Boys of Summer Book - Entry #114

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

October 2, 2004 - Bob
Las Vegas, NV

The Stephen King Dollar Baby film festival was fantastic. Though we didn’t have as big a crowd as I had hoped, it was a technically solid screening and meeting the other Dollar Baby Filmmakers was a lot of fun. We all shared stories and films. No Stephen King, unfortunately. I couldn’t track him down before or after the fest either. It’s like he’s busy or something...

I have had the great fortune of recruiting a friend and fellow editor, Mike Hendry to cut a version of the film. This will allow me some space from the project (which is very healthy for me) and a fresh set of eyes to cut at it -- that’s healthy for the film. I’m going to cut down the 50 hours to what I consider to be the rough essential footage for his cut. I’m curious, myself, to see how much that will actually be.

Anaheim 5, Oakland 4
WP: B, Donnelly (5-2)   LP: R. Rincon (1-1)

It is now, officially, over -- The A’s have been eliminated and can only look in that mirror and wonder “what if?”. Sigh.

“Next year” is the mantra of all but one team in every sport every year.

November 10, 2004 - Bob
Las Vegas, NV

I handed over seven hours of footage to Mike to play with. I read somewhere that James Cameron’s first cut of “Titanic” was seven hours. I also heard he edited with a razor taped to one of his monitors with a note that read, “Use in case film sucks”. If I had a huge sinking ship in this film I wouldn’t have to worry so much about that damned razor.
 

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #112

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

September 23, 2004 - Bob

Las Vegas, NV

I realized something tonight: I'm not Superman. Much as I might like to think of myself as capable of doing just about anything, I am bound to the same restrictions of time, need for sleep and other basic rules of humanity as everyone else.

What I'm saying is, the rough cut will not be going out to Sundance tomorrow. I could send what I have...but I'm not going to threaten the integrity of the project -- it's not fair to everyone (myself included) who has worked so hard to get it to the place it is.

As I was beginning to cut (truthfully, I thought it was going to be more of a polish -- ha ha) the movie tonight, I suddenly realized that it was nowhere close to the movie I see in my head. This is a common flaw of mine -- I see something very clearly in my head and can't get it to look like that in the physical plane for others to see. The ability to do just that, according to David Koepp, is what makes a great director. 

I have done it before -- the gunslinger video looks a lot like what I imagined as do many parts of Luckey Quarter. "the long road home" looks less like what I imagined but more like what I allowed it to be. I like the way that sounds. The main difference with a flick like "the long road home" was I gave it a loooooong gestation period in editing. We re-shot the ending, we screened it several times. It's still not perfect, but it is done.

“Boys of Summer” is sooooo just beginning it's not even funny. 

And right now, with the fatigue I feel and staring at the clock the way I am (...time takes on such a strange demeanor when I'm overtired), I feel like it's time to just let it go. I'm going to New York in the morning for the two excellent interviews for Boys of Summer and the Stephen King film festival. 

It will be nice to get on that plane and let this part of things go. 

I tried my damnedest and it just wasn't good enough this time.

Everything for a reason. 

Texas 5, Oakland 4

WP: J. Nelson (1-2)   LP: O. Dotel (4-2)

The unthinkable just happened to the A’s: Dropping three to a division rival at this stage of the season?

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #111

You can see the complete film "Boys of Summer" for free by clicking here. 

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

September 17, 2004 - Bob
Las Vegas, NV

Whew...

And with a day and a clear mind, what a difference. I'm actually hopeful that I'll make this crazy deadline yet. I've been slamming together tape as fast as I can. I'm going to make the halfway point tonight, then we’ll fly up to the Bay Area for Poppa's 90th birthday party. Part of me says it's crazy to be going (as I have SOOOOO much to do), but at the same time, it will allow me some sanity downtime -- always a good thing.

I have an interview with Howard Frank Mosher (author of “Waiting for Teddy Williams”, among other novels) set up for when we go to the Northeast next week along with Debi Brooks, CEO of the Michael J Fox foundation -- excellent stuff. I'm still hoping to get a couple minutes of Stephen King's time, should he make his way over to the festival. Fingers are crossed -- along with my eyes from staring at the screen too long. 

Seattle 6, Oakland 3
 WP: R. Villone (6-5)   LP: C. Bradford (5-6)

September 20, 2004 - Bob
Las Vegas, NV

Editing, editing...

I'm past the half-way point and currently consolidating files (giving me a moment to say hello to all of you -- "hello!"). I am nervous about the amount of work in front of me -- it's still a lot and sleep just may not be much in the cards for the next couple of days since a cut of some variety is due on Friday and I'm leaving for NY on Thursday. But...that is what it is. I want this shot and I feel it's important for the film to give it this shot, so I'm putting it out there.

