Part 3 of 7 (9/25/15, DAY TWO): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!

This is Part 3 of 7. 

Here's part 1: Part 1 of 7 (9/23/15, ARRIVAL): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!
Here's part 2: Part 2 of 7 (9/24/15, DAY ONE): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!


Day Two of shooting 'Deaners' was on Friday, September 25th, 2015. Sam Webb (DP) and Russell Stewart (Sound) and I met in the morning at Fairmount Camp where I was staying. 

This was a super early call of 6:15am, as we needed to be at our first location at 7:00am. I'm not much of a cook (or a morning person, for that matter) but I whipped up some microwaveable frozen items that I got in the grocery store the night before. Heated up egg burritos, pancake/sausage on a stick and cinnamon rolls probably tasted much better than what I could create on my own. ;) 

With Cole Reeves in the Fairmount Historical Museum

We jammed over to the Fairmount Historical Museum to meet with and interview Cole Reeves, president of the board there, and to take a look around the gallery. He had opened the museum early (7am) for us to beat the crowds and lines. There's a good amount of James Dean relics (personal items from childhood into adult hood), props from the films, play programs, motorcycle, furniture of his, and more to take in. Cole talked about the festival and had some fun anecdotes on the stuff we were taking a look at. There was also a Garfield room as Fairmount birthed Jim Davis, as well. And another floor of more history on the town of Fairmount, dating back to Native American days. 

We then went back to the James Dean Gallery to film a little inside before anyone else got there. We were there right as it was opening at 9am, and were there alone with David Loehr for a little bit before the first patrons started to arrive. 

Getting the shot... 

After that, we had some time before our first interview of the day, so we decided to head off to the grave of James Dean. There was only a couple others there (Peter Gallo and his friend Janet) and we were able to catch some cool shots of the grave with rays of light off the top (the way the sun was rising at the time). 

Brand new James Dean birth site monument in Marion, IN

Off we went to the birth site, 10 miles down the road in neighboring town, Marion. The residential building had been leveled some years before which had been the location where James Dean was born. In it's place now, through the hard work of David Loehr, is a monument and park (to commemorate the birth site).  The dedication ceremony was to take place 5 days later (which we caught snippets of) but we caught a glimpse at the scene ahead of time, as it was already open to the public. 

Russell and Sam with Mark Kinnaman

Our first interview of the day was with longtime James Dean fan Mark Kinnaman. He had moved to Fairmount some years before (being a fan of James Dean), and has a remarkable collection. He's the vice president of the James Dean Remembered Fan Club and also is a car enthusiast, and helps run the James Dean Car Run (show) that happens each year during the festival. We were able to catch a glimpse of his collection, artwork on the outside of his home too, and super awesome 50's diner style kitchen complete with booth and jukebox! 

With Ted Bernal Guevara

After leaving Mark's, we stopped to say hello in front of the James Dean Gallery to Ted Bernal Guevara (author of 'Lips of a Mastadon'), and chatted with him on camera for a little bit about his book and all. Then we headed off to catch Main street shut down for booths, carnival rides and more for a little bit. 

We then got a call from Chad Hanna, president of the James Dean Remembered fan club, and were trying to figure out where to have a bite to eat together. We ended up at the Outpost in Fairmount again, but for their lunch menu items this time. 

Sam, Russell, James, Me, and Dean 

We then went back to Base Camp (Fairmount Camp) to set up the cabin to interview James and Dean. They came with manager Rob Jarrell, and their father. We had a great time interviewing them, learning about their connection to the festival and about their music. We have their song 'Forever 24' still stuck in our heads from the evening before... and we all decided that this is one of our favorite photos of the trip/shoot (on the right): 

Jerry and Shirley Payne

Rolling around Fairmount some more on foot, we met gregarious and outgoing Shirley Payne in a lawnchair with others, making jokes about being on camera. We took her up on her offer, and she roped in her husband Jerry to also chat on camera. Such sweet people. They invited us to a BBQ that would take place later on (after only meeting them just mere minutes before!), but we didn't have the time to be able to, in the end. Such is a hospitality of Fairmount folk that we had met. 


