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Got an email from Andrea Clarke … who? … She is the writer, producer and director of a film that looks at the American Revolution through a child’s eyes.

She is descended from Dr. John Clarke of Rhode Island and Religious Liberty fame, and since I am descended from Roger Williams, also of that time and place, we are related in the roots of religious liberty.

Her film is based on a short story “George Washington’s Army and Me” by Michael Dooling. At the beginning of the story, Mr. Dooling tells why he wrote it:

“This story is about having a safe place to call home—about the values we share as Americans. I was surprised to learn about the women and children who had such difficult lives during the revolutionary war—not unlike, I am sure, many people around the world today. Not too long ago, I attended a revolutionary war reenactment. I was there for the soldiers, the cannons, the sheer adventure—looking for a story. A city of tents with women and children in costume caught my attention. I asked why were women and children there and soon discovered that many people followed Washington’s army because they had nowhere else to go. Some 2,000 women and children followed their fathers: sometimes walking nine miles a day, sleeping on the ground, and having very little to eat. They were their own little army, without the muskets. How sad, I thought.”

America IS about “home.” It is about family and being able to tell the story you think people need to hear.

As Andrea says of her project:

“While our film is not political, it is very timely. At its core, the story …celebrates unifying values: the beauty of a loving family, the resilience of the human spirit as father and son fight to get back to each other, and the goodness of freedom and home. “

She adds that it is “part love story, part American History in how our freedoms came to be. [It] brings the audience into the characters struggles and triumphs in what they can and do endure in the name of family, freedom and home.”

The film is getting support from the Grateful American Foundation but also needs public support – our support, your support. Take a look and if it strikes you, take action:

Become a Film Patron, Contribute to our Movie through our Network For Good Campaign

John Chambers
Mr. Constitution
www.ItsYourConstitution.com

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In this latest episode of Firelocks, the Podcast, we turn our focus on the independently-financed feature film, “Elijah & George” set to begin production this summer in Virginia. The movie is set to tell the adventures of a young camp follower as he encounters famous figures of the Revolution on his search for his father who has gone missing during the 1778 Battle of Monmouth. Described by its creators as “Tom Sawyer Meets The Patriot”, the film will highlight the often-forgotten lives of young camp followers who served alongside the armies of the conflict, and will be appeal to families and viewers of all ages, lovers of history, and of course appreciators of good film-making.

Joining host Bill Patchak for the discussion are Andrea Clarke (director/producer/writer), Michael Dooling (producer and also illustrator/author of the book that inspired the film), and Ben Theis (historical adviser and 4th Coy’s own). The four chat about the inspiration behind the film’s development, its ongoing pre-production activities, and the efforts being undertaken to ensure its historical accuracy.

Most importantly, however, we must emphasize that this movie CANNOT succeed without the help of all of you history enthusiasts and followers of the American Revolution out there. In order to ensure that it remains independent and maintains its freedom to tell its story exactly how it was meant to be told, the production – via “IndieGoGo” – has set up a crowdfunding campaign to initially complete a short “proof of concept” short film and subsequently to allow for full production this summer for an intended fall 2019 release.

For more information on the production, as well as its excellent and impressive cast and crew, please visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram. But most of all, please seriously consider contributing to the film’s financing and enjoy this episode’s unique opportunity to hear directly from a passionate author and filmmaker on their inspirations behind and challenges ahead in bringing an American Revolution story to life. Listen above or through http://brigadeofguards.blogspot.com/2019/02/podcast-e05-production-staff-of-elijah.html

Become a Film Patron, Contribute to our Movie through our Network For Good Campaign

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Occasionally, a film appears at precisely the right time during a country’s history. “Elijah and George” is perfect—now.

As the United States of America grapples with chronic political divisiveness, producer, director, and writer Andrea M. Clarke has set out to create a family-friendly movie about America’s founding principles: family, freedom, and home.

“While our film is not political, it is very timely. At its core, the story of “Elijah and George” celebrates unifying values: the beauty of a loving family, the resilience of the human spirit as father and son fight to get back to each other, and the goodness of freedom and home,” says Clarke.

The movie is set to tell the adventures of a young camp follower as he encounters famous figures of the Revolution on his search for his father who has gone missing during the 1778 Battle of Monmouth. Described by its creators as “Tom Sawyer Meets The Patriot”, the film will highlight the often-forgotten lives of young camp followers who served alongside the armies of the conflict, and will be appealing to families and viewers of all ages, lovers of history, and of course appreciators of good film-making.

