February 2008

• February brings "The Genesis of Healing" to an end. We delivered the final episode to Veria this month and close the chapter on this 26-episode documentary series that we are proud to have worked on.
• Production on "The First Step" continues. Brush Fire finished shooting episode 11 this month. Season one is fully cast, but we are still looking for participants for Season 2. Contact the producers and submit your story and headshot to be on the show.
• We are proud to announce the arrival of our newest crew member, the Panasonic PHX2000. Brush Fire Films was one of the adopters of P2 tape-less video camera technology starting with the Panasonic HVX200 HD camcorder. With more than 300 hours of documentary shooting on 3 continents, we've totally embraced the tape-less workflow. The P2 format has allowed us to shoot broadcast HD on the Great Wall of China in the morning, transfer the files quickly to stand alone hard drives, edit rough cuts, and down load the clips to our server so network executives 2,000 miles away could watch our progress just a few hours later. In fact, our 26-episode documentary series "The Genesis of Healing" never saw video tape. It existed as digital files all the way from acquisition to broadcast and archiving. After our positive experiences, we have no desire to ever use tape again.
  
  Because of our success with the early P2 format and the Panasonic HVX200 HD camcorder, we purchased a new Panasonic PHX2000. This is Panasonic's new full-size progressive 2/3" 3-CCD native HD, P2 tape-less, shoulder mount broadcast camera and one of the most flexible, broadcast-quality cameras available. The PHX2000 records pristine high-quality images with a wide dynamic range in over 30 HD and SD formats including 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, 480i and 576i. This camera is capable of complicated time-lapse shots that, until now, we had to shoot using film.
  
  A camera of this quality calls for the best lens available. We went with Canon's HJ 11EXX4.7B; Canon's widest HD zoom lens, which exhibits amazing uniformity of color, brightness and sharpness across the entire image. The wide angle allows us to shoot in the tiniest of spaces and perform hand-held walking shots with amazing results.

January 2008

• Brush Fire Films ended 2007 as busy as it started. Veria TV went live in October, and calls from viewers began filling our voice mails with interest in getting their hands on copies of "The Genesis of Healing". While news on when DVDs will be for sale hasn't come down the line, you can view clips from our show here.
• While we wrap up post-production on Season Two, you can watch the first season of "Genesis of Healing" on Veria TV. Check the schedule at www.veria.com.
• Production continues on "The First Step". We have found many engaging duos who are interested in changing their lives and enhancing their relationships. So far, we've introduced participants to rock climbing, karate, volleyball and yoga. Future activities are under wraps; we don't want to spoil the surprise for you.
• This month we say goodbye to our friend and talented co-worker, Russ Johnson, as he sets off on an exciting venture. While we can't fill his shoes, we welcome a new face to the Brush Fire team. HutcH, the one-named mystery man, joins Jami Mari Clayman, the three-named injury-prone producer, to tackle "The First Step" one episode at a time.

November 2007

• Our time with "The Genesis of Healing" is coming to an end, but Brush Fire is not saying farewell to Veria TV. We have jumped into producing episode one of our two-season series called "The First Step". With host and professional fitness trainer, Kurt Chacon, we introduce couples, friends, family and co-workers to fun and realistic methods to live a healthy life, one step at a time.

October 2007

• This just in! Veria TV is live on DISH! Find out the details at www.veria.com and check the schedule for "The Genesis of Healing". If you don't have DISH, you can view clips of our show here.

August 2007

• To commemorate completion of "The Genesis of Healing" season one, we decided to throw a little celebratory shindig. Over one hundred guests were in attendance, including actors, musicians, and some of the experts we've featured in our shows. Live music and a gourmet buffet fueled the partygoers, while both edit suites featured highlights from the show. Guests were also treated to compilation reels showing some of the many countries we've visited over the past year, as well as animation reels and a compilation of the reenactments we've filmed to date. But the hit of the night was of course the "bloopers reel", featuring gaffs and goofs from around the globe. We also opened both studios to the public, so people could take a peek at how we craft the reenactments that are so crucial to the telling of our stories. A great time was had by all. Thirteen shows down, thirteen to go.