We then got more shots at the festival of food, booths, rides, and spent some time at the car run. There we ran into (and interviewed on camera) Gregory Swenson, author of Recipes for Rebels: In the Kitchen with James Dean (this website is SUPER cool, btw... great design). It's a good size book that not only has recipes from those that knew, worked with, or had a connection with James Dean, it goes into the story on each person's connection, and has great photos and artwork, as well. 

By this point, it was a VERY full day and we captured QUITE a lot! We wrapped for the day... 

ABSO Improv Comedy

Then, that night, Russell was to be in an improv show for the troupe that he's a member of at Ball State University (40 miles south of Fairmount in Muncie). ABSO Improv Comedy was so great! Sam and I got to see Russell emcee the show on this evening. It was pretty cool to see him in this light, and performing with the troupe. We were joined by Sam's girlfriend Rachel and a handful of their friends, as well. The troupe was consistently good, all the people were great, and we had a ton of laughs. If you plan to be in the area, like their page to find out about upcoming shows. First timer audience members go for free (?) and returners pay $1. Caliber fun stuff with this group... 

It was a good time, and I ended up heading back to Fairmount after this to catch some Zzzz's. I didn't need to get up that early, but just wanted to decompress and sleep as much as possible as we had a full day ahead.

To Be Continued... (Part 4 Below) 


I would love it if you could 'Like' my page (if you haven't already), which is free! For more updates and to follow along with the film page, please visit and 'Like':   Deaners-The Movie.   

Thanks! - David Garry 

www.davidgarry.com 

Here's Part 4: Part 4 of 7 (9/26/15, DAY THREE): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!

Part 2 of 7 (9/24/15, DAY ONE): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!

This is Part 2 of 7.

Here's part 1: Part 1 of 7 (9/23/15, ARRIVAL): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!



Day One of shooting 'Deaners' began on Thursday, September 24th, 2015. Sam Webb (DP) and Russell Stewart (Sound) and I met in the morning at Fairmount Camp where I was staying, and got into my tiny rental car to head off to The Outpost down the road, a down-home diner in Fairmount. 

Sam and Russell

I talked to them both over the phone before getting to Fairmount, and was happy to finally meet them face to face, connect and bond on any number of topics over breakfast, and set a game plan for the shoot. Sam comes from Chicago with a background of working on a good number of film and doc projects, including winning a regional Emmy for one that's a documentary. Here's a channel of his work. Russell is in the telecommunications department at Ball State University (in Muncie, Indiana) and has worked on a good number of projects himself. 

After breakfast, we did a test shoot with me as the test subject, and got our process down with camera, lights, and sound. We then rolled a little around the perimeter of Fairmount and got some shots of corn fields, barns, and threshers. 

Phil Ziegler in front of barn at JD farmhouse 

Then, on to Phil Ziegler's to interview him! He told us some stories on camera, some fun anecdotes, and realizing that we're shooting for this to be a short film (15-20 minutes maximum) it's going to be tough to round all this good stuff down! He showed us his collection of James Dean memorabilia, and then we went over to the farm that James Dean grew up on.

Myself, Russell, Phil, and Sam in garage with JD motorcylce. 

We got shots of the horses, and Phil showed us the barn where JD would play basketball during highschool with his friends that came over (hoop intact) and hand/foot prints in the cement inside the barn (also from when he was young). We were able to go inside a garage that was built later on on the land, that housed vintage JD movie posters, and restored (or preserved) vehicles, such as the

motorcycle JD would ride around in in Fairmount (and also LA) the car that he drove during highschool, and the tractor that was used on the farm. 

It was pretty cool to be there and match up a shot of the farmhouse (where JD was standing in front of in the shot below) to present day. 

We went off to lunch at El Metate Mexican Grill on Main Street, Fairmount. Main Street is pretty much a block (maybe two) of businesses. Some businesses off a few side streets here and there, but realizing how small this town really is. But really nice for that. 

