Boys of Summer Book - Entry #137

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

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Three more reviews:

Friday Dec 9th, 2005 

From www.athleticsnation.com:

Written by skigurl

Just wanted to give a huge thanks to Robert for giving a few of us the chance to see his very personal film about his baseball trip with his dad last summer. He graciously hosted a great party where we also got to meet his dad, the "star" of the movie, who has Parkinson's disease. 

The film was really three stories: A baseball trip, a father/son relationship, and a chance to see what Parkinson's is about and how it affects those who have it and their families. He's got lots of talent as a filmmaker but, more importantly, he has a wonderful family and was very open about sharing them with us.

It's rare for people to be as open about who they are in front of a camera, and I think it's a great story that will hopefully get wider distribution.

Friday Dec 09, 2005

From www.atheleticsnation.com

Written by Alameda Greg

Me too

I also went with my wife last night (nice to meet you skigurl) and this movie is touching and funny. 

Robert, two things:

I forgot to ask in the Q/A last night what the deal was with those kids with the mansion in Houston? Your dad's line about their parents was the funniest of the night, that and that Cincy kid mispronouncing Miguel Tejada.

I also didn't realize until I got home last night that you are also the person who went to the Raiders game and had such a bad experience. I happened to run across that post last night. Dang, I wish I would have known so we could have talked about it.

Keep in Touch

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LETTER FROM THE BOSTON RED SOX

December 14, 2005

Dear Robert,

I would like to thank you for sending me a copy of Boys of Summer. I watched the film, in the company of others in my office, and we all commented on how well the documentary was made. Following you and your father, Dan, as you made your trip across the country, through various cities and Major League ballparks, was a truly touching depiction of the bond between a father and a son.

We were very pleased, as well, to see that the game of baseball could play a small part in the trips you took, and the stories you were able to bring to the film. We particularly enjoyed the fact that you were able to make a stop here, at our beloved Fenway Park.

For those of us who know or love someone with Parkinson’s disease, your film touches upon many of the feelings we go through every day. And for someone who is unfamiliar with the disease, your film does a wonderful job of expressing how such a disease effects not only the person with the disease, but also all of those who care for them and the disease secondhand.

I would like to wish you all the best in this endeavor and all that may follow. Your work on behalf of all of those inflicted with Parkinson’s disease is inspirational, and heartfelt. Thank you again for sharing it with us. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Carles A. Steinberg 

Executive Vice President/Public Affairs

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #132

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

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

June 20, 2005 - Bob

Los Angeles, CA

My focus has shifted as I’m embarking on another journey in just a few days. Back in the winter of 2004, I met a wellness expert named Gary Earl through Annamaria’s work at the corporate side of Caesars Palace. He heard about “Boys of Summer” from Annamaria and was touched as he has a son (Tommy), they both love baseball and Gary’s mom has Parkinson’s Disease. Although Gary and Tommy’s interview didn’t make the final cut of the movie (no offense, guys!), we got to talking. Gary mentioned his need to reach out and talk to more people across America about the health crisis we are facing. The way he’d do it? By hopping on a bicycle and riding coast to coast. 

His message and passion for it fascinated me. I told him I thought it would make a great documentary. Without much more discussion, he said, “Great!” 

Now, about nine months later, I’m preparing to leave at the end of this month with him on a 35 day, 3000+ mile bike ride across the country. I’ve never been a cyclist (save for the past four months, when I’ve been riding six days a week) though I did love my dirt bike as a kid. The adventure and the meaning behind it are too good to pass up. Saying yes was also made easier by being bitten by the “road bug” last summer -- it is infectious.

This will also give me a brief reprieve from “Boys of Summer” so I can come back to the film and the marketing of it with the notes from two screenings and a fresh set of eyes. 

In the final book form, the following will all be actual  photocopies of the letters. They are typed in here for reference.

