Collaboration At It’s Best: The Pilots of the First Women’s National Air Derby

“There is no sex in aviation. Women like men must have “guts”…  Opal Kunz during the 1929 Derby

I have always felt the importance of fostering women’s empowerment and a responsibility for sharing women’s stories. Women have made extraordinary accomplishments, both on a small and grand scale, but for some reason, the general public hears very few of these remarkable achievements.  This is a loss, not only to women, but to the men in our society as well.  One of the strengths women can bring to the forefront is a sense of collaboration and celebrating the talents of each individual in helping the group reach a common goal.

I stumbled across an absolutely phenomenal story in 1997 that has all the elements: Fiery, gutsy women who were breaking boundaries and competing against one another in an air race while still collaborating together and supporting one another.   In this, The First Women’s National Air Derby, Amelia Earhart and nineteen other female pilots raced from California to Ohio in the summer of 1929 to prove that flying was a safe mode of transportation and that women could indeed fly.  It was a time when few women drove cars and the social environment allowed for such comments as one reporter stating on opening day of the derby “I don’t care how good a pilot these women are, I’m going to say that they don’t look good in pants.”

Like the male pilots of the day, many of the women flew in open cockpit planes and dealt with navigational challenges, mechanical issues, the inevitable emergency landing and the reality that each flight could be their last.  However, unlike their male counterparts, the pilots in the derby had to constantly fight social stereotypes, endure threats of sabotage because of their gender, and defend any plane crash that happened against the argument of it being the woman’s fault.  In addition, each night the women had to dress up, often in ball gowns, and attend various banquets along the way as part of their social obligation.  It was an exhausting, yet exhilarating ride.

Not all men were against women flying.  High profile men such as Will Rogers, Wiley Post, Walter Beech, Cliff Henderson, and R.O. Bone strongly supported the women in the race as did many male pilots and several of the women’s husbands.  Supporting the women in the derby was beneficial to all as it resulted in more sales and publicity for aircrafts manufacturers, more attention for the National Air Races (the destination of the women’s air race), more press recognition for Will Rogers and his news column, etc.  In this way, women were helping the men and the men were helping the women.

“They said we’d all fight like cats, but we’re all friends and I hope we have another race next month” …  Jessie “Chubbie” Keith Miller during the 1929 Derby

The women in the derby could easily have been hostile toward one another, jockeying for position, vying for the limelight.  Instead, they banded together time after time, despite being in competition.   Examples include signing a petition allowing Mary Haizlip to start the race a day late, waiting several extra hours in Arizona while Amelia Earhart had a new propeller installed, and fighting the National Air Racing Committee’s rule that a mechanic must fly along with each women during the race.

This collaborative attitude weaved its way throughout the race and a real sense of community developed.  The way the women created this environment is something that strikes me as a truly unique and wonderful model for women today.  It is, in part, what attracted me to the story.  These women were bringing their own strength, enthusiasm and passion to the event yet still working in a collaborative and supportive way instead of the common hierarchical and often dominating approach.

“Well Marvel I’m certainly going to try to win this race but if I don’t, I hope you do.”   Pancho Barnes to Marvel Crosson at the beginning of the 1929 Derby

The women of the race knew that showing a fragmented front would dilute their message as a group, which in turn, would hurt them in their own personal goals of having a career in aviation.  This was actually smart PR.  If the women did not stick together, the press or critics would pick up on that and printed it in the papers.  Like the Real Housewives series or other reality shows of today, the focus would have been on the bickering between the women, thus giving critics more ammunition for their denouncement of women flying.

I never tire of seeing footage of the women or reading their words regarding how their shared passion resulted in a very unique time in history where they were able to soar above the fray to meet personal and collective goals.  The commitment to their ideas, each other and flying continues to inspire me eight decades later.

Breaking Through The Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby is an award-winning documentary.  Producer Heather Taylor is author of the BTTC blog entries.  She is available for presentations using clips of BTTC (including a talk expanding on the collaboration theme referenced here).   To learn more about presentations, the derby, or to purchase a copy of the film, please visit www.BreakingThroughTheClouds.com

Heather Receives Award & Meets Aviation Royalty!

