cincinnati, Ohio organized by Theodore Weld on the slavery question, delivering a speech in support of immediatism based on his personal experiences as the son of a Southern slaveholder in Augusta, Kentucky.

Thome left Lane Seminary for Oberlin College along with thirty-one other seminary students (called the "Lane Rebels") and graduated from Oberlin in 1836.

Filmmakers Tammy & Kelly Rundle visited the historic plantation home of James Thome in Augusta, Kentucky.

His decision to become an abolitionist put him at odds with his slaveholding father, who initially disowned him. The two of them were later reconciled, and Arthur Thome eventually emancipated his slaves.

For more information about Lane Rebel Thome, click HERE. 

Thomas Alan Taylor (Theodore Weld) and Anthony Stratton (James Thome), fellow abolitionists.

Los Angeles actor Anthony Stratton stars as the iconic Lane rebel James Thome in Sons & Daughters of Thunder--a new film by award-winning Fourth Wall Films, based on the critically-acclaimed play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter.

 Sons & Daughters of Thunder tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. In 1834, if polite discussions about abolishing slavery were considered inappropriate among Americans in Northern states, then eighteen days of public student-sponsored debates on the divisive subject at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio (a border community) were scandalous. Organized by Theodore Weld, one of the architects of the abolitionist movement, the shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the realities of slavery.

We continue our post-production editing on Thunder and our final fundraising to meet our premiere and DVD release deadline.  We greatly acknowledge that the fiscal sponsor for the film project is The Moline Foundation.  If you are interested in contributing to the final phase of Thunder and receiving screen credit (deadline for screen credit is November 30, 2018), please click here: SUPPORT THUNDER!

Again, our sincere thanks to everyone who supported the making of this film--our contributors, fiscal sponsors (The Shell Rock Historical Society and the Moline Foundation), the historic sites that welcomed us, our tireless crew and brilliant cast.  And, our deep gratitude to Earlene and Kent Hawley.  Without them there would be no Thunder.

Remember to LIKE the Sons & Daughters of Thunder's Facebook fan page to get all of the updated news! Follow this link and click LIKE at THUNDER! 

A Glimpse at Sample Clips from "Sons & Daughters of Thunder"

We are pleased to share with our supporters and fans scene samples from Sons & Daughters of Thunder.  

The scenes are not in order. There is no dialogue sound--sound will be re-recorded with the actors once the film is edited.  The scenes are not color corrected--that will be done with the final cut of the film.  The scenes are not final.  But it will give you an idea of the fantastic footage we are editing and the scope of the production.  

Our thanks to everyone who supported the making of this film--our contributors, fiscal sponsors, the historic sites that welcomed us, our tireless crew and brilliant cast.  And, our deep gratitude to Earlene and Kent Hawley.  Without them there would be no Thunder.

Remember to LIKE the Sons & Daughters of Thunder's Facebook fan page to get all of the updated news! Follow this link and click LIKE at THUNDER! 

Now sit back and enjoy a glimpse of what you will see March 2019!

 

~ ~ ~

Did you know...

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the critically-acclaimed play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter.

It tells the true story of the 1834 Cincinnati, Ohio Lane Theological Seminary anti-slavery debates.  The controversial meetings, led by abolitionist and firebrand Theodore Weld (played by acclaimed stage actor Thomas Alan Taylor), were the first to publicly discuss the end of slavery in America.  The meetings angered Cincinnati residents and Lane Seminary officials, who promptly slapped a gag order on the entire student body.  This action was followed by a freedom of speech protest and mass exodus of Lane students to Oberlin College.  A young Harriet Beecher’s (played by acclaimed stage actress Jess Denney) exposure to the debates and Weld's continuing work to free the slaves sparked a flame that led her to write her magnum opus Uncle Tom's Cabin.  

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is co-produced by Kent Hawley, and by Fourth Wall Films, owned by Emmy® nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle, a film and video production company specializing in historical documentaries for public television broadcast and DVD home video.  

The fiscal sponsors for the film project are The Shell Rock Historical Society, and The Moline Foundation.  If you are interested in contributing to the film project and receiving screen credit, please click here: SUPPORT THUNDER!

Sons & Daughters of Thunder premieres March 2019!

It's Official! "Thunder" is in Post-Production!

Thomas Alan Taylor as Theodore Weld in Sons & Daughters of Thunder.

We are pleased to share that we completed the production phase of Sons & Daughters of Thunder and are now officially in post-production (editing) on the film.  

The Thunder project was on hold in 2016 while we turned our attention to a commissioned museum film project, which premiered May 2017 at the new Good Earth at Blood Run State Park Visitors Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

It is good to turn our attention back to this exciting project!  We are very excited about the footage captured for Thunder by award-winning filmmaker Kevin Railsback, our Director of Photography, and we are eager to bring the film ‘to life’ in the editing room.

Jess Denney as a young Harriet Beecher in Sons & Daughters of Thunder.

Our first order of business is creating a new trailer for Sons & Daughters of Thunder, and we will share that here when it is completed.

The most challenging part of independent filmmaking is raising the money to complete your project.  Thanks to every one of our contributors, we were able to get through production—filming approximately 15 key actors and dozens of extras in period costume over eight months in beautiful locations in Illinois and at the historic Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tentatively we are working toward finishing Thunder and premiering it in 2018, with additional special showings and a DVD release to follow.  We want to get the docudrama right. That is most important to us.

Remember to LIKE the Sons & Daughters of Thunder Facebook fan page to get all of the updated news! Follow this link and click LIKE: THUNDER!

