May 26, 2007
We won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at last weekend's Berkshire International Film Festival! We are particularly proud of this award because it was won in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, which is Tracy and Benjy Seckler's (Charley's parents) home turf. In addition to the regular screening at the film festival, Charley's Fund also hosted a private screening/benefit which raised a lot of money for the cause.
After a few days of rest, seven of us (Ben, Daniel, Collin, Sam, Kevin, Tbarn, and John) left yesterday for the Mountainfilm Telluride Film Festival in Telluride, Colorado. We flew into Grand Junction, CO, arriving early in the evening, then had to drive 2.5 hours to reach Telluride. Our one and only screening started at 7:20 PM, and we were worried about making it on time for the Q&A. We literally walked into the Nugget Theatre in downtown Telluride just as the closing credits began. And we walked into a PACKED HOUSE!!! The crowd was so enthusiastic. In the audience was producer/director Tom Shadyac (Bruce Almighty, Liar, Liar, Patch Adams, Nutty Professor II, Platonically Incorrect, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and more). He got up and announced that he has a new film premiering in mid-June and wants to fly Darius, his mom, and the entire DGW crew out to L.A. for the event!!! (Too bad most of us will be in London!). Another guy in the audience said he knew Oprah personally and promised to make a call to her on our behalf. So, it was a great night!
Mountainfilm Telluride has a unique program called "Next Step," in which they allow movies associated with causes to set up and man a booth during the festival so that word on their causes can be spread. They accepted a very limited number of applications for participation in this program, and ours was one of them. So, today, we all took turns handing out literature and talking to people about Charley's Fund.
We have more DGW "I am the thirteenth crew member" shirts we will be giving out to people who have earned them (this list is not complete, and we will be announcing more soon). Anyway, (in no certain order) here's who will be getting one of these coveted t-shirts: David Walker (Williamette Weekly), Margo Barbakow, Lyle Higginbotham, Marc Pickard (11 Alive News), Kelly Rodgers (our awesome webmaster), Madeline Van Dyck, David Hirsch (Google), Steve Bermen (Interscope Records), Clif Downie (Full EFX Auto Technique), Will White (former;y with UCP), Loreen Arbus (UCP), Kristen Andersen (formerly with Children's Wish Foundation), Marty Johnston, Mark Johnson (Shepherd Center), Grace Voorhis, Kason Rackley, Chris Williams, and Lynn Massey.
We have tiny quantities of these shirts and must reorder before handing any out, So, if you're on our list, sit tight.
Don't forget that these shirts can also be purchased by making a $1,000 donation to Charley's Fund. Folks who recently bought these limited edition shirts include: Stacy Nelkin & Marco Greenberg, Helice Picheny, and Frederic & Renee Keator.
Know about it!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
DARIUS GOES NORTH...AND SOUTH
May 20, 2007
t was another double-feature weekend for Darius Goes West. On Thursday, Sam, Tbarn, and John Harmon drove Darius to the Jacksonville Film Festival. For this trip, Darius decided to bring a friend with him, Jermie English. It's been a busy weekend...
On Friday, the crew took D to The Landing, site of the infamous Georgia-Florida pregame football parties. On Saturday, DGW screened to a great crowd. In the house were Sam's relatives (he seems to have them everywhere we go lately, doesn't he?) Debbie Ciaburri, her son, Daniel, and his girlfriend, Annie, all of whom joined the crew for lunch after the screening. On Saturday night, everyone went to a festival party that had a lot of bands. There, Darius and the crew got interviewed by Amadeus, a popular local radio personality who was touched by our film.
Today, the crew headed to Neptune Beach and got Darius back in the ocean. Only this time, the waves were huge and strong. With just three crew members to get him in and out of the water, it was exhausting, but Darius had a blast.
Meanwhile, Logan, Ben, Daniel, and Collin left Friday for Great Barrington, Massachusetts and the Berkshire International Film Festival. This is where Tracy and Benjy Seckler live, so it was a nice reunion. On Saturday, DGW screened to an enthusiastic crowd. Scot Oxholm, who had seen the film in Boston, made the trip to see it again! We love fans like him!