Tuesday morning, October 11th, I’m in the green room at the  NBAA Conference (Nat’l Business Aviation Association) in Las Vegas about to go on stage to receive the Combs Gates Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame.  Next thing I know, I’m being introduced to the last man to walk on the moon, astronaut Gene Cernan.  The introductions continue as I meet the first African American Thunderbird pilot U.S. Air Force general Lloyd “Fig” Newton, legendary pilots Clay Lacy, Bob Hoover, aerobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker, and the FAA administrator Randy Babbit!   And this is just the start of the day!

Truly, I never imagined that following the dreams of twenty pioneering women in aviation’s history would lead to my meeting the quint-essential aviation legends of today. What a joy, honor, and thrill to meet these incredible men and share the stage while representing 20 women who shared in their passion for flying!

Of course a personal thrill is when I look up and see Harrison Ford and next thing I know, I’m talking to him and he’s telling ME he’s looking forward to seeing MY film!  Holy Cow!  It just doesn’t get better than that!

Heather accepting Combs Gates Award from NAHF

While I was star struck and certainly having the time of my life, I kept remembering that the reason I was there was to honor the story of the women in the derby and all they did to allow the men to do what they did.  I would not be sharing that stage with today’s legends if it weren’t for the women pilots of the 1920s.

I continued the day by having lunch with General Newton and the president of NBAA, Ed Bolen along with other impressive and interesting people, talking to AOPA President Craig Fuller and having a wonderful conversation about women in aviation with EAA president Rod Hightower.  My father, a pilot for over 40 years, attended the lunch with me and got the chance to meet some of his aviation heroes as well.

I will be posting more stories about the day and some professional pictures as soon as I receive them but wanted to share a little bit of the day with everyone asap as I am still riding on cloud 9 myself!

Meanwhile, BTTC will be showing tonight at the Chagrin Film Festival in Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Saturday at noon at the Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown, MD; La Femme Film Festival Sunday (I won’t be attending this one but others will be there representing me) as well as the Utopia film (Md), Reel Independent Film Festival (Washington DC) within the next two weeks and potentially a showing in Houston, Tx.  Check my website for the schedule: http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/

Again, more pictures and stories forthcoming but I wanted to share some of the day with everyone asap.

It really was one of the best days of my life and one I will cherish forever.  Thanks to all who helped get me there as I certainly did not do this alone!

Heather Taylor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Update of BTTC for October

I have a lot to write about as so much has been happening of late but I am not able to take the time to write much at the moment so will just post some highlights here.

I attended the AOPA Summit in Hartford, Connecticut this past weekend and had a wonderful time.  I met some new and very interesting people with amazing stories.  I also revisited with good friends such as Terry Carbonell and Mary Wunder of Air Race Classic and Lynda Meeks of Girls with Wings. I admire all of these women and the commitment and dedication they have to their various causes.

Today I learned that BTTC was accepted into the La Femme Film Festival in Hollywood, Ca.  This is very exciting as it is a film festival promoting women film makers who are sharing stories for the world to see.  BTTC has now been accepted in 10 Film Festivals.  This is fantastic news!  However, for some reason, many of the film festivals seem to have picked the exact same week for their screenings so unfortunately  I can not attend every single festival in person.  As it stands now, October will be a very busy month.

Right now I will be going to the following:

• October 8th to the Tacoma Film Festival.  There is talk that the Seattle Museum of Flight may be a sponsor to my film showing at the festival there.
• October 11th.  I will be receiving the Combs Gates Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, along with attending the NBAA Conference.
• October 13th.  I will be attending the Chagrin Film Festival in Chagrin Falls, Ohio
• October 15th.  I will be attending the Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown, MD.
• October 28th & 30th, I will be attending the Utopia Film Festival in Greenbelt, MD.

Unfortunately, La Femme Festival is on October 16th in Hollywood and I just can’t make it back out to the west coast in time.  I’m extremely disappointed to miss this festival in particular given it’s promoting women in film.

