February 22, 2008
We've been busy! Sam, Jason, Barbara and Logan have just returned from San Francisco (see pictures we've just posted). We had a free day there to do some sightseeing (we rode the cable cars down to Fisherman's Wharf and had some great seafood) and meet up with DGW co-editor Allison Firor. She introduced us to her new boyfriend, and you'll never guess what his name is: Darius! What are the odds of that?! Day 2 of our trip, we drove through Napa Valley up to Pacific Union College, where some 200 college students watched the movie. PUC really rolled out the red carpet for us...treating us to dinner, filling our rental car with gas, giving us t-shirts, and then providing one of the best audiences ever. They laughed soooo loud! After the Q&A, we sold DVDs and took up donations for Charley's Fund, raising over $500! Special thanks to Stephen Eyer and Juli Miller for arranging this screening.
Day 3 in San Francisco started with a visit to San Francisco Children's Hospital, where teenage patients had been watching the movie all week. There, we met (among others) Ben, who had just gotten his first wheelchair (so he especially loved the movie), and Darien, who asked lots of questions about Darius and how he was doing. We gave all the kids temporary DGW tattoos and DGW wristbands. Later that night, we had a screening at the Bridge Theater, organized by Keith Zwolfer of the San Francisco Film Society. Despite the rain, we had a huge crowd. Many, many teachers showed up to enjoy the movie AND the awesome wine and cheese spread, provided compliments of Theo Gund. Tracy Seckler was also in town to help with the Q&A. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic and afterwards, we sold a whopping $2,000 worth of DVDs, t-shirts, and other DGW/Charley's Fund merchandise.
While we were gone, Collin, Ben, and Darius had an awesome lunch at the Moose Lodge, where DGW was presented with a check for $1,200 for DMD research. This check represented the proceeds of a raffle they had a month or so ago. Thank you, Moose Lodge for your kindness and generosity!
On Wednesday morning, Collin, Ben, and Darius hit the road again, bright and early, so that Darius and Collin could appear on Good Day Atlanta to publicize his appearance at Disability Day. If you missed it, here's a link:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?c..5668943
Finally, Thursday morning, Sam, Kevin, Darius, and Barbara went back to Atlanta for Disability Day. When we left Athens, it wasn't raining a bit; when we got to Atlanta, it was raining a lot....and we didn't take any rain gear! By the time we found a parking space and got to the Capitol steps, the crowd had thinned out (mostly because it was so rainy and cold), but Darius wowed them with his short speech. He also led the "My vote is for real" chant, got to meet some of our legistlators, and met the ambassador from Ecuador. From the steps of the Capitol, we went to the Freight Depot for lunch. There were about 2,000 people there, including Mark Johnson (who's in the movie). Darius went up on stage and spoke briefly again. He was awesome, and we were so proud. We've posted pictures, so check them out.
Other news...
* Martin Bashir was recently asked to moderate a debate at Columbia University, for which he was offered a $500 honorarium. He decided to donate the money to Charley's Fund!
* We did not advance in the Volvo For Life Contest. We felt a little bit at a disadvantage here because the judges were not sent copies of our movie. But we're not losers here. After all, we already won $25,000 for Charley's Fund.
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
JULIA ROBERTS KNOWS ABOUT IT!
February 25, 2008
Today was a great day for DGW! Months ago, our agent sent "Darius Goes West" to Julia Roberts. She loved the film and asked how she could help. In fact, she offered to "present" the movie, and today, Logan met the "Pretty Woman" in Los Angeles to make that happen! (Picture expected tomorrow).
Basically, "presenting" a movie is like endorsing it. We're hoping a new DVD of DGW will be released in a couple of months that will possibly have Julia Roberts' picture on the cover, and will say something like: "Julia Roberts presents...Darius Goes West: The Roll of His LIfe." She will also give an introduction at the start of the movie...that's what Logan was doing today: directing the filming of that intro. Having Julia Roberts present should open lots of doors for us, so woo-hoo!
Thanks to our agent, Jon Levin at CAA, and to our executive producer, Julia Eisenmann for making this happen! And HUGE thanks to Julia Roberts for being so warm, gracious, and willing to help (that's a Georgia girl for you!).
