November 25, 2007
JUST IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS...DVDs of Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life can be pre-ordered NOW. Just go to our website (www.dariusgoeswest.com) and click on the DVD order button. DVDs are selling for $19.99, and every penny of profit goes to DMD research. Please consider purchasing several for friends and family this holiday season, and thank you for your support! DVDs will be shipping in early- to mid-December.
We have a busy week ahead...
* Don't forget to watch ELLEN DEGENERES on Monday (November 26). Darius and Logan will be on the show (it was taped a couple of weeks ago; we've posted a few pictures), and Ben, Jason, and John Harmon will be in the audience. We're pretty sure DGW is the last segment. Watch for a wonderful surprise at the end. (Check local listings for when ELLEN airs in your area).
* If you live in or near Athens, don't miss the Christmas Parade downtown on Thursday, November 29, at 7:00 PM. Darius will be the Grand Marshall (a huge honor we are so thrilled about) and will ride in the back of a convertible! DGW crew members will follow behind in the DGW van (loaned to us by Dodge).
* On Friday, many of us leave for Los Angeles. That night, we have a private screening/Charley's Fund benefit at Creative Artists Agency in Beverly Hills. Saturday morning, we kick off the Darius Goes West "Know About It" program (that's our educational program) with a screening for 300--plus high school students from the Watts District. Late Saturday, Logan will take the red eye back east for a second "Know About It" kickoff in Lenox, Massachusetts. If you know any middle or high school students or teachers interested in participating in the "Know About It" program, please tell them to e-mail us at knowaboutit@gmail.com.
* Darius's new house is coming along great. Habitat for Humanity built an awesome ramp for it, Dixie Painting will be coming in to finish painting the exterior and paint the entire interior. A foundation called Dream House for Medically Fragile Children will be widening doors and making the bathroom accessible, and thanks to your donations, Jamie (D's mom) will be going furniture shopping! We plan to move Darius and his family in by Christmas and have a housewarming party soon afer that. If you'd like to come to the party, please send an e-mail to dariusgoeswest@gmail.com.
Warmest wishes from our "family" to yours for a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.
Know about it!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
NO OSCAR FOR DGW ):
November 20, 2007
Well, the Oscar short list came out, and DGW wasn't on it. Bummer! Here's the list:
"Autism: The Musical"
"Body of War"
"For the Bible Tells Me So"
"Lake of Fire"
"Nanking"
"No End in Sight"
"Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience"
"Please Vote for Me"
"The Price of Sugar"
"A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman"
"The Rape of Europa"
"Sicko"
"Taxi to the Dark Side"
"War/Dance"
"White Light/Black Rain"
We're not too upset about this, but we are proud to have won (many) more film festival awards than all of these films combined! We figure we are the "People's Choice!"
Here's some good news: The Athens Moose Lodge is raffling off a Collegiate scooter (the mini motorcycles UGA athletes, etc. tool around in on campus) and have decided to donate the proceeds to DGW! You can buy a ticket ($5 each) from any Moose Lodge member OR by calling the Lodge at (706) 310-0190 or Charles Vaughn at (706) 208-0033. Hurry, though, as the winner will be drawn in early December. Thank you for thinking of us!
DON'T FORGET TO WATCH ELLEN DEGENERES on Monday, November 26. Logan and Darius will be on, and you'll also see Ben, Jason, and John Harmon in the audience. Wait till you see the surprise at the end! We've posted a few pictures from the ELLEN show taping. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful turkey day. We at DGW are so thankful for all you've done for us!
Know about it!
Well, the Oscar short list came out, and DGW wasn't on it. Bummer! Here's the list:
"Autism: The Musical"
"Body of War"
"For the Bible Tells Me So"
"Lake of Fire"
"Nanking"
"No End in Sight"
"Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience"
"Please Vote for Me"
"The Price of Sugar"
"A Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman"
"The Rape of Europa"
"Sicko"
"Taxi to the Dark Side"
"War/Dance"
"White Light/Black Rain"
We're not too upset about this, but we are proud to have won (many) more film festival awards than all of these films combined! We figure we are the "People's Choice!"
