Claiborne Pell bio

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More Press; Newport in New York

Producer/writer G. Wayne Miller wrote a piece about narrative storytelling on the page and on the screen for DocumentaryTech, a web site devoted to "exploring the techniques and technology of documentary filmmaking," Sept. 25, 2009. BEHIND THE HEDGEROW was prominently included, along with a photograph of an on-location shoot of prominent Newporter Nick Brown.

The Providence Phoenix published a story about A VERY DIFFERENT SENATOR, Miller's forthcoming biography of Claiborne Pell, in its issue of Sept. 24, 2009, and HEDGEROW was included.

The biography brought Miller over the past weekend to Fort Ticonderoga in New York, which has been in Pell family hands since 1820 -- a place dear to Claiborne's heart. Pictured here is Robert Pell-deChame, family genealogist, with one of the fort's canons -- donated, Robert told me, by John Slocum, Eileen's husband. Small world...

A VERY DIFFERENT SENATOR

Pell was a railroad buff -- and a visionary of high-speed passenger-rail service in the United States, which after the Second World War developed an interstate highway system but allowed passenger rail to suffer. In this clip from the projo, spring of 1962, Pell gets a favorable reaction to his plan for high-speed rail, run by a public entity, to serve the Northeast corridor. Yes, this is the root of today's Acela Amtrak service. Note the map!
For more on the Pell Biography, visit A VERY DIFFERENT SENATOR.

Claiborne Pell Biography

With 36 years in the U.S. Senate and a long list of legislative accomplishments that included the Pell Grant program, the late Claiborne Pell had few equals. But he was much more than that -- a quirky and colorful man born into great wealth who spent most of his life in service to the people, a true example of noblesse oblige. A VERY DIFFERENT SENATOR (working title), by G. Wayne Miller with the cooperation of the Pell family, is the first and only book about his life. Due in 2010.

For details, visit the book site.

NEWPORT MOVIE AFTERNOON

Thursday, Aug. 13, 4 p.m., please join as at the Redwood Library, 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, R.I., for a showing of ON THE LAKE and the teaser-trailer to BEHIND THE HEDGEROW. Discussion with the filmmakers and members of Newport society and wine and cheese included. Details at the Redwood Library site.

NO SHATNER, BUT SHOW GOES ON

As has been reported widely this week, William Shatner at the last minute -- literally, the last minute -- canceled plans to come to Rhode Island for an appearance during an evening that includes a showing of ON THE LAKE and the teaser-trailer to BEHIND THE HEDGEROW. We were as disappointed as the folks at The Rhode Island International Film Festival, which handled the discussions with Shatner's people.
BUT the show will go on -- both OTL and the BTH trailer will be shown tonight starting with a discussion with Dave and me at 6:45 p.m. at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. Hope to see you there!
-- Wayne

ANOTHER GRANT for HEDGEROW!

We learned this week that the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts has awarded us a production grant for BEHIND THE HEDGEROW. Few documentaries get support from RISCA, so this is a vote of confidence in the artistic merit of the movie. Thanks, RISCA!
Our first grant was awarded in April by the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities.

-- Wayne