BlogBloghttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2013-04-22T15:36:47ZSquarespaceForty-nine years ago today...http://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2013/4/22/forty-nine-years-ago-today.htmlRyan Ritchey2013-04-22T13:11:28Z2013-04-22T13:11:28Z

Forty-nine years ago today, the gates swung open at the New York World's Fair. Forty-nine years ago today, the future began.

After years of construction, the green fields of Flushing Meadows Corona Park had transformed into a meeting place for vibrant cultures of the world, thriving corporations of the present, and astounding technologies of the future. That first day saw thousands of people (although far fewer than expected) rush into Flushing Meadows. For many, it was their first experience at a world's fair. For others, it was a chance to relive the excitement they felt attending the '39-40 fair on the same site.

Kids and adults alike were exposed to representatives from countries they'd never be able to visit. Cultural exchanges were made through art, dance, and music.

At times, it can be hard to believe we will ever fully understand one another. It seems our differences far outpace our similarities. The fair showed us, in a decade that had plenty of horrific events, from assassinations to the war in Vietnam, from civil rights struggles, to a church bombing in Alabama, that peace and understanding are possible. Peace through understanding was after all, the theme of the fair.

While a year from now we can all celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic event, let's take this anniversary to remember the promise and escape the fair provided in a time of uneasiness. It might help us to realize that the evils we face today aren't all that different from those of the past. 

We live in a world more inter-connected than at any other time in history. Surely we can use those connections for understanding: to create the world that was promised at the fair.

]]>One Thing Leads To Another. And Anotherhttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2013/3/6/one-thing-leads-to-another-and-another.htmlRyan Ritchey2013-03-06T23:00:00Z2013-03-06T23:00:00ZOne of the hardest parts of making this documentary has been a problem I didn't even consider before I started: When to stop.

You see, over the last five months or so, any time someone has asked me where we were in the production process, the answer has been the same: We've shot about 80-85% of the film, and we'll soon be going into post-production. It was true five months ago, and it is true today, but that's definitely not because we haven't been busy. 

There's been a fascinating phonomenon that's been happening, and I'm thrilled: Each time we shoot an interview, it seems that person has one, two, or three other people they suggest we interview. Nine times out of ten, those people have had really valuable  contributions to make to the project. And so the question becomes, when do we say when?

The answer is complicated by the endless possibilities of digital distribution. The initial goal of this project was the creation of one, feature-length movie that would be suitable for DVD/theater distribution. But as the material piles up, it is apparent that there are many more options.

For example, we could make 20-30 minute mini-documentaries on specific fair attractions and their legacies. Or, we could expand the over-arching project into a mini-series-length endeavor. Much of this "bonus" material we're getting from the unexpected twists of fate is great, but it doesn't necessarily fit into the two-hour primary project. I believe the people of the fair, and their stories are too important to not document if given the chance, even if they don't work within the project.

Of course, this also means at some point that economics come into play. As a self-funded venture, there is a significant amount of beancounting here, as we want to get the most out of every dollar. There are some people in far-flung regions of the country who have interesting tidbits to add about the fair, but they aren't necessarilly feasible to shoot, given the travel and production expense.

I'll be perfectly honest in saying I don't know what the "right" answer is. For now, we'll keep aiming primarily for content that fits with our original movie idea, but at the same time, try to capture as much fair-related content as possible. These stories and recollections deserve to be preserved for future generations.

]]>Happy New Year and Thank Youhttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2013/1/1/happy-new-year-and-thank-you.htmlRyan Ritchey2013-01-02T01:13:39Z2013-01-02T01:13:39ZHi everyone! 2013 has arrived, and what a year it should turn out to be. As far as the movie is concerned, this will be by far the busiest year. Now that 85% of the footage is shot, editing, soundmixing, promoting, and finishing awaits.

I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive (and patient) over the past two-plus years. Progress has been slow at times, but your interest in the project has kept us moving forward. We're so close now, I want to make sure we take the time to make the movie the best it can be.

So here's to 2013, and I wish all of you a healthy and happy new year, and thank you once more for your continued support.

]]>Out of the Shadow of the Fair: A September Walk in Flushing Meadows Corona Parkhttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/9/26/out-of-the-shadow-of-the-fair-a-september-walk-in-flushing-m.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-09-26T15:34:32Z2012-09-26T15:34:32ZThis past Monday, I had a chance to head to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Of course I had my eyes open for anything that might be part of the movie, but my main reason for being there, was just to take in the site for what it is today: A large, sprawling, vibrant park.

From handball to never-ending soccer, to kite flying and barbecues (only in permitted areas, of course!) the park was vibrant and alive. Drum kits were being setup near the Unisphere. A few college-aged kids enjoyed the Maloof skate park behind the New York State Pavilion, and a van of tourists had pulled up next to the theatre to take pictures of the unisphere, many pantomiming holding the weighty globe on their backs, or balancing the sculpture on a fingertip via forced perspective.

The Queens Zoo was also alive with parents bringing their small children to zoo, many for the first time. The zoo offers an amazing oasis, with just the back side of the zoo's proximity to the highway to give away its urban locale.

 

Great green spaces like Flushing Meadows Corona Park allow people to play, yes. But they also allow the city itself to breathe. this land is not merely a piece of undeveloped real estate. It is a lung for the borough of Queens.

As Robert Moses is quoted in saying in Robert Caro's The Power Broker regarding the future of the park after the fair was over:

"Visitors to such an exposition carry away indelible impressions, lively lessons, enduring satisfactions, and pleasant memories, but what finally remains in the ground when the pageant has faded!  When the brickbats have been removed by the wreckers and scavengers, and the park planners have to work is of more concern to the next generation than any spectacle, however gorgeous."