One of the joys of traveling around and showing the film is the neat and interesting people I get to talk with along the way.  I am learning that despite the news you often hear over the airwaves which is mostly filled with cynicism, there are still amazing people in the world out there making a positive difference, doing good deeds and accomplishing astonishing dreams and visions.  Some people do this in their every day lives with simple acts of kindness, touching people and supporting them without even knowing it at times.  Others make complete life changes and put every ounce of energy into their life’s work to try and matter.  No matter what category you are in, your contributions to the world do matter just like the 20 women who thought they were just flying an air race and ended up inspiring people, even 80 years after the event.

More later as I am able to find time to write of the many developments happening with BTTC but until then, thank you all for your continued support.

Heather Taylor

BTTC to be Presented Prestigious Award from National Aviation Hall of Fame

I am so honored and proud to announce that BTTC received the prestigious Combs Gates Award from The National Aviation Hall of Fame.  Below is the press release:

-Heather

Documentary on 1929 Women’s Air Derby earns independent filmmaker Ninth Annual Combs Gates Award.  Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinees will present $20,000 prize to Heather Taylor at NBAA Convention on October 11

(Dayton, OH – Sept. 6, 2011)  The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) today announced the recipient of its Ninth Annual Combs Gates Award will be filmmaker Heather Taylor, of Columbia, Maryland.  Taylor is being recognized for the documentary she directed and produced, Breaking Through the Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby.  Taylor will receive the $20,000 cash award in a formal presentation on the morning of Tuesday, October 11, at a special opening session of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 64^th Annual Meeting & Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Presenting Taylor her award will be NAHF President, Philip A. Roberts, accompanied by Hall of Fame enshrinees including former astronaut and the last man to walk on the moon, Eugene Cernan; business aviation pioneer and aerial cinematographer, Clay Lacy; and air show legends Bob Hoover and Sean D. Tucker.

Breaking Through the Clouds accurately documents the First Women’s National Air Derby, a grueling nine-day race from Santa Monica, California to Cleveland, Ohio held in the summer of 1929.  Taylor found that this gender-busting, front-page news-making event of the day had largely been lost to history, despite the now legendary status of many of its 20 competing pilots, such as Amelia Earhart, Pancho Barnes, and Louise Thaden.  The film utilizes actual footage of the derby, much of it never before seen, as well as re-creations using the same aircraft types of the original participants.

Taylor spent 13 years researching, writing, producing and directing Breaking Through the Clouds, fulfilling her personal quest to see that these courageous pioneering women and their contributions to advancing aviation get the recognition and appreciation they deserve. To learn more about the film go towww.breakingthroughtheclouds.com.   NBAA convention attendees are invited to stop by the Hall of Fame’s show exhibit (#C-7135) after the award ceremony to meet Heather Taylor and view clips from her documentary.

The prestigious Combs Award grew out of a donation to the NAHF by the late Harry Combs, a 1996 enshrinee of the Hall of Fame.  As part of his generous $1.3 million gift for the creation of a NAHF research center, Combs stipulated that the Combs Award be established to encourage and support relevant aviation history research and preservation efforts.  A panel of expert judges reviews each submission based upon criteria such as historical accuracy, creativity, potential for long-term impact, and value to the Hall of Fame mission of honoring America’s outstanding air and space pioneers.

Combs was instrumental to the growth and development of business aviation. Consequently the NAHF partnered with the NBAA to host the award presentation at its annual meeting and convention, the largest purely civil aviation event in the world.   The inaugural award was presented at the Opening General Session of the NBAA Meeting & Convention in 2003, the 100^th anniversary of the first powered flight.

John Gates and his sister, Diane G. Wallach, are co-trustees of the Gates Frontiers Fund, created by their late parents and philanthropists, Charles C. and June S. Gates.  The late Mr. Gates, who passed away in 2005 at age 84, was a partner with Combs in several aviation businesses including the Combs Gates FBO chain and Gates Learjet.  This year marks the ninth year for the award and the sixth year with the name changed to reflect a multi-year commitment by the Gates Frontiers Fund to fund the award.

The award pays homage to Gates’ belief in the benefit of historic preservation and study, and to Combs’ own research efforts behind his acclaimed 1979 book, Kill Devil Hill: Discovering the Secrets of the Wright Brothers.  Combs was inspired to write the book after close friend and fellow enshrinee, Neil Armstrong, presented him a bound collection of the Wright Brothers’ personal papers.

