Current Newsletter of the state of the film, the actors, and crew. Fun, exciting things coming up.
Category: Chardonnay
As we enter the holiday season, my editing time will and has been limited on Petite Chardonnay.
Family is a key component to our life, and I will not miss any moment to spend time with mine. Hope you spend time with yours.
The intense and uninterrupted post production as come to a crawl until after the new year when it will be 18 hour days and nights for at least 3 months without any distractions.
There will be some assembly, but only basic preparation per scene, takes, and organization during this time, as well as, creating more marketing material such as updated posters, calendars, teasers, shirts, winter apparel, and more plus an exciting development I have decided to create a PHOTOGRAPH BOOK. A 100 plus page book of selected photos from the 1600 photos that Patricia Collins, Mark Hoffman, George Ann Heck, Lisa West, and others have taken during the production. The book may cost over $50, but it will be a hard cover, full color, landscape view — a must have coffee table book; and proceeds will be split amongst the photographers.
LOOK FOR THESE for your holiday shopping needs and grab a few items not just unique to collect, but they are useful.
http://www.cafepress.com/ariapicturesshop
I have the interviews and BTS video that Steve Dakota and Mark Hoffman took and will be assembling those together which does not take much concentration as the story itself; I am not worried about how fancy the bts sequence is as I am NOT selling that as the main story, not that it is going to be done with haste and no care, just saying I want my full attention on editing the movie, so I can keep working while family is home for the holidays.
Jim Heck is creating a photographic slide show for many uses, one is for the wrap party that is still in my mind, which I should get more votes from instead of a select few: do you want and think a sit down, semi formal $20 for adults and $10 for kids under 12 at Lucchesi or Double Oak in May would interest anyone?
I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, the end of the year, and a very, very prosperous and safe 2012 for all my family and friends. MAKE A NOTE: 2012 will bring new things for everyone, both financially and personally.
God Bless, peace, be safe.
- ger
Day 6, Sunday, November 13, 2011, brought us a cool day — not as cold as expected — and as the day went on it also brought us closer to the end of our last day of principal photography — which was both exciting and heartbreaking.
With the five leads and a very small crew we kept to the same quality and discipline that we held throughout the production. I could tell that everyone felt the end was in the air and we would not see each other in this capacity on this film again, but that did not bring their spirits down; everyone pushed forward and completed their tasks.
And when Frank Cosgriff — our first Assistant Director — yelled “That’s a wrap!” Many emotions and cheers filled the room.
Most may feel their part in this film is over, and that may be true for some, but the journey is not — I think about everyone and carry them with me as I work the magical part of the process of filmmaking — at least the magic that I can add to it — everyone has done their job, now it is my turn.
As the days, weeks, and months go by many of you will find other projects to do, grow up, and have their braces removed; meenwhile I will be focused and working hard on one project; this film called Petite Chardonnay. I will — at certain times — keep you up to date on the progress of the film in post production — I have already purchased several boxes of tissue for the occasion.
So with your patients, understanding, and I know you have the passion, dedication, and devotion for this film, we will continue to walk beside each other — in spirit of course — but to me the JOURNEY is NOT over — we have created memories and relationships that will live forever.
Be safe, God Bless, and I thank you so much for being a part of the first phase of this epic story.
- gerald
I am exhausted but what keeps me going is the exeptional cast & crew that I get to see on the weekends as we walk hand in hand on this epic journey creating a tender, heart touching, and emotional movie that will last forever — a new breed of actors and filmmakers to enterain the masses.
I am so ready for this weekend, I hope you are.
AAAHHH Gotcha!!! I know right. We should just do it anyway.
We have three options of the interiors for the 13th and the first one will be a small crew, the others will be semi small crew but we will have a simple wrap party for cast & crew and either be potluck or bring your own thing to bbq and a salad. But that is not confirmed yet, just planting the seed.
the clips, takes, and media look so awesome and the acting is not that bad. HA! you know I joke around and you know I am harder on myself than anyone else, and as I have said before, like with all my other projects, movies, and creations I will spend the same amount of care and time to make this a cherished movie you will be proud to talk about for years to come.
It was a long day of struggles, heat, distance, learning, and wonderful performances. Yes all in one day. We all made it through, some not as well as others, they did survive after all the hard work I made them do. this was the hard working day for the crew and cast.
The scenes are 90% captured, I guess the other 10% I will have to live without only becuase I came in with a different plan, which was watch the scene and then decide how to photograph it. It may have worked for others but it didn’t for for me.
I am please, very pleased, with what we have and the actors and crew. It was a long hard day but WORTH IT!!
Thanks to Lori Grbac, Jacob Ambrosini, McKenna Whiting, Gary L. Conovor, Michael Klemp, C.J. Berdahl, and Nolan Bourassa for their talents and time.
Sunday, October 16, 2011 was a humbling moment for me on this project.
The cast & crew have settled into their roles — as Jim Heck and Frank Cosgriff noticed and mentioned to me “the crew has become more homogeneous” — probably better discription that settling in, but the fact that poeple like Jim and Frank have noticed it and feel it is important to mention, means a great deal.