Other cool news: Sam and Jason spent the weekend in Calgary, Canada at the ReelFun Film Festival, where DGW was the opening film. Cathy McKee, festival director, really rolled out the red carpet for them. Just before the movie showed, Sam and Jason were made honorary Calgarians via a white hat ceremony which is a very big deal (reserved mostly for heads of state, movie stars, Olympic athletes, etc.). On Sunday night, Cathy's son took Sam and Jason up to Banff to a pricey buffet that consisted of cook-your-own alligator, kangaroo, rattlesnake, buffalo, shark, ostrich, frog legs, and wild boar, ....with chocolate fondue for dessert. HA! The audience for the film was awesome, and Sam and Jason both said they wished they could have stayed a couple of weeks. We'll post pictures as soon as we get 'em.
On Thursday night, we head to Young Harris College for a screening, then have another one on Friday at the Council For Exceptional Children (CEC) State Conference at the Classic Center in Athens.
Know about it!
Today was a great day for DGW! Months ago, our agent sent "Darius Goes West" to Julia Roberts. She loved the film and asked how she could help. In fact, she offered to "present" the movie, and today, Logan met the "Pretty Woman" in Los Angeles to make that happen! (Picture expected tomorrow).
Basically, "presenting" a movie is like endorsing it. We're hoping a new DVD of DGW will be released in a couple of months that will possibly have Julia Roberts' picture on the cover, and will say something like: "Julia Roberts presents...Darius Goes West: The Roll of His LIfe." She will also give an introduction at the start of the movie...that's what Logan was doing today: directing the filming of that intro. Having Julia Roberts present should open lots of doors for us, so woo-hoo!
Thanks to our agent, Jon Levin at CAA, and to our executive producer, Julia Eisenmann for making this happen! And HUGE thanks to Julia Roberts for being so warm, gracious, and willing to help (that's a Georgia girl for you!).
Other cool news: Sam and Jason spent the weekend in Calgary, Canada at the ReelFun Film Festival, where DGW was the opening film. Cathy McKee, festival director, really rolled out the red carpet for them. Just before the movie showed, Sam and Jason were made honorary Calgarians via a white hat ceremony which is a very big deal (reserved mostly for heads of state, movie stars, Olympic athletes, etc.). On Sunday night, Cathy's son took Sam and Jason up to Banff to a pricey buffet that consisted of cook-your-own alligator, kangaroo, rattlesnake, buffalo, shark, ostrich, frog legs, and wild boar, ....with chocolate fondue for dessert. HA! The audience for the film was awesome, and Sam and Jason both said they wished they could have stayed a couple of weeks. We'll post pictures as soon as we get 'em.
On Thursday night, we head to Young Harris College for a screening, then have another one on Friday at the Council For Exceptional Children (CEC) State Conference at the Classic Center in Athens.
Know about it!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
DGW IN THE NEWS + BIG NEWS!
January 23, 2008
Lots of recent articles have come out about Darius Goes West, and we thought we'd share them with you...
A profile on our director, Logan Smalley, appears in this month's issue of Harvard Ed (College of Education) magazine. Here's the link...
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news_events/ed/2008/winter/appian/student.html
An article on DGW,written by Logan's mom and "Know About It" program director, Barbara Smalley, appears in the January/February issue of Athens Parent magazine. Check it out...
http://www.athensparent.com/articles/featuregen/dariusgoeswest.html
Then, there's a triple play of articles penned by Penne Elk of Swampland.com. She recently saw DGW for the first time and decided to write (a) a review of the movie, (b) an interview with Logan, and (c) a feature story about DGW. How cool is that? Here are those links...
http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/rivervue/493
http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/rivervue/492
http://www.swampland.com/reviews/view/rivervue/363
ON THE ROAD AGAIN...
Many of the crew traveled to Gatlinburg, TN for a long (MLK) holiday weekend of fun. When we found out the house we rented was accessible, we decided to take Darius with us. We all had a blast. Check out the pictures!
SHOUT OUTS:...
