Wednesday, March 28, 2012

"I Thought It Was Forever" Completion Funds Update


We've surpassed the 10% fundraising goal with nearly 50 days left to raise $15,000 to complete "I Thought It Was Forever." Every week on this blog, Southern Belle Productions will publicly thank everyone who donates to the completion funds campaign for "I Thought It Was Forever." 

Financial support is critical for a documentary to move from creation to completion. Southern Belle Productions salutes and thanks Assunto Banks, Barbara L. Boehm and Phyllis Hull Akturk who donated in the last week.  Because of you the completion funds campaign for “I Thought It Was Forever” is nearly $1700. We welcome more donations and comments. 

Please share the link to the trailer for "I Thought It Was Forever:" http://www.indiegogo.com/I-Thought-It-Was-Forever?a=386630. 


We're also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Movie-I-Thought-It-Was-Forever/266635793379198.

"I Thought It Was Forever" Weekly All Access Pass

by Alleathea Carter-Perkins & Tiffani Horne

From concept to creation and completion, the progress of a documentary like "I Thought It Was Forever" depends heavily on a well-experienced crew, brave cast and donations. Throughout the 60-day campaign to raise completion funds for the film, on this blog you will get an in-depth look at a member of the cast and crew making the universal film possible. This week, Southern Belle Productions, LLC introduces you to the cinematographer and still photographer, Jeff Ray and cast member Randy.

Here's the "I Thought It Was Forever" trailer link: http://www.indiegogo.com/I-Thought-It-Was-Forever?a=386630.

Jeff Ray is by day a Graphic Artist at Custom Ink, Jeff Ray designs and personalizes everything from aprons and caps to cups and shirts. By night, lights, cameras and lots of action intertwine, as his film and photography hobbies weave a creative edge in D.C.’s independent music industry. Jeff shoots, edits and directs various types of music, promotional and instructional videos with an ingenious edge on each project. When asked why he wanted to work on “I Thought It Was Forever,” Jeff replied, “It’s going to be interesting.”
His favorite shoots so far, during production of “I Thought It Was Forever,” are those of Trudi and Preston. Trudi’s the oldest child of Sue and Randy. Trudi’s husband, Preston is a D.C area chef. Apparently, great people and a good meal are all it takes to keep this filmmaker happy on set.  During Trudi’s interview shoot, her husband, Preston, made homemade carrot soup and baguettes for the crew.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Ray
Ray recently graduated from American University in Washington, DC, where he earned a master’s degree in Producing for Film and Video. He is currently working on a documentary about a boxer who came within 24hours of winning an Olympic medal, then tragedy struck. He’s also writing a script for a feature film that replaces the grit and gore of slavery with an unpredictable and mysterious view. To learn more about Ray, be sure to check out upcoming editions of the “I Thought It Was Forever” All Access Pass.

Randy's Story
“I seriously considered having an open relationship because I cherished, adored and loved Sue, says Randy, in his interview for "I Thought It Was Forever.”

The Producers of Southern Belle Productions, LLC introduces Randy. He takes exceptional comfort in his long distance relationship with his girlfriend, who lives in Los Angeles. “I think I do it to protect myself from the hurt I experienced when I thought I had the woman and family of my dreams. I don’t think I’ll ever fully love someone that way again,” says Randy.
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Dortch
At one time, the major league baseball fanatic’s life was perfect. During the late ‘70s, while stationed in England, Randy met Sue through a friend. The two dated sporadically, eventually married and began a family, shortly before to moving to the D.C. area. On the couple’s 21st wedding anniversary, Randy says an e-mail led to the disintegration of the lifestyle that defined Randy and gave him his drive. “I loved being a father, husband and friend,” says Randy.
Photo courtesy of Randy
Coming Up Next Week:
- Meet Sue, Randy's ex-wife and Trudi, Randy and Sue's oldest child.

-Meet Crew
Member Alleathea Carter-Perkins

Thursday, March 22, 2012

"I Thought It Was Forever" Completion Funds Update

Every week on this blog, Southern Belle Productions will publicly thank everyone who donates to our goal of raising $15,000 over the next 55 days to complete "I Thought It Was Forever." Financial support is critical for a documentary to move from creation to completion. Southern Belle Productions salutes and thanks Tamela Patton, Julie Arthur, Alisa Simmons, Carl Stehman, Merrell Merricks, Elvis Wilson, Mariah Dillon, Tracy Domengeaux, Johnette Dillon, Leon Wagner, Eileen Vlismas, Raessa Smith, and Bonnie Calhoun.  Because of you the completion funds campaign for “I Thought It Was Forever” is more than $1300. 

We welcome more comments and donations. Feel free to share the link to the trailer for "I Thought It Was Forever:" http://www.indiegogo.com/I-Thought-It-Was-Forever?a=386630  

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

"I Thought It Was Forever" Weekly All Access Pass

by Alleathea Carter-Perkins & Tiffani Horne

From concept to creation and completion, the progress of "I Thought It Was Forever" depends heavily on a well-experienced crew and brave cast. Throughout the 60-day campaign to raise completion funds for the film, on this blog you will get an in-depth look at a member of the cast and crew making the universal film possible. This week, Southern Belle Productions, LLC introduces you to the director of photography, Lawrence Dortch and cast member Carolyn.

