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BettyO · 08-02-2012, 03:44 PM

(08-02-2012 11:18 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: Betty:Have you seen Bill O'Reilly?

Bill -- wouldn't KNOW him if he was there! But no, I don't think he's been on the set. I'm sure Erik, Mark or Adrian would have told me or one of the other crew or actors.... I don't watch his show --sorry!

Laurie Verge · 08-02-2012, 04:42 PM

It is my understanding from Erik that O'Reilly sold his rights to some company, which in turn sold the rights to Nat Geo with the proviso that they could rewrite O'Reilly's history if they wanted to. I doubt that Mr. O'Reilly even cares what the final production looks like - he's made his money off of it and moved on.

This time last year, I was seriously debating asking Mr. O'Reilly to speak at the March 2012 conference. We decided that his fame would be a distraction at the conference and might draw people who would come to argue with him or praise him for his modern political views.

I am very happy to announce, however, that Erik Jendresen will be doing a presentation on this film at the March 2013 conference banquet. At past events, we have had James Solomon, screenwriter for The Conspirator, speak on bringing history to film and also Tom Jennings, producer of the TV documentary, The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth, doing something similar. They were both great hits. I know that Erik will be one also.

Tom Bogar · 08-02-2012, 07:27 PM

What a great coup, Laurie! Thanks for arranging that. Something to really look forward to. If anyone's reading this who has not yet attended a Surratt Conference, you really ought to plan to attend. I think all of us who have attended in the past would agree: it's an environment of intellectual stimulation on a subject dear to our hearts unlike anything you can find elsewhere.

Karen S. Campbell · 08-03-2012, 07:08 PM

I did not read Bill O'Reilly book because I read many reviews about all the errors in it; some rather silly ones. It sounds like the production is a whole lot better than the book, thank goodness.

jonathan · 08-03-2012, 08:14 PM

I agree, I'm starting to get really excited to see this. Does anyone know if there is any kind of time frame set that we can expect it to air?

L Verge · 08-03-2012, 08:23 PM

I'm being told February of 2013.

BettyO · (This post was last modified: 08-04-2012 06:38 AM by BettyO.)

Final Wrap --

Yes, I'm TERRIBLY excited to see this film as well - especially now that I've been a "part of it" in a round about way!

Last night was wonderful! And -- I found out that this Booth can REALLY RIDE and handle a horse like a pro! Turns out he's been riding since he was a small kid -- so this is also a really big "plus" in his favor! Jessie is the BEST JWB I've ever seen in any film -- miles above all the rest....

Last night we filmed the scene where JWB gives McCullough the letter to post as well as the scene where Tanner is called to take down statements.

I was curious and asked about "Story boards" -- these folk work much like Spielberg - no storyboards; it's all purely creative minds, artistry and accuracy in putting together a story -- and this one is not only accurate; it's BEAUTIFUL! I was also shown something last night that I'm going to keep secret -- but let me say that it literally blew me away with it's apparent accuracy!! Almost foolproof -- it would have floored Ray Neff! HA! You will have to wait to see the film to get a look at this -- it's utterly mind blowing!!!

Geek that I am, I was also curious about what sort of media that was being transferred from their big cameras; i.e. what they filmed on! Certainly no big celluloid reel to reel.... I thought it may be DVD -- but no, it's all digital media -- like huge "memory" cards about the size of a small paperback book (much bigger than a desktop PC hard drive) -- and the price? $700.00 a pop! And there are LOTS and LOTS of them!! So this is also a huge part of production costs....not to mention the cast, crew, extras, sets, etc. No wonder film making is so expensive nowadays!

I must say that I'm sorry to see everyone go....but I certainly was very lucky and privileged and honored to get to work on this fantastic movie! These were the BEST movie people I've ever worked with -- everyone was so very congenial, helpful and watching the MAGIC in action was WONDERFUL -- definitely felt like I was in a "You are There" capacity!

Great work, Erik, Adrian, Mark, Mary and all the rest of ya'll! Love 'ya!

RJNorton · 08-04-2012, 07:56 AM

Betty, thank you so much! Now I really cannot wait to see it!!!

Rob Wick · 08-04-2012, 08:25 AM

I agree Roger. Thanks Betty for the updates!

Best
Rob

L Verge · 08-04-2012, 12:57 PM

Over the years, Surratt House has dealt with a variety of film crews from local news stations to Unsolved Mysteries, History Channel, A&E, Hunt for John Wilkes Booth, etc. It has been amazing to see the transformation in movie equipment over the years -- from lots of lighting, heavy tripods and cameras, wires running all over the place, etc. to practically nothing but a small camera perched on a shoulder.

We have also had wonderful experiences with the crews who have been at Surratt House. They have been very respectful of their surroundings, make sure that things are moved under our instructions and replaced exactly as they found them, and fun to be around, to joke with, etc. I have heard horror stories from other museums about film crews, but have never experienced it.

08-05-2012, 08:39 PM

(08-02-2012 11:18 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: Betty:Have you seen Bill O'Reilly?

Bill's 'working' on his latest tome, 'Killing Kennedy'

LincolnMan · 08-05-2012, 08:51 PM

Yes, we heard. Welcome to the Forum!

L Verge · 08-06-2012, 05:48 PM

Mr. O'Reilly must have heard that the Kennedy assassination is the subject of James Swanson's next book, which has been in the works for over a year now. Coupled with that and the 50th anniversary of the event, he's got a good market potential.

calebj123 · 07-03-2013, 12:15 PM

(07-31-2012 02:57 PM)Rsmyth Wrote: Please, ask Mr. Rathbone if he is wearing his uniform to the theater or will be dressed in civilian clothes. That will put that mystery to rest!

Hey, I just wanted to chime in on this topic a little bit. From what I've determined, Rathbone was wearing civilian clothes at the time. I know that Ferguson stated he was in civilian clothes and there was also mention that Dr. Leale was also in civilian clothes. This seemed to the norm for soldiers that went out in Washington at night, so they could avoid the Provost Marshals. The Marshals were tasked with regulating the Union soldiers in DC and many times to avoid harassment they wore civilian clothes. The gloves that they have of Rathbones from that night also don't seem to be military issue and just normal formal men's gloves.