* Congrats to DMD moms in New Hampshire, Lori Safford and Linda Currier, who each organized screenings of Darius Goes West in their hometowns. With the help of their generous communities, together Linda and Lori raised $3,500 for Charley's Fund! The Safford and Currier families managed to talk a local theater into donating venue space at no charge and convinced printers to provide flyers and tickets free of charge. We hope others will follow their lead by orgniazing a screening where they live. You can screen the film in a theater for 200+ people, or show it in your house for 20 friends...either way helps make a diffeence!
* Kudos to Andover Phillips Academy (just outside of Boston), who hosted Logan at a screening and Q&A this past Sunday. DGW 13th crew member Geri Bidwell (an alum of the school where daughter Lucy, who helped organize this special evening, now attends) supplied tons of sushi for this event, then pledged $1,000 to Charley's Fund for any student or teacher in attendance who would take the "Goslabi Dare." This challenge entailed eating a teaspoon of wasabi...just like Big D did on the trip. Three brave souls stepped up, so Geri made a donation of $3,000! And when a fourth volunteer stepped up, another alum, Brot Bishop, threw an extra $1,000 into the pot. (Check out the pictures!). Woo-hoo!
BIG NEWS...
We just found out that Run DMC, a world-famous rap group, has agreed to do a benefit concert for Charley's Fund. October 2 is the date; NYC is the place. We hope you'll consider joining us for "Run DMD," an evening with Run DMC and Big D! Darius will even take the stage and do a little rapping himself! Thanks to DGW 13th crew member, Jen Portnoy for making this happen! We are pumped about this one!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Lots of recent articles have come out about Darius Goes West, and we thought we'd share them with you...
A profile on our director, Logan Smalley, appears in this month's issue of Harvard Ed (College of Education) magazine. Here's the link...
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news_events/ed/2008/winter/appian/student.html
An article on DGW,written by Logan's mom and "Know About It" program director, Barbara Smalley, appears in the January/February issue of Athens Parent magazine. Check it out...
http://www.athensparent.com/articles/featuregen/dariusgoeswest.html
Then, there's a triple play of articles penned by Penne Elk of Swampland.com. She recently saw DGW for the first time and decided to write (a) a review of the movie, (b) an interview with Logan, and (c) a feature story about DGW. How cool is that? Here are those links...
http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/rivervue/493
http://www.swampland.com/articles/view/rivervue/492
http://www.swampland.com/reviews/view/rivervue/363
ON THE ROAD AGAIN...
Many of the crew traveled to Gatlinburg, TN for a long (MLK) holiday weekend of fun. When we found out the house we rented was accessible, we decided to take Darius with us. We all had a blast. Check out the pictures!
SHOUT OUTS:...
* Congrats to DMD moms in New Hampshire, Lori Safford and Linda Currier, who each organized screenings of Darius Goes West in their hometowns. With the help of their generous communities, together Linda and Lori raised $3,500 for Charley's Fund! The Safford and Currier families managed to talk a local theater into donating venue space at no charge and convinced printers to provide flyers and tickets free of charge. We hope others will follow their lead by orgniazing a screening where they live. You can screen the film in a theater for 200+ people, or show it in your house for 20 friends...either way helps make a diffeence!
* Kudos to Andover Phillips Academy (just outside of Boston), who hosted Logan at a screening and Q&A this past Sunday. DGW 13th crew member Geri Bidwell (an alum of the school where daughter Lucy, who helped organize this special evening, now attends) supplied tons of sushi for this event, then pledged $1,000 to Charley's Fund for any student or teacher in attendance who would take the "Goslabi Dare." This challenge entailed eating a teaspoon of wasabi...just like Big D did on the trip. Three brave souls stepped up, so Geri made a donation of $3,000! And when a fourth volunteer stepped up, another alum, Brot Bishop, threw an extra $1,000 into the pot. (Check out the pictures!). Woo-hoo!
BIG NEWS...
