"Show down" in Niles Canyon

Photos this week were taken during filming of "The Canyon" ... the first "new" black and white silent movie being filmed in Niles Ca. to commemorate 100 years since the Essanay film Studio came to Niles.

****The complete film can will (hopefully) be seen June 29 at the opening night of the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival, Niles Silent Film Museum !! 

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On the Eastern side of the Bay Area there lies a community with a small town feeling and access to open lands. The Niles district of Fremont sits against the base of the Southern Alameda hills, at the end of Niles Canyon to the east, Alameda Creek to the south, and Quarry Lakes to the southwest.  We have cows grazing our hills and easy access to Silicon Valley.  Wild turkeys are common in our woods and valleys but Berkeley and Palo Alto are 45 minutes away.

Horses patiently waiting to play their role in the movie

Some of the houses and businesses of Niles have history extending back to the time of Spanish land grants and California Missions, Gold Rush days of 1849, and the development of the first transcontinental RR. In 1956 Niles merged with 4 other small communities to form present day Fremont.  Additional  homes have been added to Niles over the years to create a kind of "layers of an onion" character - the old and the new together in close harmony.  It is a community with a strong "sense of self"  - Its a town where you can stop and chat with your neighbors.

The Photographer: Sprague Anderson ( read about him below )

Niles was the home of one of the first West Coast motion picture companies (predating the movie industry in Hollywood). The Essanay-West studio was established in Niles in 1912, and it was here where many Broncho Billy westerns were shot, along with "The Tramp" and other  Charlie Chaplin  favorites:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tramp
Charlie Chaplin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chaplin

Now this is a " bad guy" for sure!

The concept of “cowboy” movies began here with Gilbert M. "Broncho Billy" Anderson who is best known as the first star of the Western film genre.  Niles Canyon and the open hills around Niles were ideal for that “wild frontier” feeling.

The sheriff taking a break - What is with the cell phone?

Today the nonprofit Niles Essanay Film Museum offers both artifacts of Niles' early “silent film era” years, and each Saturday evening, screenings of early-twentieth-century silent films with live piano music.  When I asked the piano player if the early movies came with musical scores, she told me, “No, I just look at the action on the screen and improvise...”

Actors between takes

The film museum maintains a vast collection of the early films and are engaged in collecting and preserving others. Careful research is done to establish the age of some movies.  A film showing the last images of Market Street in San Francisco prior to the 1906 Earthquake were researched and authenticated!   Plus they serve the best popcorn in town!

Highly recommended: Clip of pre 1906 San Franciso: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKRbTF5afSE

The film was originally thought to have been made in 1905, but historian David Kiehn, who examined contemporary newspapers, weather reports and car license plates recorded in the film, later suggested that A Trip Down Market Street was likely filmed just a few days before the devastating earthquake on April 18, 1906.

Two bad guys - Why they might even be train robbers!

See a short video by David Kiehn, film historian, and project director as he talks about the work of the museum...  ( Read more about Mr. Kiehn below)

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-canyon?website_name=nilesfilm

Upcoming movie schedule here:  http://www.nilesfilmmuseum.org/movies.htm

Full crew of actors - the dramatic "arrival scene"

During the fall of 2012 an audacious project began to take shape... Why not make a new silent film using the same techniques as those used in 1912 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum?   

The silent movie, “The Canyon”, began to emerge.  It has been a massive project – to write the script, collect the necessary talent, collect the crew and photographers who could handle the old technology, build sets, and collect money to fund the project.  The goal is to  a create a one-reel, silent western film, set in Niles  using the equipment and techniques of the silent era in a way that will be evocative, educational and, most of all, entertaining.

"Broncho Billy" greeting the heroine

While it was necessary to pay some talent, much of the work has been a labor of love, for which local talent came forward week after week.  Some had to travel long distances for each filming session.  The community was invited to participate by providing beds for visiting crew and  actors.  Judy and I have been able to host the chief photographer in our home ( for which we will get listed in the credits!)

Show down

The film is being shot on location with a steam train, horses, and ”life like” sets.  You may even have heard the exchange of gun shots coming from down town Niles.  The film  has good guys, bad guys, Broncho Billy, maidens in distress... This is good stuff! And now the finished product is practically ready!

Glamorous Movie Star Photos!

From "Indiegogo website" on the  filming of "Canyon": 

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-canyon

"To make the film authentic, the Silent Film Museum has recruited the resources of several local organizations. The Niles Canyon Railway will provide a steam train, rolling stock and personnel in Niles Canyon on the roadbed of the original Transcontinental Railroad amidst the scenic wonders of Alameda Creek and the surrounding hills. Other locations will include the 1901 Southern Pacific train depot, the 1911 Niles jail and historic Niles houses. Two western reenactment groups, the Congressional Gunfighters of America and the Gunfighters of the Old West, will provide actors in period costume with firearms for the movie. The Silent Film Museum will provide film equipment actually used during the silent era and still working today.

