September 25, 2007
The Ghost Army on NPR
NPR ran a story on The Ghost Army (the unit, not the film) last night on All Things Considered. Here's a link.
The eight-minute piece, produced by Deb George, provided a very good introductory overview of the tale. It is such a rich story that it is difficult to bring it all to life in that length of time, with no supporting visuals. I must confess I was relieved at everything that was left out—all the more left for our film!!
Three of the four people interviewed in the piece have a connection to the film: Author Jon Gawne and Army leadership Professor Roy Eicchhorn are both advisers on the film, and veteran Jack Masey is one of the veterans we interviewed.(I suggested him to the producer) The other person interviewed was famed abstract expressionist Ellsworth Kelly, also a veteran of the unit, who thus far has resisted being interviewed for this film.
I gave some (fairly minor) assistance to Deb as she was preparing the piece, and NPR was nice enough to link to the Ghost Army website (and our trailer on Youtube) on their web page. As you can imagine, that sent hundreds of people our way, which can’t be a bad thing. I've already received several emails from families of Ghost Army veterans that I had not previously been in touch with, and expect I will receive more.
Posted by rickbeyer at 05:35 PM | Comments (1)
September 09, 2007
One week Left in Charity Badge Campaign
Just a few days left to help us earn a $10,000 matching grant for The Ghost Army documentary from sixdegrees.org
Here's a link to our fundraising 'badge'.
The six badges that have the most unique number of donations between July 19th and September 16th at 11:59pm ET will get a matching grant of up to $10,000 for their charity.
Since it is the number of unique donations that matters, a donation for a minimum of $10 will help us to succeed.
So far more than 80 people have donated over $4000. With only a few days left to make a difference, we hope you'll take time to donate.
Thanks!
Posted by rickbeyer at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)
September 06, 2007
NPR Story
I just got a call from an NPR producer named Deb George who is working on a story on The Ghost Army, which will run in a few weeks. (It is part of a series they are doing that is loosely tied in with the upcoming Ken Burns documentary on World War II
I am helping out in every way I can, and asking them to link to us from their website...which hopefully will generate some traffic and maybe some donations. I'll post more on this when I know it.
Posted by rickbeyer at 01:35 PM | Comments (2)
August 01, 2007
Ghost Army on Youtube
I have posted a version of the Ghost Army Trailer on Youtube. I added some explanatory type at the beginning and the end. This is the version people see when they click on the charity badge. Check it out and let me know what you think!
What's cool is that other people can easily link to it...see what my friend harry Forsdick did in his blog.
Posted by rickbeyer at 12:19 PM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2007
Filmmakers Workshp
I'm a member of the Filmakers Workshop, which is closely tied to the Center for Independent Documentary, the fiscal sponsor for my film The Ghost Army Click on the graphic to get more info!!
Posted by rickbeyer at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2007
Ten Thousand Dollar Matching Grant
I haven't made too many blog entries lately--but as of today I am rededicating myself to the blog, and to making at least three entries a week. Some will be about my upcoming book, some about my documentary work, and some on history in general.
Today's has to do with a limited time opportunity to earn a matching funds grant for the Ghost Army project. But to do it, we need all the help we can get.
Kevin Bacon’s Six Degrees charitable organization is offering a $10,000 matching grant to the non-profit that raises the most between now and September 16 through a charity badge (at right on the blog's main page.) The badge offers a way for people to read about the film, see a video, and donate money.
I'm trying to engage as many donors and raise as much money as possible between now and September 16th. There are two ways you can help:
1. DONATE
Click “Donate” on the badge and it will take you to a page where you make a credit card or Pay-Pal donation to The Center For Independent Documentary. ***Important: On the Designation line please type in “The Ghost Army.”
2. SPREAD THE WORD Post the badge on your blog, your web page, add a link to your email—in short, please do anything you can to help get as many people to donate as possible. Hit the Share button to get the code you need to put a copy of the badge someplace.
As I write, the competition for the matching funds has just begun, and our badge is in the top ten. Help us stay in the running and earn the funds!
For more on charity badges, check out this.
Posted by rickbeyer at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)