Florentine Films (Ken Burns)

Aug. 15, 2005

Boys of Summer

The joy of Boys of Summer comes from its brilliant honesty. Working in the documentary world and being surrounded by its fierceness, rebelliousness, and alternative structure, I have come across many different types of documentaries, all with their own style. However, I have rarely come across a film that is so full of life, so comforting, and so truthful, yet, wonderfully simple. Robert Cochrane does not cloud his film with special effects, drawn out story lines, or unnecessary footage, but lets the story unfold gradually as the viewer travels from city to city, along for the ride. The nature of a documentary and Robert Cochrane does just that. He takes the viewer on a personal journey into his relationship with his father and shows how the two of them cope with his father's illness: with laughter, adventure, and love. Yet, most importantly, they cope with it together.

One of the greatest treasures of this film is how well we get to know the Cochranes. Robert does an excellent job of showing his father's humor and spirit. Even though his father is quiet and thoughtful through most of the journey, Robert is careful never to overshadow him. He is courageous in hi film making as he lets the camera capture his father's silences and subtle facial expressions. Robert himself is energetic and driven in his mission to raise money and spread the word about Parkinson's Disease. He is also very open about his trouble, his fears, and his mistakes along the way, but he perseveres through it all. The viewer is along for the ride, through all the parks, the games, the sleep-deprived nights, the hours of driving, and the aching homesickness, just as if every viewer is an old friend of the Cochrane family.

I challenge any person to watch this film and not desperately want to call Robert to personally ask how his father is doing. This film is truly inspiring and the drive behind it comes from pure love. I have asked many people to watch this film and all of them have been moved, sometimes to tears, sometimes to laughter, but always to try and make a difference themselves. I believe that this film is a real treasure. The camaraderie between the Cochranes would make anyone yearn for late night baseball tosses in the backyard and road trip adventures with their own father. 

Devon Ciampa

Assistant to Ken Burns

Florentine Films

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #131

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

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

June 15, 2005 - Bob
Ocean Screening Room
Santa Monica, CA

I’ve screened here once before -- about five years ago with my first film, “Emotionally Retarded” (a.k.a.: “Trippin’ in the Dark”, “The Best Man” and “All or Nothing”. Why all the name changes? Another story for another day.). It’s a very cozy small room and I remember being very impressed with the image quality and sound. The only question down here is whether or not we’re going to have much of a crowd. It’s L.A. and everybody has screenings, it seems. Having your own film is not nearly the novel concept here it is in other cities -- go figure.

I accomplished most of what I wanted to last week, anyway. I know the film “works” on a basic level and, at the same time, I know there are a few things to work out. This crowd, though, should be less biased (not my home town or home high school) and more comfortable (theater seats, great screen and sound). Yin yang, let it bang.

One of my very good friends (who, along with his father, is also in the film), Jason Teresi shows up with his lovely wife, Leigh, and his baby boy (decked out in Cubs gear), Jake.

Another person who shows is my screenwriting mentor from my days at UCLA, Robin Russin. It always makes me feel good to have him show up because I know he’ll pull no punches.

So, with about 25 people in, we roll the tape. There are laughs at the right moments and some good moments of true silence where you can actually hear the subtle nod of acknowledgment. Knowing I’ve made a connection with the audience is truly gratifying. It’s getting more laughs than I even thought it would. That’s largely because of my dad. I’ve always told people he’s one of the funniest people I know, but you have to listen. His comments are very dry and (now more than ever because of his Parkinson’s) very quiet.

We have a good Q&A session and everyone is kind enough to fill out comment cards, too. Predictably, Jason’s main complaint is there wasn’t enough about the Cubs in the movie.

Tuesday June 21st, 2005
From www.athleticsnation.com:
Written By baseballgirl

Last week, I received an invitation (and a very nice ticket - Thanks Robert!) to the Los Angeles screening of the "Boys of Summer" movie, presented by www.baseballdoc.com. I read the description, which said that the movie was about baseball, and I figured, "What a coincidence; I like baseball!" so I went ahead and made the trip.