This afternoon, the crew went hiking with the Seckler family. This evening, there was a private screening/Charley's Fund benefit followed by a dinner.
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW T-SHIRT design. It's white and says, "I'm the thirteenth crew member" on it with "Know about it" in parentheses below that. The back of the shirt is the same as our other shirts (check them out at www.dariusgoeswest.com).
Wha'ts special about this shirt is that:
(a) You can buy it, but to do so, you have to make a $1,000 donation to Charley's Fund; OR...
(b) You can get one for free by organizing a fundraiser that brings in at least $1,000 for Charley's Fund; OR...
(c) You can earn it by doing something really awesome for Darius Goes West/Charley's Fund.
Martin Bashir (ABC Nightline), David Martin (Delta Airlines), Tim Johnson (Athens Family Connection), Jackie and Kathy Moran (Shirtworks). Mark Benson (ABC Printing), Jennifer Wade (Victory Junction Camp), Denise Berecz (Dodge), and Suzanne Bennett (Emmanuel Episcopal Church) have earned the first nine of these shirts, and two were purchased this weekend in the Berkshires. We will soon be adding photos and short write-ups of 13th crew members to our website.
Know about it!
t was another double-feature weekend for Darius Goes West. On Thursday, Sam, Tbarn, and John Harmon drove Darius to the Jacksonville Film Festival. For this trip, Darius decided to bring a friend with him, Jermie English. It's been a busy weekend...
On Friday, the crew took D to The Landing, site of the infamous Georgia-Florida pregame football parties. On Saturday, DGW screened to a great crowd. In the house were Sam's relatives (he seems to have them everywhere we go lately, doesn't he?) Debbie Ciaburri, her son, Daniel, and his girlfriend, Annie, all of whom joined the crew for lunch after the screening. On Saturday night, everyone went to a festival party that had a lot of bands. There, Darius and the crew got interviewed by Amadeus, a popular local radio personality who was touched by our film.
Today, the crew headed to Neptune Beach and got Darius back in the ocean. Only this time, the waves were huge and strong. With just three crew members to get him in and out of the water, it was exhausting, but Darius had a blast.
Meanwhile, Logan, Ben, Daniel, and Collin left Friday for Great Barrington, Massachusetts and the Berkshire International Film Festival. This is where Tracy and Benjy Seckler live, so it was a nice reunion. On Saturday, DGW screened to an enthusiastic crowd. Scot Oxholm, who had seen the film in Boston, made the trip to see it again! We love fans like him!
This afternoon, the crew went hiking with the Seckler family. This evening, there was a private screening/Charley's Fund benefit followed by a dinner.
WE HAVE A BRAND NEW T-SHIRT design. It's white and says, "I'm the thirteenth crew member" on it with "Know about it" in parentheses below that. The back of the shirt is the same as our other shirts (check them out at www.dariusgoeswest.com).
Wha'ts special about this shirt is that:
(a) You can buy it, but to do so, you have to make a $1,000 donation to Charley's Fund; OR...
(b) You can get one for free by organizing a fundraiser that brings in at least $1,000 for Charley's Fund; OR...
(c) You can earn it by doing something really awesome for Darius Goes West/Charley's Fund.
Martin Bashir (ABC Nightline), David Martin (Delta Airlines), Tim Johnson (Athens Family Connection), Jackie and Kathy Moran (Shirtworks). Mark Benson (ABC Printing), Jennifer Wade (Victory Junction Camp), Denise Berecz (Dodge), and Suzanne Bennett (Emmanuel Episcopal Church) have earned the first nine of these shirts, and two were purchased this weekend in the Berkshires. We will soon be adding photos and short write-ups of 13th crew members to our website.
Know about it!
Monday, May 7, 2007
STAR STRUCK IN NYC
May 7, 2007
He showed up! Robert DeNiro came to our hotel room yesterday (Sunday), along with his three children and spent about 15 minutes with us. He shook everyone's hand, asked us questions about the film and what D had been doing/enjoying in NYC, then posed for a picture with Darius and the crew. It was awesome.