Dozens of individuals have expressed a desire to join us in working on the project. Professionals in the film community have volunteered to help. Fremont residents, relatives of original Essanay cast and crew, film students and other interested parties will also be participating. 

We will be using a 35mm Bell & Howell 2709 hand-cranked camera which is celebrating its 90th birthday this year and still works perfectly -- we've shot two other museum projects with it and used it on our April 1st Essanay commemoration event. Editing will be done at the Silent Film Museum, where equipment is already there and available to use.

Why shoot on film? Despite advances in digital media, film still sets the standard for the visual look of a production, and it's the only proven medium for long-term archival storage and retrieval. Film shot in the 1890s has lasted for more than one hundred years, and can last for many hundreds more if stored properly. What better way to honor those past achievements on film than by replicating their methods?

The film elements and finished product will become part of the Silent Film Museum collection, preserved for the future along with thousands of movies already in the archive. 

When the film is finished it will premiere at the Niles Edison Theater, a 1913 nickelodeon theater and the Silent Film Museum's home. Live piano music will accompany the film as it was originally done in the theater nearly 100 years ago. 

There will be many expenses – film stock, processing & printing, video transfers for the dvd, its completion and release, construction of an open-air film set, permits, fees and the numerous incidental costs involved with production. Thanks to the donations of time and money by those who have volunteered to help make the film, our budget is now less than what we've originally requested, but we will still need about $9,000 to produce the film. We can't change the $21,500 figure listed above, it isn't allowed, but the good news is we still get whatever you pledge  – and that’s why we’re asking for your help.

Pledge today and help us make film history, then spread the word to anyone you think might be interested. The Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you would like a donation receipt email historian@nilesfilmmuseum.org

Leading the project are David Kiehn and Sprague Anderson, both board members of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum. They produced the two 35mm silent film newsreels using Sprague’s hand-cranked camera.

And we are now happy to add Steve Kotton to our core team."

David Kiehn, director and co-writer on the project, has worked as a director, writer, editor, cinematographer and sound recordist on various projects since 1971. For twenty years he was a motion picture camera technician for several film rental houses in San Francisco. In 1995 he began research on a book about the Essanay Film Company that was published in 2003 as Broncho Billy and the Essanay Film Company. He was a founding member of the Broncho Billy Silent Film Festival when it began in 1998 and was a founding member of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation at its inception in 2001 after his groundbreaking research sparked renewed interest in that history. In 2010 he appeared on 60 Minutes, interviewed by Morley Safer, in a segment about his research on A Trip Down Market Street, a movie that he discovered was made by the Miles Brothers film company four days before the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.

Sprague Anderson, camera operator and co-writer on the project, began his professional career in film in 1970, but since 1994 he’s been on the front lines of the digital revolution. When Sony introduced their first digital camera, the DVW-700WS, Sprague worked with the prototype, and he later wrote and directed the one-hour tutorial that was sent out with every camera. For six years, he did live-action compositing with the Ultimatte-8, serial number 1, and his edit suite was a test site for the early Lightworks non-linear system. For Star Wars, Episode 2, Sprague ran one of the original Sony 900 24P special effects camera systems. On Star Wars, Episode 3, Sprague worked with the new dual-link camera. In the film world, however, he’s returned to the earliest days of the medium, specializing in hand-cranked 35mm studio cameras from the 1910s and 1920s.  His involvement with the Silent Film Museum dates to 2002, filming special events with his silent-era equipment.

Steve Kotton, the Director of Photography on the project, is a four-time Emmy-award-winning cameraman with more than 30 years experience in visual communication productions. He was co-founder of Pacific Video Resources, one of the country’s most innovative video production facilities. He was the producer and cameraman on Mail Bonding, the world's first live action digital video production, shot in lush black and white and transferred to 35mm film for theatrical release. We’re eager to see his creative work on our black and white production.

***  For more photos go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/jzlatnik49/BronchoBillyFilming?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXxku3Kp8vSVQ&gsessionid=grDG0WOLRGBgaDn-zT0oxg

For best viewing go to top left corner and click on "slide show"

Rx for too much civilization

When we feel a need to reconnect with nature our favorite place to visit is Yosemite Valley.  May is the ideal time.  The valley isn’t yet crowded with summer visitors, the meadows are green, the falls are magnificent, and the dog wood trees are at their peak.  We could only get away for 3 nights this time– but it was great!