Nearly fifty years later, a large portion of the park remains reserved for both the citizens of New York, and the city itself to collect its breath, and reflect.

Here's hoping that doesn't change in the next fifty years either.

]]>The Park Then and Now: Shot Matching Testshttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/7/19/the-park-then-and-now-shot-matching-tests.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-07-19T16:04:44Z2012-07-19T16:04:44ZWe've been doing some experiments with trying to match photos from the fair with what you can see in the exact same spot today. Some are easy, but some are a real challenge to try to match. These are some of the easier ones, but I wanted to show you what we're up to. Not sure if we will use this effect in the movie yet or not. Enjoy!

Here's a look at the Pool of Industry, with the Bell Pavilion across the water, then and now:

And of course, the Unisphere:

Let us know what you think. Don't forget you can follow us on twitter @AfterTheFair

]]>Image of the week: July 9th, 2012http://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/7/9/image-of-the-week-july-9th-2012.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-07-09T10:00:12Z2012-07-09T10:00:12ZThis week's image of the week takes us to Wisconsin. What you see below are the restored translucent panels at the tippy top of the former Wisconsin Pavilion. Today the structure serves as the lobby of a radio station, and cheese shop in Neillsville Wisconsin. (And they are some tasty cheeses!)

]]>Behind The Scenes: Getting home movies into our filmhttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/7/7/behind-the-scenes-getting-home-movies-into-our-film.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-07-07T21:40:18Z2012-07-07T21:40:18ZThree Bell & Howell projectors look great but couldn't help us out with film conversion today.During the heat wave here on the east coast, it was far too hot to go on a trip to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, so instead it was an opportunity to view/convert some home movies for use in our film. It's been awhile since we went "behind the scenes" of the film as far as production goes, so let's get started.

First, you may be wondering, "why do you need all those projectors?" Well, the fact of the matter is, it can be tough to find fully functioning projectors, and even more difficult (and expensive) to find replacement bulbs. As a result, I've ended up with many projectors from flea markets, yard sales, etc., through the years. And of course you never know what kind of life you will get out of the bulb until you start trying it. Considering I find projectors for under $15 in most cases, and that replacement bulbs can run $100, it makes more sense to buy several projectors, and hope for the best. Today, none of the three Bell & Howell projectors were going to work: two had blown bulbs, and the third had uneven lighting across the frame. While the bulbs are interchangeable on these three models, I decided to try a few more options.

Next I tried a Kodak Brownie 300 projector. These projectors were like the Apple computers of the projector world: the guts of the machine, with the exception of the two reel holders and the lense were hidden inside the shell of projector. Few adjustments, and hopefully, less to go wrong. Unfortunately this projector wasn't bright enough to capture the image on video (more on that in a minute). 

after 50 years, the Bolex projector (left) came through today.This meant setting up my Bolex projector, which is really here as more of an art piece/collectible than anything else. I have never used it before, and given the pristine condition it was in, it may have never been used before. These things are wonders of Swiss engineering. With a little bit of futzing, soon this hands-off-only-for-looking-at, beautiful piece of machinery was delivering crisp, bright images to the screen.

Next, I setup our Sony HD camera to capture the images on screen. If you've ever tried to do this, then you know that it often results in unacceptable flicker on-screen. The Bolex has a speed control, allowing me to minimize the flicker, but it is definitely still there.

Here's the thing, though: If everything goes according to plan, none of this footage will ever be in the final movie. At least none of it that we shot in this manner. Soon, these films will be packed up and sent off for conversion to digital files, but first, I wanted to have a "safety" backup, and something to work with for early edits of the film.

Digital video/film is great, but everyone who makes a movie should have to shoot on, then also project film, on period-accurate equipment at least once.

 

 

]]>Time for a project updatehttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/6/20/time-for-a-project-update.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-06-20T22:39:30Z2012-06-20T22:39:30ZIt's been quite some time since I've blogged, so I wanted to take a few minutes to get you up to date on the documentary. First, I received a few emails from concerned visitors as to whether the project was still happening. It is indeed. The last few months the focus has been on finding footage of the fair itself. Over the next month, we turn back to going on the road to shoot at fair relic locations, and several visits to Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It will be a busy few months, and I feel bad when things get so hectic that updating the site falls to the wayside. I want to do a better job at that going forward.

Also, look for the return of the fair "Image of the week" shortly.

Thanks again for all your support, and I wish you all Peace Through Understanding.

]]>Image of the week: April 11, 2012http://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/4/11/image-of-the-week-april-11-2012.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-04-11T04:19:38Z2012-04-11T04:19:38ZWe've been taking so many photos while working on the film, and we've acquired some great vintage photos of the fair, so we've decided to share them with you here each week. We'll begin with this great vintage slide from Alan Lovitch, showing the exterior of DuPont's World of Chemistry as it appeared at the fair in 1964. Inside, a show we would call multimedia, dazzled as live dancers interacted with projected dancers on a series of moving panels. But that's a story for another day. Note the light fixtures around the building, mimicking molecules:

 

]]>Our first teaser trailer for After The Fairhttp://worldsfairmovie.com/blog/2012/2/16/our-first-teaser-trailer-for-after-the-fair.htmlRyan Ritchey2012-02-16T21:29:15Z2012-02-16T21:29:15ZI know many of you have waited a long time, but we can finally share our first short, or "teaser" trailer for the film. Let me know what you think:

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