News
Jan 27, 2010
AARP Names TWWGB 'Best Documentary' Of 2009
AARP The Magazine has named The Way We Get By Best Documentary in their ninth annual Movies For Grownups Awards. For years, AARP The Magazine has recognized filmmakers and actresses and actors who create movies that speak thematically to audiences age 50-plus and celebrate those in the industry in the same age demographic.
The awards will be presented at a Hollywood Gala on February 16th at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. All three subjects from The Way We Get By-- Bill, Joan and Jerry will be traveling from Maine to Hollywood with director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly to accept the award.
From the AARP Magazine website...
The Way We Get By
Written and directed by Aron Gaudet
Three great Americans-a grandmother of eight and a pair of elderly veterans-have greeted more than 900,000 U.S. troops as they've passed through the airport near their home in Bangor, Maine. To witness the trio's sacrifice in the face of personal problems is to know that patriotism doesn't always wear a uniform.
We also loved:
Edie & Thea: A Very Long Engagement, Gotta Dance!, The Philosopher Kings, Still Bill.
You can also listen to AARP Radio host Mike Cuthbert's interview with The Way We Get By director Aron Gaudet and his mom and film subject Joan.
Jan 19, 2010
TWWGB Filmmakers To Speak At NYFA Event Jan. 28th
The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is hosting a case study with The Way We Get By filmmakers-- director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly-- on January 28th in Brooklyn, NY. For directions to the event click here.
From the NYFA website:
THE WAY WE GET BY
A case study with filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly
http://www.thewaywegetbymovie.com/
The story of THE WAY WE GET BY is an inventive, successful and highly informative example of how to creatively finance, market and distribute independent film. Aside from the strengths of the film itself, much of this success hinges on thewaywegetbymovie.com, a website that effectively builds audiences, raises awareness, and makes money.
Explore their website, then join us on Thursday, Januay 28th from 6 PM to 8 PM for an engrossing examination of contemporary independent filmmaking. You will be inspired, and you will leave with useful ideas and information that can be applied to your own work.
$10 for NYFA Fiscally Sponsored Artists or Fellows (register below)
$15 for everyone else (pay at the door)
Nov 12, 2009
POV Airs TWWGB On Veterans Day To Huge Response
Last night's Veterans Day national television premiere of The Way We Get By on PBS' award-winning documentary series POV was met with a huge audience response, making it the most commented on and most emailed about film of the entire POV season.
A few comments from the POV website following the broadcast...
This was one of the best films I have ever seen. This film made me laugh cry and motivated me to support our troops.
by Diamond from Windsor, Connecticut
November 11, 2009, 9:14 PM
I just finished watching this special and I still have tears in my eyes. The way you portray this amazing people is extraordinary - and I want to say Thank You to them for everything they do and i will be praying for them all. - With Much gratitude...
by Cari Barker from Melbourne, FL
November 11, 2009, 10:26 PM
I don't know quite what to say except that this is one of the best stories I have ever seen anywhere!
I realize that the PBS rating allows only for a possible of five (5) stars, and that's what I gave this show. However, this goes far beyond the five-star rating! Words cannot describe how I feel about these people whom I have never met. They are certainly an inspiration to me at this time in my life.
I am in the process of retiring after working some 50+ years in various careers. I have been blessed enough to be provided for financially so that I can devote the rest of my life to helping other seniors who are less fortunate than I. I am 66 years old, and when I grow up, I hope to be just like these three. The phrase that sticks with me is '...you can rust out quicker than you can wear out....' I LOVE IT, AND I LOVE ALL THREE OF THEM!!!!!!
by Valarie J Fane from Southfield, MI
November 11, 2009, 10:52 PM
Please visit The Way We Get By on the POV website to read more of the 300+ comments and for more special content-- including a BONUS SCENE from The Way We Get By!!
**UPDATE**
"THE WAY WE GET BY" NAMED THE MOST WATCHED ONLINE FILM THIS SEASON ON POV
Oct 19, 2009
TWWGB Filmmakers Are Given A Dream Wedding!
The Way We Get By director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly were married October 16th on the coast of Maine-- with an amazing FREE wedding!!-- courtesy of Real Weddings Maine and the 60+ wedding vendors who joined forces to form RWM-- We thought we would offer to you these links as a full tour of the wedding... a six-part blog posting on 'Style Me Pretty' wedding blog which takes you through the entire 3-day event...
Style Me Pretty - 6 Part Wedding Blog...
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-wedding/
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-wedding-part-ii/
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-wedding-part-iii/
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-wedding-iv/
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-wedding-v/
http://www.stylemepretty.com/2009/11/11/veterans-day-wedding-vi/
It pretty much sums up the gift of a lifetime. Hope you enjoy it. We sure did!
Oct 02, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Crew Invited To The White House
**UPDATE ON THE CAPITOL HILL SCREENING**
While in Washington, D.C. to screen The Way We Get By on Capitol Hill and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the three subjects from the film-- Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet and Jerry Mundy-- as well as the filmmakers received an invitation for a private tour of the White House, which then turned into a personal meeting with Vice President Joe Biden. V.P. Biden invited Bill, Joan and Jerry into his office for a talk, and presented them each with a gift. See photo below.
L-R: Jerry Mundy, Joan Gaudet, Vice President Biden, Bill Knight, Gita Pullapilly, Aron Gaudet
Sep 18, 2009
"The Way We Get By" To Screen On Capitol Hill Sept 30th
SENATOR SNOWE, SENATOR COLLINS, REPRESENTATIVE MICHAUD AND REPRESENTATIVE PINGREE ARE PROUD TO SPONSOR A SPECIAL CAPITOL HILL SCREENING OF THE AWARD-WINNING FILM "THE WAY WE GET BY" TO HONOR MILITARY FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS WITH INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY DR. JILL BIDEN.
As part of President Obama's United We Serve initiative, the USO, Operation Homefront and HandsOn Network are proud to present the highly-acclaimed documentary, The Way We Get By, which will screen on Capitol Hill September 30, 2009 from 6:30- 8:30pm.
L-R: Jerry Mundy, Joan Gaudet, & Bill Knight
Fresh off its recent successful New York City and Los Angeles theatrical premieres, The Way We Get By continues its campaign to rally support for volunteer activities for military families. Since its completion, The Way We Get By has inspired audiences across the country. From war veterans to elderly volunteers, the film has provided hope to everyday citizens during this time of economic turmoil. The Way We Get By has been honored with numerous awards including the Special Jury Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival, the Golden Rock award for Best Documentary at the 3rd Little Rock Film Festival and the Audience Award at Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. At the Cleveland Film Festival, it beat out 28 films to win the Greg Gund Memorial Film Competition, which recognizes films for their social conscience.
About USO
The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform. The USO currently operates more than 135 centers worldwide, including ten mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. For more information, visit uso.org
About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation's population and extend to ten countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million. For more information, visit handsonnetwork.org.
About The Corporation For National And Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation engages four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
About Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide, and has met more than 105,000 needs of military families. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit operationhomefront.net and homefrontonline.com.
The Way We Get By is a co-production of The Way We Get By Productions, Inc., the Independent Television Service (ITVS) and American Documentary, Inc. | POV, made in association with WGBH and MPBN with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Sep 18, 2009
"The Way We Get By" To Screen At Walter Reed Oct 1st
We are very proud to announce that there will be a special screening of The Way We Get By at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on October 1st for service members, their families and Walter Reed employees. The Way We Get By director Aron Gaudet, producer Gita Pullapilly and all three subjects from the film will be at this special event for a Q&A following the film.
The Way We Get By will screen at 5:00pm in Building 41 at the medical center. There will also be special surprise guests and events planned for all those attending.
Fresh off its recent successful New York City and Los Angeles theatrical premieres, The Way We Get By continues its campaign to rally support for volunteer activities for military families. Since its completion, The Way We Get By has inspired audiences across the country. From war veterans to elderly volunteers, the film has provided hope to everyday citizens during this time of economic turmoil. The Way We Get By has been honored with numerous awards including the Special Jury Award at the South by Southwest Film Festival, the Golden Rock award for Best Documentary at the 3rd Little Rock Film Festival and the Audience Award at Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. At the Cleveland Film Festival, it beat out 28 films to win the Greg Gund Memorial Film Competition, which recognizes films for their social conscience.
Aug 27, 2009
Power Of Volunteering: Sen. Kennedy's Mission Of Service
The Power of Volunteering: HandsOn Network Affiliate Boston Cares Celebrates Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's Mission of Service...