Half dome from the Sentinel Dome Loop trail

It has been a busy spring for both of us – and before we plow into summer plans this was the time for a mid week get away.  From Fremont , we drove 4 hours... but we are off the freeway after two...We traveled through the orchards and vineyards on the San Joaquin... to emerge into the dry grasslands of the foothills and beyond into Oak Savanna and scrub chaparrals, then the progression of conifers... each zone dictated by sunlight, temperature, and water...

A cluster of dog wood blossoms

 Yosemite  valley is about 4000 feet.  This is the incredible place of sculpted granite walls carved by glacial ice. It is a land of falling water, meadows, oak and pine forests... There is a continual struggle between keeping the valley wild, permitting a real nature experience for visitors,  and development to provide a wider range of accommodations .  I dont even like to visit the Valley in July and August – it becomes absolutely urban.  

Two squabbling Ravens in the early morning

Yet people love to come here to camp and connect with granite cliffs, trees, falling water, and wildlife.  But for each campfire permitted the air of the valley becomes more hazy, for each amenity provided, the valley becomes less natural.

Housekeeping tent cabins

In recent years there has been a strong effort to reduce services, limit camping, limit traffic flow, designate certain areas off limits to human foot traffic to maintain the natural world... You can’t have both unlimited development and a natural Yosemite... I clearly support the new limits even though it means that it is more difficult for us to visit,,,

Bottom part of Yosemite falls from the trail between Taft Pt. and Sentinel Dome

We had never stayed in the housekeeping tent cabins before – while we prefer tent camping, for a quick get away this was "OK".  Our tent cabin would accommodate 4 people with thick foam mattresses, an open air kitchen area, fenced in privacy, a firepit, and a table...  Being enclosed within a small fenced enclosure felt constraining to me.   However, from our kitchen area we had a direct view of Yosemite falls! 

Reflection of Glacier Point in the Merced River - 

Monday we arrived about 2 PM and after settling in – had time for a good walk on the Valley floor along the river ... being in a valley with high walls the sun sets early and people go to sleep early! 

Tuesday we travelled up to Tuolumne Meadows ( almost 10,000 ft. ) , our favorite summertime location.  Now we found it to be just emerging from winter.  Deep piles of snow remained wherever there was no direct sunlight.  Streamside willows were not even thinking about leafing out yet...  But we did see one old marmot had come out of hibernation. Deer were taking advantage of the first grass in the meadows. ( but they were sadly skinny from the lean days of winter).   

Tuolomnie Meadows near Tioga Pass - May 2013

There was a fierce cold wind blowing at Tioga Pass and we dropped down to the lower Tioga Lake on the East side of the pass.    Here we were out of the wind – but we had to choose our path carefully to avoid the deep snow... We made out way cross-country around the lake and selected a sunny spot when we could advance no farther and here we shared our picnic lunch with a fine view of lake and snowy mountains.  In the sun it was nicely warm!  Judy read and I climbed higher rocky outcroppings.  I love rambling and making my way among the rocks – and this time of year it was all so fresh from the winter melt!  We loved it!

Our friend the Marmot

The second day we drove up toward Glacier Point, and parked at the trailhead for Taft point and Sentinel Dome...  We did a 5 mile loop that took us through sparse high elevation forest of Jeffrey pine, manzanita, and chinquapin.  The moisture brought up by the prevailing wind from the valley promoted a thick growth of the bright yellow tree lichen.  

Yellow Green Lichen in the path of upswept moist air from the valley floor

The overlook from Taft point is a “wow” experience.  There seem to be 3 kinds of people in this world, when it comes to looking over a precipice– those that cant make themselves look over the railing, those that really like that kind of stuff, and those with approach-avoidance who go to the railing and look but with white knuckles gripping the rail... When  you look over the railing, it is straight down 4000 feet plus...!

Looking straight down 4000 ft. ( view slightly magnified )

From Taft Point  we walked along the top rim of the valley with occasional breathtaking views until we reached Sentinel Dome – Perhaps you remember this tree as a symbol of perseverance against the tough things in life make us tougher and stronger... Sorry to say this tree finally died of old age and its tough environment... (I grew up in Kansas with a photo of this tree on our wall!)  The view from Sentinel Dome is a 360 degree view from the top of the world!  Looking east, lies the highest and most grand portion of the Sierra Mountains! Another "wow".

Ansel Adams famous photo of the Jeffrey Pine atop Sentinel Dome

What is it about the mountain experience that breaks down barriers?  When we met people on the trail, if we were buying food, if we were admiring a view, or our camping neighbors – everyone talks – everyone shares... I love it!  We met so many traveling Europeans, people from all parts of the US, a few people from Asia... all anxious to talk!  I even found one of my AP Biology students from 10 years ago!