  4 continents - 7 countries - 49 interviews - 40 actors - 13 shows - 1 16mm camera - 2 P2 cards - 3 studios - 2000 feet of 16mm film - 500 Diet Cokes for Bill - 20 bee stings - 4 Final Cut Pro systems - 7000 miles traveled - 4 cell phones - 2200 phone calls - 37 budget rewrites - 172,554 words written - over 600 hours of 3D render - 335 packs of cigarettes for Martin - 670 cups of coffee - 500 costumes and costume pieces - over 1000 props - 403 hotel rooms - 23 airports - 200 hours of footage filmed - 7 Macs - 1 rat - 1 cat - 1 owl - 127 tantrums - 112 Map Quests - 4 hours of sleep... priceless.

January 2007

• The year has gotten off to a busy start with lots of location shoots for "The Genesis of Healing". The crew traveled to California, Houston and Galveston where we filmed on board a WWII submarine and made Alastair walk on a rain-swept beach. One of the highlights was a Civil War reenactment shoot for the Leeches and Maggots show which we achieved with the help of the 7th Texas Cavalry. We also brushed shoulders with the famous: Jewel was interviewed for our Iridology episode. On top of this, Lynne and the crew have been busy in Studio A filming various reenactments from murder scenes to soap making. Shows now in production are Maggots and Leeches Therapy, Bronner's Magic Soap (some of the reenactments for this show were shot on 16mm), Aromatherapy and Yoga. The video contains many of the images from behind the scenes of the last few weeks' work. Enjoy! Watch the video.

December 2006

• Production gears up to high speed for "The Genesis of Healing". The first three shows have been completed: Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Bach Flowers. At the moment we're in high gear, acquiring footage, interviews and stand ups for the rest of season one. All the shows have a large element of reenactments which were all shot in studio A or in the field. In Studio A, Lynne Moon and the crew did an amazing job of building a cemetery, several doctors' labs, and a WWII battlefield, which was composited by Mark and Thane. We even had to film rats. The Bach show required a 1930s dinner party scene with a cast of eight plus various outdoor locations. Alastair's stand ups were filmed in our newly-built studio B. The crew also traveled to many parts of the US to acquire interviews for the upcoming shows. The video contains images from behind the scenes. Watch the video.

November 2006

• Brush Fire Films was presented the Media Achievement Award by the Royal Marine Historical Society. The award states: "The Royal Marines Historical Society Award 2006, Presented to Brush Fire Films on behalf of the members of the Royal Marines Historical Society in recognition of 'Return to Limbang' that furthers the aims of the Society to promote the history and traditions of the Royal Marines". The award was presented by Major General Julian Thompson at the AGM of the Royal Marine Historical Society in Portsmouth.

October 2006

• The Brush Fire crew traveled to India to film four shows for the "Genesis of Healing" series. Filming took place in New Delhi, Haridwar, Shanti Kunj, Rishikesh, Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar and Pune. The crew was in India for three weeks and acquired some amazing footage. The trip started out a little badly when our film kit was impounded at Delhi airport because one box had not made it onto our flight. We had to spend four hours at the airport the following night trying to get the kit out of customs. Some of the other difficulties we encountered were the many hours it took to reach a destination due to bad roads, and the problem of having to pay to film at any location because of rampant corruption. But the Indian crew handled these problems very well. We acquired over 30 hours of footage which will be used in four shows, primarily Ayurveda and Yoga. Stand ups were also shot for Aromatherapy and Naturopathy. We got some breathtaking shots on the river Ganges and the countryside around Pune. Delhi was completely different from Mumbai, both in climate and culture. The food was great - we had curry three times a day and no one got the "Delhi Belly" too badly. India made a great impression on us all, and the footage we came back with has made the show very spectacular. The video clip is made up of images taken behind the lens. Watch the video.

September 2006

• Production continues on "The Genesis of Healing" with trips to Albuquerque, New York City, Denver and Salt Lake City. Our fear of needles subsided with our hands-on style of production - acupuncture sessions!

August 2006

• Brush Fire Films begins production on a 26-episode documentary series entitled "The Genesis of Healing" for Veria, an alternative health and wellness network. Filming started in England, Wales, France and Germany. We made friends with leeches.

July 2006

• "Return to Limbang" DVD released in the UK - available for purchase through Alba Home Vision.
• Brush Fire Films begins production on “The People’s Place – The National Mall” by shooting in Washington DC for the 4^th of July festivities.

June 2006

• Brush Fire Films produces product packaging DVD for a manufacturer of airline child restraint systems
• Bill Elliott and Lou Anne White-Grose complete a customer in-flight instructional video for American Airlines
• Bill Elliott films snowboarders in High Definition 1080i for the CBS show Stunt Junkies in the Colorado mountains.