For those of you who haven't heard of the movie, it chronicles a road trip between father and son to the 30 MLB parks and other baseball interest points around the country. Robert got the idea for the film from Field of Dreams, which captures the feeling of missing out on key moments with a father, knowing all the while that baseball is one of few constants in life that generations can share and pass on. Robert's father was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and it is starting to affect his health. Knowing that time may be limited, they chose to take the ultimate road-trip, and through this baseball odyssey, learned more than they ever bargained for.

I had no expectations going into the screening, but I thought it would be fun to see the different parks; a bit of traveling nostalgia for the ones I have visited, and hope for the future for the parks I have not yet seen. What I had not counted on was that baseball, once again, wove itself into real life, so effortlessly, that I wonder how it can ever be considered just a sport.

For sprinkled in the thirty ballparks around the country, are people who love and live the game of baseball. From the lifelong girlfriends yelling, "Put it on the board!" in Chicago, to the father/son team who claim that the only common thread they have is the game of baseball, to the brave people who live with a debilitating disease, yet still manage to make it out to the ballpark to root for the home team, the stories can be found and enjoyed. And not just in the present.

Robert and his father not only stop at Cooperstown to tip their caps to the players of old, but they also include a stop at the Negro League Hall of Fame to remind us that baseball was the first true race equalizer; before any real strides in the country were made, fans of all races would sit down to watch a baseball game. An era where Jackie Robinson made a tremendous personal sacrifice to show that all men could be a part of the same game. And of course, who can help but get choked up at the footage of the "Field of Dreams" park itself and our father and son duo playing catch outside a cornfield.

For anyone who loves and lives the game of baseball, I would highly recommend this film, and not only for the baseball content. There is just something so human about this movie; something special. A chance to be a part of something bigger. And did I mention the baseball?

Boys of Summer Book - Entry #130

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

100% proceeds go to the Michael J Fox Foundation. 

Our first review:

From www.athleticsnation.com
Written by Devo

...I saw it at its first public screening. It is quite excellent...

...After a quick trip to the gym, I was off to Concord, to watch an excellent film of a son and his dad, finally finding the time they never had and visiting all 30 ballparks in 60 days. It was an excellent and touching film. I don't want to give away too much of the film, because, as our own Princemilo mentioned, coming into a film without expectations is crucial to truly appreciating the art. I can't not mention one excellent directoral choice. Through 30 games in 28 cities in an hour and a half long film, not a single moment depicted Major League Baseball being played. There's a tremendous power in what is not shown. It was actually the key theme in the student film I made a couple of years back. In this case, it pointed to the key theme of what Princemilo was very clear to point out was a baseball movie - and that was, it was not about baseball. It was about living life and about the relationships that we can find, develop, and fully enjoy. We can sit on our asses and let life drag us into what is convenient or we can really live. Hopefully this film can encourage more of us to do so before lives start being taken away from us.

Bob’s note: Yes, that would be me playing the part and displaying the screen name of “Princemilo”.

June 12, 2005 - Dad
Walnut Creek, CA

I generally don't like being the center of attention. So I was anxious about that prospect. As I think I've stated before, I am a bit surprised seeing (on the screen) how Parkinson's has affected my movement and expressions. So this was going to be a "total emersion" into a view of my disease. Not much of a surprise to anyone who had been around me for the past year but a bit of a shock to me.

I don't think I had seen any of the video up to that point so I was very excited to see what Bob had come up with. I knew we had a good turnout for the screening. The crowd seemed to be all family or friends so I did not think we would get a very objective reaction. As it turned out, from a physical quality point of view, the film was not as clear as some of Bob’s other work. I know a large part of that had to do with the lighting or lack of darkness in the facility. I felt very proud of the job Bob did. There was so much experience and film to distill into a marketable project. I was sorry that Bob Bronson was left out.