 ~ ~ ~

Based on the critically-acclaimed play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, Sons & Daughters of Thunder tells the true story of the 1834 Cincinnati, Ohio Lane Theological Seminary anti-slavery debates.  The controversial meetings, led by abolitionist and firebrand Theodore Weld (played by acclaimed stage actor Thomas Alan Taylor), were the first to publicly discuss the end of slavery in America.  The meetings angered Cincinnati residents and Lane Seminary officials, who promptly slapped a gag order on the entire student body.  This action was followed by a freedom of speech protest and mass exodus of Lane students to Oberlin College.  A young Harriet Beecher’s (played by acclaimed stage actress Jess Denney) exposure to the debates and Weld's continuing work to free the slaves sparked a flame that led her to write her magnum opus Uncle Tom's Cabin.  

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is co-produced by Kent Hawley, and by Fourth Wall Films, owned by Emmy® nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle, a film and video production company specializing in historical documentaries for public television broadcast and DVD home video.  

We greatly acknowledge that the fiscal sponsors for the film project are The Shell Rock Historical Society, and The Moline Foundation.  If you are interested in contributing to the film project and receiving screen credit, please click here: SUPPORT THUNDER!

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is slated for release in late 2018.

One Frame...

This is a 'frame grab' from the footage filmed for Sons & Daughters of Thunder during the historic Lane debate scenes.  We will call this shot 'Harriet's awakening'.  

Look at this ONE FRAME and what do you see?  You see two actors, Thomas Alan Taylor and Jess Denney, who have spent extensive time shaping and breathing life into their characters, the historic abolitionists Theodore Weld and Harriet Beecher (Stowe).

But if you look more closely, you see the costumes that clothe them thanks to costume designer Emily Busha and the volunteers that assisted her, the hair and make-up by Farrah Kurtenbach Ketron and Lora Adams,  the lighting by David Furness, the moment captured by director of photography Kevin Railsback (even the lights in Harriet's eyes), the historic words arranged to guide the story thanks to playwright Earlene Hawley, the challenging sound work captured by Chris Ryder; the assistant director Tyson Danner coordinating a large audience in which Taylor and Denney face at this moment. Consider the cast that make up that audience and the time they devoted to shaping their characters and dialogue; and the fact that that cast would not be there without the exceptional work of casting director and executive producer Kimberly Furness.

You don't see the production assistants Olivia Ketron and Melinda Carriker assisting in the background, the props collected by Sandy Freel, or the setting immersing the actors in the past thanks to the Jenny Lind Chapel and the community of Andover, Illinois.

You don't notice the funding that made it possible thanks to many generous supporters and our fiscal sponsor the Shell Rock Historical Society. You don't necessarily see the years of development by the director and producers (one of which is the dedicated Kent Hawley); the fundraising and researching; the pre-production, arranging and planning, scheduling, locating, and the list goes on...

This is just ONE FRAME. Consider the magnitude of the thing and how many people it takes to make a film a reality! 

...and consider how very grateful we are to every single one of you.

Tammy & Kelly Rundle
Fourth Wall Films
Producers, Sons & Daughters of Thunder

Coming in 2018!

      

Director of Photography Kevin Railsback Captures "Thunder"

Director of Photography Kevin Railsback captures the vision of Sons & Daughter of Thunder.

Post-production, the final hurdle. After years of nurturing Earlene Hawley's spirited play to life for the big screen, we are finally at the editing phase and bringing all of the elements together.

We have come a long way. The film project began in 2011 with a preliminary meeting with Kent and Earlene Hawley and a discussion of transforming Earlene's award-winning stage play into a screenplay.  After months of writing and revising, and a read-through of the script with actors, the film project was ready for development and fundraising.  

Thanks to the support of a number of generous contributors, pre-production and production became a reality with auditions, locations set, costumes created and located, an excellent cast selected and a stellar crew hired--among them award-winning filmmaker Kevin Railsback who would serve as Thunder's Director of Photography.  

Sons & Daughters of Thunder Director of Photography Kevin Railsback and Director Kelly Rundle.

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is Kevin's first feature-length narrative film--his main interest and personal focus has been nature documentary filmmaking. His extraordinary nature footage has been featured on National Geographic, Animal Planet, The Discovery Channel,  in theatrical films, and in commercials for companies like AT&T. He is also the author of the popular blog Filmmaking Naturally.

"From an early age I wanted to capture the incredible sights I encountered. One of the first images I recall taking was of a walrus at Brookfield Zoo outside of Chicago when I was eight. But it was living in Iwakuni, Japan that really taught me the importance of lines and form," Kevin notes on the blog.

"Japan is a land of indescribable beauty and I spent my time there trying to capture on film as much of it as I could.  I am driven to tell the story that Mother Nature and all her creatures share with me."

Railsback's cinematography captures the mood of the final scene of Sons & Daughters of Thunder featuring Harriet Beecher (Jess Denney) and Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor).

Cameras began rolling late 2013 through 2015.  Kevin's superb eye and exceptional talent has served Thunder well, with months of stunning footage of dramatic scenes captured during filming at the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling, Illinois; Augustana College's House on the Hill and the Karpeles Manuscript Library in Rock Island, Illinois; the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover, Illinois.  

Lyman Beecher (Janos Horvath), James Thome (Anthony Stratton) and Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) watch for a storm.

Additional footage was gathered at the historic Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio where the actual Lane Seminary debates took place in 1834.

We are honored and so very grateful to have Kevin Railsback behind the camera, capturing the beauty and drama of this important and timely story.

Sons & Daughters of Thunder is produced by Fourth Wall Films, owned by Emmy® nominated filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle, a film and video production company specializing in historical documentaries for public television broadcast and DVD home video.  The film is slated for release in 2018.