(BOSTON, MA) -Even during his most difficult times, Senator Edward Kennedy continued to advance social change. HandsOn Network Affiliate Boston Cares continues to honor and remember his contributions this week in our mourning. Edward M. Kennedy was a true servant leader, and his legacy of service will live well beyond his lifetime.
To champion Sen. Kennedy's message and respond to the President's "United We Serve" challenge, HandsOn Network affiliate Boston Cares is calling its members to volunteer 2,000 hours above and beyond their usual volunteering before September 11. Boston Cares members are now inviting the public to join them as part of the "United We Serve" commitment to year-round service. The demand for volunteers continues to increase as non-profit agencies and communities reel from the economic downturn, with one in every three organizations reporting increased reliance on volunteers as a means to coping with the economic situation (cncs.gov). The Boston Cares "United We Serve" challenge offers a way to provide agencies with the volunteer support they desperately need.
In light of this, HandsOn Network, Boston Cares and Operation Homefront are proud to present the highly-acclaimed documentary, The Way We Get By, which will screen at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston beginning Thursday, August 27 at 8 p.m. at Remis Auditorium and continue showing until Wednesday, September 2. The Way We Get By is a deeply moving film about life that shows how volunteerism can significantly impact an entire community. Kicking off the Boston premiere, Boston Cares will offer an avenue for people to plug into volunteering immediately after watching the film. The premiere will feature members of the Army National Guard greeting volunteers, veterans and military families as they walk into the theatre. Director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly will be in attendance, as well as a star from The Way We Get By.
Aug 24, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Opens in Boston w/ Special Event
Operation Homefront and HandsOn Network affiliate Boston Cares honor those who serve with the help of the Maine Troop Greeters at the Boston premiere of the award-winning film THE WAY WE GET BY.
(BOSTON, MA) - As part of the Obama Administration's campaign, UNITED WE SERVE, Operation Homefront and HandsOn Network affiliate Boston Cares are proud to present the highly-acclaimed documentary, The Way We Get By, which will screen at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston beginning Thursday August 27 at 8 p.m. at Remis Auditorium and continuing until Wednesday, September 2.
Kicking off the Boston premiere, members of the Army National Guard will greet veterans and military families as they walk into the theatre. Director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly will be in attendance, as well as a star from The Way We Get By. For ticket information, visit the MFA's website.
Fresh off its recent successful New York City and Los Angeles theatrical premieres, The Way We Get By continues its campaign to rally support for volunteer activities for military families and community engagements. To make it easier for people to volunteer, the Administration is promoting Serve.gov, a Web site that allows visitors to type in their zip code to find local volunteer opportunities, recruit volunteers by posting their organization's projects, or get ideas for creating their own projects with friends, families, and neighbors. President Obama's full message about United We Serve and more information on the initiative can be found at www.Serve.gov.
ABOUT HandsOn NETWORK
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation's population and extend to ten countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million. For more information, visit http://www.handsonnetwork.org.
BOSTON CARES is the largest organization in New England dedicated to team oriented volunteering on a flexible basis. In 2007, more than 16,000 Boston Cares volunteers contributed 49,000 hours to 165 non-profits in the Greater Boston area.
ABOUT THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation engages four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
ABOUT OPERATION HOMEFRONT
Operation Homefront provides emergency and morale assistance for our troops, the families they leave behind and for wounded warriors when they return home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in 30 chapters nationwide, and has met more than 105,000 needs of military families. Operation Homefront also hosts the Web community Operation Homefront Online. For more information, please visit www.operationhomefront.net and www.homefrontonline.com.
Aug 19, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Teams Up With Hands On Network
The Way We Get By is extremely proud to announce their partnership with HandsOn Network. HandsOn Network and Points of Light Institute screened The Way We Get By during the Civic. Energy. Generation. Film Festival at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in June, and it was received extremely well - many audience members were in tears. HandsOn Network has endorsed the film, as it aligns perfectly with their mission to inspire, equip and mobilize people to take action that changes the world.
HandsOn Network is encouraging everyone to see The Way We Get By to be inspired to create change, and then visit the HandsOn Action Center nearest you-- HandsOn Action Centers can connect those who have seen the film to meaningful volunteer opportunities and ways to respond to the film's inspirational message. Many of the HandsOn Action Centers will have a presence at local screenings of The Way We Get By and present ways to get engaged.
About HandsOn Network
HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers that reach more than 83% of the nation's population and extend to ten countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating scaled impact. In 2008, the network delivered approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at $615 million.
For more information, visit http://www.handsonnetwork.org.
Aug 14, 2009
"Mad Men" Join Military For L.A. Red Carpet Premiere
"MAD MEN" JOIN MILITARY FAMILIES AND VETERANS AT PREMIERE OF "THE WAY WE GET BY"...
AMC TV'S MAD MEN stars RICH SOMMER and MICHAEL GLADIS will be joining volunteers from HandsOn Network and L.A. Works along with military families and veterans from Operation Homefront for the August 14th, red carpet premiere of the award-winning documentary THE WAY WE GET BY beginning at 6:30 PM in Beverly Hills.
L.A. Works, an affiliate of HandsOn Network is teaming up with the local chapter of Operation Homefront to recognize military families and volunteers who come to see the film in the theater. These organizations have collaborated to bring a red carpet to the theater and arrange for photo opportunities to honor the individuals who dedicate their lives to serving others.
MAD MEN's Rich Sommer and Michael Gladis will attend the premiere to express appreciation to the volunteers and support the project. Following each opening weekend screening of the film at the Music Hall from August 14 - August 20, Director Aron Gaudet, producer Gita Pullapilly and one of the subjects from THE WAY WE GET BY will host question and answer sessions for viewers. It is their hope that by watching the award-winning film, others will be inspired to get involved in their own communities and serve others.
Visit the Screenings Page for more information.
Aug 13, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Now Playing In L.A. Aug 14th-20th
**CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL LOS ANGELES PROMOTIONS**
The Way We Get By is now playing theatrically in Los Angeles at Laemmle's Music Hall 3, August 14th - 20th-- SHOWTIMES @ 12:20pm*, 2:40pm*, 5:00pm, 7:20pm, 9:40pm**. Tickets are now on sale.
* - Sat. & Sun. only / ** - Fri. & Sat. only
Director Aron Gaudet, producer Gita Pullapilly and one of the stars from the film will be in Los Angeles for the opening weekend and there will be Q&As following selected screenings. There will also be special events with our partner organizations, including a "Battle Buddy" promotion-- Click HERE for more details on how to get a FREE TICKET to an opening weekend screening of The Way We Get By.
Join THE WAY WE GET BY Facebook Group and choose to "attend" the L.A. Premiere Event so you be a part of the L.A. opening.
Visit the Screenings Page for more information.
Aug 12, 2009
Get A FREE TICKET To Opening Weekend Show in L.A.
We are happy to announce an exciting promotion in conjunction with The Way We Get By, now playing August 14th - 20th at Laemmle's Music Hall in Los Angeles.
FREE TICKETS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS & SENIORS
The Way We Get By is offering a FREE TICKET to any opening weekend screening of the film (August 14th - 16th) to active service members, military veterans, and senior citizens 65 and older. FREE TICKETS are while supplies last.
**CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPECIAL LOS ANGELES PROMOTIONS**
Please download the "Battle Buddy" promotional flyer as your "ticket voucher" and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the screening you wish to attend, so allow time to process your voucher.
Aug 11, 2009
**UPDATED**TWWGB Announces More Maine Dates
MORE DATES ADDED ACROSS MAINE!!
The Way We Get By is currently on a 20-city (and counting) Maine theatrical tour across the state, with additional dates being confirmed and added every day. Please check the website often to see if The Way We Get By is coming to your city.
Visit the Screenings Page for more information on each of these special events.
Confirmed screening dates below...
