Absorption

At our home in Duncanville (near Dallas) we spent the evening re-writing the copy for the narration for the trailer--and then recorded it. We've gone out on a limb, financially, for this project; Tim's gotten a new computer to do the editing at home and some new devices for the sound recording.  Reading the words and hearing my own voice, I am so aware of the limits of my talent!  I much prefer to do a character voice to narration. But--it sounds OK, and we will record more voices this weekend for another section of the film, specifically a section about race unity and Washington, D.C.

The energy in this home is definitely centered now on advancing this project--day and night.  Going to work is a slight interruption.  Sleep is curtailed; all avenues are pursued. Today I was talking to four young fashion students at the Art Institute about sewing some more costumes, as my machine is not working and I have so little time!

As I get ready to go to ABS in San Francisco and then to Green Acre three days later, I am worried about all we need to do.  Finish the trailer, create and print a postcard, name the film. . . . But every day, there is progress. God willing, time and resources will be there, as we need them!

Dallas

We are currently working on a trailer for the film, and along with this a final decision about the title. Our script is in process; we have much to do to bring this project to fruition. As a professional video director, Tim hopes that it will be PBS worthy. But we need funds--and helpers!  Should anyone have ideas on those aspects, please write to us at unity9@sbcglobal.net.

Baltimore

Deb's garden

bicycle sculpture (trellis)

Suddenly, after another night at Bill's in Denver (with Sandy) and a short visit with dear friend Dannah, I was in Baltimore, and Tim was traveling back to Texas!  He stopped to shoot the steam engine train near Alamosa; meanwhile, I was reading about the B & O train Museum en route to Baltimore. I stayed with my friends Deb and Steve Vance. It was a lovely interlude--though hot there, too. 

We did research, visited all of the places still existing where Abdu'l-Baha went, 

and involved a few wonderful individuals in our enterprises.

Jill Cairns-Gallimore, researcher

Deb, Jill, Kamran, Margie, Anne
in old train depot

In the lobby at B & O Railroad Museum

Jack Gordon came up from DC to shoot video! 

at the train museum (outside)

Home visited by Abdu'-Baha

At the Conservatory, built in 1880s

Jill, in conservatory

With Elvis, lunch at a cafe

Colorado Springs

Sandy

Colorado Springs was a bit of a respite. We drove down, leaving Denver on a sunny day, and arrived in Colorado Springs right after a chilly storm and hail! At our friend Walt's home, there were layers of hail! Sandy, my Colombian sister, and Carlos and Calvin soon met us at Walt's, and we all went out to dinner, joined by Walt's friend.

We spent some time working, of course! 

It was great to have a relaxed last night together. Calvin and Carlos left--to drive back to Dallas!  We parted, too, the next day--as Tim drove south to meet his mom, and I went back to Denver to fly to Baltimore! 

Denver

Our friend Bill Mahoney

Driving to Denver was harrowing! 

Car screen showing elevation--yikes!

 Denver yielded a number of special experiences and locations, after we got through the mountains and beyond the hail and rain. We stayed with our dear friend Bill Mahoney, who had some thoughtful ideas about the film and offered gracious hospitality. Then, we had access to the Baha'i Center as a place to meet and film and make further connections.  Our friend Walt Palmer came, and we actually shot a "scene" depicting Louis Gregory and Lousia Mathews in an archway that looked as if it could be Washington, D.C.

We also met up with John Hicks, who lives in the Clark House and knows much about the history of Abdu'l-Baha in Colorado. And we got footage of the train depot and the Oxford Hotel, both of which were significant to the story. We found that the Roberts house and the Shirley Hotel no longer exist. Ultimately we felt as if we really penetrated the Colorado part of the journey--and are ready to make a trailer for the film!

Baha'i Center, Denver

Waiting for Victor, who had the key

Working, outside, with friend Walt

Chair from Clark house,

Abdu'l-Baha sat in

Victor Banks

Shooting the chair, on stage

Denver Baha'i Center worship hall

Calvin in Durango t-shirt

In vestibule

Juli Redson-Smith

Walt and Rezal, looking like
Louis and Louisa!

the garden

Moment from a true story--Abdu'l-Baha suggested Louisa give Louis a white rose as a symbolic gesture related to interracial marriage--it worked; they married!

ah, loyalty!

We discovered the Art Institute of Colorado--our sister school!  

Clark house 

Soroosh before costume

Piles of costumes

Arthur, whom we met on the street corner, doing Tai Chi

Rezal in a new role, Arthur, Anne
Soroosh, John

Rezal, looking lovely

Arthur, looking dashing as a Persian  

Anne, looking old--er, from the past

John, looking authentic

Soroosh, looking sincere (getting into the part of portraying an interpreter)

The camera, looking at all of us
(HD sees all but the soul!)

                                                          

                                                                   Back at Bill's, I gave him a nine-pointed star

I had made from glass

All in all, it was a great time in Denver!