Combs died in December 2003 at age 90.  During the inaugural award ceremony at the NBAA convention held a month before his passing, Combs remarked, “Just as Neil’s gift inspired me to discover the secrets of the Wrights, I want to motivate a new generation of historians, researchers and preservationists to continue the process of clarifying and preserving our nation’s amazing air and space history for generations to come.”

#   #   #

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Ron Kaplan                                                            Mobile: (937) 212-8847                       

NAHF Enshrinement Director                      rkaplan@nationalaviation.org

NBAA Booth #C-7135

Success at AirVenture 2011

Just a quick note to say how well received BTTC was at AirVenture 2011.  Thank you all who came to the screenings and who purchased DVDs.

The last screening on Saturday, July 30th was standing room only.  There were people sitting on the floor and standing in the doorway.  I had one woman pilot come up to me with tears in her eyes saying “Thank you so much for doing this.  I’m a pilot and I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”  Another women told me that her two daughters (approx age 8 & 10) were riveted to the screen throughout the entire showing.  Words & support like this is what keeps me going and reminds me why I made the film.  It’s easy to get cynical and caught up in the (VERY) tough business side of things, but when I take a step back and see that the film does touch people and the stories of the amazing women from the derby are being heard, it reminds me of some of the reasons I began this journey.

One particular highlight for me during my time at Oshkosh was talking to two WASPS: Dawn Seymour & Dorothy Swain Lewis.  Mrs. Lewis was actually trained to be a flight instructor by Phoebe Omlie while in Tennessee!!! I was all ears listing to Mrs. Lewis tell some stories of Phoebe and relaying how much all the women revered Phoebe!  One quip she said Phoebe used to make is, “we taught them to walk, we can teach them to fly” as Phoebe was adamant about women becoming flight instructors.

Several WASPs have told me that the women from the Derby were THEIR heroes when learning to fly and they appreciate how I portray the women in BTTC, bringing their story to the forefront again.    It is such an honor to talk to these women who bring history alive and remind us all of the important work they have done, how they built stepping stones from the shoulders of their heroes and how they continue to inspire that tradition for future women, teaching them how to “break through the clouds.”

On a different note, I was interviewed about BTTC by WOSH, a local Oshkosh Radio station.  I will post that link in a couple weeks when it becomes available. Below is a picture taken while being interviewed.

Producer Heather Taylor being interviewed on WOSH at AirVenture 2011

Next blog, I plan to write a little bit about some of the artistic decisions I made when filming BTTC.  I’ll be interested in feedback to see if anyone noticed some of the effects.

Meanwhile, keep an eye out for the upcoming events including:

Aug. 27th at 3:45: Landlocked Film Festival in Iowa City, Iowa

Sept. 22-25th: Tulsa International Film Festival

Friday, Sept. 23rd Screening of BTTC at the AOPA Summit in Hartford, Connecticut.

Until then, Blue Skies!

Heather Taylor

BTTC Showing at EAA AirVenture this week

Below is my press release for AirVenture this week.

NEWS RELEASE

JULY 26, 2011

BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS DOCUMENTARY PLAYING AT EAA AIRVENTURE 2011

Breaking Through The Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby is the inspiring true story of 20 women who raced across America in 1929.   With just a compass and a road map to guide them, Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden, Phoebe Omlie, Pancho Barnes and 16 additional brave female pilots defied convention by taking to the skies and racing across the country to prove that flying was a safe mode of transportation and show that women could indeed, fly.

Breaking Through The Clouds will be shown three consecutive days during AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the largest air show in the world. Screenings are scheduled Thursday, July 28th through Saturday, July 30th, 2011. The film’s Producer/Director, Heather Taylor, will be at the screenings and at Author’s Corner. A link to the schedule is here.

Taylor, who has worked 13 years to bring the film to fruition said, “facing cultural stereotypes, mechanical failures, navigational challenges, threats of sabotage and endless chicken dinners, the women persevered and became pioneering legends in aviation. Their story is inspiring to anyone who has the courage to follow their own dreams.”