After that, we headed over to Tribeca for our final screening, which was sold out. It was a great crowd, and we got a standing ovation. Special guests included Logan's relatives, Pat and Stu Chandler and Dan and Amy Eldredge, as well as Sam's mom, Laurie Fowler and two friends. Also in the house: Maria and Tom Sandor (who appear in the movie with their son, Aidan), who brought an entourage that included their three sons, Ethan, Owen, and Aidan plus Tom's parents, brother, sister-in-law, and their children. At the Q&A, Aidan was introduced to the crowd, and everyone clapped for him, including Aidan himself!
After the screening, Will White and his niece hosted a picnic for everyone at Central Park. The Sandor boys challenged the DGW crew to a lively soccer game. Everyone had a blast.
We'll post pictures of all of our fun times in NYC very soon...we promise!
Today was a long day. We had to be at the airport bright and early for our flight home. Unfortunately, Darius' electric wheelchair went on the blink, and we didn't have a manual chair with us, so we had to push him to the plane. The flight went smoothly, and fortunately--thanks, Delta! Richard Hamel came to pick us up at the airport with a manual chair in tow. It was a long and exhausting ride home (we got stuck in some terrible traffic), but now we're home safe and happy to be here.
We did NOT win an Audience Choice award at Tribeca (bummer). Unfortunately, Sunday's audience--our biggest of the festival--wasn't allowed to vote because awards were announced Saturday night (go figure), but we feel honored to have been chosen to screen at this extremely prestigious festival.
DGW...Know about it!
He showed up! Robert DeNiro came to our hotel room yesterday (Sunday), along with his three children and spent about 15 minutes with us. He shook everyone's hand, asked us questions about the film and what D had been doing/enjoying in NYC, then posed for a picture with Darius and the crew. It was awesome.
After that, we headed over to Tribeca for our final screening, which was sold out. It was a great crowd, and we got a standing ovation. Special guests included Logan's relatives, Pat and Stu Chandler and Dan and Amy Eldredge, as well as Sam's mom, Laurie Fowler and two friends. Also in the house: Maria and Tom Sandor (who appear in the movie with their son, Aidan), who brought an entourage that included their three sons, Ethan, Owen, and Aidan plus Tom's parents, brother, sister-in-law, and their children. At the Q&A, Aidan was introduced to the crowd, and everyone clapped for him, including Aidan himself!
After the screening, Will White and his niece hosted a picnic for everyone at Central Park. The Sandor boys challenged the DGW crew to a lively soccer game. Everyone had a blast.
We'll post pictures of all of our fun times in NYC very soon...we promise!
Today was a long day. We had to be at the airport bright and early for our flight home. Unfortunately, Darius' electric wheelchair went on the blink, and we didn't have a manual chair with us, so we had to push him to the plane. The flight went smoothly, and fortunately--thanks, Delta! Richard Hamel came to pick us up at the airport with a manual chair in tow. It was a long and exhausting ride home (we got stuck in some terrible traffic), but now we're home safe and happy to be here.
We did NOT win an Audience Choice award at Tribeca (bummer). Unfortunately, Sunday's audience--our biggest of the festival--wasn't allowed to vote because awards were announced Saturday night (go figure), but we feel honored to have been chosen to screen at this extremely prestigious festival.
DGW...Know about it!
Saturday, May 5, 2007
WE LOVE NEW YORK!
May 5, 2007
We've been having a blast in the Big Apple, especially Darius. And we've been going nonstop. So much going on; here's a quick summary of what we've been up to...
Yesterday, Robert DeNiro (he's a cofounder of the Tribeca Film Festival) sent a wheelchair accessible van and a car to pick us all up and take us out to Brooklyn to his kids' school, Brooklyn Friends. Every year, DeNiro and his ex-wife and model Toukie Smith pick one film to show at Tribeca at their children's school, and DGW was chosen this year! The screening occurred the night before (just prior to the Carnegie Hall screening), and many of the kids at Brooklyn Friends wanted to meet Darius and crew. So, we went to Brooklyn, had lunch at the school, and got to hang with Toukie and meet many of the kids. We had a great time, and Toukie has promised to help us launch our DGW-in-the-schools program next fall.