After a late lunch, we caught more of the town and met Chad

Hanna at the Memorial park in the town center that has a matching bust of James Dean, same as the one at Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, by artist Kenneth Kendall. 

Off we went to interview Chad on the porch of the place he was staying at (bed and breakfast). He is the president of the James Dean Remembered Fan Club, and told us about the fan club, about Fairmount and his visits there, and being a fan himself. He was so awesome to take us on a tour of other JD sites in Fairmount, including the old, nearly torn down highschool that JD went to, the

water tower with painted images of JD and Garfield the cat (as Jim Davis the artist of Garfield is from Fairmount, as well) and Chad drove us to the perimeters of the town to get more shots of corn, barns, and threshers! We also caught Main Street starting to get shut down, and a preliminary car show right there on Main Street. 

Chad Hanna, Marcus Winslow Jr, Phil Ziegler, and myself

I also met Marcus Winslow, Jr. ('Markie') who was the young cousin of James Dean in the famous photo spread by Dennis Stock (for Life Magazine). He had grown up with JD, and after his parents died (aunt and uncle), he inherited the house and farm. He's a great ambassador to the town and memory... and is gracious and generous with fans that visit Fairmount. I'll admit I was a little nervous in meeting him. But he was friendly and laid back. 

James and Dean performing at the James Dean Gallery

We then went to the James Dean Gallery. The James Dean Gallery is a place that houses an extensive private exhibit and collection of archivist David Loehr. It also sells books and collectibles related to James Dean. We didn't have a chance to pop inside just yet, as there was to be a performance on the porch...We were introduced to James and Dean by their manager, Rob Jarrell, and found out that they would be performing. James and Dean are 16 year old twins who are musicians, as well. After a quick introduction to the

onlookers by David Loehr, they performed their song 'Forever 24', which is a nod to James Dean and the age that he had died. We were able to catch this on camera as well. Afterwards, James and Dean signed autographs inside the gallery. 

Day One of shooting was done at this point (around dusk)... Sam and Russell went off to Muncie, and I did some grocery store shopping for an early breakfast for the next day at the cabin, as we had a very early call... Trucks were unloading carnival rides at this point at night, and you start to also see booths start to get set up on Main Street. 

To Be Continued... (Part 3 below) 


I would love it if you could 'Like' my page (if you haven't already), which is free! For more updates and to follow along with the film page, please visit and 'Like':   Deaners-The Movie.   

Thanks! - David Garry 

www.davidgarry.com 

Here's part 3: Part 3 of 7 (9/25/15, DAY TWO): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!

Part 1 of 7 (9/23/15, ARRIVAL): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!

For those that don't know, I had embarked on a journey to Fairmount, Indiana recently... to not only be there for the annual James Dean festival, but I also had the mission of shooting a short doc film on the fans of James Dean, and about this annual festival (40th anniversary of it on the 60th anniversary of the death). How my fascination with James Dean began, and how my 'Deaners' film came to be is documented HERE). 

Back in February, I began pre-production on this short form documentary. Over time, I had many e-mails, phone calls, and messages between crew members that I would hire in Indiana for the shoot, as well as James Dean fans and ambassadors to Fairmount (and the festival) that would serve as interviewees in the film. 

A big shout out goes out to Chad Hanna, who is president of the James Dean Remembered Fan Club. I got to know him online first, then over the phone, and struck up a friendship with him...He oriented me on the who's who in the Deaner world, and what happens at the festival, and more. 

I'm not gonna lie, I did have a little insecurity around doing the project. I had never been to Fairmount, Indiana, and to add to that I would be consistently asking strangers to do things for me, work with a crew I had never met, and more... but I reminded myself about fear and quotes that make the most sense about vanquishing it, and I forged ahead. If nothing else, I am a man of my word... and when I say I'm going to do something, I do it. Integrity is extremely important to me...I also never want to be someone who just talks about what they want to do...

Binder and business cards. Boom. 