I love watching this story unfold. I love the time I got to spend with my dad. I feel so honored and blessed. I love the reaction I get from people when I tell them about the journey -- I know we did something very special and I look forward to sharing it.

No game for Oakland today.

 

Boys of Summer - Entry #50

Park Number Four (of 30) at Tropicana Field

Toronto 14, Tampa Bay 0 -- PEEEEEEEE EWWWWWW!

WP: M. Batista (7-5)   LP: M. Hendrickson (5-6)

Oakland WINS 7-3 over Anaheim!

LATER...

Dad and I did get up to go pee at about 3 AM. No ‘gators. Not much sleep afterward either, though.

July 2, 2006 - Bob

Oscar Scherer Campground, FL

I’ve said it before - countless times, though I don’t know how much (if at all) I’ve put it in writing. So in Ruthian, calling-my-shot terms, I’m doing so right now: Stephen King and I are connected, I believe. 

I’ve come a long way as an artist and in many ways I’ve been brought along or at least guided by his works. These Dark Tower works (I just completed the sixth, “Song of Susannah”) touch my soul deeply and meaningfully. So what will I do now? Have I, with having made my little video and having met him, served my term? Have I done my complete tour with Ka? My mind (pray not it be my ego alone) says not. 

Methinks there is more work to do. Me feels there is more life and love to share. Earn his trust and respect, treat his words with caution and respect -- for his life is held within them I know that -- I’ve felt that and...I am here.

I am working on a spec script for “The Long Walk”, a story he wrote back in the 70’s under the pen name, Richard Bachman. When I met him in June, he gave me the go-ahead to write a spec version for him. I look forward to getting it to him...and I dread it at the same time. What if he hates it? Oh well...you do your best, kid. 

I am hopeful, too, as we talked a fair bit of baseball at that time. I told him about this journey and he was intrigued. He gave me his contact number in Boston as he is making a particular effort to be at as many games as possible for an upcoming book project he is working on. My hope is the wheel of Ka turns our way and we can meet him for dinner when we’re there next week. 

July 2, 2004 - Dad

Miami, FL

We went to sleep last night to the sights and sounds of very loud thunder and flashes of lightening, followed by very heavy rain.

We are up this morning and on the road early on our way south to Miami where we have a tailgate scheduled.  The National Parkinson Foundation was kind enough to arrange for two rooms for us at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Miami.  This is very nice, especially after our adventure last night.  

At the hotel, we relax until about 4 p.m. when it is time to go to Pro Players Stadium (where the Marlins play). We arrive after stopping at Costco to pick up a cash card donation -- they’ve been great everywhere we’ve been. We have a head count of 29 at our tailgate party -- more than half of them were from NPF.  Pro Player is our first dual purpose facility.  It is also home to the NFL Miami Dolphins. 

Despite being the defending world champs, the Marlins don’t draw very well. Tonight the Marlins lost to Tampa Bay.  Bob and I are interviewed on live Fox Sports TV. We hear later that my nephew, Patrick Cochrane, who is watching TV in Seattle, happens to see the interview.  

July 2, 2004 (LATE PM) - Bob

Miami, FL

It was a great game. Miami is a wonderful place -- SOOOPER hot (and muggy like root beer). Pro Player is not a great baseball stadium -- that’s no secret. But it is a great place to watch a game. The small crowd was very passionate (one year after a championship, one would hope so) and there was a fun, family atmosphere. 

Everywhere one looks in Pro Player, there is football. Even looking at the field, I much more expect to see Dan Marino pitching than Carl Pavano. The Marlins mascot (a Marlin, fittingly enough) seems to have a great time buzzing around the warning track on a yacht on wheels with the cheerleaders (oh yes, they have cheerleaders) tossing t-shirts into the crowd. Good work if you can get it. 

We had a pre game party that was small but fun. Whole Foods was excellent -- chips, water, soda, buns, dogs and condiments -- many, many thanks to them for their donations. My only sadness there was that they (the Whole Foods group) didn’t show up to the game -- it would have been nice to meet them and thank them in person. 

We have a long drive tomorrow and I’m tired already. 

Park Number Five (of 30) at Pro Player Stadium

Tampa Bay 4, Florida 2

 WP: J. Colome (2-1)   LP: C. Pavano (9-3)

Oakland loses 7-3 to the Giants

WP: K Rueter     LP: M Redman 

Tailgate in Miami

July 3, 2004, 11:46 am »

We really enjoyed meeting all of you, yesterday. We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Nicholas' 2nd birthday. Hannah hopes that Dan enjoys his special rock . We will keep checking in to see how the rest of your trip is going. Take care and be safe.

Heather Tavio and family

P.S. We DID love the music too.