While in New York, we were interviewed for a local NBC news show, and the reporter liked our story and cause so much that she arranged for us all to go on the Circle Line boat tour. Last night, we took a sunset cruise, where we were able to see the Statue of Liberty up close from the water just as it got dark. We had a blast and learned so much about the history of Manhattan. Thank you, Perri Peltz of NBC News, for treating us to this special tour!
After the boat tour, we had a reunion dinner with Will White(formerly with United Cerebral Palsy). Many who were at our send-off in July of 2005 will remember Will when he spoike on the courthouse steps. He was our knight in shining armor, delivering a sizable grant from UCP (in exchange for handing out "Who Will Care" bracelets on our trip) when we were short on budget just days before departure. Will is also hosting Daniel and Tbarn while they are in NYC, and it was great to see him again. Tracy and Benjy Seckler also joined us for dinner.
After dinner, we all walked around Times Square (D's favorite place), where Darius got into another rap "battle" with a local. He can really get into the zone when he's freestyling, and the two of them attracted quite a crowd (including a couple of cops who made them move down to a side street because they were blocking traffic).
At the Carnegie Hall screening, some friends of Tracy and Benjy Seckler were so impressed with Darius and the rest of us that they handed us their business cards and told us to plan something fun to do in the city...on them. Darius said he wanted to go to a Yankees game, so that's what we did today...in style! Early this afternoon, two cars arrived to pick us all up, and we were given 12 VIP box seats right behind home plate. It was an incredible game--almost a no-hitter. The Yankees won 7-1, and the stadium and crowd were amazing. A huge thanks to Candace Jarkow (Empire Entertainment) and Randy Reiff for this incredible treat!!!
From Yankee Stadium, we were taken to the Apple Store in Soho, where there was a Tribeca-sponsored screening of DGW to a group of high school students who are studying filmmaking. They loved the movie and asked great questions.
Tomorrow is our final screening at Tribeca, and we hear that it may be sold out! Maria Sandor and her family are expectied to attend, so it will be nice to see her and son Owen again (they appear in the film, and Maria and Owen attended our Athens showing at the Morton Theatre). It will also be great to meet the rest of Maria's family: Tom, Ethan, and Aidan.
Before all that, however, there is a possibility (fingers crossed) that ROBERT DENIRO will stop by our hotel to say hello and to meet Darius!
Know about it!
We've been having a blast in the Big Apple, especially Darius. And we've been going nonstop. So much going on; here's a quick summary of what we've been up to...
Yesterday, Robert DeNiro (he's a cofounder of the Tribeca Film Festival) sent a wheelchair accessible van and a car to pick us all up and take us out to Brooklyn to his kids' school, Brooklyn Friends. Every year, DeNiro and his ex-wife and model Toukie Smith pick one film to show at Tribeca at their children's school, and DGW was chosen this year! The screening occurred the night before (just prior to the Carnegie Hall screening), and many of the kids at Brooklyn Friends wanted to meet Darius and crew. So, we went to Brooklyn, had lunch at the school, and got to hang with Toukie and meet many of the kids. We had a great time, and Toukie has promised to help us launch our DGW-in-the-schools program next fall.
While in New York, we were interviewed for a local NBC news show, and the reporter liked our story and cause so much that she arranged for us all to go on the Circle Line boat tour. Last night, we took a sunset cruise, where we were able to see the Statue of Liberty up close from the water just as it got dark. We had a blast and learned so much about the history of Manhattan. Thank you, Perri Peltz of NBC News, for treating us to this special tour!
After the boat tour, we had a reunion dinner with Will White(formerly with United Cerebral Palsy). Many who were at our send-off in July of 2005 will remember Will when he spoike on the courthouse steps. He was our knight in shining armor, delivering a sizable grant from UCP (in exchange for handing out "Who Will Care" bracelets on our trip) when we were short on budget just days before departure. Will is also hosting Daniel and Tbarn while they are in NYC, and it was great to see him again. Tracy and Benjy Seckler also joined us for dinner.