So over time, I had plane ticket booked, rental car reserved, and a
place to stay. I had hired on a DP (Director of Photography) and Sound Person (Recordist and Boom Operator). I had a schedule of who was being interviewed when (and for the most part, where), and what else to capture to make this short form doc come alive. I figured out potential places that we could have meal breaks (and when), what special events we needed to be in attendance for to capture, a list of other necessary establishing shots, and armed with a binder of info, a stack of interviewee waivers and all, I was ready to do this. 

My rental car at the cabin that I stayed in at Fairmount Camp

I flew out of Los Angeles on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd, in the morn, and arrived in Indianapolis, IN (3 hour time difference, as well) around 6pm. Got my rental car... when I said 'economy', I thought kinda standard 4-door car? I got one of thee tiniest cars... like a Scion IQ? Whatever that car is in the pic. So small. Still 4 doors, and we would make it work through the shoot. I drove over 70 miles to get to Fairmount... I'm glad that I got to see in daylight and dusk the landscape... corn fields, soy bean fields, farms, barns, wind farms, no traffic on these country roads (sometimes I'm the only car I can see around me). I stopped at a Subway, got a sandwich for dinner, and continued on to Fairmount, getting a little lost when it was finally dark. One road that I was supposed to take was closed, and the detour signs were unclear. I finally realized it was all like a grid, and for the most part, roads were numbers '700 south', etc. (olden days way of road naming in rural areas). I figured out my way... 

Inside of cabin at Fairmount Camp

Then, I got a little lost in the dark at Fairmount Camp, where I was to be staying, but Matt (the manager who lives on site) came on out and met me after I called him, and showed me the way to my cabin, which was like a 2-bedroom apartment with kitchen (fridge, stove, microwave, etc.). Fairmount Camp is (for the most part) a camp with a summer program and is a meeting place for other activities/groups, etc. They rent out (on occasion) cabins during town events like the James Dean festival... and have a place for camping, RV's and more. 

I had just enough time to put my stuff down as I had plans for that night... 

Marcus Winslow Jr. and JD  in front of farmhouse

I was going to Phil Zieglers! This excited me that the very first thing that I was to do in Fairmount was to go directly to the land that James Dean had grown up on. Phil is a retired optometrist that moved to Fairmount in the 80's after coming to the annual festival and becoming good friends with Marcus Winslow Jr. (James Dean's younger cousin who owns the home JD grew up in- They lived together like brothers when JD's mother died, and his father had sent him to live with his Aunt/Uncle, Marcus' parents). It was pretty amazing to drive up and see the home in the moonlight, and know that I had made it. Phil lived in a house on the same land just a little walking distance. 

At Phil's... love the bust. 

Around 9:30pm he was awake, and let me in... we chatted about my traveling, who I had in my crew, about Fairmount, about some famous folk that had visited before (like Martin Sheen) and about his black eye (he had a fall after giving a student filmmaker a tour of the home just the week before). I'll be figuring out how best to be able to let an audience know why he has a black eye in the film (he does tell the story on camera). We'll see... :) 



Phil shared with me about other books and films that were done with his participation, including one that he produced... and showed me a little bit of his James Dean collection, which was really cool. I didn't want to see too much on this night however, so that it would be relatively new to me the next day when he's being interviewed, and so he also won't feel like he's repeating himself on camera. 

I bid him adieu and went back to my cabin at Fairmount Camp to catch some sleep before Day 1 of shooting! 

To Be Continued... (part 2 below) 

I would love it if you could 'Like' my page (if you haven't already), which is free! For more updates and to follow along with the film page, please visit and 'Like':   Deaners-The Movie.   

Thanks! - David Garry 

www.davidgarry.com 

Part 2 of 7 (9/24/15, DAY ONE): Travelogue for 'Deaners' film shoot!

My fascination with James Dean, and how my 'Deaners' film idea came to be...

Early 2014 at Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles 

Not too long ago, I became a fan of James Dean... a big fan. And if you were to tell me (2 years ago around this time) that I would be living alone in the San Fernando Valley (broken up from a relationship), and that I also would be making a pilgrimage this month to James Dean's hometown of Fairmount, Indiana to shoot a short documentary featuring his fans and the annual festival held in his honor, I would've had a hard time believing you. But, in retrospect, I wouldn't want it any other way. 