We just found out that Run DMC, a world-famous rap group, has agreed to do a benefit concert for Charley's Fund. October 2 is the date; NYC is the place. We hope you'll consider joining us for "Run DMD," an evening with Run DMC and Big D! Darius will even take the stage and do a little rapping himself! Thanks to DGW 13th crew member, Jen Portnoy for making this happen! We are pumped about this one!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A VALENTINE FOR DARIUS
February 14, 2008
Last, night, we had a special screening of DGW at the Georgia Museum of Art. We billed it "A Valentine for Darius." Despite the frigid temperatures outside--and competition from the Dave Brubeck quartet nextdoor at Hodgson Hall, some 70 people showed up. And what an enthusiastic and receptive crowd they were! Afterwards, D's mom, Jamie, joined Darius and a few other crew members (including DGW cameraman Dylan Wilson, who was in town) on stage for a great Q&A. This was the first event where we had DVDs for sale. This, combined with ticket and DGW t-shirt sales, enabled us to raise $1,300! Thanks to all the staff at GMOA for letting us use your beautiful facilitiy, and a special shout out to Jenny Collard Williams for being the perfect hostess, as well as to Martin Suiza, Amy Gellins, and Dory MacMillan for helping to sell tickets and DGW merchandise.
Unfortunately, Darius had to go to this event in his manual chair. Once again, both of his wheelchairs are acting up, and today, we took them back to the shop for repairs. The good news: his doctor has written him a prescription for a new chair, so in a month or so, he should have some more reliable wheels. Woo-hoo!
A handful of us (Sam, Logan, Jason, and Barbara) are off to San Francisco on Saturday. We have a screening at Pacific Union College in Napa Valley, a hospital visit (where we will deliver DGW DVDs to bedridden children), and a screening for teachers (and other invitees) at the Bridge Theater hosted by the wonderful folks at the San Francisco Film Festival. We return on Wednesday, then take Darius on Thursday to Atlanta to speak on the Capitol steps for Disability Day. Busy, busy, busy!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Last, night, we had a special screening of DGW at the Georgia Museum of Art. We billed it "A Valentine for Darius." Despite the frigid temperatures outside--and competition from the Dave Brubeck quartet nextdoor at Hodgson Hall, some 70 people showed up. And what an enthusiastic and receptive crowd they were! Afterwards, D's mom, Jamie, joined Darius and a few other crew members (including DGW cameraman Dylan Wilson, who was in town) on stage for a great Q&A. This was the first event where we had DVDs for sale. This, combined with ticket and DGW t-shirt sales, enabled us to raise $1,300! Thanks to all the staff at GMOA for letting us use your beautiful facilitiy, and a special shout out to Jenny Collard Williams for being the perfect hostess, as well as to Martin Suiza, Amy Gellins, and Dory MacMillan for helping to sell tickets and DGW merchandise.
Unfortunately, Darius had to go to this event in his manual chair. Once again, both of his wheelchairs are acting up, and today, we took them back to the shop for repairs. The good news: his doctor has written him a prescription for a new chair, so in a month or so, he should have some more reliable wheels. Woo-hoo!
A handful of us (Sam, Logan, Jason, and Barbara) are off to San Francisco on Saturday. We have a screening at Pacific Union College in Napa Valley, a hospital visit (where we will deliver DGW DVDs to bedridden children), and a screening for teachers (and other invitees) at the Bridge Theater hosted by the wonderful folks at the San Francisco Film Festival. We return on Wednesday, then take Darius on Thursday to Atlanta to speak on the Capitol steps for Disability Day. Busy, busy, busy!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Friday, February 8, 2008
DARIUS IS A UGA IDOL
February 8, 2008
Last night, Darius was named the first ever honorary UGA Idol at a competition that presented 16 awesome (college student) singers competing against one another for the real title of UGA Idol. The event, a takeoff on American Idol, took place at Hodgson Hall on the University of Georgia's campus and drew a packed house of about 500 people. Af the end of the competition, while the judges were deliberating, the two-minute DGW trailer was shown, then Darius rolled out (to a standing ovation) and did some crowd-pleasing, freestyle rapping. He was in the zone! (Check out the pictures we've posted). After his performance, the president of Hillel (sponsors of the event) presented Darius with his honorary UGA Idol certificate.