April 9th - 11th Collins Center for the Arts - Orono, Maine **SOLD OUT PREMIERE**
April 18th Railroad Square Cinema - Waterville, Maine **SOLD OUT**
April 20th - 23rd Narrow Gauge Cinema - Farmington, Maine **SOLD OUT SCREENINGS**
April 29th - 30th Narrow Gauge Cinema - Farmington, Maine **TWO SHOWS ADDED**
May 1st - 7th Railroad Square Cinema - Waterville, Maine **ADDITIONAL DATES ADDED**
May 8th & 10th Alamo Theatre - Bucksport, Maine **3 SHOWS ONLY**
May 24th - 25th Stonington Opera House - Stonington, Maine **MEMORIAL DAY SCREENING**
June 5th - 8th Reel Pizza Cinerama - Bar Harbor, Maine **NEW DATES ADDED**
June 18th Waterman's Community Center - North Haven, Maine **NEW DATE ADDED**
June 19th - 21st Space Gallery - Portland, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
June 25th - 26th Colonial Theatre - Belfast, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
June 27th - 28th Strand Theatre - Rockland, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
July 10th - 12th The Grand - Ellsworth, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
July 16th - 18th Center Theatre - Dover-Foxcroft, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
July 23rd - 25th Frontier Cafe - Brunswick, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
August 2nd - 4th Temple Theatre - Houlton, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
August 7th - 9th Rangeley Lakeside Theater - Rangeley, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
August 16th Waterman's Community Center - North Haven, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
August 9th & 11th - 13th LCCT - Damariscotta, Maine **NEW DATES ADDED**
August 21st & 22nd Leavitt Fine Arts Theatre - Ogunquit, Maine **NEW DATES ADDED**
August 28th - 30th City Theater - Biddeford, Maine **SHOWTIMES ADDED**
September 11th - 17th Bangor Mall Cinemas 10 - Bangor, Maine **NEW DATES ADDED**
More dates to come...
Jul 18, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Now Playing In NYC!!
**CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL NEW YORK CITY PROMOTIONS**
The Way We Get By is now playing in New York City, July 17th - 23rd at the IFC Center-- SHOWTIMES @ 11:25am, 1:15pm, 5:25pm, 7:30pm.
Director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly, and two of the stars from the film are in New York City for the opening weekend and there will be Q&As following selected screenings. There will also be special events all week with our partner organizations, including "Bring A Vet" and "Battle Buddy" promotions-- Click HERE for more details on how to get a FREE TICKET to an opening week screening of The Way We Get By.
Visit the Screenings Page for more information.
Filmgoer Lori Evanson poses with Jerry & Bill
Jul 17, 2009
Get A FREE TICKET To Opening Week Screening in NYC!
We are happy to announce that there are two exciting promotions in conjunction with The Way We Get By, which opens TODAY-- July 17th and runs through July 23rd at the IFC Center in New York City.
World Airways and North American Airlines are sponsoring "Bring A Vet" and "Battle Buddy" for all opening week screenings of The Way We Get By...
BRING A VET
Bring a veteran to a screening of The Way We Get By and he/she will receive a FREE TICKET to the film.
BATTLE BUDDY
If any person, 25 years of age or younger, brings a senior citizen, over the age of 65, to a screening of The Way We Get By that senior will receive a FREE TICKET to the film.
**CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPECIAL NEW YORK CITY PROMOTIONS**
Please download the promotional flyers and RSVP to guarantee seating at the screening of your choice.
Jul 15, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Partners With VolunteerMatch
The Way We Get By is proud to announce its national partnership with VolunteerMatch!
VolunteerMatch is the Web's largest and most popular volunteer network, and is committed to strengthening communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. Its award-winning online service, www.volunteermatch.org, helps visitors find local volunteer opportunities by location, interest area, and/or keyword. The VolunteerMatch network welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2008 and has become the preferred volunteer recruiting service for more than 65,000 nonprofits.
After attending a screening of The Way We Get By, please make sure to visit www.volunteermatch.org to see how you can get involved in your own community.
Jul 01, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Partners With Operation Homefront
The Way We Get By is proud to announce its national partnership with Operation Homefront!
Operation Homefront is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) that serves our troops, their families, and wounded warriors when they return home. The organization's volunteers, employees, and the families that it serves, support The Way We Get By and will be in attendance during the opening week of screenings at the IFC Center in NYC beginning this Friday, July 17th. During this time, you can participate in Operation Homefront's "Backpack Program", which provides children of military families backpacks and other important supplies that they need when they go to school this fall. If you are interested in helping, visit operationhomefront.net to learn about the organization.
Please bring a new or used backpack to a screening of The Way We Get By and donate it to Operation Homefront's "Backpack Program".
Jun 24, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Opens In NYC Today!!
**CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL NEW YORK CITY PROMOTIONS**
The Way We Get By will open theatrically in New York City TODAY, July 17th at the IFC Center-- SHOWTIMES @ 11:25am, 1:15pm, 5:25pm, 7:30pm.
Director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly, and two of the stars from the film will be in New York City for the opening weekend and there will be Q&As following selected screenings. There will also be special events all week with our partner organizations, including "Bring A Vet" and "Battle Buddy" promotions-- Click HERE for more details on how to get a FREE TICKET to an opening week screening of The Way We Get By.
Join THE WAY WE GET BY Facebook Group and choose to "attend" the NYC Premiere Event so you will be reminded of the NYC opening.
Visit the Screenings Page for more information.
Jun 11, 2009
SilverDocs Coverage: WCP Loves "The Way We Get By"
Washington City Paper highlights The Way We Get By not once but TWICE in its SILVERDOCS coverage this morning...
First up, in "Our Morning Roundup" after Washington City Paper viewed over 70 of the 122 films playing at SILVERDOCS, Mike Riggs had this to say about The Way We Get By--
"As for me, I got pretty choked up watching The Way We Get By, and can't think of a single friend, family member, or down-on-his-luck stranger to whom I would not recommend this film. Absolutely stunning."
Click HERE for the full story.
Then Mike Riggs does a "Close-up on the elderly" with three capsule reviews of SILVERDOCS films highlighting senior citizens. Here is his capsule review for The Way We Get By--
The real standout in this selection is The Way We Get By, which follows Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet, and Jerry Mundy, three retired residents of Bangor, Maine, who have met every incoming flight from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. This one will leave you breathless: The scene in which a gangly, just-out-of-high-school private breaks out of line to wrap his arms around Joan and weep on her shoulder; the shots of Bill's farmhouse, which is nearly unlivable from years of neglect following his wife's death; a shellshocked soldier's confession that an empty airport would only "add to the confusion" of having been in Iraq. Even viewers with a primal hatred for proponents of the military will find themselves crying over Bill's answer when the producer asks him about greeting the troops. Blinking away tears, he says, "I've outlived my usefulness. My life doesn't mean much to me, but if I can make it mean something to somebody else, that's a worthy endeavor."
Click HERE for the full capsule reviews.
The Way We Get By screens at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, June 19; also at 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, at AFI Silver Theatre.
Jun 08, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Wins Big @ Newport Festival
The Way We Get By was honored with the 2009 Newport International Film Festival Documentary Feature Jury Prize as well as the Audience Award for Documentary Feature.
The Documentary Jury was made up of Wendy Mitchell, Senior Editor of Screen International and ScreenDaily.com; Clémence Taillandier, Head of Theatrical Sales at Zeitgeist Films; and Jeremiah Zagar, Director, In A Dream. The 2009 NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL winners were announced at an event on Sunday, June 7 in the Filmmaker Lounge at the fest headquarters at Empire Tea & Coffee in Newport.
NEWS LINKS OF THE AWARDS...
Jun 07, 2009
TWWGB Official P.O.V. Broadcast Date...Veterans Day!!
P.O.V. has announced the official television broadcast premiere date for The Way We Get By ...and it couldn't be more perfect-- Veterans Day!! What better way to top off your Veterans Day this November 11th than a 10pm broadcast of The Way We Get By on every PBS station in the country. We couldn't be happier with this news. This is the perfect timeslot for the film.
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit the P.O.V. website.
May 23, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Official Selection Of SilverDocs
The Way We Get By has been named an Official Selection of the 2009 SILVERDOCS: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Film Festival, June 15th - 22nd in Washington D.C. at the AFI Silver Theatre-- the flagship theatre of the AFI, one of the premier film exhibition spaces in the country, and the top art house cinema in the region, and at Discovery Communications World Headquarters.
The film will screen as part of the SILVER SPECTRUM program June 19th at 2:15pm and June 21st at 12:45pm. All the three subjects from The Way We Get By will be attending SILVERDOCS--THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE ONLY TIMES WHEN ALL THREE SUBJECTS FROM THE FILM ARE PRESENT FOR THE Q&A FOLLOWING EACH SCREENING!!
Visit the Screenings Page for more information on the festival.
May 22, 2009
TWWGB To Play Newport & Nantucket Festivals
The Way We Get By has been selected to screen as part of the 12th Annual Newport International Film Festival, June 3rd - 7th in Newport, Rhode Island and the 14th Annual Nantucket Film Festival, June 18th - 21st in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Visit the Screenings Page for dates and showtimes.
