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Blogs  (Updates, insights and ramblings from Alejandro Mena and his Team) . . .
Posted Saturday, January 15, 2011 by Alejandro Mena    

2011 - The Year of Crew 713

It's been over a month since I've written my last blog. A lot has happened over this time and much of it deals directly with my film.

First of all, to be perfectly honest, not a lot happened to the film in 2010. There were several funding pitches and proposals that were submitted and rejected by various organizations. I'm an eternal optimist, and still feel very strongly that the necessary funding will arrive in 2011. Why? Because I have no choice but to believe this or I have a doomed project on my hands......and that's just not an option. Too many people have invested their time, efforts, good will on my behalf and on behalf of this film and what it represents, for me to ever let that happen.

There have been some surprising new developements in December of 2010 and now into the new year that give me cause for hope. Again, having been burned before, I like to think I'm being "cautiously optimistic", but somehow the vibe and feel on these recent developements give me hope. Let's just keep it there for now shall we?

I'm still waiting on the final proofs to be sent to me from my storyboard artist. When these are approved, I will then be looking to pitch the boards to several animation companies in Dallas for the purpose of producing these short animated pieces. They are part of the larger narrative of "Crew 713" and the means by which this documentary will set itself apart from the many WWII docs which have preceded it. In a previous blog, I had mentioned my desire to raise the level of Art as Film in this documentary and those dreams of mine are still alive. I believe these dramatic animated pieces will set "Crew 713" apart and hopefully, appeal to investors and distribution companies alike.

In addition to all this new enthusiasm for my own project, I am happy to announce that next Monday the 17th I will start my new long term gig with the Dallas Film Society and their showcase event, The Dallas International Film Festival. My title will be Director of Operations. I have been with the Dallas Film Society for three years and this, my fourth, promises to be the most challenging and rewarding one yet. I am looking forward to working with my friends and colleagues in the coming months as we collaborate on producing this event. The Festival itself runs from March 31-April 10. It promises to deliver the best in Independent Film. Features, documentaries, short films, animated films, family films, we'll have just about every type of film imaginable. Should be a real treat. We might even have a blockbuster film premiere, (or two)! If you find yourself in Dallas in Late March/Early April, please look me up. I'll be happy to showcase our festival & our city and get you some tickets to a show. You won't be dissapointed!

There is a lot on my plate as I begin 2011, but I have never forgotten that the big picture must always include a promise I made to my father. I told him in the Summer of 2007 that I would make a film about his B-24 Liberator bomber crew. A promise to a dying man is one I do not take lightly.

We'll get there. Baby steps. but we'll get there.

I will talk to you again very soon,

Alejandro Mena
Crew713.com
One Comment on
2011 - The Year of Crew 713
  1. On Monday, March 12, 2012
    derek holtham wrote...

    hello
    is it possible to give a date for this forthcoming documentary.
    thanking you
    derek

  2. On Monday, March 12, 2012
    Alex Mena wrote...

    Derek,
    Thanks for your interest and comments. The film is scheduled for a late 2012 release, but more realistically, early 2013.
    Alejandro Mena

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