Wearing breeches and goggles in the day and ball gowns in the evening, the pilots challenged stereotypes by proving women could be independent, competitive, self-sufficient, intelligent, competent, graceful and above all, really good pilots. This story has largely been ignored until now. The documentary Breaking Through The Clouds captures the women’s personalities and portrays the drama of the race, stressing the importance the derby made for women, aviation and the country as a whole.

Expertly researched, beautifully shot and edited, and filled with never before seen footage from the actual derby, Breaking Through The Clouds is a character driven documentary showing the trials and tribulations the women endured as they took off in Santa Monica, California and raced towards the finish line in Cleveland, Ohio. Aerial recreations in vibrantly colored planes like the ones the women flew in the derby put the viewer in the pilot’s seat.

Family members and friends of the pilots tell personal stories of the pilots throughout the film, adding an emotional edge to the film. National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee PATTY WAGSTAFF, aerobatic pilot JULIE CLARK, aviation historians, including Dorothy Cochrane, Curator of the National Air & Space Museum, round out the interviews giving perspective of the women’s amazing accomplishment. In addition, legendary pilot ELINOR SMITH SULLIVAN, in her last on-camera interview, describes some of the women in the derby and what it was like to fly in 1929.

Pat Thaden Webb, daughter of original racer Louise Thaden, said, “I’m so appreciative of how you portrayed my mother Louise Thaden’s beautiful soul, and her determination and courage to be a great pilot, and what flying and flight meant to her. She, and the other 19 pilots who flew this first race, earned their right, and the right for all women, to be able to participate in the development of aviation. Your film is a real tribute to my mother and to the others, and I’m forever grateful that their forgotten story has come to the screen for all to see.”

Breaking Through The Clouds recently won an Award of Excellence from The Indie Fest. It is an official selection of the Landlocked Film Festival and Tulsa International Film Festival. It was a finalist for a prestigious International Documentary Association Award and has screened at several other film festivals, museums and conferences around the country. Visit http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com for a full listing as well as more information and additional testimonies.

Breaking Through The Clouds: The First Women’s National Air Derby (sometimes referred to as the powder puff derby) is available on DVD at http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com.

About Archetypal Images, LLC:
Archetypal Images, LLC was founded by independent producer Heather Taylor in 2007 specifically to produce Breaking Through The Clouds. Taylor’s goal is to capture and harness the light that comes alive in peoples’ eyes when they find a passion and share this, inspiring others to find their path. Taylor can be reached at Heather@breakingthroughtheclouds.com

*Note to Editors: A High-resolution photograph and various press material is available in the press section at http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com

Community!

The time I spent at the National Exchange Club’s 100th anniversary on July 6-9th, 2011 was incredible.  There are so many people within that organization who are putting heart into action and making a positive difference in the world.  I commend them for what they are doing today and what they did 82 years ago by sponsoring the First Women’s National Air Derby.

The National Exchange Club, Elizabeth McQueen and various other individuals who helped to bring the various communities together in 1929 are an inspiration, even today, and they pulled this off within a 3 month time frame!  There were at least 17 chapters from local Exchange Clubs across the country who hosted the women at their various stops along the route and hundreds of volunteers helping with everything from chauffeuring the women to and from the airport, hosting banquets and helping with crowd control at each location.  There were people handling the logistics all along the route from Santa Monica to Cleveland, promoters getting publicity for the race and the women, and volunteers organizing all over the country to do their part.

Airline Manufacturers, oil companies and various businesses sponsored the women in the race. Of course many companies saw this as an opportunity to promote their own business but it was also done out of a sense of adventure, patriotism and again, community.  Famous pilots and celebrities of the day like Wiley Post, Will Rogers and Mary Pickford gave their names to the event.  The women pilots, even though they were in competition, supported one another and hundreds of thousands of spectators from the entire American public came out to each of the stops the women made to support this endeavor.   It doesn’t end there.  The race proved a success and served as a stepping-stone for aviation itself and for women in aviation, providing role models for future women in aviation communities.