May 16, 2009
"The Way We Get By" Rocks An Award In Little Rock
The Way We Get By won the very first Golden Rock award for Best Documentary at the 3rd Little Rock Film Festival in Little Rock, Arkansas. The heavy bronze Golden Rock Award was hand sculpted by Arkansas artist Kevin Bell.
May 12, 2009
"The Way We Get By" A Success @ Hot Docs Premiere
The Way We Get By had it's international premiere last week at the prestigious Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Film Festival in Toronto. The film garnered plenty of great press over the course of the festival, as it screened twice to enthusiastic audiences.
Click on the links below to read up on the international premiere.
TORONTO STAR - They Too Serve Who Comfort
realscreen - the way first-time filmmakers get by
Exclaim.ca - The Way We Get By review **SPOILER ALERT**
Director Aron Gaudet, producer Gita Pullapilly and subject Joan Gaudet attended the screenings at Hot Docs. Joan received a standing ovation from the audience when introduced for the Q&A following the film.
May 10, 2009
New York City Premiere Of TWWGB A Sold Out Success!!
The New York City Premiere of The Way We Get By as part of the Stranger Than Fiction film series presented by Thom Powers at the IFC Center was a great success!! The screening, co-presented by the Camden International Film Festival and P.O.V. was followed by an entertaining Q&A, after party, and even a CIFF sponsored dance party.
Pamela Cohn wrote about the evening on her great Still in Motion blog. Here is an excerpt from her wonderful article...
The Way We Get By offers a unique (and very quiet and unpolitical) look at the toll the Iraq war has been taking on the individual citizens and families that comprise this nation. Through touch, a smile, an encouraging word (and Fireballs!), these seniors tell each and every soldier coming through the terminal how grateful they are for their sacrifice and service.
Moreover, the film also tells stories of what it's like to be old and lonely in this culture, the isolation and the feelings of uselessness and the emotional losses that come with old age. We enter into the lives of 73-year-old Jerry Mundy, 75-year-old Joan Gaudet and, the subject that touched my heart most of all, 86-year-old Bill Knight--all brave and honest souls compelled to keep going directly because of the work they're doing. With patience and sensitivity, Gaudet and Pullapilly allow their characters to help breathe new life into an issue we all think has been pretty much tapped out. Gaudet presents these wonderful subjects, albeit a bit frayed and tired, with dignity and grace, all to a person containing a life-force that transcends everyday concerns to offer object lessons in how to be a human being.
CLICK HERE to read her entire blog post.
Apr 30, 2009
More Dates Added...Portland Showtimes Announced
The Way We Get By continues to play to sold out crowds across Maine, as new dates are being added each day to the special Maine theatrical run sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank.
Showtimes have just been announced for The Way We Get By's three-show run in Portland, Maine at the SPACE Gallery. The film will screen June 19th at 7:30pm, June 20th at 3pm, and June 21st at 7:30pm. Please arrive early as seating is limited and sure to sell out. Tickets are now on sale for these special Maine events.
Please visit our Screenings Page for more details.
Apr 27, 2009
TWWGB Back By Popular Demand In Farmington
Coming off the four days of SOLD OUT shows at the Narrow Gauge Cinema last week in Farmington, Maine, The Way We Get By is back by popular demand for TWO ADDITIONAL NIGHTS!! The film will screen this week on Wednesday, April 29th and Thursday, April 30th at 7pm each night. Tickets are still the bargain price of $5 per show.
If you were unable to get into a screening last week, know a friend who should see it, or would like a second chance to see The Way We Get By on the big screen do not miss these two special Maine events. Please visit the Screenings Page of our website for more information on these added showings.
Apr 21, 2009
TWWGB New York City Premiere Already SOLD OUT!!
STRANGER THAN FICTION SCREENING - SOLD OUT EVENT!!
The New York City Premiere of The Way We Get By as part of the Stranger Than Fiction film series presented by Thom Powers at the IFC Center in NYC has already sold out!! The April 28th screening will be co-presented by the Camden International Film Festival and P.O.V. followed by a Q&A by director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly. After the show we will head to 99 Below (99 MacDougal Street) for tasty drink specials, followed by an after after party at Santos.
Check out The Way We Get By Screenings Page for more information on this special evening.
Apr 20, 2009
TWWGB Named Best Documentary at Atlanta Film Festival
The Way We Get By won Best Documentary at the Atlanta Film Festival. The jury award winners were announced April 20th. This is the 6th award for The Way We Get By on it's successful film festival run-- along with the Special Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and winning the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition at the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival.
You can also read "10 Questions with Aron Gaudet of The Way We Get By" on the Atlanta Film Festival blog.
Apr 09, 2009
TWWGB Comes Home To Bangor For Maine Premiere
From the Bangor Daily News
by Eric Russell - BDN Staff
"We Get By" with a little help from our friends
Premiere of troop greeter film a hit
ORONO, Maine - The scene outside the Collins Center for the Arts late Thursday afternoon captured the ultimate role reversal.
Dozens of uniformed soldiers lined a red carpet and waited to greet the filmmakers and stars of "The Way We Get By," a documentary film by Maine native Aron Gaudet that chronicles the now-famous troop greeters at Bangor International Airport.
The movie, filmed over a four-year period beginning in December 2004, has been shown and widely praised at film festivals across the country. On Thursday, the final version of the film was unveiled for the first time to a Maine audience of invited guests at the University of Maine's Collins Center. Public screenings will be held today and Saturday.
But for 80 minutes on Thursday, the VIP audience sat enraptured. They laughed often. They choked up at other times. When it ended, they stood and applauded enthusiastically until the credits rolled through. "Amazing," said one guest on the way out.
"It's not just about troop greeters; it's about life," said another. "It was very powerful."
"I just want to call my grandparents right now," said a third.
Jerry Mundy, a troop greeter since 2003 and one of the film's three main characters, said he was pretty overwhelmed by Thursday's event.
"To have a colonel stand at attention for me," he said of his initial entrance. "That's something." On most occasions, it's the troops who get the applause and handshakes from Mundy and the many other troop greeters who set up shop at BIA. The group, mostly retirees and veterans, has been greeting troop flights since 2001.
Brig. Gen. Brent Boyles, commander of the Maine Army National Guard, said he has met soldiers all over the country, and they always remember the troop greeters from Bangor.
"It's about them, as it should be," Boyles said of the film and Thursday's event. "I'm so amazed at the personal challenges they face and put aside in order to do this."
"The Way We Get By" is the story of Mundy, Bill Knight and Joan Gaudet, three area residents who have become involved with the troop greeters since passing retirement age. All three have their own life struggles that are portrayed in the movie, but they continue to greet troops in part because of the boost it provides in their own lives.
When first approached about the film, Mundy said he didn't give it much thought.
"I never intended to open up that much," he said. "But they [filmmakers] had a way."
Gaudet, the film's director and a native of Old Town, said the film took on a life of its own.
"It became an argument over who appreciates who more," he said referring to the troops and the greeters. "But what's great is that it's not one-sided. They provide something to each other."
Gov. John Baldacci, who attended Thursday's premiere, said before the screening that the film features a truly inspiring and universal message.
"I think the troop greeters really helped to set the tone for the entire country," he said, referring to supporting troops without necessarily supporting the war. "They really represent each and every one of us." U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud has been to BIA several times to watch the troop greeters in action and also attended Thursday's premiere.
"What really resonates is that they are there because they want to be," he said.
The movie has touched audiences and critics at various film festivals, scoring a Special Jury Award at the prestigious South by Southwest Film Festival last month in Austin, Texas. It also beat out 28 films at the Cleveland Film Festival to take the Greg Gund Memorial Film Competition, which recognizes films for their social conscience.
Thursday's audience was no exception.
Yellow Light Breen, spokesman for Bangor Savings Bank, which provided some late financing for the film, said that his company got involved for the same reason the troop greeters do what they do.
"It's simple," he said. "We had to."
Asked what message he hopes people get from "The Way We Get By," Gaudet said: "I hope it inspires people to get involved in their community."
Mundy said has no regrets about being immortalized in film.
"I've seen it four or five times already and it's still emotional," he said.
But, as Mundy said in the film, "I don't know what I'll do when [the troops] all come home."
Please visit the Screenings Page for more information on future events across Maine.
