A feature-length documentary about the first humans to fly to the moon needs the public's help if it is be ready in time for the mission's 50th anniversary in December.
"First to the Moon: The Journey of Apollo 8," from director Paul Hildebrandt, focuses on the historic 1968 mission and how it unfolded, from its unprecedented launch to entering orbit around the moon to the astronauts' triumphant return to Earth. It will feature newly-conducted interviews wth the three crew members, rarely-seen footage from NASA and the astronauts' archives and photo-realistic animations to help illustrate the flight of Apollo 8.
Philip Member
Posts: 6149 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 01-17-2018 01:38 AM
Superb initiative!
Jeff Member
Posts: 574 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
posted 01-17-2018 02:17 AM
Just made my pledge, hope it gets backed.
4allmankind Member
Posts: 1078 From: Dallas Registered: Jan 2004
posted 01-17-2018 10:10 AM
I'm in!
NASAgoob Member
Posts: 97 From: Dallas, Texas, USA Registered: Oct 2008
posted 01-17-2018 08:27 PM
Done
I hope the media shares the story so he can hit the target goal. A long way to go. Need Ron Howard to toss in 10-20k.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-13-2018 08:07 AM
With about two days to go, the "First to the Moon" campaign still needs to raise about $60,000 to reach its $100,000 goal.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-15-2018 12:00 PM
Though the campaign was able to raise about $25,000 in two days, it ended today at $65,003 pledged from 744 backers, $35,000 short of its goal.
bwhite1976 Member
Posts: 287 From: Belleville, IL Registered: Jun 2011
posted 02-19-2018 06:24 PM
Another attempt has launched on Kickstarter. Let's hope this one makes it.
Just FYI the higher pledge levels come with a lot of good rewards. At the $85 dollar pledge you receive a t-shirt, Blu-ray, and patch.
BA002 Member
Posts: 202 From: Utrecht,NL Registered: Feb 2007
posted 02-21-2018 01:54 PM
Just as Apollo 8 was America’s Christmas present to itself and the world in 1968, so I consider my pledge as a Christmas present to myself and my fellow Apollo aficionados. I believe the 50th anniversary of this momentous occasion deserves a memento and I am looking forward to this documentary to relive the adventure.
I hope many of you will join in to get this project launched!
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1339 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 02-21-2018 02:28 PM
Backed (again)!
Paul Hildebrandt New Member
Posts: 3 From: Chico, CA USA Registered: Jun 2012
posted 02-21-2018 09:43 PM
Thanks to those who are coming back for our 2nd attempt!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-26-2018 12:11 PM
The campaign has reached and surpassed it $50,000 funding goal with more than two weeks still to go.
On February 24th we successfully funded our campaign at $50,000. This is the absolute minimum amount required. The closer we get towards our stretch goal, the better our film will be.
This means we won't have to give up scanning precious archival film, ensuring that every piece of historical evidence from this mission makes it's way onto the screen.
We can have our musical score recorded by a live orchestra, relying less on computer generated sounds, and more on the human touch that is synonymous with the mission of Apollo 8.
Our animations can be done better, ensuring that the cinematic experience is ever more timeless.
Update: 785 backers pledged $65,482 to help bring this project to life.
Panther494 Member
Posts: 543 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
posted 03-17-2018 07:20 PM
Glad to see this is a go.
mf451 Member
Posts: 72 From: NY, NY Registered: Nov 2014
posted 12-07-2018 05:29 PM
I was just thinking about this movie lately, given the 50th anniversary is almost here. Does anyone know the status of this film?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-07-2018 05:36 PM
The Washington, D.C. premiere is being held on Dec. 12, 2018, hosted by the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University.
mf451 Member
Posts: 72 From: NY, NY Registered: Nov 2014
posted 12-07-2018 08:51 PM
Awesome, thanks for the info Robert. Any idea when it will be available for purchase/download?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-07-2018 09:34 PM
I haven't seen news on that front yet. The film's Facebook page notes it has been screened at the Explorer's Club in New York, at the Cosmophere in Kansas and at Arizona State University prior to the DC event next week.
mf451 Member
Posts: 72 From: NY, NY Registered: Nov 2014
posted 12-07-2018 09:50 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: ...it has been screened at the Explorer's Club in New York
I know, and I missed it there! Drat. Hence my eagerness for a download. Hopefully not too much longer after the official premiere.
drifting to the right Member
Posts: 140 From: Registered: Aug 2006
posted 12-23-2018 02:05 PM
Just viewed the download. Superb work, Paul.
bwhite1976 Member
Posts: 287 From: Belleville, IL Registered: Jun 2011
posted 12-23-2018 05:58 PM
Had a nice surprise via email this morning with a link to view. Very excited to watch this tomorrow night on Christmas Eve!
Buel Member
Posts: 828 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
posted 12-24-2018 03:37 PM
Probably a silly question but can one still back it in order to receive the download?
bwhite1976 Member
Posts: 287 From: Belleville, IL Registered: Jun 2011
posted 12-27-2018 09:23 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed this film. Well done. Hopefully the other backers saw the email and had a chance to watch it.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-16-2019 01:57 PM
From Paul Hildebrandt on Facebook:
Excited to announce that my latest film, "First to the Moon" will be released June 4th by Gravitas Ventures. It will be available on most VOD platforms including iTunes, Amazon, Vimeo, Vudu, Youtube, and many others. Availability on Blu-Ray and DVD will be on Amazon as well.
A big thanks to all involved to help make this project happen - Ryan Scott, Stephen Slater, Jon Martin, Geoffrey Notkin, Jim Hillhouse, the many crew involved, and of course the Apollo 8 astronauts Frank Borman, Bill Anders, and Jim Lovell!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 48524 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-06-2019 12:00 PM
"First to the Moon" is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download.
Panther494 Member
Posts: 543 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
posted 06-21-2019 02:07 AM
Have any of the Kickstarter backers received their items yet?
Gordon Eliot Reade Member
Posts: 137 From: Palo Alto, Calif. Registered: Jun 2015
posted 06-11-2022 10:00 PM
Here a really great film on Apollo 8. The film footage and interviews were fantastic.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4469 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 06-12-2022 07:16 AM
I would concur. An excellent documentary made all the more impressive by the personal interjection of each crew member. Great to see those heroes hale and hearty.
Larry McGlynn Member
Posts: 1380 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
posted 06-13-2022 08:44 AM
It is an extremely good film. The pacing, the score, the footage, the animation, and the interviews were amazing well done. Excellent work.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 327 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 06-13-2022 09:25 AM
How does this compare with "Earthrise" and "Race to the Moon" (which are the same films under different titles)? These appeared in 2005 and 2014.
perineau Member
Posts: 334 From: FRANCE Registered: Jul 2007
posted 06-14-2022 09:17 AM
Excellent film on Apollo 8, but left me wondering about the following question: Why wasn't McDivitt's crew picked for the lunar mission?
capoetc Member
Posts: 2302 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 06-14-2022 01:50 PM
If memory serves, Deke Slayton wanted to keep McDivitt's crew on the LEM checkout mission, so he planned to put forth Borman's crew to move up and take Apollo 8. However, he first talked to McDivitt with the intent that, if McDivitt really wanted to take the Apollo 8 mission around, the moon he would do that.
After he spoke to McDivitt, Slayton talked to Borman and offered him Apollo 8.
posted 01-17-2018 12:00 AM
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