Here's some good news: The Athens Moose Lodge is raffling off a Collegiate scooter (the mini motorcycles UGA athletes, etc. tool around in on campus) and have decided to donate the proceeds to DGW! You can buy a ticket ($5 each) from any Moose Lodge member OR by calling the Lodge at (706) 310-0190 or Charles Vaughn at (706) 208-0033. Hurry, though, as the winner will be drawn in early December. Thank you for thinking of us!
DON'T FORGET TO WATCH ELLEN DEGENERES on Monday, November 26. Logan and Darius will be on, and you'll also see Ben, Jason, and John Harmon in the audience. Wait till you see the surprise at the end! We've posted a few pictures from the ELLEN show taping. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful turkey day. We at DGW are so thankful for all you've done for us!
Know about it!
Monday, November 12, 2007
25th AWARD AND SO MUCH MORE!
November 12, 2007
Collin and Daniel called from the Lone Star Film Festival in Fort Worth, Texas yesterday afternoon with some very good news: we won Best Documentary! That brings our film festival award tally to an amazing 25!!! The guys said the crowd was awesome there, and we've received several e-mails from new DGW fans in Texas.
At the St. Louis International Film Festival, the crowd was equally awesome and HUGE: over 200 people! Sam and Jason represented DGW there and were a bit nervous about hosting a Q&A, especially when the (mostly) hometown crowd saw the scene where Darius and the crew visited the Arch, which turned out to be inaccessible. Turns out, the audience pretty much apologized to the DGW crew, and we've received many e-mails from people saying they intend to start a letter-writing campaign to urge the Arch to make some renovations. How cool is that?
If you followed our trip online, you'll know that when Darius and the crew stopped in St. Louis, they were treated royally, thanks to big time DGW supporter Dave Andersen. Big D stayed in the Presidential Suite at the Drury Plaza Hotel, the local MDA organization arranged for all to meet some local firemen...and D was made honorary fire chief for the day. There were also great meals, and many warm, wonderful and welcoming folks. Unfortunately, a lot of that day's events wound up on the cutting room floor (not by choice), but they will eventually be seen in Part One of DVD extras (hopefully to be released this summer).
MORE GOOD NEWS...
Darius and Logan are in Los Angeles today to tape the Ellen DeGeneres Show! The segment won't air until November 26, so that gives you plenty of time to get ready for it. The producers at Ellen saw D and Logan on The Today Show and called right away. Ben, John Harmon, and Jason Hees also made the trip, and they will be in the studio audience. Sweet!
Darius has been tapped to be the Grand Marshall of Athens holiday parade! He is thrilled with this huge honor and is looking forward to sitting in the back of a convertible on November 29. The crew plans to follow behind in the DGW van so graciously loaned to us by Dodge.
Darius Goes West was shown in Upstate New York earlier this week at a private screening/benefit hosted by the Portnoy family, who have an adorable son/nephew/grandson named Javier who was recently diagnosed with DMD. The event, entitled Hope for Javier, raised an astonishing $158,000, with checks still rolling in. When we hear news like this--of the power our film has in raising money for DMD research--we are thrilled beyond belief.
We've said it many times before, and we'll say it again and again. Making this film has never been about winning awards (although we love them), becoming celebrities (no thanks), or about advancing anyone's careers. It's about helping to find--and fund--a cure for this horrible disease. And we're so proud to report that, to date, DGW has raised a little over $600,000 for Charley's Fund and DMD research.
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Collin and Daniel called from the Lone Star Film Festival in Fort Worth, Texas yesterday afternoon with some very good news: we won Best Documentary! That brings our film festival award tally to an amazing 25!!! The guys said the crowd was awesome there, and we've received several e-mails from new DGW fans in Texas.
At the St. Louis International Film Festival, the crowd was equally awesome and HUGE: over 200 people! Sam and Jason represented DGW there and were a bit nervous about hosting a Q&A, especially when the (mostly) hometown crowd saw the scene where Darius and the crew visited the Arch, which turned out to be inaccessible. Turns out, the audience pretty much apologized to the DGW crew, and we've received many e-mails from people saying they intend to start a letter-writing campaign to urge the Arch to make some renovations. How cool is that?