It was late 2013...I had made that move to singledom... and on a Christmas break (when I had much time to hang with Netflix, I caught 'Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean' (link goes to the trailer). Although some bits are fictionalized and nuanced, I really enjoyed this film that served to some degree as a slice of time biography of James Dean's pre-fame life. Beautifully shot, well-acted, and poetic, it also inspired me to learn more about the legendary icon. All I knew before was of the films, and that on Hollywood Blvd, any souvenir gift shop has him up there with Marilyn and Elvis on mugs, keychains, magnets, and more. 

I dug deeper and started with articles, found myself watching his (3) films he had made before he had met his tragic end, and then moved on to reading biographies. I fell into a rabbit hole of gathering information and learning more and more about him, his life, his affect on American culture, and how he was unique, ahead of his time, and more... it's hard to sum up all that's fascinating about him, and why 60 years after his death, he is still being honored and remembered... this article ('James Dean Never Died') does a good job of it. 

His legacy lives on in his fans that are beyond loyal... and

new fans spring up every year. There's even a new film being released soon called 'Life' (link goes to the trailer) that explores a small period of time after he's finished his first film and is on the brink of stardom (starring Dane Dehaan). 

On September 30, 1955, before 'Rebel Without A Cause' (and eventually 'Giant') would be released to the public, James Dean's life ended in an auto accident in Cholame, CA (on his way to Salinas for a car race the next day). 

Fans had a hard time with this death. He was able to show (and represent) the hidden angst that America's teenagers / young adults were facing in the day. For years after his death, he still received millions of letters. He also was nominated twice posthumously for best actor ('East of Eden' and 'Giant'). Not bad for an actor who only completed three films. 

James Dean's hometown of Fairmount, Indiana had taken on the responsibility of being ambassadors to his memory. To his childhood, young adulthood, etc. The town became a place where fans could go to learn more about and celebrate him. Many relics in his history (props, costumes, and more from films, and his personal possessions) live there in Fairmount, along with the town being his final resting place 60 years ago. 

40 years ago, to meet the need of the fans en masse, this small town

started an annual festival in James Dean's honor, and welcomes people from all over the country and world that sometimes lovingly refer to themselves as 'Deaners'. The festival now spans over (4) days, has a car show, shows his films for free to the public, and has a general town fair / carnival atmosphere for Deaners to converge with booths, carnival rides, games, bands playing, look-alike contests, and more... 

Also, on September 30th each year, a memorial service is held where the attendees then walk from the church to the grave site. And also hold a candlelight vigil in memory. 

I was ready for a new project after having produced my 1st film, 'The Man Who Loved His Cat' (link goes to the trailer) and decided that I wanted to shoot a short documentary on the fans and the festival. I had never produced a documentary before,

and love learning and applying knowledge. I decided this in February, and in just under 8 months prep time, I will be there this Sept. 23-28, and shooting interviews with key people that are ambassadors to his memory and/or are just major fans. I have hired on a couple of crew in addition to myself (DP and Sound Recordist) and will capture as much as possible of the festival and more to be able to tell a story and share... and most importantly to have this film serve as my contribution to the

legacy of the great cultural and legendary icon, James Dean. 

I have no plans to distribute the film. I would hope it could get some festival play at the very least. In the end, it will also be a gift (online) for other fans. It's a passion project of mine that I'm excited about. 

I'm not crowdfunding to make this happen, not asking anyone for money... this is completely out of my own pocket. My big favor that I could ask of anyone, however, is just to 'like' the facebook page I had created for the film itself. Updates will happen from Fairmount, and along the film's process/progress. And it's free. Your support in that would be so much appreciated! Here's the LINK TO THE PAGE that I had just created: 

https://www.facebook.com/deanersthemovie

Many thanks, and I look forward to sharing the film with you someday, 

David Garry 

www.davidgarry.com 

My summer... David 'Jingles' Garry

Wow. Not counting breaks when I came back to LA, during this summer I had lived up in the mountains near Idyllwild for 60 days, doing my job as Volunteer Coordinator for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times (for kids with cancer and their siblings). As my body is starting to settle down and get regular sleeps, and as I start to slowly culturally adjust to life ‘down the mountain’, I look back on quite the summer… It’s hard to put into words (and with few photos) what life is like up at Camp. The profound impact that it has on folks (campers, volunteers, and staff), and why it’s a tough transition to come back to the city from a microcosm of hugs, high fives, support, and mutual respect. I only wish that more that I know closely would be able to experience something like it for the duration of a session, at least.

