Nearly everyone, including Enzian Theater, has power back except for me and Peg (our ED). Peg has been a trooper going to theatre rehearsals (she's an amazing actress in her other life) in the dark, reading by candle light. My 77- year old neighbor has been toughing it out with a generator, which I will have to do for a few more days before my ordeal is over (or stay with friends, but is that really fair to my neighbor or my dog? it is currently 88 degrees in my house). But it could be worse. I could have a tree in my living room or have lost a loved one. We recently found about about another loss completely unrelated to the Hurricane, but no less painful...
MIAMI -- Neal Fredericks, the cinematographer of the low-budget but successful horror film The Blair Witch Project, was killed in a plane crash while filming a movie over the Dry Tortugas, his agent said. Fredericks, 35, was dragged down by the wreckage of a single-engine Cessna as the pilot and three other members of his film crew escaped to be later rescued, the Coast Guard said. A team of U.S. Army Special Forces divers recovered Fredericks' body from the submerged plane on Sunday, a day after the crash about 70 miles west of Key West.
Those in Central Florida and LA who knew him are devestated. We mourn his loss and would like to send best wishes to his family. In honor of Neal, the Haxan boys set up a dialogue page for those who knew him.
As I sit in my air conditioned office, getting ready to show films at Enzian again tonight, I can't help but think, it could be worse.
Day Four and still no power at home or at Enzian. The power company message says, "There is no estimated time for restoration of power to your area. Thank you." Enzian is waiting on a new transformer. I heard on the radio today that they have to repair the equivalent of 700 miles of power lines that took decades to build. Ugh.
Patience is a virtue and mostly folks seem to be practicing it except when they get behind the wheel. These days I am in no hurry to get anywhere.
We have also had to cancel our outdoor Popcorn Flick in the Park screening on Thursday due to the fact that there is no power in the park, not to mention the 50 foot tree lying on its side in front of the stage!
Depression is setting in. I have broken down and rented a hotel room. Maybe I'll go to a movie tonight...
YES! Hurricane Charley wreaked havoc on us this weekend. On Friday the 13th no less! The eye of the storm passed REALLY close to most of the staff's homes not to mention Enzian Theater. For those unfamiliar with Enzian it is surrounded by HUGE oak trees that thankfully held up in the storm. The only damage was to a sign on the front of the building. Because we are a cinema cafe and were without power for two and a half days, we have also had to trash our entire inventory. Bummer. The quote of the weekend was from John "The Enforcer" and our ED Peg, who decided upon realizing that we couldn't show any screenings of RIDING GIANTS this weekend, "Any surfer worth his weight in sex wax will be out catching waves anyway." Some other theaters have been able to open and people are flocking to the movies for the cool air and a two hour respite.
Most of our staff, along with half a million other people still do not have power. Food, gas, ice, and water are all extremely scarce. I was lucky enough to score a generator, some gas and some ice from my dad who lives about 35 miles away. I am comfortable, but believe me people, you do not want to be in Florida in August without air conditioning. We are now some stinky folk! There are trees down everywhere. I mean entire trees. War zone doesn't quite cover it. It looks like the entire Earth just sneezed without a tissue. Or a giant came through and stomped everything. That thing about it sounding like a freight train hitting the house is so true. Very scary stuff, especially in the pitch black of night.
The theater should have full power restored by tonight or tomorrow. In the mean time, I'll try to post some pictures of the damage soon. Until then, think of us while you're relaxing at home in the cool air, watching the Olympics, and having a nice dinner.
When I saw Riding Giants at Sundance earlier this year after a fitful night of sleep (we discovered a vaporizer in the closet the next night and it saved me the rest of the trip, man is it dry in the mountains, but I digress), it was about 20 degrees outside when the film started at 9:00 am. Of course the film is incredibly beautiful and powerful, but to see it after trudging nearly a mile in frigid weather was really amazing.
Pioneer Greg Noll, et. al., were on hand to say howdy. The Bull even teared up a bit. Not five minutes into the film I knew Enzian had to play it. Florida is full of surfers and only on the rare occasion of tropical storms and hurricanes do we get any waves. This film is a frustrated surfer's paradise. Every day, day after day, surfers here wake up early to check the reports in hopes of a small swell. Three feet is an ok day. That's soul surfing.
Eight months later we opened the film. This weekend the FL surfing community turned out to support this glimpse into the world of big waves (we did about $9300). I went with my friend Eric, dedicated surfer, and boned up for his trivia attack by watching Dogtown and Z Boys, Step into Liquid, and The Endless Summer. I was surprised as the crowd watched in silent awe, no hoots or hollers, just gasps and wide eyes. Just like that day in January in Utah.