If you followed our trip online, you'll know that when Darius and the crew stopped in St. Louis, they were treated royally, thanks to big time DGW supporter Dave Andersen. Big D stayed in the Presidential Suite at the Drury Plaza Hotel, the local MDA organization arranged for all to meet some local firemen...and D was made honorary fire chief for the day. There were also great meals, and many warm, wonderful and welcoming folks. Unfortunately, a lot of that day's events wound up on the cutting room floor (not by choice), but they will eventually be seen in Part One of DVD extras (hopefully to be released this summer).
MORE GOOD NEWS...
Darius and Logan are in Los Angeles today to tape the Ellen DeGeneres Show! The segment won't air until November 26, so that gives you plenty of time to get ready for it. The producers at Ellen saw D and Logan on The Today Show and called right away. Ben, John Harmon, and Jason Hees also made the trip, and they will be in the studio audience. Sweet!
Darius has been tapped to be the Grand Marshall of Athens holiday parade! He is thrilled with this huge honor and is looking forward to sitting in the back of a convertible on November 29. The crew plans to follow behind in the DGW van so graciously loaned to us by Dodge.
Darius Goes West was shown in Upstate New York earlier this week at a private screening/benefit hosted by the Portnoy family, who have an adorable son/nephew/grandson named Javier who was recently diagnosed with DMD. The event, entitled Hope for Javier, raised an astonishing $158,000, with checks still rolling in. When we hear news like this--of the power our film has in raising money for DMD research--we are thrilled beyond belief.
We've said it many times before, and we'll say it again and again. Making this film has never been about winning awards (although we love them), becoming celebrities (no thanks), or about advancing anyone's careers. It's about helping to find--and fund--a cure for this horrible disease. And we're so proud to report that, to date, DGW has raised a little over $600,000 for Charley's Fund and DMD research.
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
VOTE FOR DARIUS!
November 11, 2007
We have some awesome news! Julie Phillips, a reporter with the Athens Banner-Herald, recently nominated Darius for a "Volvo For Life" Award, and we just got word that he is a semi-finalist! Darius and the crew are elated, and as always, we're depending on the ferocious support of our Darius Goes West fans to take us to the next level. This stage of the contest is decided by an ONLINE VOTE, and if Darius gets there, $25,000 will be donated to our film's beneficiary, Charleys Fund (www.charleysfund.org) for DMD research!
Please help us by casting your votes for Darius. It's so easy to do...no registration required, no ads to watch, and almost no limits on voting. Here's what to do:
1.Click on the following link
http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/vote/quality/index.html
2. Check the box next to Darius Weems (Though in good company, he's the good looking one in the bottom right:))
3. Click Vote!
That's it; you're done!
Rule on Votes: You can vote as many times as you want as long as youdon't so more than once a minute. The vote closes on January 7th.
Tips:
- Consider making the link your homepage as a daily reminder.
- At work or home, you can open the page in a new browser window. Position it so you can see it, and cast votes at your convenience.
- Bookmark it so you don't have to remember the link (It can also be accessed through our website DariusGoesWest.com.
SPREAD THE WORD! To increase our chances of winning, please consider forwarding this email around to friends, family, and co-workers. If they're not familiar with Darius or our project, you may want to include this link to our Youtube trailer:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DFt3_s1WnS4 and/or this link from our recent appearance on The Today Show:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=6f37463a-65ae-4274-b866-0e41532565b8
You all know that it is Darius who makes our story great, but what you may not realize is that because you are spread out across cities, states, and the world, your solidarity and relentless support is what makes our story a success. We really appreciate your continued support.
Know about it!
We have some awesome news! Julie Phillips, a reporter with the Athens Banner-Herald, recently nominated Darius for a "Volvo For Life" Award, and we just got word that he is a semi-finalist! Darius and the crew are elated, and as always, we're depending on the ferocious support of our Darius Goes West fans to take us to the next level. This stage of the contest is decided by an ONLINE VOTE, and if Darius gets there, $25,000 will be donated to our film's beneficiary, Charleys Fund (www.charleysfund.org) for DMD research!
Please help us by casting your votes for Darius. It's so easy to do...no registration required, no ads to watch, and almost no limits on voting. Here's what to do:
1.Click on the following link
http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/vote/quality/index.html
2. Check the box next to Darius Weems (Though in good company, he's the good looking one in the bottom right:))
3. Click Vote!
That's it; you're done!
