posted 05-31-2022 12:41 PM               

I am currently seeking funding through Indiegogo to complete production and post-production of my feature-length documentary, "Apollo Reflections" featuring the reflections of Apollo Astronauts, other spacefarers, scientists, artists, and others who were part of, witnessed, have a connection to, and were inspired by the Apollo missions to the Moon. We have already recorded three dozen interviews, with just a few more left to complete the story. We have upcoming shoots in Texas, Florida, and New Mexico with additional photography required in-between and then some.

We anticipate principal production will be completed by summer's end before turning to post-production editing, music, and promotion, and everything else we need to do to make this film live up to its subjects. When the film is completed, anticipated early 2023, we will be entering the festival circuit and seeking wider distribution.

Story

When I was a kid, anything was possible. We reached for the stars and touched the moon, and on the way discovered Earth, our home. When I reflect on Apollo, I think of our home. I think of heroes and humanity, the quest for knowledge and the need to explore. New perspectives and inspiration. What does Apollo mean? What can it tell us about ourselves and our place in the universe, 50 years ago, and today? This film answers these questions. And more.

On December 21, 1968, just days after my sixth birthday, humanity first left the comforting confines of our home planet on a journey to another celestial body. On the way to the Moon, the Apollo 8 astronauts (and humanity) first came to see the Earth as a thumbnail in endless space, a mission that was said to have "saved 1968", a year marred by divisions and pain. By reaching for the heavens, we came to look back and see ourselves.

My worldview and appreciation for Apollo owe much to witnessing those missions as a child and seeing the Earth from space. The words of Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders reflect the sentiment:

"We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth" – Bill Anders, Apollo 8 astronaut, "Earthrise" photographer

I've always been struck by the irony of nuclear-tipped rockets, designed to deliver death to millions, being converted into vehicles for exploration. Instead of using Redstone, Atlas and Titan II missiles to destroy our world, we used them as vehicles to first carry humanity toward the stars during the Mercury and Gemini missions. In a cold war rush for glory with the Soviet Union to be the first to the Moon, my nation replaced the nukes on some of those Titan IIs with a Gemini spaceship and launched two men into space, and later three men were launched to the Moon on a Saturn V rocket - a rocket created solely for that purpose.

That transition, from the precipice of global nuclear annihilation to the pinnacle of human achievement and global unity has always fascinated me with possibilities. The conversion of these rockets from the might of destruction to the light of discovery reminds me of the proverb:

"...They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." Isaiah 2:3–4.

Apollo happened in a particular time and place, with its own problems and challenges, just as we face our own today - many the same, some different.

Teamwork, dedication, personal sacrifice, a sense of common purpose, and trust in institutions, science, and our fellows to get the job done made Apollo possible 50 years ago. As Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Duke said at a recent celebration of Apollo 16s 50th anniversary, "if the mission failed, it wasn't going to be because of me..."

I've often considered the day when the last men to walk on the moon no longer walk the Earth. What will their legacy and that of Apollo be? In this film, the Apollo Astronauts and others share their thoughts. Please contribute to this campaign to become part of that legacy.

Apollo Reflections features the reflections of:

Clay Anderson, Chris Calle, Franklin Chang-Diaz, David Chudwin, Eileen Collins, Walt Cunningham, Charlie Duke, Anna Fisher, Doug Forrest, Linda Godwin; Gerry Griffin; Fred Haise, Ryan Nagata, Gennady Padalka, Carolyn Porco, Marv Rubenstein, Mario Runco, Rusty Schweickart, Dave Scott, Rhea Seddon, Tom Stafford, Josh Stotler, Nicole Stott, Kathy Sullivan, Lucy West, Ron Woods, Al Worden, and more.

Praise for previous short films

"Astronaut Rusty Schweickart's story is one of the great ones, and the way this film ["Rusty Schweickart: Apollo 9 & Beyond"] tells the story has its own greatness," – Stewart Brand, co-founder of Long Now Foundation and creator and editor of the Whole Earth Catalog (National Book Award).

"What was the real meaning of Apollo? The big meaning? That's what I asked myself anticipating the 50th anniversary of that historic moment. Jeremy Theoret captured it in this film... this is what I believe. No small challenge." – Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart on Rusty Schweickart: Apollo 9 & Beyond".

"I am proud and honored to have been helpful in producing the beautiful piece of art that is this film. From the music to the visuals to what comes out of the mind of an amazing human being, this is a seamless and for me deeply emotional work that is a major contribution to the annals of space and also human history ... You have produced something very special with this ... What I get from it cannot be measured in any form of currency ... I want to savor the incredibly warm feeling this film has given me, thank you for that gift." – Martin Lollar, crowdfunding executive producer of "Rusty Schweickart: Apollo 9 & Beyond".

"A lot of my life has been dedicated to the Space Program and I appreciate your interest in assuring that material that might be lost over the years is being preserved through your effort." Fred Haise, Apollo 13 LMP

"I have just reviewed the film you produced and it looks perfect to me. I think you did an outstanding job of capturing the important points that you wanted to bring out concerning the Gemini and Apollo programs." Gen. Tom Stafford, Gemini 6, 9, Apollo 10, & ASTP astronaut

"... great productions. I like your down to earth more informal interview style ... Keep up the good work. NASA has lots of oral history but it is not as interesting and personalized as what you create ... Thanks for your great work preserving some history from those who flew!" Fred Haise, Apollo 13 LMP

"What a wonderful and amazing film. Fred Haise provides such a terrific narrative. The clarity of the filming of Fred's historical and anecdotal recounting as well as the crystal-clear photographs is remarkable ... It gives me great pride to have my name associated with this film and thank you for the exquisite and professional product." – Arthur Siemientkowski, contributing producer of "Apollo 13 in Pictures and Words."