The many levels of communities were coming together to advance aviation, advance women in aviation, help individuals follow a dream and to better the country as a whole. It should not be forgotten that this derby happened between WWI and before WWII.  Of course no one knew that WWII was on the horizon but everyone recognized that aviation was very much a part of national security.  To be a pilot was a national honor.

Over 80 years after the derby, another community has developed around the 1929 race.  It took a lot of support to help me make the film.  I became friends with many of the families of the original pilots, which has been a HUGE honor.  It also takes a community to see the film and support it – because anyone can make a film, but if there is no audience to receive the message and hear the inspiring story of these women, then there’s no point to it.  I am forever grateful to those who are fans of the film.

My only regret is that while I was in Detroit celebrating with this wonderful community (National Exchange Club), someone stole my laptop.  I can’t help but wonder if the person who did this is alone and without a community of his or her own to offer support.   The more we as individuals reach out to others, in my opinion, the less this kind of activity will occur.  I know this is the current mantra of many in the National Exchange Club and others I meet around the country where I show my film.  I am continually awed by the GOODNESS in people who ARE out there making a difference without the recognition!

My hope is that viewers who see Breaking Through The Clouds will be inspired by what happened in the 1929 air race when the various communities pulled together and be motivated by what a community can do.  When people pull together for a common goal, the positive ramifications are wide and long lasting.  It is a very admirable and worthy endeavor to which the world can only benefit from.

Until my next post.. Blue Skies..

Heather Taylor
PS: I’ll be attending AirVenture at Oshkosh July 28-30th.  My schedule is available on EAA’s website.  If you are attending, please be sure to stop by and say hello.

 

Pilots and Patriotism: Examples from The First Women’s National Air Derby

World War 1 was the first time aviation was used in any war for national security.  Pilots who flew in the war were seen as national heroes as the country witnessed the importance of air power.  Elizabeth McQueen, the woman who had the idea for the first Women’s National Air Derby, was so inspired when she learned of an incident during the war where seven planes protected a territory that previously needed 4,000-foot soldiers.  When she saw the amount of lives that could be saved because of aviation, she dedicated her life to this endeavor.  McQueen focused on women in aviation particularly as she felt women could play a real role as ambassadors to peace.  She founded an organization called Women’s International Association of Aeronautics.  The motto was Wings Around the World for Peace, Prosperity and world Friendship.

After the war, aviation technology was being developed at a rapid pace.  Pilots were pushing themselves and their planes higher and faster.  Speed, endurance and altitude records were constantly being set, broken and re-set.  Airplane manufactures were also rapidly working to improve the technology of the planes to make them more reliable and to find ways to make them go higher and faster.  Air Racing provided a way for both pilots and manufacturers to see what they could do with the airplanes as well as hone aviators’ skills with machine and the elements.

Air racing for men was reaching its peak by 1929.  It’s at this point in time that McQueen suggested a women’s national air derby to the top names in the air racing community.   With support from the National Air Racing committee, the National Exchange Club was approached about hosting the event and handling the logistics.

The National Exchange Club was (and is) a non-profit organization.  In 1929, the members of the organization decided to put its efforts towards aviation in a campaign called “Service to Aviation.”  This included establishing airports and air markers throughout the nation.  Air Markers meant painting the names of towns on top of barn buildings so the pilots could know where they were from the air since maps were not always reliable.  The members of the various Exchange Clubs across the country wanted to contribute their services to aviation because, much like McQueen, they saw the significant role aviation could play in protecting the country.

The National Exchange Club enthusiastically agreed when approached to host the Women’s National Air Derby.  The local chapters of the Exchange Clubs all over the country began raising prize money for the derby.  They also organized stops for the women over the nine days and all the logistics including crowed control, chauffeuring the women to/fro the airport and the hotel, meals, banquets and much more.   All the members were so excited about the opportunity to be a part of this event that there was no shortage of volunteers and enthusiasm.   Each airplane in the derby had the National Exchange Club emblem on the fuselage with the words “Unity for Service.”