Rule on Votes: You can vote as many times as you want as long as youdon't so more than once a minute. The vote closes on January 7th.
Tips:
- Consider making the link your homepage as a daily reminder.
- At work or home, you can open the page in a new browser window. Position it so you can see it, and cast votes at your convenience.
- Bookmark it so you don't have to remember the link (It can also be accessed through our website DariusGoesWest.com.
SPREAD THE WORD! To increase our chances of winning, please consider forwarding this email around to friends, family, and co-workers. If they're not familiar with Darius or our project, you may want to include this link to our Youtube trailer:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DFt3_s1WnS4 and/or this link from our recent appearance on The Today Show:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=6f37463a-65ae-4274-b866-0e41532565b8
You all know that it is Darius who makes our story great, but what you may not realize is that because you are spread out across cities, states, and the world, your solidarity and relentless support is what makes our story a success. We really appreciate your continued support.
Know about it!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
IF YOU BUILD IT, THEY WILL COME
November 10, 2007
Our supporters and fans are AMAZING! Last weekend was homecoming at the University of Georgia, but the DGW crew organized a homecoming of a different sort...a homecoming for Darius and his mom, Jamie. We invited the community to come out and help up spruce up the Weems' new digs plus add a new bedroom for Jamie.
Volunteers turned out in droves! They brought food and drinks...they carried bricks...they hammered and sawed...they sent donations and gift cards. Thanks to their efforts, we made incredible progress. Check the photos we've just posted, and we guarantee you'll be impressed! Needless to say, Jamie and Darius are ecstatic about their new home.
This list is by no means complete, but special thanks to these people and organizations for their support: Shirtworks, Habitat for Humanity, Maverick Materials, Athens-Clarke County firemen, Dawn Fowler, Debbie Bell, Tricia Massey, Jim Hamilton, Pat McMackin, the Higginbothams (Lyle and parents), Tim Blackwell, Jeremy Fields, Justin Bell, Melanie Graham, Erin and her mom, Ellen, Kathy Smith, Sherrie Weber, Madeline Van Dyck, Leslie and Dan Trier, Erika Douglas and family, and many, many others (our list is at the Weems' house as this is written; we promise to add more names later).
Thanks to Daniel's tireless efforts, the addition is close to being completed, and it looks awesome. There is still work to be done, so if you can help (anytime), give Daniel a call at (706) 540-6577 and leave a message if necessary.
DGW is on the road again this weekend. Collin and Daniel are in Fort Worth, Texas for the Lone Star Film Festival, and Sam and Jason are representing DGW at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Our fingers (and toes) are crossed that one of them brings home our 25th film festival award!
Know about it!
Our supporters and fans are AMAZING! Last weekend was homecoming at the University of Georgia, but the DGW crew organized a homecoming of a different sort...a homecoming for Darius and his mom, Jamie. We invited the community to come out and help up spruce up the Weems' new digs plus add a new bedroom for Jamie.
Volunteers turned out in droves! They brought food and drinks...they carried bricks...they hammered and sawed...they sent donations and gift cards. Thanks to their efforts, we made incredible progress. Check the photos we've just posted, and we guarantee you'll be impressed! Needless to say, Jamie and Darius are ecstatic about their new home.
This list is by no means complete, but special thanks to these people and organizations for their support: Shirtworks, Habitat for Humanity, Maverick Materials, Athens-Clarke County firemen, Dawn Fowler, Debbie Bell, Tricia Massey, Jim Hamilton, Pat McMackin, the Higginbothams (Lyle and parents), Tim Blackwell, Jeremy Fields, Justin Bell, Melanie Graham, Erin and her mom, Ellen, Kathy Smith, Sherrie Weber, Madeline Van Dyck, Leslie and Dan Trier, Erika Douglas and family, and many, many others (our list is at the Weems' house as this is written; we promise to add more names later).
Thanks to Daniel's tireless efforts, the addition is close to being completed, and it looks awesome. There is still work to be done, so if you can help (anytime), give Daniel a call at (706) 540-6577 and leave a message if necessary.
DGW is on the road again this weekend. Collin and Daniel are in Fort Worth, Texas for the Lone Star Film Festival, and Sam and Jason are representing DGW at the St. Louis International Film Festival. Our fingers (and toes) are crossed that one of them brings home our 25th film festival award!