I also am always inspired by all of the volunteers that give 8-9 days of their time to be able to give to our campers. To allow them the support and safe space to be wholly themselves, vulnerable and free.

It can be exhausting (and is), but the payoff and reward is worth it. Although it’s taken a good amount out of me (that’s what rest is for), and I might have more grey in my beard than when I started the summer back in the beginning of June (heh), I personally had a great time sleeping under the stars, getting in a mud fight, playing a kidnapper, a 'mental', Darth Jingles, and Agent Coulson, leading songs and games, cabin nights of capture the flag and playing casino, singing songs around a campfire, leading drum circles, stuffing my face silly with good camp food and treats (maybe a little too much), rock ’n roll breakfasts and dances, working closely with our seasonal staff and directing team, and getting to know our volunteers and campers. Hugs to all. 

P.S. 'Jingles' is a camp name I answer to (given by friend and Program Director, Chad).

Up next in September: Honored to be a part of a wedding of an awesome couple I know (with the events leading up to it), planning a Volunteer end of summer activity and party for approximately 100-150 people, attending another great wedding, acting in a short film, and then shooting my own short form documentary in Indiana… All in a month, and all the planning for those events! Crazy busy, but I guess I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

How 'True West' (John Malkovitch & Gary Sinise) grounds the actor in me...

Years ago, in my early 20's, I caught a broadcast of a teleplay of 'True West' by Sam Shepard. It was filmed in 1983 on the Steppenwolf stage, and starred John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. The performances were so nuanced and powerful, and it really pulled me in. 


A short synopsis from the playwrights website: "TRUE  WEST is a character study that examines the relationship between Austin, a screenwriter, and his older brother Lee. It is set in the kitchen of their mother's home 40 miles east of Los Angeles. Austin is house-sitting while their mother is in Alaska, and there he is confronted by his brother, who proceeds to bully his way into staying at the house and using Austin's car. In addition, the screenplay which Austin is pitching to his connection in

Hollywood  somehow gets taken over by the pushy con-man tactics of Lee, and the brothers find themselves forced to cooperate in the creation of a story that will make or break both their lives. In the process, the conflict between the brothers creates a heated situation in which their roles as successful family man and nomadic drifter are somehow reversed, and each man finds himself admitting that he had somehow always wished he were in the other's shoes." 

From highschool musicals, college plays, and community theater in my teens to my 20's, I definitely considered myself more of a song and dance guy, more of a performer and less a serious actor, and I certainly came from the school of funny faces/voices. There's always that part of me (at the ready) to perform as such, but I remember catching this viewing of 'True West' and thinking... 'Huh. I'd like to try my hand at serious acting.'. Once in a while, from there on out, beyond a comical, schticky, quirky role, I have been known to be given a dramatic role to tackle. I love the challenge. There's that old quote, 'Dying is easy...Comedy is hard.' I've always felt it to be the other way around (for me). When I was younger, I found it easier to make people laugh than to go deep within and pull out some dark and gritty stuff to show for others to see. Watching 'True West' reminds me of this possibility in a profound way. 

Most people can remember something that inspired them. A play, a musical, a movie, a TV show, an experience, that had them inspired. This is my go-to on the dramatic front. An A-HA! moment where it clicked. I've even had the fantasy of producing a stage version of it in LA, getting to play with my buddy, actor Tripp Pickell, although we don't look like brothers at all. But neither did Gary Sinise and John Malkovich, really. 

I'm excited that the world wide web has become such a great resource to view old clips and such. This is the link to actually watch the full movie of TRUE WEST on YouTube, if you're inspired...