Apr 05, 2009
TWWGB Wins Over Audiences @ Full Frame Film Festival
The Way We Get By was named the Audience Award Winner at the prestigious Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina. Past Full Frame audience award winners include Man On Wire, Born Into Brothels and Muderball.Mar 30, 2009
TWWGB Wins Film Competition In Cleveland Film Festival
**UPDATE** The Way We Get By WINS the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition at the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival!! The Way We Get By was chosen from 29 films in competition based on audience vote.
Be sure to check out the Cleveland International Film Festival Vimeo album for 3 new videos following The Way We Get By on the trip to Cleveland.
FROM THE 33RD CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL WEBSITE...
Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition
The selections included in Standing Up are "films with a conscience." Standing Up celebrates social justice and activism by presenting films with messages that cannot and should not be ignored. Thanks to the generosity of The George Gund Foundation, Standing Up will remain as a permanent piece of our festival programming. An endowment grant in memory of Greg Gund has secured not only the permanence of the Standing Up section, but also a $5,000 cash prize associated with Standing Up (the winner to be determined by audience vote). Standing Up honors those with a different view of the world we live in and the continual fight to make it a better world. Standing Up honors the memory of Greg Gund.
Mar 29, 2009
TWWGB Accepted Into 2009 BAVC Producers Institute
Internationally recognized public media lab in San Francisco helps award-winning documentary producers create interactive social justice projects.
The Way We Get By is one of eight documentary films selected to develop interactive Web, mobile, multimedia, and game projects at the Producers Institute for New Media Technologies at the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) in San Francisco from May 29 - June 7.
We have an exciting plan for creating a new online community for members of the military, their familes, friends and supporters. Our goal is to have this community up and running this summer. Please check back for more information on the upcoming development and launch.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE BAVC PRESS RELEASE.
FROM THE BAVC WEBSITE...
About the Producers Institute
The Producers Institute for New Media Technologies is a ten-day residency for eight creative teams (independent producers or public broadcasters) with a shared goal of developing and prototyping a multi-platform project inspired by, or based on a significant documentary project. The intention of the Institute is to develop socially relevant media projects for emerging digital platforms. Producers participate in high-level industry roundtables, intense one-on-one project development with technical mentors, new media storytelling workshops, and hands-on prototyping of their ideas.
Mar 28, 2009
TWWGB To Have International Premiere @ Hots Docs
The Way We Get By will have it's International Premiere in the Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Film Festival April 30th - May 10th as part of the International Spectrum-- a competitive program of works from around the world.
The film will screen on May 5th at 7:15pm in The ROM Theatre and again on May 7th at 4:00pm in Cumberland 2. Please visit the Screenings Page for more information and to buy tickets.
HERE IS A LITTLE INFO FROM THE HOT DOCS WEBSITE...
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America's largest documentary festival, conference and market. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 150 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe. Through its industry programs, Hot Docs also provides a full range of professional development, market and networking opportunities for documentary professionals.
Mar 27, 2009
TWWGB Wins Special Jury Award @ SXSW Film Festival
The Way We Get By took home a Special Jury Award from it's World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. One of eight films in the Documentary Feature Competition, The Way We Get By was honored with the award from a jury made up of Anne Thompson, Basil Tsiokos and Lois Vossen.
For a recap on the film's World Premiere trip to Austin, watch the SXSW Montage video up on The Way We Get By's Vimeo Page.
Ckeck out The Way We Get By Flickr Photostream for photos from SXSW and the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival, and The Way We Get By Tumblr Page for lots of easy to access film festival video, audio and link content.
Also, visit the Reviews Page to read what critics are saying. Here is a sample of the amazing response...
“I adored every frame of this movie and every person in it.” - David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
"There are moments in 'The Way We Get By' that cut right to your heart." - Clint O' Connor, Cleveland Plain Dealer
"...a lovely, uncondescending look at three lives enriched by kindness." - Eugene Novikov, Cinematical
Mar 11, 2009
indieWIRE Interviews TWWGB Director Aron Gaudet
indieWIRE is running a series of online interviews with directors whose films are screening at the 2009 SXSW Film Festival. Here is the interview with The Way We Get By director Aron Gaudet...
SXSW Interview: "The Way We Get By" Director Aron Gaudet
by indieWIRE
"The Way We Get By"
Director: Aron Gaudet
On call 24/7 for the past 6 years, a group of senior citizens transform their lives by greeting nearly one million U.S. troops at a tiny airport in Maine. [Courtesy of SXSW]
"The Way We Get By" will screen in the Documentary Feature Competition.
indieWIRE: Please introduce yourself...
AG: My name is Aron Gaudet. I am the director of "The Way We Get By." I grew up in Old Town, Maine, and went to a broadcasting school in Maine before starting a career in television news. I made the jump to full-time filmmaker around 18 months ago when I entered post-production on "The Way We Get By." My last television job was as a promo producer at New England Sports Network (NESN) in Boston, owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. Basically, I spent my days writing, shooting and editing 30-second Sox and Bruins promos. I currently live in Boston.
indieWIRE: What were the circumstances that lead you to become a filmmaker?
AG: I've always been interested in making films, but as a teenager in Maine, it just didn't seem feasible. I think working in television was the best alternative I could find at the time, but it never satisfied my passion for filmmaking. I would work on short films with friends and try to find people interested in making films that I might work with. The day I met Gita Pullapilly, producer of "The Way We Get By" everything changed. A television reporter at the time, Gita shared my passion for storytelling and truly took the ball and ran with it. The very next day she was working out the details to form a production company and we were talking about possible ideas for a documentary. I really couldn't have made the jump to documentary filmmaking without her support and hard work. I guess that's why we're now engaged!
indieWIRE: How or what prompted the idea for your film and how did it evolve?
AG: My mother, Joan Gaudet, greets troops and is a character in the film. Prior to her becoming a troop greeter, she spent her days at home looking for something to fill her life. As a mother of eight children (I'm the baby) I think she had a very severe case of empty nest syndrome. She had taken care of people her entire life and now had no one to look after. When she discovered troop greeting it was a perfect fit. She was suddenly out at all hours of the day and night, making the drive to and from the airport, to greet hundreds upon hundreds of troop flights. As I watched this become her mission and really transform her life, I started to think it could make a great short documentary. After I met the other two troop greeters we follow in the film, I knew it could be much more, and we set out to make it a feature.
indieWIRE: Please elaborate a bit on your approach to making your film.
AG: Coming from television news, the first thing we knew was that we didn't want our film to feel like an 80-minute news story. We wanted to shoot it differently, and we wanted the story to breathe and have a very cinematic feel to it. We also wanted the characters to each tell their own story, rather than utilize narration. This meant relearning some of the skills we might use in telling a television news story. We also decided early on that we would shoot with two cameras and use tripods whenever possible. With my friend and accomplished photojournalist Dan Ferrigan operating the second camera, we had a strong three-person crew.
We started to joke that since our three subjects didn't move very fast we were able to stay ahead of them and find beautifully composed shots that they would then walk through. It became this sort of leapfrogging technique that Dan and I would use to follow our subjects around. I really hoped to make our characters forget the cameras were there and create an intimate atmosphere they would feel comfortable in. I am really thrilled with the results too, as one of the first comments from viewers is usually how intimate and honest the film feels. A big part of that was also Gita's interviewing technique. She really has a gift for getting people to open up to her.
indieWIRE: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in developing the project?
AG: I think the biggest challenge was finding funding. Getting potential funders to understand that the film is about so much more than just senior citizens shaking hands with troops was a very tough sell. Convincing them that the film was really about life and all the struggles that present themselves each day, and how these simple handshakes dramatically change the lives of the greeters as well as the troops in really emotional and poignant ways. Needless to say we were rejected from nearly every funding source. But when we needed the money the most, we were able to find an executive producer to come on board with the funding to finish the film.
The other big challenge was just the sheer amount of time it took. After being accustomed to working for a day or two on a 30 second promo, it was very hard to work for four years on something that never really seemed to have a defined finish line. More than once we wondered if we were crazy for pushing forward. Only now after sticking with it and seeing all the hard work pay off, do we fully understand the reasons for never quitting on a project.
indieWIRE: How do you define success as a filmmaker, and what are your personal goals as a filmmaker?
AG: Right now, just being considered a filmmaker and working full-time as a filmmaker is a success for me. After trying to make the switch from television for so long, I really feel like I have a very rewarding job. Also, having the opportunity and the knowledge now to do it all again, feels like a success. I know I have learned so much through this process, and I'm excited to put all of these ideas to work in our next project. That leads to a personal goal of just growing with each project-Challenging myself and stretching in terms of what I think I am capable of accomplishing. There are also so many things we would do differently next time around right from the start that would make the whole process easier.