Know about it!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
TODAY ON TODAY!
November 1, 2007
Hope you watched The Today Show this morning. Darius was awesome (as was Logan) and made Athens, Georgia proud! Even Sam and Collin got to get in the picture as the show signed off. Woo-hoo! Great job, producer Mary Elizabeth Laurence!
Special thanks to Chris Spence and John White, Logan's friends from the Harvard TIE program who made the trip from Boston to support DGW on Today and who waved their sign "Harvard Loves Darius Goes West" outside the studio and made it on camera!! The night before, these guys hung out with the DGW crew and had a blast. Now Harvard definitely "knows about it!"
If you watched the show, PLEASE send an e-mail to say how much you liked it. This could lead to more national media appearances! Write to: today@nbc.com
And if you missed it, here's where to go to watch the segment:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=6f37463a-65ae-4274-b866-0e41532565b8
Hope you caught Logan's big announcement on national telvision today: DVDs of Darius Goes West will be available in early December. To get on our list so we can notify you when and how to preorder them, send an e-mail to knowaboutit@gmail.com We expect DVDs to ship by December 1st (just in time for the holidays!) and to sell for about $19.95. Remember, ALL proceeds go to Charley's Fund (www.charleysfund.org) for DMD research.
Logan has returned to Boston, but Sam, Collin, and Darius are still in New York until tomorrow and having a blast. Since their Today Show appearance, they have been recognized on the streets of the Big Apple everywhere they go! One fan who's seen the movie several times even treated the guys to a super-nice dinner tonight. Thanks, Suzanne!
Darius has been rapping again in Times Square. In fact, when he showed up there Wednesday night, many of the same rappers he met in the spring during the Tribeca Film Festival recognized him, and he was getting high fives and "Whazzups?" all over the place.
Today was a red letter day for another reason: Darius's mom, Jamie, closed on the Weems' new home!!! This weekend, we'll be building the addition to the house. If you're in Athens, come by and help us, feed us, or drop off a donation or gift card. Daniel Epting has worked tirelessly to make this happen, and we can't thank him enough! Many, many others have pitched in, and we will acknowledge them in a future blog.
Know about it!
Hope you watched The Today Show this morning. Darius was awesome (as was Logan) and made Athens, Georgia proud! Even Sam and Collin got to get in the picture as the show signed off. Woo-hoo! Great job, producer Mary Elizabeth Laurence!
Special thanks to Chris Spence and John White, Logan's friends from the Harvard TIE program who made the trip from Boston to support DGW on Today and who waved their sign "Harvard Loves Darius Goes West" outside the studio and made it on camera!! The night before, these guys hung out with the DGW crew and had a blast. Now Harvard definitely "knows about it!"
If you watched the show, PLEASE send an e-mail to say how much you liked it. This could lead to more national media appearances! Write to: today@nbc.com
And if you missed it, here's where to go to watch the segment:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-US&brand=msnbc&vid=6f37463a-65ae-4274-b866-0e41532565b8
Hope you caught Logan's big announcement on national telvision today: DVDs of Darius Goes West will be available in early December. To get on our list so we can notify you when and how to preorder them, send an e-mail to knowaboutit@gmail.com We expect DVDs to ship by December 1st (just in time for the holidays!) and to sell for about $19.95. Remember, ALL proceeds go to Charley's Fund (www.charleysfund.org) for DMD research.
Logan has returned to Boston, but Sam, Collin, and Darius are still in New York until tomorrow and having a blast. Since their Today Show appearance, they have been recognized on the streets of the Big Apple everywhere they go! One fan who's seen the movie several times even treated the guys to a super-nice dinner tonight. Thanks, Suzanne!
Darius has been rapping again in Times Square. In fact, when he showed up there Wednesday night, many of the same rappers he met in the spring during the Tribeca Film Festival recognized him, and he was getting high fives and "Whazzups?" all over the place.
Today was a red letter day for another reason: Darius's mom, Jamie, closed on the Weems' new home!!! This weekend, we'll be building the addition to the house. If you're in Athens, come by and help us, feed us, or drop off a donation or gift card. Daniel Epting has worked tirelessly to make this happen, and we can't thank him enough! Many, many others have pitched in, and we will acknowledge them in a future blog.
Know about it!
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