After dinner, we all walked around Times Square (D's favorite place), where Darius got into another rap "battle" with a local. He can really get into the zone when he's freestyling, and the two of them attracted quite a crowd (including a couple of cops who made them move down to a side street because they were blocking traffic).
At the Carnegie Hall screening, some friends of Tracy and Benjy Seckler were so impressed with Darius and the rest of us that they handed us their business cards and told us to plan something fun to do in the city...on them. Darius said he wanted to go to a Yankees game, so that's what we did today...in style! Early this afternoon, two cars arrived to pick us all up, and we were given 12 VIP box seats right behind home plate. It was an incredible game--almost a no-hitter. The Yankees won 7-1, and the stadium and crowd were amazing. A huge thanks to Candace Jarkow (Empire Entertainment) and Randy Reiff for this incredible treat!!!
From Yankee Stadium, we were taken to the Apple Store in Soho, where there was a Tribeca-sponsored screening of DGW to a group of high school students who are studying filmmaking. They loved the movie and asked great questions.
Tomorrow is our final screening at Tribeca, and we hear that it may be sold out! Maria Sandor and her family are expectied to attend, so it will be nice to see her and son Owen again (they appear in the film, and Maria and Owen attended our Athens showing at the Morton Theatre). It will also be great to meet the rest of Maria's family: Tom, Ethan, and Aidan.
Before all that, however, there is a possibility (fingers crossed) that ROBERT DENIRO will stop by our hotel to say hello and to meet Darius!
Know about it!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
DGW AT CARNEGIE HALL!
May 3, 2007
Tonight was amazing! We sold out CARNEGIE HALL, where the acoustics were awesome. Nightline anchor Martin Bashir served as emcee for this special screening, organized by Tracy Seckler and her family (mostly sisters Betsy, Lucy, and Kathy). In addition to introducing the film with a poignant speech that had everyone talking, Bashir moderated the Q&A afterwards with wit and warmth. The special connection he and Darius share was obvious to everyone.
Tonight's screening was preceded by cocktails and great pick-up food. The crew mixed and mingled while a silent auction went on. The screening itself was followed by a standing ovation and a live auction. Up for bid were items like a trip around the world that brought in $15,000!.
From Carnegie Hall, the crew and assorted visitors headed to the Hudson Hotel, where we all had a late night dinner. Lee Epting picked up the tab for everyone!
This was a magical night we will never forget. And did we mention that WE RAISED NEARLY A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR CHARLEY'S FUND???!!!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Tonight was amazing! We sold out CARNEGIE HALL, where the acoustics were awesome. Nightline anchor Martin Bashir served as emcee for this special screening, organized by Tracy Seckler and her family (mostly sisters Betsy, Lucy, and Kathy). In addition to introducing the film with a poignant speech that had everyone talking, Bashir moderated the Q&A afterwards with wit and warmth. The special connection he and Darius share was obvious to everyone.
Tonight's screening was preceded by cocktails and great pick-up food. The crew mixed and mingled while a silent auction went on. The screening itself was followed by a standing ovation and a live auction. Up for bid were items like a trip around the world that brought in $15,000!.
From Carnegie Hall, the crew and assorted visitors headed to the Hudson Hotel, where we all had a late night dinner. Lee Epting picked up the tab for everyone!
This was a magical night we will never forget. And did we mention that WE RAISED NEARLY A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR CHARLEY'S FUND???!!!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
BIG D IN THE BIG A
May 2, 2007
We started the day with some great news: DGW won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at the Independent Film Festival of Boston. That's 16 awards to date!!!
Darius is having the BEST time in the Big Apple! This morning, we went to The Gap, where the staff served us breakfast, then outfitted us all in khakis and jeans! We love SWAG! Next, we took D to the Empire State Building. A woman at our hotel (Devon) works part-time at the Tribeca Film Festival and hooked us all up with free tickets. On the way back to the hotel, we ran into a street rapper, and Darius challenged him to a rap battle. It was hilarious! Fortunately, Tbarn had the video camera and taped the entire sequence.