This isn't the only honor thrown Darius' way this week. He's also been invited to speak on the steps of the Capitol on February 21 as part of the 10th Annual Disability Day. The theme this year is not only multicultural advocacy but also the importance of the disability community's participation in the voting process. Having just turned voting age himself, Darius will lead the crowd in the "My Vote Is For Real" chant at the end of the rally. The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has sponsored Disability Day for the past nine years, and last year this event boasted attendance of more than 1,800 people! While at the Capitol, we plan to hand-deliver copies of our film to many of our elected officials.
There's a nice review of DGW at Moving Pictures magazine. You can check it out by following this link:
http://www.movingpicturesmagazine.com/reviews/movies/dariusgoeswest
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Last night, Darius was named the first ever honorary UGA Idol at a competition that presented 16 awesome (college student) singers competing against one another for the real title of UGA Idol. The event, a takeoff on American Idol, took place at Hodgson Hall on the University of Georgia's campus and drew a packed house of about 500 people. Af the end of the competition, while the judges were deliberating, the two-minute DGW trailer was shown, then Darius rolled out (to a standing ovation) and did some crowd-pleasing, freestyle rapping. He was in the zone! (Check out the pictures we've posted). After his performance, the president of Hillel (sponsors of the event) presented Darius with his honorary UGA Idol certificate.
This isn't the only honor thrown Darius' way this week. He's also been invited to speak on the steps of the Capitol on February 21 as part of the 10th Annual Disability Day. The theme this year is not only multicultural advocacy but also the importance of the disability community's participation in the voting process. Having just turned voting age himself, Darius will lead the crowd in the "My Vote Is For Real" chant at the end of the rally. The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has sponsored Disability Day for the past nine years, and last year this event boasted attendance of more than 1,800 people! While at the Capitol, we plan to hand-deliver copies of our film to many of our elected officials.
There's a nice review of DGW at Moving Pictures magazine. You can check it out by following this link:
http://www.movingpicturesmagazine.com/reviews/movies/dariusgoeswest
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
LAST CHANCE TO VOTE FOR TRACY
February 5, 2008
This Friday, February 8 is the last day to help Tracy Kramer Seckler (Charley's mom) win the Smart Cookie Award and $35,000 for Charley's Fund. Charley's Fund is the beneficiary of all proceeds from Darius Goes West. All money they raise goes directly to DMD research.
If you haven't voted, please go here to vote:
www.cookiemag.com/go/smartcookie
If you have already voted, please forward this e-mail to everyone you know. We won the Volvo for Life vote for Darius. Together we can help Charley's Fund win $35,000!
Know about it!
This Friday, February 8 is the last day to help Tracy Kramer Seckler (Charley's mom) win the Smart Cookie Award and $35,000 for Charley's Fund. Charley's Fund is the beneficiary of all proceeds from Darius Goes West. All money they raise goes directly to DMD research.
If you haven't voted, please go here to vote:
www.cookiemag.com/go/smartcookie
If you have already voted, please forward this e-mail to everyone you know. We won the Volvo for Life vote for Darius. Together we can help Charley's Fund win $35,000!
Know about it!
Monday, February 4, 2008
SUPER INTERVIEW FOLLOWING THE SUPER BOWL
February 4, 2008
As reported yesterday, Fox Five News (Atlanta) reporter Julia Harding (with cameraman Jason) came to Athens yesterday to film Darius and the crew for a segment that aired last night AFTER THE SUPER BOWL AND ON THE SAME CHANNEL! It must have been watched by many, many people, because almost immediately, fan e-mails were pouring in. Woo-hoo!
Ben, Sam, Daniel, Collin, and Kevin met at Darius's house, where the segment was filmed in Darius and Jamie's new living room (see pictures we just posted! Only Ben, Sam, Daniel, and Darius were interviewed (due to time constraints), and only Daniel, Darius, and Ben (mistakenly identified as Sam...HA!) appeared on the segment.
Thank you, Julia, for giving Dodge a plug, for showing the Delta, Shirtworks, and ABC Printing logos by filming the DGW van, and for telling everyone that DVDs are for sale at our website.
Let's hope we see a spike in sales!
If you missed the segment or live outside of Atlanta, here's a link:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?c..5668943
If you like what you see, please send an e-mail to the reporter at this e-mail address: julia.harding@foxtv.com
Know about it!
