Film Release 2007 

Film Release 2007

Film Conception

Filming Begins

Kansas City Shoot

National Awards

Film Premiere

Premiere WA

    

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 March 26, 2007

Filming Has Begun!
R. A. Long Historical Society documentary for PBS
goes on location


CLICK on the “thumbnail” pictures
to view enlarged versions.
Credit all photos on this page to Dr. Travis Cavens.

          Fulfilling a dream first proposed nearly two years ago, filming for the Society’s PBS documentary began on Saturday, March 24th.  Director Richard Luckin, writer Peter Hansen and executive producer Bonnie Hansen arrived in Longview, Washington and spent the succeeding three days on location.  The Longview Daily News noted of the event with two newspaper articles (see Area News and Sunday Program).

          After a tour of town, a production meeting was held at the home of Drs. Travis and Phyllis Cavens, who acted as hosts for the group and who are major benefactors for the film.

The film crew arrives at the R. A. Long High School
01
Mayor Dennis Weber delivers the first interview Camera assistant Sam Russell holds a reflector to help properly light Dennis
02 & 03
The film crew arrives at the R. A. Long High School 02 – Mayor Dennis Weber delivers the first interview
03 – Camera assistant Sam Russell holds a reflector to help properly light Dennis
Camera man Randy Russell and Director Richard Luckin check the shot
04
Bronze statue of young R. A. Long – donated to the High School by the R. A. Long Foundation Director Richard Luckin instructs Mayor Dennis Weber while camera man Randy Russell and Script Writer Peter Hansen look on
05 & 06
Camera man Randy Russell and Director Richard Luckin check the shot 05 – Bronze statue of young R. A. Long – donated to the High School by the R. A. Long Foundation
06 – Director Richard Luckin instructs Mayor Dennis Weber while camera man Randy Russell and Script Writer Peter Hansen look on
          Filming began early Sunday morning with an interview of Mayor Dennis Weber at the R. A. Long High School.  Next up was Ruby West, whose mother was an early Longview resident and civil rights leader.  Dr. Travis Cavens was interviewed about R. A. Long’s legacy, with Lake Sacajawea as a scenic backdrop.  Afternoon interviews included former Community Church pastor Harland Gilliland and merchant Mary Chilson.  Sunday evening Bonnie Hansen gave a talk and slide show on Loula Long Combs at the Cowlitz County Museum.  A warm and welcoming audience later asked questions about the film.
Ruby West gets instructions from Script Writer Peter Hansen in front of the park sign named for her mother
07
Ruby is interviewed on camera
08
Ruby West gets instructions from Script Writer Peter Hansen in front of the park sign named for her mother Ruby is interviewed on camera
Dr. Travis Cavens is interviewed in front of Lake Sacajawea
09
Harlan Gilliland, former Pastor of Longview Community Church, is wired for sound by Director Richard Luckin.  Peter Hansen and Bonnie Hansen look on.  Randy Russell perfects the shot
10
Dr. Travis Cavens is interviewed in front of Lake Sacajawea Harlan Gilliland, former Pastor of Longview Community Church, is wired for sound by Director Richard Luckin.  Peter Hansen and Bonnie Hansen look on.  Randy Russell perfects the shot
Filming of a scenic overlook, Longview, WA
11
The film crew enjoys the scenic overlook of Longview, WA
12
Filming of a scenic overlook, Longview, WA The film crew enjoys the scenic overlook of Longview, WA
          “My mission is to make an honest, truthful, interesting and entertaining film,” said Richard Luckin, who currently has seven documentaries on PBS, two of which have been nominated for regional Emmys.  “A film this length is never going to give you every detail of a story.  Its an overview,” he stressed.  Nationally known history writer Peter Hansen assured the group that “your stories will advance the themes in the script.”
Merchant Mary Chilson is interviewed in front of the Long Bell Reading Room
13
Cowlitz County Historical Museum is the setting for Bonnie Hansen’s talk on Loula Long Combs
14
Merchant Mary Chilson is interviewed in front of the Long Bell Reading Room Cowlitz County Historical Museum is the setting for Bonnie Hansen’s talk on Loula Long Combs
Bonnie Hansen, wearing a Victorian Riding Costume, shares the story of Loula
15
Bill Kasch, history teacher and statue promoter is interviewed Director Richard Luckin instructs Bill Kasch for his shoot by Mr. Long’s new statue
16 & 17
Bonnie Hansen, wearing a Victorian Riding Costume, shares the story of Loula 16 – Bill Kasch, history teacher and statue promoter is interviewed
17 – Director Richard Luckin instructs Bill Kasch for his shoot by Mr. Long’s new statue
          Monday, Bill Kasch, instrumental in acquiring the new statue of R. A. Long for the downtown shopping district, gave his story.  Later, Librarian Karen Dennis opened the doors of the R. A. Long Room at the Longview Public Library, providing stacks of historical photos and research materials.  We finished up with an interview of David Freece, Director of the Cowlitz County Historical Museum.
The film crew pauses at the bust of Mr. Long in the park in front of the Monticello Hotel
18
Karen Dennis, Librarian, is interviewed in the R. A. Long Room of the Longview Public Library
19
The film crew pauses at the bust of Mr. Long in the park in front of the Monticello Hotel Karen Dennis, Librarian, is interviewed in the R. A. Long Room of the Longview Public Library
Dr. Travis Cavens is positioned by the film crew for his interview in front of Lake Sacajawea
20
Dr. Travis Cavens is positioned by the film crew
for his interview in front of Lake Sacajawea
          Longview was in glorious springtime bloom with flowering trees and masses of daffodils.  It rained on arrival and departure day, but the skies opened when the camera was rolling, providing perfect conditions to do many of the interviews outdoors.  Longview, WA is a delightful city which still maintains an exceptional quality of life.  The legacy of R. A. Long is alive and thriving in this, unique community.

          Kansas City filming will take place in late May, with post-production and editing wrapping up in summer, 2007.  The film will be released to PBS stations nationwide in the fall.  We encourage and thank R. A. Long Historical Society members for continued support of this undertaking.

Bonnie Hansen – Film Committee Chairperson

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