Cliff Henderson, the managing director of the National Air Races wrote in the Exchanges’ magazine: The object of the race is to aid the development of long distance flying and is an additional feature of the Exchange Club Service to Aviation Program.  The National Women’s Air Derby will prove to the American public the safety, the reliability and simplicity of long distance cross-country flying and serve as a stimulus to public interest in aviation, which is essential if America is to keep pace with the European powers, which are straining every effort to gain the supremacy of the air.  It will prove the strength and power of Exchange throughout the nation and the collective energy embodied in the “Unity for Service” program.  It will bring to a focus by the press of the nation, public recognition to hundreds of communities, both large and small, whose Exchange Clubs identify themselves with the project and with the National Exchange Club in this unselfish achievement.

Nearly all the women of the Derby were very active in their belief of promoting patriotism through aviation.  Opal Kunz, one of the contestants in the derby, was particularly adamant about women’s involvement in aviation to protect the country.   She is quoted in many newspaper articles along the race route with quotes similar to the one here:

“I am flying in the interest of national defense. We should be prepared in case we are forced at any future time into another war. The air will play a major part in the next war, and women fliers can do much.”

On this 4^th of July, as we honor those who have served and continue to serve our country, I’d like to suggest that we also remember the quiet heroes in our past who were extremely active in their community, doing their part to promote and participate in America’s freedom.  These people worked behind the scenes making a positive difference.  This includes the women who flew in the derby, Elizabeth McQueen for her foresight and the members/volunteers from the National Exchange Club who so believed in advancing ways to protect the Country that they put those beliefs into action.  It takes an active community of people to participate in our freedom.  The derby brought together people from so many different communities for this goal.

This week, the National Exchange Club will be celebrating their 100^th anniversary of service.  I am extremely proud that I will be part of the celebration, sharing BTTC with the organization that had such an amazing influence in the derby and our country’s history.

So, big congratulations to the National Exchange Club for their Centennial year.  I am looking forward to my time with everyone this week.  I will try to blog about that experience as or after it happens.

Happy 4^th of July to everyone.

Heather Taylor

Film Festivals: Perspective from a 1st time Indy Film Maker

Today’s blog is about my entry into the film festival world and my limited experience thus far.

I started entering Breaking Through The Clouds into some film festivals and the announcements are just now trickling in.  So far, BTTC has played at the Real Stuff Film Festival (part of National Aviation Hall of Fame) and the Ohio Independent Film Festival.  Today I learned that the Tulsa International Film Festival selected BTTC as part of it’s line-up  (can I get a yaaa).  I also learned of another one that it was accepted into but will have to wait until next week to announce it.  I expect to hear more results in the coming weeks.

I am finding that film festivals are a bit of a strange mix.  Nearly every town seems to have it’s own film festival now-a-days and everyone I talk to seems to want me to enter my film in their local town’s festival (I’m grateful for the support and recommendation).  Some festivals are fantastic with hard working individuals doing their best for something they believe in – more on that further down in this article.  Others seem like an idea someone hatched to raise money.  The people behind these film festivals have no intention of really promoting or selecting truly independent films, even though they say they will.  They prey on the hopes & dreams of artists wishing to “make it”.

The big festivals appear to be mostly reliant on shock value for content.  They also rely on lots of PR from the right people (usually smaller arms of big Hollywood or TV production companies or studios).  I find the truly independent film maker doesn’t really stand a chance in that environment.  I was told by one film festival director that 80 to 90% of the films are already selected for the festival before general submissions are even open.  Deals are made with big time production companies to get their film viewed and promoted to create buzz for awards.   This revelations was truly disheartening to hear, especially since the PR works as most people refer to what is being fed to them without knowing they are being “sold” to (something I am seeing more and more).

Many films that are out there and making it are trendy, shocking and “DIFFERENT” in the way that the kids in high school all wear black, get tattoos and piercing so they can be different, just like everyone else.  You can find numerous films on the same topic every year: hoarding, obesity, etc.  This is true with networks and television as well.  The current trend in TV is all about “reality” – putting narcissistic people in odd situations and seeing what happens (I’ll save that commentary for another blog posting).