The biggest success for our film to date, was finding out it got picked up for a national television broadcast on the acclaimed series P.O.V. on PBS. We had gotten a chance to visit P.O.V. early in post-production, and had decided it would be the perfect place for the film to broadcast. We then sunk into a deep depression thinking we didn't have a shot with such a competitive selection process. When they called to say we had been accepted I think Gita may have wet her pants! Don't tell her I said that.
indieWIRE: What are your future projects?
AG: My first project is doing whatever it takes to get "The Way We Get By" out to as large an audience as possible. Right now, that feels like a big and altogether different project than actually making the film. In television, distribution is done for you. In the film industry, and especially independent film, distribution is a little like the "Wild West"...anything goes right now if it works for you, and gets your film in front of an audience. I find that very exciting. I know many filmmakers see it as a very grim time, but to have that power and control over your product is something we need to take advantage of. We are really working very hard at developing a marketing and distribution plan that will maximize the exposure and awareness of "The Way We Get By." The P.O.V. broadcast will definitely help to achieve this.
In the meantime, I am also working on finishing a couple of screenplays that we would like to produce. One takes place in a small town in Maine, and we're hoping to trade in on some of the goodwill we've built up there to make an inexpensive narrative feature. And we're also developing a couple documentary projects, so I guess we'll see what comes together first.
Watch "The Way We Get By" trailer here.
Click here to see the original indieWIRE interview.
Mar 10, 2009
eFilmCritic Names TWWGB Top 10 Film To See @ SXSW
The Way We Get By has been named one of "10 Films To Put On Your Schedule" for the 2009 SXSW Film Festival by eFilmCritic.com's Erik Childress. Here's what he had to say about The Way We Get By...
As I alluded to earlier, someday video stores and online rental sites may have their own sections dedicated to films about the current conflict in Iraq. Hopefully the veterans of this current quagmire will be able to find happier memories and things to look forward to on their DVD shelves rather than just another reminder of where they've been. Unless that movie happens to be Aron Gaudet's The Way We Get By as its just the kind of reminder our men and women over there could use.
It's the story of a group of senior citizens from Bangor, Maine who spend many mornings and evenings going to the airport to shake the hands of the departing and returning soldiers from Iraq. Bangor's airway serves as our main passageway between the U.S. and Middle East and these well-wishers keep track of every one of them and do whatever they can to provide a little bit of homespun hope on their long journey. Bill Knight, Joan Gaudet and Jerry Mundy are just three of the subjects that should be given immediate sainthood by the time the credits roll; seniors who are far from their own problems involving foreclosure, health and, in the case of Miss Gaudet, a granddaughter facing her own trip into this mess.
Can it possibly be selfish to provide a little bit of good cheer to those who mostly remain nameless to anyone outside their circle of friends and family unless they return with an American flag draped over them? Every selfless act is going to make someone feel good, but where The Way We Get By becomes more than just a meet-and-greet for self-gratification is within the contrast of its subjects against the finality we hope is coming later rather than sooner. Just as our service folk unfortunately become, the elderly are another group of people that society and even our government would just as easily forget about if they weren't reminded of their struggles. Bill Knight is not just another lonely greeter but also a veteran of war himself. Joan faces the unnerving fear of her granddaughter not having a chance to be welcomed back. Jerry Mundy has already seen his son die tragically and may be facing death again soon. These remarkable individuals contribute to a story that is not just indescribably moving but is a timeless metaphor for our country. I absolutely loved this film and I'm hoping that when you're done wiping away the tears and the Q&A has finished, each of you will have a chance to see some of these people on the way out and shake their hands. Visit the website and read our interview with Aron Gaudet.
Click here for the full eFilmCritic.com article and Erik's full list of films to see @ SXSW.
Visit The Way We Get By Screenings Page for all the SXSW showtimes and venues information.
Mar 09, 2009
THE WAY WE GET BY Announces NYC Premiere
The Way We Get By will be making it's New York Premiere as part of the Stranger Than Fiction film series presented by Thom Powers at the IFC Center in NYC. The April 28th screening will be co-presented by the Camden International Film Festival and P.O.V. followed by a Q&A by director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly. After the show we will head to 99 Below (99 MacDougal Street) for tasty drink specials.
You can puchase tickets to the one night only screening at MovieTickets.com.
Check out The Way We Get By Screenings Page for more information on this special evening.
Mar 08, 2009
TWWGB In More Film Festvals...Tons Of New Screenings
More exciting festival news-- The Way We Get By has been accepted into five more film festivals including the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina where it will screen as part of the New Docs Program.
In addition, The Way We Get By has been officially selected to the Documentary Feature Competition in the Atlanta Film Festival, the Documentary Tradition Program of the Philadelphia Film Festival, the Feature Film Competition in the Phoenix Film Festival, and will screen as part of the Wisconsin Film Festival in Madison, Wisconsin.
Many of the festivals have announced the full schedules and screening times for films. Please visit the The Way We Get By Screenings Page for showtimes and venues.
And don't forget to sign up and follow The Way We Get By on Twitter for real-time updates from the film festival circuit. We will also be posting video updates, on Facebook and Youtube, from film festivals beginning with the World Premiere screenings at SXSW this week!
Feb 23, 2009
TWWGB Gets A SXSW Preview On SpoutBlog
Check out the SXSW Preview of "The Way We Get By" courtesy of SpoutBlog...
As SXSW 2009 approaches we'll be asking filmmakers to spill the superficial details about their films, to tell us all the deep personal details of what makes them tick, and -- new this year! -- reveal who they had to sleep with, in the incestuous conspiracy-minded secret society that is the wider SXSW community, in order to get their film programmed at the festival.
A Documentary Competition world premiere, Aron Gaudet's "The Way We Get By" follows a trio of senior citizens who, for the past six years, have shown up at the airport in Bangor, Maine to greet each departing and arriving plane full of U.S. troops embarking to or returning home from battle zones. Gaudet answers The 5 Questions We Ask Everyone.
SpoutBlog: Tell us about your movie. Who did you work with, why did you make it? Give us the reductive, 25-word or less, "It's like [pop culture reference a] meets [pop culture reference b]!" pitch, then explain what the quick and dirty sell leaves out.
AG: "The Way We Get By" is like "Cocoon" meets "Coming Home"... but with my mom in it.
We follow the lives of three Maine Troop Greeters who go day and night to a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine to greet soldiers and marines heading to war and returning home - over 800,000 troops so far. But what we really get is an intimate and honest look at what growing old in America is all about, and how having purpose in your life can help you get through an awful lot. And yes, one of the three people we follow is my mom.
We made the movie with a very small crew. The producer/interviewer/my fiancée Gita Pullapilly has worn many, many hats over the course of the four years making the film. My friend Dan Ferrigan and I split duties as DP through production, going with a two-camera shoot almost all of the time. And then through post, Gita and I basically locked ourselves inside a little room at WGBH in Boston, where we were filmmakers in residence, and nine months later a film popped out. I can only imagine that it's similar to having a baby...only using cameras and computers.
SpoutBlog: Do you have a day job/a non-filmmaking occupation that raises money for your filmmaking efforts? Tell us about it.
AG: I've been working full-time as a filmmaker for the last year and a half or so, while just taking the random freelance video production job to pay the bills. I did work in local television news for 10 years before making the leap, but television pays worse than unemployment, so it was tough to fund anything with that job.
SpoutBlog: Have you been to SXSW before? If so, tell us about your funniest story from the experience. If not, what are you looking forward to re: the festival and/or the city of Austin?
AG: I have never been to SXSW or Austin, but I have wanted to go for a long time. I'm a big reader of Ain't It Cool News, so I'm always reading about these amazing screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse. I plan on spending as much time as possible there and elsewhere watching great movies.
SpoutBlog: Let's get hypothetical: You're on death row. The night of your execution, you're allowed to watch any two films of your choice. What would you pick for your last-night-on-Earth double feature?
AG: Maybe the toughest question I've ever been asked. My decision could be heavily influenced by the reason I am on death row, but let's just assume I have been wrongly convicted of murder. I'd have to go with "In The Name of the Father" as my token "prison movie", and then probably something that leaves a smile on my face like "Bottle Rocket". Or I may just go with the two longest movies I could think of to drag it out.