Again. I am honored to have been blessed with such a fantastic cast & crew that jumps in when needed, goes above and beyond the call of duty, and takes the time to give ideas, suggestions, and input when they feel it is important — or maybe I am just collateral blessings from everyone else on the project and the good Lord doesn’t want tto hurt the rest of them just becuase I am attached, so I am getting a break; no matter what it is, I am truly humbled at the sacrifice, interest, and love that everyone has for this project, their fellow cast & crew members, and themselves — I wish this were a long running tv show like MASH or something that I can be with them every day.
Wayne Young & Don Weller, the Aerial Ventures people, gave us a show with their aerial maneuvers while capturing some senic clips from the air of Gary L. Conover and Michael Klemp in the vineyard of Lucchesi — up the production value, again.
Lunch was a relaxing spaghetti feed from my lovely wife Tamara and her mother Maureen. Thank you.
In Chardonnay’s reveal at the beginning of the movie, Karly Avva melted everyone’s heart just the way I imagined it when I was writing the scene; Gary L. Conover actually teared up — course I will not let everyone know that I did as well, we’ll keep that a secret. Michael’s stirring performace was not only equalled too Gary L. Conover’s presentation of his father, but haunting in his facial expressions as he relived some of his past. So invigorating.
And one final note for this debreifing and one that should not be overlooked, the wonderful cast we have would not have been assembled as it is without the efforts, time, and talents of first class Ryan McKinney and his group at It Factor Studios, Charla Bybee, Susan McKinney, Jeffery C. Vanacore — who is our 2nd AD and more; Dylan Nelson — who is another member of our team; and Aaron [lastname]. He kept telling me, “You have a great cast.”
Greetings.
For those that have not been staying up to date with the journey we are taking, you are missing a great deal.
We are half way into this production and since day one; a family, caring, and loving feeling has surrounded us, and it is wonderful — trust me it is WONDERFUL, you should take a look.
Chardonnay Facebook page [ no account needed to view]
Chardonnay Official Website
Aria Pictures News Feed
Aria Pictures Official website
To those that look at this once and toss it aside as “Gerald is just pretending. Wasting his time, he’s got no talent or skills.” or “who cares what he’s doing anyway?” You are not hurting me. You are hurting yourself by ignoring such great actors, crew, and downright a fantastic group of PEOPLE that are pouring their heart and soul into this story — they believe in the story, themselves, and me and these are perfect strangers that we’ve just met wanting to take this journey.
I am spending $30,000 on this and if that is not serious enough for you, I have locations, such as, Lucchesi Vineyard & Winery and Double Oak Vineyard & Winery welcoming us on their property to help us make this come to life.
Several actors are coming 3 – 4 hours away; the crew is bustin their backs; the actors are NOT acting but making it look real; Ryan McKinney and IT FACTOR STUDIOS spent over 120 hours helping me audition and cast people out of their own time; and they are all doing this becuase of me? No.
They are doing it becuase they believe. And to believe is the first step in making your dreams come true. And for the past 30 years I have had this dream on my own, now I have people beside me with the same dream and that is powerful.
It would mean a great deal to me if you could help support us by liking the page, staying up to date with the journey, and if at all possible tell us how it looks and makes you feel?
God Bless.
- gerald martin davenport
Day 3 was initially planned to do the car scene ending up with the conclusion of the car scene with all 5 lead actors.
With the rain out on Day 1, I had to reschedule the scenes with the child actors. So what day would that be? Day 3.
So while planning it, I find out that Brendan Brooks won’t be able to make that day, nor would Todd Boyd or Scott Slotterbeck, my audio masters, no Mark Hoffman and Lisa West would be coming in around lunch time.
So I figured I’d send Jim Heck and Jeffrey C. Vanacore in the car with Charlie Merlo and Gretta Askew Sosine and I would stay with the child actors and knock out the two scenes with no problems.
Sometimes things don’t work out like you planned — sometimes.
The rain was gone, the day was nice, and I was feeling industrious — or crazy — maybe a little of both.
The stage was set, the players were in their spot, and the clock was ticking I knew what I did wrong but still thought I could pull it off, and with a little push from Frank and my self the day ended with a roar from the crowd as we were mesmerized by the performances of everyone there.
We wrapped Karissa Lee Carleton as Kimmie, Olivia Martinez Prado as Kyriè, Haley Klemp as Oceana, Kayla Rosa as Meadow, Kayla Jagger as Sunshine, Kameron Woods as Forest, Adrien Bourassa as Sean, and Freddie Olmos as Aria.
Michael Klemp said it so well and there is no reason for me to reinvent the wheel, so I am reposting his comment.
This set of pictures means so much actually! It shows the true dedication of the cast and crew working together to make “Chardonnay” the block-buster hit that it is meant to be.