Of course there really are some incredible stories/films out there.. but MANY of the ones you hear about all have financial backers and supporters to help them get it made and there most certainly is the whole marketing side of things.  The independent producer just doesn’t stand a chance against the big guns since these film’s marketing budget can be more than our actual film’s budget.  These big productions also often have access to lots of staff, money and know who they need to rub shoulders with while a true independent is still learning the process. It seems a bit lopsided to have these films listed in the same categories as “independent films” in these big festivals.  When you have commercials, NPR, NY Times reviews and ads all over the place, of course more people are going to be aware of the film.  For someone like myself, it’s all I could do to make the film, let alone promote at the same level as some of these others.  The same is true with putting a compelling story on the Afghan war against an uplifting, inspiring story about women who flew in 1929.  Even if they are both compelling and well done, it’s hard to compare them.

When looking through a specific database that most film makers must use to enter film festivals, I did a search for “history”.  Of the over 6,000 festivals listed, not one focussing on history came up.  I did the same search for women’s film festivals and found a dozen or so, many of them for short films but a few for feature length.  Of course there’s absolutely no film festival on women’s history – something I would like to remedy if given the opportunity

Then there are the festivals that are truly earnest in their intentions of supporting the film maker and the story being told.  These are typically small festivals with people who have big hearts and believe in the mission of supporting the arts.  While these festivals may not get the same buzz as Sundance or Silverdocs, they are the ones really reaching out to help the independent film maker in my opinion and are truly supportive.  These are the ones I prefer!

I have made a conscious effort to enter BTTC into the small film festivals that truly care.  It’s hard to always know which ones these are but so far, I have been fortunate to find it in both Real Stuff and the Ohio Independent Flm Festival.  The experiences have been like supporting a local community business where we mutually help each other.  Ron Kaplan, the director of Real Stuff,  truly made me feel appreciated for all the hard work I put into BTTC and the message I was putting out there.  He gave me a compliment in one of his introductory statements which I have always treasured.  He said in essence that BTTC is an incredible film and truly not getting the recognition it deserves.  In saying this, he was, in my opinion, alluding to the fact that a film maker must somehow get in the PR rotation machine to make it as opposed to people truly taking notice of any quality work or storyline.  I have treasured the “recognition” Ron gave me in that speech ever since and this same sentiment expressed to me from audience members after seeing the film.

At the Ohio Independent Film Festival, the committee was in touch with me daily for at least a week updating me on every lead they were following to  promote the film and get the public’s attention.  Neither of these festivals have anywhere near the attendance that big name festivals do, but the people who attend are genuine, supportive and enthusiastic.   This makes me feel like the tortoise in the tortoise in the hare children’s story, but through each festival, I gain a few more supporters in my quest.

I will never get rich from my film.  In fact, I will never get out of debt with my film unless something miraculous occurs.  However, the richness I have found in meeting quality people at these small film festivals has been priceless.  Getting to travel and meet people within the communities and hearing how BTTC might inspire them repeatedly reminds me of why I produce the film in the first place.

Welcome to my 1st Blog on BTTC

Well it’s not 1929 but I feel a bit like the women in the derby dealing with new technology at the dawn of a new age.  There will be a bit of a learning curve as I discover the ins and outs of setting everything up on this blog site so thanks in advance for bearing with me on that.  For convenience sake, I will be referring to Breaking Through The Clouds as BTTC moving forward.

I plan to write on many topics: About the derby, about the women, about my struggle to produce the film and the journey that has evolved, the latest updates of what’s going on with the film, and much, much more.  I’m sure I’ll get in the rhythm of things as time moves on and hopefully will improve the look and content with each new post.

Besides blogging, you can find BTTC on facebook, youtube and/or sign up for the newsletter.  Please go to my website www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com for all links.  For anyone who wants to help support the film, please make comments on youtube, interact with me here and/or become a fan on facebook. Of course the biggest help is to buy a DVD, come to one of the screenings and/or ask me to give presentations.  Spreading the word helps reach more people who might be interested in the subject matter and the inspiring message, not to mention the amazing accomplishment of the women in the 1929 derby.

There is no question this has been a grass roots effort and I am grateful for every fan or for every person the film touched in some way.  Please let me hear from you if it did.  THIS is what keeps me going and why I produced the film in the first place.

With a big dose of appreciation.

Onwards and Upwards!

Heather