This afternoon, Martin Bashir (Nightline) called to talk to Darius. Tomorrow night, he will be emceeing the DGW private screening/Charley's Fund benefit at Carnegie Hall. Don't forget to check out the rap Darius did over Martin's song at http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3109158 AND PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT. The more comments we leave, the more likely ABC Nightline is to revisit our story.
This evening, we hung out at Times Square, where Darius almost ran into a taxi. He's been honking his horn at everyone--just like a New Yorker! Three fans came up to us and said they saw our movie.
Tomorrow we all have lunch with former model Tookie Smith. She is the mother of Tribeca Film Festival founder Robert DeNiro's twins. DGW was the one and only movie chosen to screen at their children's school (Pace University) tomorrow afternoon. How cool is that?
DGW...Know about it!
We started the day with some great news: DGW won the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary at the Independent Film Festival of Boston. That's 16 awards to date!!!
Darius is having the BEST time in the Big Apple! This morning, we went to The Gap, where the staff served us breakfast, then outfitted us all in khakis and jeans! We love SWAG! Next, we took D to the Empire State Building. A woman at our hotel (Devon) works part-time at the Tribeca Film Festival and hooked us all up with free tickets. On the way back to the hotel, we ran into a street rapper, and Darius challenged him to a rap battle. It was hilarious! Fortunately, Tbarn had the video camera and taped the entire sequence.
This afternoon, Martin Bashir (Nightline) called to talk to Darius. Tomorrow night, he will be emceeing the DGW private screening/Charley's Fund benefit at Carnegie Hall. Don't forget to check out the rap Darius did over Martin's song at http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3109158 AND PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT. The more comments we leave, the more likely ABC Nightline is to revisit our story.
This evening, we hung out at Times Square, where Darius almost ran into a taxi. He's been honking his horn at everyone--just like a New Yorker! Three fans came up to us and said they saw our movie.
Tomorrow we all have lunch with former model Tookie Smith. She is the mother of Tribeca Film Festival founder Robert DeNiro's twins. DGW was the one and only movie chosen to screen at their children's school (Pace University) tomorrow afternoon. How cool is that?
DGW...Know about it!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
FROM BEANTOWN TO THE BIG APPLE
May 1, 2007
We left Boston this morning bright and early (see new pictures). Most of us flew from there to New York City, but Darius was driven in our Dodge Sprinter. The first thing D did when we got to the city was go shoe shopping. After checking into our hotel, we all headed over to Toys R Us to play video games.
Darius, Sam, and Ben are staying at the Sheraton, compliments of Tracy and Benjy Seckler. The rest of us are crashing with long-time DGW supporter, Will White (formerly with UCP), who spoke on the Athens Courthouse steps when our trip west began. Late this afternoon, we all met up with Logan. It's nice to have everyone together again.
We have a busy schedule this week, and we'll try to keep you posted on everything (maybe a wrap-up at the end of the week). Meanwhile, check out the latest news from ABC.com. If you click on this link, you can read all about the rap Darius did to a song Martin Bashir performed AND you can even hear the song:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3109158
DGW...Know about it!
We left Boston this morning bright and early (see new pictures). Most of us flew from there to New York City, but Darius was driven in our Dodge Sprinter. The first thing D did when we got to the city was go shoe shopping. After checking into our hotel, we all headed over to Toys R Us to play video games.
Darius, Sam, and Ben are staying at the Sheraton, compliments of Tracy and Benjy Seckler. The rest of us are crashing with long-time DGW supporter, Will White (formerly with UCP), who spoke on the Athens Courthouse steps when our trip west began. Late this afternoon, we all met up with Logan. It's nice to have everyone together again.
We have a busy schedule this week, and we'll try to keep you posted on everything (maybe a wrap-up at the end of the week). Meanwhile, check out the latest news from ABC.com. If you click on this link, you can read all about the rap Darius did to a song Martin Bashir performed AND you can even hear the song:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3109158
DGW...Know about it!
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