I worked with the young actors in the morning (probably getting in the way:), and then I had the honor of doing my scenes in the afternoon along with Karly Avva, Charlie Merlo, Gretta Sosine, and Gary Conover…
There was no “acting” going on by any of the actors I worked with… Was I disappointed? No, not at all…
None of the actor’s I mentioned needed to “ACT” at all. They were, and they became, the characters in the film! Why “Act” when it was so “real” already?
Karly Avva, in her role as Chardonnay, consistently delivered one stunning performance after another, take after take. Her “looks” of fear, happiness, and curiosity, will surely win your heart over when you see this film!
Gretta Sosine amazed me by the look of sheer fear and apprehension as Charlie Merlo’s character grabs her daughter “Chardonnay” from her arms. Gretta is an unbelievable actress in that she made it all seem so “Real” during the scenes that I worked with her in…
Charlie Merlo was mesmerizing as he “owned” the role of “Jessie…” He is truly an outstanding actor and a powerful one at that. When he and Gary Conover squared off together as Gary’s character “Richard,” armed with a shotgun, demands Charlie’s departure from the Vineyard, true chills ran down my spine as I was standing off to the side between them thinking to myself “This has got to be a movie … right?” Kudos to the two of them!
Gary Conover’s soft spoken exterior pales when he assumes the role of “Richard…” Strong, fearless, opinionated, and tough are only four of the many traits he brings to life to his character who plays my father in the movie. Working with him is a real example of how a professional actor works their scenes!
All I can say (and I’ve said way too much already:) is that I have never been on a film or TV set where EVERY SINGLE ACTOR nails their roles so perfectly.
Gretta Sosine said it best to me as we were talking together in between her car scenes with Charlie Merlo… She said: “I really think that this movie was perfectly cast”.- Michael Klemp
He did not describe himself, but he was not without merit or distinction in his “non acting” achievement, it was nothing short of brilliance by all of them.
Charlie Merlo may or may not be wrapped, we are in discussion, or actually I am in a decision mode to bring him back to do some pick ups in the car with Gretta. scheduling nightmares.
BUT: I am so proud and honored to be blessed with so many people that care about me, the story, their fellow actors, filmmakers, and themselves. I have no idea what I have done in he past to deserve this, but I know I will be waking soon as things like this only happen in a dream.
I have looked through the clips and they are breathtaking.
Thank you all. this is a project that we can all be proud to be a part.
Congrats on being nearly half way done — with principal photography that is.
Well another year and another project — or two — for Access Sacramento’s “A Place Called Sacramento” screenplay contest.
Yes, I entered three into the contest:
- Petite Chardonnay
- a short sketch of the longer story of Chardonnay which is a relationship and family movie
- THE GOLdEN TREEs
- a continuation of THE GOLdEN TREE that follows the family further into their discovery of the historic ancestors of the Sacramento Gold Rush.
- the WATERING hole
- a eerie, creepy, demonic tale of David and his visit to a mysterious and strange bar.
- I co-wrote with Rob Tillitz
- a eerie, creepy, demonic tale of David and his visit to a mysterious and strange bar.
the WATERING hole was one of the ten winning scripts out of over one hundred, and I have no understanding of why and how, but that is just how it went. Someone tried to tell me they wanted diversity in writers and stories, but when reading about the other nine stories, there are three with water and three about the Sacramento Kings — there is no diversity there. These people are idiots that are the judges that choose the scripts, and I know they don’t like me, and if I wasn’t connected to Rob as a writer, I would not be in. And if it wasn’t such a great place to meet new people in the film world, I would be doing it.
the WATERING hole will be produced by Rob Tillitz and he may also co-direct a few scenes. We have Brendan Brooks back on Camera; Jim Heck on Audio; Susan Slaven helping out with the script, and a few more new faces on the crew to help out.
The CAST is an eclectic, unusual, sort you would not think I would spend my time with, but Rob and Deborah Adair took the time to sit at the table on Wednesday, May 18, 2010 to gather head shots and bio’s from potential cast and crew, much to my chagrin as I already had people in mind, but Rob, being the producer, said he was my boss and he would even give up his lead role as David to see if anyone looked better than he did. And he told me. “No role is cast; let us get all we can and decide with auditions to get the best people for the roles.”
We are looking for unusual characteristics, such as eyes, nose, face, lips, and overall look, as well as, the actors voice. Auditions are Sunday, May 22, 2011 at the IT Factor Studios, thanks to Ryan McKinney for letting us use the facilities for auditions.
Principal photography will be commencing as soon as cast and crew are in concrete. Check back or add our rss feed below to stay abreast with this new adventure.
BUDDIES
I have also been ask, along with Brendan, if we would be the DP and Editor for BUDDIES, a fantastic story about hope by Judith Plank, who was also the writer and director of Butterscotch, another one of my favorites of the 2010 PCS contest.
I am truly honored, privileged, and excited about shaping this story into a winner.
More to come on both of these wonderful and interesting movies, as well as, financing for Chardonnay and other Aria Picture Projects.
Find us on 
and LIKE us, then go to “the WATERING hole” and LIKE it, as well as, our other projects. There is a contest running now for “the WATERING hole“