Photo courtesy of Lawrence Dortch

Lawrence Dortch’s expertise and talent have taken him from the shores of sunny Los Angeles, CA to distant lands such as Cambodia, Spain, and Singapore. As an avid and seasoned Producer and Director of Photography, he brings a wealth of production knowledge to the set of “I Thought It Was Forever,” and is excited about the film’s debut. “I love hearing and then telling other people’s stories,” says Dortch. 
Dortch’s most recent film is an award-winning short. “One Punch at a Time” is a short documentary about Asia Stevenson a female boxer fighting out of Headbangers Boxing Club in Washington, DC. Stevenson hopes to win the 2012 gold medal in boxing at the 132lbs weight class. "One Punch at a Time," follows Stevenson through her training and into the regional championships where she has to fight to win to qualify for the U.S. national team.
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Dortch
For his work on “One Punch at a Time,” Dortch won a 2011 award of merit for short documentary in the California best shorts competition. The film screened at the Columbia Gorge International Film Festival, the Reel Independent Film Extravaganza, the Alexandria Film Festival and the All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival. It was recently nominated for a 2011 Audience Favorite Visions Award in Washington, DC.
Here’s a link to “One Punch at a Time” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB0VchUMxbE.

Dortch is a Producer for the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. He spent many years as a sports and entertainment magazine photographer and has a Master’s Degree in Film Production from American University. To learn more about Dortch, be sure to check out upcoming editions of the “I Thought It Was Forever” All Access Pass.
"He Said He Married Me Because He Didn't Want to Be Gay."

Carolyn’s Story
Carolyn, a retired State Department executive saw her marriage of three decades shatter after a stunning revelation. Her 30 plus year partnership ended when her husband realized and confessed, he could no longer live a façade. Carolyn’s then-husband decided to live his life happily and honestly as a homosexual male.
Carolyn Lowengart & Maniko Barthelemy
Photo courtesy of Maniko Barthelemy
These days Carolyn is all about healing and  helping others. She volunteers with the Straight Spouse Network and attends other counseling sessions. To learn more about Carolyn's story, and the story of others, log on to http://www.indiegogo.com/I-Thought-It-Was-Forever?a=386630 and view the trailer for “I Thought It Was Forever.”  We also invite you to e-mail your comments directly to Maniko Barthelemy at NewsHeels@gmail.com

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Southern Belle Productions Releases "I Thought It Was Forever" Trailer

      The pursuit of lifelong happiness is complete for millions of people when they find, fall in love with and marry their ideal spouse. With the help of some very brave people, willing to be completely candid, “I Thought It Was Forever” is a 60-minute documentary in revelatory fashion that shows just how happily ever after can unravel into an urgent and unnerving question whether to leave forever.

     As you’ll see, the answer isn’t as clear cut…as most would think, especially when a promise is just as tough to keep as a secret. I invite you to help support and take “I Thought It Was Forever” to the next phase.
A team of committed filmmakers, including myself, are so sure “I Thought It Was Forever” is an important, universal film about trust, compromise and coming to grips with reality versus embracing fantasy, up to this point, Southern Belle Productions, LLC has self-financed the production and donated nearly 200 hours of our time to factual research, conducting interviews, as well as writing and editing.

         We invite you to make a tax deductible donation, to help us complete the film. Every dollar you donate helps bring “I Thought It Was Forever” to a theater near you or a broadcast cable network. Here's the link to the official trailer and fundraising site: http://www.indiegogo.com/I-Thought-It-Was-Forever?a=386630. As always, your comments are absolutely important, so please watch the trailer, share your comment and donate to the completion of the film.

Feel free to contact Maniko Barthelemy, executive producer of "I Thought It Was Forever" at NewsHeels@gmail.com.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Sex, Lies, Marriage & Homosexuality in Film Coming Soon!


There's a very important reason the content on this page has been sporadic. For weeks, I've been exceptionally busy working on something exceptionally bold and pretty soon you'll get to see and say something about "I Thought It Was Forever." The film is a documentary that closes the gap left by blockbuster studio-financed films and traditional news coverage about extramarital affairs where the cheating spouse cheats with someone of the same-sex.

Getting married is the universal staple and symbol of the achieving the ultimate pursuit of lifelong happiness. Reportedly, nearly two million people know exactly how it feels when happily ever after is interrupted by a level of dishonesty no one is prepared to handle. Some respond violently to the betrayal, others consider murder-suicide, hide in self-pity and shame. Yet, there are a few who find the courage to pick up, start a new life and try not to let an emotional scar so significant blur their hopes and dreams of a happy life.

For several weeks some very brave people have allowed the Southern Belle Productions, LLC cameras to capture their candid reaction to a defining moment that will leave some of you silent, others shocked, sad or pissed. Everyone will indeed have an opinion. There's a lesson about choices, chances and consequences in "I Thought It Was Forever" that no one should underestimate or dismiss. Assume Nothing. The trailer is coming to this site in 48 hours. Join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Movie-I-Thought-It-Was-Forever/266635793379198https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Movie-I-Thought-It-Was-Forever/266635793379198


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