Every morning we made coffee and cooked breakfast with our propane stove, took food for lunch with us when out on the trail, and we ate in the Camp Curry cafeteria in the evening.   Food tasted so good when  you are honestly hungry!

Rare saprophytic plant takes nutrients from the pine tree roots ( with fungus helpers )
"Pine Drops"

 Nights were cold but we were prepared – we slept warm.  No bears invaded our camp. We slept the sleep of the just thanks to our long walking.  We went to sleep with beautiful pictures of nature in our heads.  Plus we were completely away from TV, internet, phones... whoopee!  

We are already planning our next trip!!

How did I get this way...?

I have 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents, and 16 great great grandparents... The number progression continues: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, and 1024...  If I go back 10 generations I have 1024 individuals who have contributed, more or less equally, to the collection of genes in my chromosomes.  And that number continues to double with each additional generation I go back...  I clearly am related to a whole lot of people! 

Bohemian and Moravian community Delia Kansas about 1890

One of the most reliable genetic markers for men is to follow the linage of the Y chromosome.  Each of our normal cells has 23 pairs of chromosomes that we inherit from our parents.  One half of our chromosomes are inherited from each parent. But the 23^rd pair is different... Females have two identical chromosomes that are labeled XX.  Men inherit one X from the mother and one that is notably smaller,  labeled Y, inherited from the father.   http://www.livescience.com/27248-chromosomes.html

A small par3t of a DNA molecule model

 The 23^rd pair in men is labeled XY.   So my Y-chromosomes have been copied and passed on from father to son since the earliest generations.   It is possible to follow the lineage of the Y chromosome over time.  Out of my 4 grandparents only my fraternal grandfather supplied the Y chromosome to my father... Out of my 16 great great great grandparents only one supplied the Y to my great great grandfather...

Both the X and Y chromosomes, like other chromosomes,  are made up of  great lengths of coiled DNA strands that carry the individuals genetic code information

Females inherit the DNA of their mitochondria in a similar pattern directly along matriarchal family lines.  My mother’s mitochondrial DNA information was passed to my sister but not to me, since I am not female.   http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosome

While the genetic information we receive is mostly passed accurately from one generation to the next, small errors do occur in the genetic copying process.  These changes are called “mutations”.  Most of them are minor and have no great effect on the characteristics. The mutations are faithfully passed on to all later generations, and serve as markers in tracing our lineage. 

A small number of my Bohemian ancestors

I sent a sample of my DNA (collected on a swab from my mouth) to the Human Genographic Project https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com.
The project now has information from almost 600 individuals in 140 countries. A study of my Y-chromosomes compares 25 basic identified genes that are used to show degree of relatedness.  All the people in a single human group (gene pool) with the fewest number of mutations in these marker genes would represent the oldest original human population.

Early humans migrated vast distances - and in the process formed isolated genetic pools each with their own characteristic mutations

Another group of people have the same pattern but with one common identified genetic mutation – this group must have been later and genetically isolated from the first group, by migration.    Still another group with 2 mutations must have separated still later and been genetically isolated... By study of the world population groups, it is possible to work out the sequence of separation and migration of the various human population groups from the original “least changes” oldest population. 

Undoubtedly some of my early ancestors were stone workers - early forming of stone tools represented the highest level of technology in its time

When I sent in my sample they only had to identify which mutations I have in my Y chromosomes and compare them with the human migration sequence to identify the sequence of migration of the ancestral men in my lineage that passed along the Y chromosome from one generation to the next.

My record shows that all the Zlatnik males descendent from Grandfather Antonin Zlatnik are part of a linage that can be traced back to bronze age Celts in central Europe.  It can also be identified that  before the Celts,  the linage passed through early Cro-Magnon humans (the group famous for cave paintings, and hunting mastodons) .   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cro-Magnon

Bohemian Celtic sculpture

During the time of the great Ice Ages, they had migrated from Central Asia, and before that, still earlier generations had migrated from the region of present day middle east, even earlier ancestors can be traced back into Africa.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recent_African_origin_of_modern_humans

Earlier ancestors were in many ways identical to modern humans but the development of cultural life evolved slowly

All of this information can be inferred from long study of  current day human populations and the information in my Y-chromosomes!

Every time that the Human Genographic society finds someone with identical marker genes to mine I am notified... and I now have 163 identified matches with 12 marker genes in common, and 1 with 25 marker genes in common.  We are undoubtedly related with a common ancestor.  None of these folks have the same last name – the person with 25 genes in common is of Bohemian origin, like my family, and its frustrating that there is no way to determine our exact relationship.  Still genes can't lie!

Contributors to my gene pool