May 2006

• Brush Fire Films signs a world wide distribution contract with Electric Sky for the sale of “Return to Limbang” and pre sales of The Soldiers Tale 6 part series.
• Martin Spirit and Margaret Dettmer attend the Hot Docs convention in Toronto
• Bill Elliott completes a week of principal shooting for Princess Cruises "International Employee Recruitment" program.  The shoot took place onboard the Sapphire Princess while it sailed along the Mexican Rivera.
• Brush Fire produces trailer for “The Ghost Next Door” for Milestone Movies

April 2006

• Brush Fire produces Legacy Healthcare spot for Chris Stone Advertising.
• Brush Fire Films signs a distribution contract for UK distribution with Alba Communications Ltd for the distribution of the DVD of “Return to Limbang”
• Bill Elliott completes a week of shooting in Shanghai, China for American Airlines.  The shoot documented American Airlines inaugural flight to Shanghai and promotional destination footage of Shangahi.
• Brush Fire Films produces a trailer for The Dog Walker, a Milestone Movies production

March 2006

• Major General Julian Thompson’s book Verdun and the Somme 1916 is released (Gregory & Company)
• Vision Wise Dallas, completes the DVD of “Return to Limbang” with a creative menu that includes seven deleted scenes, “Behind the Lines” (the making of) and an audio commentary by Major General Julian Thompson who presented the film.

February 2006

• Brush Fire finishes online for “Fat Girls”, which went on to win Official Selection at Tribeca Film Festival.

January 2006

• Brush Fire finishes online for Winner Communications ESPN program “Where Are They Now? 1985 Bears”.
• Bill Elliott completes principal shooting for a new series of High Definition television spots for Presbyterian Hospital of Denton.

December 2005

• Brush Fire finishes online for Winner Communication’s ESPN program “Brave Old Army Team."
• “Return to Limbang” airs for the first time on The History Channel UK. The London Times gives the film it’s Pick of the Day. On the same night Martin Spirit attends a memorial dinner at Bickly Barracks in Devon, the home of the current 42 Commando. The film is shown to serving members of the commando and receives a standing ovation.
• Bill Elliott completes principal shooting documenting for ESPN, NBA and American Airlines of volunteers collecting Christmas gift donations across the U.S.A. for our injured soldiers.  Bill also flew to Germany where he covered the Dallas Stars Dancers, Dallas Mavericks Cheerleaders, Miami Heat Dancers, and the U.S.O. Liberty Bells as they delivered the gifts and entertained the injured soldiers at Ramstein Air Force Base in Landstuhl Germany.

November 2005

• Bill Elliott and Lou Anne White-Grose complete a week long shoot aboard Princess Cruises Sun Princess from Barbados to Aruba.  They shot/produced 2 training programs for both Purser and Cabin Service personnel.
• Bill Elliott travels to Israel for a 3rd time shooting HD footage for a Documentary about the Lost Arc of the Covenant.  While on this four week long shoot, Bill shot reenactments with actors in locations which included the Judean Desert to ancient tunnels under the old city of Jerusalem.  He also went with archeologist deep into ancient tunnels as they dug looking for the lost treasures of the 2nd Temple. The locations not only took him 300 feet below ground but above the landscape as well as he shot aerials across the country from the Golan Heights to the Dead Sea.
• Bill Elliott and Lou Anne White-Grose complete principal shooting for American Airlines "In Flight Safety Briefing" programs.  These FAA mandated safety programs are shown on board all television equipped AA aircraft flying both domestic and international routes.

September 2005

• Margaret Dettmer takes up her post as producer with Brush Fire Films
• Bill Elliott and Lou Anne White-Grose completed 5 weeks of principal shooting for Princess Cruises, Cunard Cruise lines and P&O Cruises.  They produced a series of training and orientation programs for the cruise lines on various ships including the Queen Mary 2, QE2, and the Diamond Princess on cruises that took them from New York to Australia, and from England to Spain to Italy. 

June 2005

• “Return to Limbang” wins 3 Telly awards, one silver and two bronze.

May 2005

• “Return to Limbang” premier at the Angelika in Dallas. In attendance are former Royal Marine Brian Downey and former Peace Corps volunteer Thaine H. Allison, Jr. both took part in the film.

March 2005

• Brush Fire Films launches the “Return to Limbang” website, which includes previews and reviews of the film.

February 2005

• Julian Thompson arrives from UK to record the final VO for “Return to Limbang” at Video Post and Transfer.