Why Haven't You Posted Lately? (and Other Tales of Branson, Missouri)

While I've rarely been a several-posts-a-day blogger (today is one of those exceptions that proves the rule), those of you who check in from time to time may have noticed a bit of a drop-off in our usual vaguely-comprehensive coverage of the world of nonfiction.  You may also have observed an occasional cryptic reference to reasons for our absence (or for why we're posting video of us tubing on Missouri's Table Rock Lake).

Balancing our own filmmaking efforts with our cockeyed coverage of the world of nonfiction is often a high-wire act, not least when being in production prevents us from being the regular chronicler of nonfiction that we have, in the implicit agreement between blogger and reader, vowed to be. 

So, the time has come to lift the veil on what's happening on the other side of our world.

For the past two months, I've been spending the majority of my time not in Los Angeles, but in Branson, Missouri, at work on a new nonfiction feature about the community that Bart Simpson once referred to as "Vegas if Ned Flanders ran it" and once famously dubbed "the live entertainment capitol of the world".

For the first time in my filmmaking career, I am co-directing with my good friend David Wilson, whom most of you know as the co-conspirator behind the popular and influential True/False Film Festival, but who I have known for years as an accomplished artist in his own right.  David and I have been talking for a whileabout working on a project together and he had long wanted to make a film about Branson, specifically about those who make their home in Branson - a town of 7,000 that draws more than 8 million visitors a year with its mix of music shows, outdoor recreation and self-described family friendly values (read:  patriotism and religious values worn proudly on sleeve).  We hope that our film - one that looks to the future of what Branson may soon become - is one that will challenge pre-conceived notions and we're incredibly grateful to everyone in the community that has opened their door to us, particularly our main subjects who are constantly putting up with our cameras and our questions and what may sometimes appear to be stalker-like behavior.

Although David and I fully intend to hog most, if not all, of the attention for ourselves, I am compelled to make note of the third leg of our unholy Trinity.  Nathan Truesdell, the extraordinary filmmaker behind this year's True/False trailers (arguably the best festival trailers one has seen in many years) - which were spotlighted nicely here by Ray Pride - is backing David and I up in regularly miraculous ways.   This is truly a 3-man (or more accurately 3-brother) band.  Expect to see and hear more of Nathan - particularly here on the blog - in the weeks and months to come.

And little of it would be possible without our Executive Producer Matthew Mills and all at Paxton Films/TV By Mills for their support, financial and otherwise.  And while I'm throwing out kudos, allow me to appreciate the wife and child for putting up with my extended absence and excited tales of theme parks, tubing adventures and Sunday brunches.

Our Branson project is a purposefully long term effort, one that will film through the next 12 months and will not likely raise its head until 2010.  This is what is called fair warning: there will likely be lapses in coverage in the months to come.  In return for your advance understanding, I will do my best to keep the self-promotion to a minimum.

Now, please enjoy a picture of a pancake.  It's not known whether it is the world's largest, but let's just say it is and call it a day.

Comments

[Sujewa]

So that's where AJ's been hanging out; I was wondering where you were while all these big changes are happening in the doc world (and by all these big changes I mean the SnagFilms activities). Welcome back, good luck to you & David & everyone else involved in the new movie.

- Sujewa

[Dan]

Is that one of the mythical pancakes served at the clubhouse of your now legendary (because I spent the night there) condominium?

[Alison]

At the very least, that must be the 20th century's second best-selling pancake.

[Aaron]

It would be doubly sweet if you could find a way to include Lambert's Cafe.

[AJ Schnack]

Yes indeed Alison, it is also the largest privately owned pancake in the US. And I think that instead of featuring Lambert's Cafe, we will just throw rolls in the theater.

[Branson Missouri]

Hope you guys are going to the debates in Branson tonight!

[Lulu]

Missouri represent! (Gosh that sounds sadder than I ever thought...)Looking forward to seeing this finished product.

[Bruce Marler]

Tubing on Table Rock Lake is a blast, went last year and was in pain for days from the abuse the water gave:) Cool vids.