SpoutBlog: There's been some criticism that the only way to get into SXSW is by being a part of an "incestuous scene where everybody knows everybody." So who did *you* have to sleep with to get in? (Metaphorically or literally: are there any SXSW filmmaker(s) past or present that you're close with personally and/or professionally, and how have those relationships helped or hurt the process of producing your film and getting it seen?)
AG: Is this where I tell you about my drunken, one-night stand with Andrew Bujalski?
I've definitely heard and read things about the "incestuous scene", but to be honest, not only do I not know any SXSW filmmakers- I don't know very many filmmakers at all. This being my first feature and hitting the festival circuit for the first time, I am just now starting to connect with other filmmakers...Andrew included (hopefully). The few filmmakers I do know have been nothing but full of helpful advice and support, and I can't wait to return the favor.
Go to SpoutBlog to read the original piece and more SXSW previews.
Feb 21, 2009
Listen To TWWGB Director's Blog Talk Radio Interview
Director Aron Gaudet was recently interviewed on You Served, a military blog talk radio show hosted by CJ Grisham-- a 14 year career soldier stationed in Alabama. CJ spoke with Aron about how he found the story for The Way We Get By, the upcoming World Premiere at SXSW, and much more.
If you missed the interview, now you can download the entire podcast version of it from iTunes. You will need iTunes installed on your computer and when prompted to launch the iTunes application click "OK". Aron's interview begins at approximately the 1:14:47 minute mark of the broadcast.
You can also listen to the entire interview instantly by visiting The Way We Get By Tumblr page. Just click and listen!
Feb 16, 2009
Cleveland Rocks!! TWWGB Accepted Into CIFF 2009!
We are extremely pleased to announce that The Way We Get By will screen as part of the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Film Competition at the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival. Check the Screenings Page for showtimes and ticket information. The Way We Get By will screen on March 24th and again on March 25th. Director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly will be in attendance for a Q&A following each showing.
The selections included in Standing Up are films with a conscience. Standing Up celebrates social justice and activism by presenting films with messages that cannot and should not be ignored. The festival runs March 19th - 29th.
On March 25th, The Way We Get By will also take part in FilmSlam where students from Northeast Ohio high schools have the extraordinary opportunity to see new films by some of the world's most innovative filmmakers.
Feb 16, 2009
eFilmCritic.com Interviews TWWGB Director Aron Gaudet
SXSW 09 Interview: The Way We Get By - Director Aron Gaudet
by David Cornelius
DC: Just what is "The Way We Get By"?
AG: "The Way We Get By" follows three senior citizens over the course of three years as they spend their days and nights traveling to their tiny local airport to greet troops heading to and returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Greeting over 800,000 troops gives their lives a renewed sense of purpose and allows them to overcome their obstacles outside the airport, which can be numerous for an elderly person in America.
DC: Your mother is one of the subjects in this movie. What made you decide to document her and her fellow troop greeters?
AG: For a couple of years prior to discovering troop greeting, my mom had few friends and fewer hobbies and basically spent her days alone at home, literally watching birds. I was working at a television station in Michigan at the time, and would call home often, and one day she wasn't there to answer the phone. It very quickly became nearly impossible to get her on the phone, and even tougher to have a conversation that didn't involve the subject of troop greeting. So, when I went home for Christmas in 2004, the first thing I wanted to do was see how she was spending all of her time. I followed her to a late night flight and I was pretty instantly hooked. The emotion that was in that airport on a daily basis was amazing-- it just seemed like if we could find the right way to tell a story, it would have heart. What struck me first was that this is a place where 80-year-olds and 20-year-olds are coming together and helping each other face their problems, and I couldn't really think of anyplace else you could find something like that. Seeing first hand how this was transforming my mom's life just made me so proud to be her son.
DC: The IMDB credits page makes this look like a very small production. How small was the crew, and did that help or hurt production?
AG: It was a very small crew. Through production it was a three-person crew. Co-director of photography Dan Ferrigan and I would operate the two cameras-- we nearly always had two cameras-- and producer Gita Pullapilly handled all the logistics of field producing and was the interviewer. Then during post-production it became a two-person crew. Gita was working hard to find funding and distribution opportunities while I was locked away in an editing room. We even logged and imported all the footage ourselves. I guess we discovered interns pretty late in the game, and then we got as many as we could find. But we really didn't know any other way. I've always done every aspect of the editing myself, so it didn't feel different, just a little more overwhelming.
As for helping or hurting, I feel like the movie would not be the same if we had tried to go in there with a bigger crew or a bunch of lights. Our goal from the beginning was to make these people forget about the camera, and create a comfortable atmosphere. There were many occasions when it really became just an intimate conversation between Gita and the subject, and in those instances it was my job and Dan's job to basically become invisible. We shot on tripods as much as possible, and I would try to be as motionless as possible and really just hide behind the camera. Of course, there were times we could have used an extra pair of hands, but the trade off is what I hope is a really intimate film.
DC: I'll admit it: I got plenty misty just watching the trailer. How emotional was filmmaking for you?
AG: I got plenty misty at times during production. Our three characters really bare their souls to us at times, and it always shocked us and left us a little shaken as well, that they would be so open and honest with us about how they were feeling and what they were going through, including my mom. I remember on more than one occasion leaving an interview and talking to Gita and Dan about how emotional we all were. We might not have been sure at the time how everything fit together, but we knew they were giving us some amazing material to work with-- and it definitely became a worry of mine that these three people put their trust in us and opened up to us, and I didn't want to screw it up.
DC: Considering airport security, how difficult was it to shoot at Bangor Airport?
AG: First of all, the Bangor International Airport is a bit of an oddity. Because of the eastern location and the size of the runway, they are the perfect place for these military flights to refuel. This means for the majority of troops, Bangor is the last piece of U.S. soil they touch before going to war, and the first piece they step foot on when coming home. As far as gaining access, it was surprisingly easy. From the start, the officials at the airport really opened the terminal up to us. It certainly helped that the airport is pretty small, and outside of all the thousands of troop flights going through, it's not a very busy airport. There were certain things that Gita had to work very hard getting us access to-- going out on the runway or boarding a troop flight-- but overall it was much easier than we expected. We were very fortunate to have that kind of access.
DC: What got you started making movies?
AG: Growing up in Maine I was always interested in making movies. I loved movies, but I also knew I was just about as far from Hollywood as I could possibly get. I ended up going to a small broadcasting school in Maine, before starting a career in local television news. I was thinking this would at least give me access to similar equipment. I could use cameras every day and learn to edit, but it was very unsatisfying. In fact, I hated it, but it was my life for ten years. When I started thinking of making a documentary, I guess I was hoping it could be a bridge to filmmaking. I could use my experience in television and make the switch to something I really wanted to do. Of course, what I discovered is I had to completely relearn how I did many things in television to make them work within the world of documentary filmmaking.
DC: This is your first feature, although you have several shorts under your belt. How was the transition to long-form filmmaking?
AG: It was very rough at times and really, really fun. I basically spent most of my career editing 30-second promo spots for television news. The last two years, before going full-time into filmmaking, I was working at New England Sports Network (NESN), which is owned by the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. I was editing fast-paced, music-driven sports promos. So to go from that, to editing an 85-minute movie about people that don't necessarily move very fast, meant I had to adopt a completely different pace and style. The short films I worked on helped, but it was still a really different experience. But I loved it. I loved the challenge of making entire scenes work with no music, and finding the perfect pace to match the subject matter. I think the result is some of the most powerful scenes in "The Way We Get By" are these silent moments.
DC: Any lessons learned while making this movie?
AG: I've learned too many lessons to cover here. I really learned how to make a movie over the last four years. It was my film school. Every aspect from pre-production through distribution is full of lessons, trial and error, strained and broken friendships, and learning from mistakes. There really is no right or wrong way, and nobody is getting in line to tell you how to do everything. It really comes down to learning how to do-it-yourself. And I'm still learning every day. In television, the whole distribution part of it is already in place for you. I would shoot and edit a promo and it would be on the air that night. Now, the biggest challenge is figuring how to get people to see your movie after it's finished. The one thing I will not do is be a filmmaker that finishes a movie and expects it to magically find it's way to an audience. Gita and I work 7 days a week now, trying to figure out the best ways to get the film out there. Our biggest accomplishment came when we found out we were picked up for a national television broadcast by P.O.V. on PBS for later this year. To us, that was the one area we couldn't do-it-ourselves. With the television broadcast in place, it really comes down to how hard do you want to work to push your film out there using alternative avenues. Are you willing to take your film city-to-city, town-to-town if that is what it takes? And the answer is yes, we are.