As reported yesterday, Fox Five News (Atlanta) reporter Julia Harding (with cameraman Jason) came to Athens yesterday to film Darius and the crew for a segment that aired last night AFTER THE SUPER BOWL AND ON THE SAME CHANNEL! It must have been watched by many, many people, because almost immediately, fan e-mails were pouring in. Woo-hoo!
Ben, Sam, Daniel, Collin, and Kevin met at Darius's house, where the segment was filmed in Darius and Jamie's new living room (see pictures we just posted! Only Ben, Sam, Daniel, and Darius were interviewed (due to time constraints), and only Daniel, Darius, and Ben (mistakenly identified as Sam...HA!) appeared on the segment.
Thank you, Julia, for giving Dodge a plug, for showing the Delta, Shirtworks, and ABC Printing logos by filming the DGW van, and for telling everyone that DVDs are for sale at our website.
Let's hope we see a spike in sales!
If you missed the segment or live outside of Atlanta, here's a link:
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?c..5668943
If you like what you see, please send an e-mail to the reporter at this e-mail address: julia.harding@foxtv.com
Know about it!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
DGW ON FOX FIVE NEWS
February 2, 2008
We got a call from reporter at Fox 5 News in Atlanta today. She heard about our movie and is coming to interview us tomorrow in Athens at D's house. The segment is scheduled to air tomorrow (Sunday) right after the Super Bowl!
Sorry for the late notice, but we hope if you live in Atlanta or Athens you'll watch...and we'd love it if you'd send the station an e-mail afterwards and tell them thanks for the coverage.
DGW is playing (pay per view) on Delta Airlines this month (and last month). We just got an e-mail from a new fan who watched it on a flight a couple of days ago. She said that she was crying so hard by the end of the movie that the flight attendants asked if there was anything they could do for her!
This week, Collin and Sam traveled to Cincinnati Country Day School for "Diversity Day." The entire Upper School there (about 200 students) watched DGW, then gave Sam and Collin a standing ovation. Sam and Collin hung out for the rest of the day, mingling with the students, before heading back to Athens. Both said this was one of their favorite screenings ever! Meanwhile, Darius, Daniel, Ben, and Barbara led a discussion of the film with students taking one of Jenny Manders' classes at UGA's Institute for Human Development and Disability. This group had watched the movie earlier in the week and asked great questions. They were a diverse group...all different majors.
Don't forget our special screening of DGW at the Georgia Museum of Art on February 13. "A Valentine for Darius" will start at 7:00 PM. Tickets (available at the door) are $15, and all proceeds go to Charley's Fund. Darius and the crew will be there for a Q&A.
Know about it!
We got a call from reporter at Fox 5 News in Atlanta today. She heard about our movie and is coming to interview us tomorrow in Athens at D's house. The segment is scheduled to air tomorrow (Sunday) right after the Super Bowl!
Sorry for the late notice, but we hope if you live in Atlanta or Athens you'll watch...and we'd love it if you'd send the station an e-mail afterwards and tell them thanks for the coverage.
DGW is playing (pay per view) on Delta Airlines this month (and last month). We just got an e-mail from a new fan who watched it on a flight a couple of days ago. She said that she was crying so hard by the end of the movie that the flight attendants asked if there was anything they could do for her!
This week, Collin and Sam traveled to Cincinnati Country Day School for "Diversity Day." The entire Upper School there (about 200 students) watched DGW, then gave Sam and Collin a standing ovation. Sam and Collin hung out for the rest of the day, mingling with the students, before heading back to Athens. Both said this was one of their favorite screenings ever! Meanwhile, Darius, Daniel, Ben, and Barbara led a discussion of the film with students taking one of Jenny Manders' classes at UGA's Institute for Human Development and Disability. This group had watched the movie earlier in the week and asked great questions. They were a diverse group...all different majors.
Don't forget our special screening of DGW at the Georgia Museum of Art on February 13. "A Valentine for Darius" will start at 7:00 PM. Tickets (available at the door) are $15, and all proceeds go to Charley's Fund. Darius and the crew will be there for a Q&A.
Know about it!
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