Suland:The Forgotten Frontier

[Trudy Swaningson Mike]

This narrative history is a good start to explain our unique SDA attitude (before and after conversion). The second book is when the Frtize family meets Ellen G. White and their lives are changed forever. Suland is a true story and the facts are well documented. If anyone is interested in western films, this would fit well as the Dakota Sioux were quite interesting as were the Fritzes who were originally from Prussia. Sophie followed her husband from riches to poverty to war and a reality more horrible than she could imagine.
Thomas Tucker McVay has taken on the "Director-ship" of this Awesome venture for Hope Channel. I am working on screenwriting now. But we need more than just the two of us. Are you interested?

[Tim de la Torre]

Hi Trudy,

Your pitch interests me :) I'd be interested in learning more and maybe dialoguing about the possibility of helping you film and or edit this. Have you already found someone?

~Tim de la Torre

[Trudy Swaningson Mike]

Tom McVay Tucker has taken it on but I'm sure we can use all the help possible. Could you email him as well?
If I wasn't so beat from wrestling with taxes and Sabbath wasn't so close (praise God's holy Name!) I would go into more detail. But we can talk, perhaps you know how to do a (3-way) with Tom and me?

[Thomas]

Tim, hey there!

What I would like to see is a first class historical docu-trama that would be a series for Adventist
TV. The HOPE channel is already interested in some quality material like this, and they have expressed great interest in this particular program. And with them going on Direct TV soon, this program will have a potential viewing audience in the millions.

Historical material like this is my specialty, so it excites me. I want to get as many Adventist filmmakers invloved with this as possible. Its the type of project that is begging for an Adventist production team to do!

Period films are a challenge, and most end up being a joke because of the poor research and effort that goes into them. If done right, this will be a powerful show.

So Tim, tell us what you can do for us!

[Tim de la Torre]

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for the info! I was honestly a little intimidated when I read your 'about me' section and thought, "This guy doesn't need me!" but then you wrote me... ha ha. I graduated from Pacific Union College in '06 with a degree in Film & Television but I spent most of the time since then in the Philippines working with a native tribe and my responsibilities kept me too busy to do much with film making. Since coming back to the U.S, I've done some free lance work and just finished up a job as the primary editor for the 13 part ASI Video Magazine that just started already airing this month on 3ABN and HopeTV.

I live in Northern California and love to travel. My wife is actually learning a lot about film making and we love to work together. We would be happy to be involved in a project like this. I don't know much of the story that this documentary is supposed to be about and would like to learn more about it. I'm a huge fan of Ken Burns and historical documentaries, so I think working on would would be a blast.

I'm sure you have a lot of people to draw on to help in a film like this with more experience than me. I have varied experience in pretty much all aspects of productions from what I learned in college, but they are rusty -- What I can do well however is edit. Both my wife & I are willing to be mentored in whatever areas you think we could help with the best.

Shoot me an e-mail if you prefer or a call.

[e-mail]
925-324-8389

~Tim