DC: Are you nervous about coming to South by Southwest?
AG: I would say I am excited more than nervous. Maybe I should be more nervous, but I really am hoping to just go there and have a fun time. I think I have a movie that is probably a really tough sell to some-- as soon as you mention the war and old people you've already lost a lot of people, but I feel confident if people give the film a chance they will be surprised by how much they will connect with it. The issues our characters deal with in the film are the same issues so many of us deal with every day, and the uplifting way they deal with these issues I find very inspiring. I do understand though, that this is basically the coming out party for our film, and this is where we will launch the film and then hopefully take advantage of every opportunity we can through to our national broadcast in November. So, while I am not nervous...yet, I do recognize there is pressure for us to try to reach the right audience at SXSW that can help our film gain awareness on a national level.
DC: Would you like to continue working with documentaries, or do you plan to jump to fiction? (In other words, what's next for you?)
AG: It's hard to say exactly what will be next because sometimes I feel like we're only half done with our job on "The Way We Get By". I still feel like we will have to dedicate a lot of time over the next year and beyond to maximizing what we can do with this film. That being said, I have thought a lot about what I would like to do next. I love to write and have a few different screenplays in the works. After struggling for so long finding the story in "The Way We Get By", it is really appealing to me to have a written story where we know the ending from the start. I also love the idea of being challenged to learn the process of making a narrative feature, and working with actors. But we also have a couple ideas for documentaries that we would like to pursue. In the end, I really respect filmmakers like Werner Herzog that let the story they choose to tell dictate the form in which they tell it, and they are able to move seamlessly between narrative and docs. If I could have that opportunity I would be very happy.
DC: Finish this sentence: If I weren't a filmmaker, I'd probably be...
AG: ...editing a Red Sox promo at NESN.
DC: Rock, paper, or scissors?
AG: Rock. Funny you would ask this since the majority of the decisions we made over the last four years were decided by rock, paper, scissors. Lucky for me, Gita is a notorious scissor thrower.
DC: In ten words or less, convince the average moviegoer to watch your film.
AG: You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll call your parents... I promise.
"The Way We Get By" has its world premiere as part of the SXSW Documentary Competition. It screens 11:30 AM March 15, 12:00 PM March 16, and 7:00 PM March 19.
Feb 13, 2009
TWWGB Screening Times @ SXSW Announced!!
Screening times for The Way We Get By at the SXSW Film Festival 2009 have been announced. The film will screen three times over the course of the nine-day festival as part of the Documentary Feature Competition. Please check the screenings page for all the showtimes.
Several members of the crew, including director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly, will be in Austin for Q&A's following each screening and more. Also, remember to sign up and follow The Way We Get By on Twitter for real-time updates throughout the film festival.
Check back for more updates as we get closer to the World Premiere!
Feb 02, 2009
The Way We Get By to World Premiere @ SXSW Film Fest
We are very pleased to announce that The Way We Get By will have it's WORLD PREMIERE at the SXSW Film Festival 2009 as part of the Documentary Feature Competition. SXSW is considered to be one of the top festivals in the U.S. and we are extremely excited to premiere The Way We Get By in Austin, Texas. SXSW runs March 13th - 21st --We will announce screening times for the film as soon as we know. Several members of the crew, including director Aron Gaudet and producer Gita Pullapilly, will be in Austin for Q&A's following each screening and more.
SOME INFO FROM THE SXSW WEBSITE...
The SXSW FILM CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL explores all aspects of the art and business of independent filmmaking. The Conference hosts a five-day adventure in the latest filmmaking trends and new technology, featuring distinguished speakers and mentors. The internationally-acclaimed, nine-day Festival boasts some of the most wideranging programming of any US event of its kind, from provocative documentaries to subversive Hollywood comedies, with a special focus on emerging talents.
A FEW QUOTES FROM THE SXSW WEBSITE...
"In its 22 years, SXSW has grown from a tiny music festival in the Texas capital into a massive, unavoidable media beast that reflects, discusses and showcases trends in culture and media but also often creates them." - National Post, 3/13/08
"...nine days here is like earning a mini-undergraduate degree in moviemaking... there's real information to be gathered at seminars on everything from Guerrilla Filmmaking to SAG Contracts..." - Entertainment Weekly
"SXSW is a great place to catch movies, directors and trends way out in the depths of the indie ocean, a long time before they reach the mainstream." - Salon.com, 3/8/08
Jan 26, 2009
Gita Pullapilly One Of "10 Filmmakers To Watch In 2009"
The Way We Get By producer Gita Pullapilly was named one of "10 Filmmakers to Watch In 2009" by The Independent, an online film and media magazine.
Here's what The Independent had to say about Gita and The Way We Get By...
Gita Pullapilly for The Way We Get By
Gita Pullapilly started her career as a television reporter and a journalist, and from there, found herself being drawn into the world of documentary filmmaking. Staying true to her journalistic roots, Pullapilly travels all over the world producing and directing films that bring to light stories that might not otherwise be told, like India: A New Life, about the homeless children of India who are left to wander the streets and fend for themselves. She recently acted as producer on the Fulbright-funded film Diary of a Refugee and was the first filmmaker chosen as a Fulbright Senior Scholar to Jordan. Most recently, Pullapilly produced The Way We Get By, a film about getting older, told through the eyes of three senior citizens who belong to a group called the Maine Troop Greeters, made famous for greeting nearly one million American troops at a tiny airport in Maine, as they return home from duty. The film is beginning its festival run this spring. Gita was a 2007-2008 WGBH Filmmaker in Residence.
Click the link above to see the full list.
Jan 01, 2009
The Way We Get By selected by P.O.V. for 2009
We are extremely excited to announce that The Way We Get By has been selected by P.O.V., PBS' award-winning showcase for independent documentary films, for national television broadcast in late 2009. We truly could not have hoped for a better home for The Way We Get By than P.O.V. and PBS. We will be announcing the airdate for our P.O.V. broadcast in early 2009.
HERE IS A LITTLE INFO FROM THE P.O.V. WEBSITE
P.O.V. is television's longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films. P.O.V. premieres 14-16 of the best, boldest and innovative programs every year on PBS. Since 1988, P.O.V. has presented over 225 films to public television audiences across the country. P.O.V. films are known for their intimacy, their unforgettable storytelling and their timeliness, putting a human face on contemporary social issues.
AWARDS: P.O.V. films have won every major film and broadcasting award including 18 Emmys, ten George Foster Peabody Awards, eight Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Broadcast Journalism Awards, three Academy Awards, 17 Cine Golden Eagles and the Prix-Italia.
AUDIENCE REACH: As a series broadcast on the national PBS schedule, P.O.V. reaches over 97% of the American viewing public, with a cumulative audience average of 2.5 million per program. In addition, P.O.V. works with thousands of educators and community groups, reaching over 15,000 people directly.
Dec 31, 2008
Join "The Way We Get By" Facebook Group
The Way We Get By Facebook Group is up and running! Join us and find out all of the exciting developments around the film as we prepare to launch it to the public in the coming months. Help us spread the word about "The Way We Get By" to all of your friends and family.
You can also become a "fan" of "The Way We Get By" at the new The Way We Get By Facebook Fan Page. This will be great resouce to learn more about the film, see exclusive video clips and photos and follow the film as it starts hitting the film festival circuit. And after you've seen the film you can write a "fan review" that we'll include on our website!
Dec 25, 2008
The Way We Get By locks picture on Christmas!!
After a 12 hour work day on Christmas to meet our deadlines, The Way We Get By is officially done!! We are packing drives up to send to the post house in Seattle. Director Aron Gaudet will be traveling to Seattle the first week in January for all the post work.
We will be doing our HD upconvert and color correction at Alpha Cine Labs and our sound design and mix at Bad Animals. Can't wait to have a finished movie for 2009!!
Oct 01, 2008
2nd Rough Cut Screening Announced
The 2nd Rough Cut Screening of "The Way We Get By" will take place at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, MA. Women in Film & Video and The New England Institute of Art are the sponsors of the screening. Come join us at the Coolidge Oct. 2 at 7pm. For more information, please visit the Coolidge Corner Theater.
Sep 25, 2008
1st Rough Cut Screening
The 1st Rough Cut Screening of "The Way We Get By" took place in Camden, Maine. Details and photos from this rough cut screening can be found on The Way We Get By Blog and The Way We Get By Flickr Page!
