Galveston Review
This is something I want to write myself. It’s News, but news from my point of view. I know how fortunate I am to be living through these amazing experiences. -th
The theater where we screened The Artist and the Astronaut was beautiful. (I took the above photo from center stage.) The people of Galveston have done a marvelous job of preserving a piece of Texas history. The Grand 1894 Opera House, in the heart of Galveston Island, was the first Opera House in Texas and is one of the most beautiful theaters I have ever been in. It seats about 1,000 in comfort. The backstage area is large and well-staffed. The volunteers who operate concessions, the ticket office, and usher are enthusiastic and dedicated. One of the great joys was watching our movie on the giant screen in this massive and glorious palace.
Our film was introduced by Executive Director of the Grand, Maureen Patton. She was a music teacher before taking on the Grand. She and her staff are exceptional.
After the screening, Bill and I were joined on stage by Jeff Carr, Jerry Carr’s son. He’s been in the front row of some of the most enduring moments in space history, from watching the moon landing (his father was the Capsule Communicator on that flight) to seeing his dad command Skylab. Jeff joined NASA right out of college. One of his first assignments was to work with Christa McAuliffe on her presentations in preparation for her teaching lessons from space aboard the Challenger. Jeff also worked with William Shatner on his space adventure. He is currently the public liaison for Boeing.
It was also my honor to stand with Col. Mike Fossum, who had a distinguished career as an astronaut. He had many space flights and numerous spacewalks. He commanded the International Space Station. At one point in the questioning, a student in environmental science at the University of Houston asked if his opinion of our planet changed after spending time above the Earth. His answer left us all in awe. Looking back at our fragile paradise he noted that there are no borders. We are one planet. He watched the smoke from fires travel from one continent to another. And most frightening, he viewed the narrow band of blue separating us from the vacuum of space.
One thing that was very obvious during the film and the talk-back, this audience was engaged. Johnson Space Center is just down the road. Most audience members have friends and family involved with the space program. There is talk of a return engagement. I would go in a heartbeat.
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When we first arrived in Houston we visited the Johnson Space Center and Mission Control. We also took an extended tour of the NASA complex, including a personal tour of the Astronaut Grove. It is hallowed ground. A family-only grove of trees is planted for each astronaut when they pass. It started with a ring of trees dedicated to the Challenger crew. It’s pastoral and solemn.
Mission Control is now a National Landmark. The public is invited to visit and view a presentation of the moon landing. Gene Kranz narrates the video that accompanies the presentation. I noted that they even left the ashtrays and old phones on the desks. Gene plays a prominent role in our film. He gave Bill a personal walkthrough of Mission Control during the filming of his interview.
Our film pays homage to him and so many of the early space pioneers. In many cases, the interviews in the film are the last interviews these folks gave. I’m so glad that we’ve memorialized them. They are American heroes.
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If you haven’t had a chance to see the film, I strongly recommend it. Yes, I know, I wrote the music. But, the film itself is a must-see. It will be $6.99 well spent. Go to this link to download to your computer. I recommend that you link your computer to your smart TV. Also, please know that the DVD will be released next month. I can send you one, at a reduced friends and family price.
https://gathr.com/vod/6dd9f075/the-artist-and-the-astronaut
The Soundtrack album will also be available next month. Friends and family discount, as well.