The story was adapted from Michael Dooling’s popular children’s book, “George Washington’s Army and Me” which also featured his illustrations. Based on letters and diaries from the period, “Elijah and George” is an adventurous, sometimes humorous, and heartfelt tale that aims for a PG rating.

Starring up-and-coming actor Colin Dyer, the film is character driven, as young Elijah pursues his father, a farmer who joins the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment during the Revolutionary War, after the Loyalists storm his farmhouse and tragedy ensues.

According to Clarke, “It’s one of those stories that leaps off the shelf. My hope is for “Elijah and George” to be a unifying film. It’s part love story, part American history about how our freedoms came to be. The story brings the audience into the characters’ struggles and triumphs in what they can and do endure in the name of family, freedom and home.”

The film goes beyond the theater. David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American™ Foundation has partnered with 1663 Media Arts, LLC as a #HistoryMatters Educational Partner in support of the historical drama. Grateful American Kids’ is an interactive multimedia program that is focused on restoring enthusiasm about American history for kids—and adults. That mission is mirrored by the vision of the film.

A 1663 Media Arts, LLC Production with fiscal sponsorship, the film’s budget is $2,900,000.  The production is actively campaigning to raise funds before March 30th to begin shooting in early summer, with a release date of October 19, 2019–a nod of respect to the final day of the American Revolutionary War.

Contributions may be made through the film’s Network for Good Page. They are also entertaining major sponsors.

Become a Film Patron, Contribute to our Movie through our Network For Good Campaign

Up Next: Listen to the Filmmakers Interview with the 4th Coy Brigade of Guards! https://gwarmyandme.com/2019/02/14/elijah-and-george-podcast-interview-with-the-brigade-of-guards/

Michael Dooling, Writer, Illustrator

The David Bruce Smith Grateful American™ Foundation has partnered with 1663 Media Arts, LLC as a #HistoryMatters Educational Partner in support of the Historical Drama, “Elijah and George“.

The Grateful American Foundation and Grateful American Kids mission is mirrored to the vision of the film’s Educational Component. They are an interactive multimedia program that is focused on restoring enthusiasm in American history for children — and adults.

A Family-Friendly Feature Film, Elijah and George is adapted from the popular Illustrated Children’s Book “George Washington’s Army And Me” by renowned Author and Illustrator Michael Dooling!

Based on Letters and Diaries from the Period, Elijah and George is an Adventurous at-times Humorous, Heartfelt Story about Family, Freedom and Home!

In our story the Revolutionary War is the back drop. This is a character driven film that follows ten-year-old Elijah’s seemingly impossible adventures as he follows his father, a farmer that joins the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment after the Loyalists storm his farmhouse.

The film is a work of Fiction. Historical elements from Valley Forge leading up to the Battle of Monmouth are intertwined and based on Facts from our exhaustive research and historical advisors.

Imagine Huckleberry Finn meets The Patriot movie

Elijah and George is a family-friendly adventure that will leave audiences both entertained and inspired to learn more about the founding of the United States of America. The Grateful American Foundation provides a wealth of engaging information for people young and old to dive into the history of America and beyond!

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David Bruce Smith, founder and president — Author and publisher David Bruce Smith is the creator of The Grateful American™ Series, an interactive multimedia program that is focused on restoring enthusiasm in American history for children — and adults. A graduate of The George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in American Literature, and a master’s in journalism from New York University, Smith has spent decades as a real estate executive and the Editor-in-Chief/Publisher of Crystal City magazine. Smith is also the author of 11 books, including his most recent, “American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States,” and Three Miles from Providence: A Tale of Abraham Lincoln at the Soldiers’ Home. Click here to learn more about David Bruce Smith: www.davidbrucesmith.com

1663 Media Arts, LLC is an Independent Production Co. They develop historical dramas based on real life events…because History Matters. Founder Andrea M Clarke is a writer, producer, creative director and revolutionary with a firm belief in everyone’s right to be free and live happily and in peace within their (healthy) communities without fear of reprisals or discrimination. She left corporate America to focus on developing creative projects that uplift the human spirit and bring people together through the arts.  http://CherryLaneCreative.com – info@1663MediaArts.com

A Picture Worth a Million Words of Gratitude!