The world changed overnight, and I forgot to make a big deal about our movie being released. I’m sure like me, all of you have been stunned by the spread of the COVID–19. I hope you are home. I hope you are safe. And I hope you are healthy.
I am all three (home, safe, and healthy). I am one of the lucky ones who can work from home. In fact, I thrive in this working environment. I can slip into a deep focus with no interruptions, which is perfect for a creative.
For the sports lovers out there, or if you are bored and want to watch an interesting documentary, please check out 50 Summers. I’ve known the director, Dan Napoli, since 2008 when we both worked for another agency. This film spun out of our work at Hurrdat for the Omaha Storm Chasers to celebrate their 50th anniversary and their ongoing relationship with their parent club, the Kansas City Royals. They have one of the longest partnerships between a minor league team and the majors, and have been linked since the Omaha team’s inception in 1969.
I did the art direction for the film. I have some illustrations for a historic Jack McKeon story (Trader Jack! I got to hang out with Trader Jack!) and I was part of the Durham shoot when the Durham Bulls and Baseball America graciously helped us with interviews and in depth knowledge that contributed to the film. It’s a fantastic documentary that deals with the history of the Omaha Storm Chasers, and it ends up being the story about the modern era of minor league baseball. We scored an interview with Warren Buffett, who was an owner for a time. We scored Rob Riggle (noted Kansas City Royals fanatic) as our narrator. It was a wonderful experience making it, seeing Dan receive accolades across the country on the film festival circuit, striking a deal with Gravitas Ventures to release the film the week of MLB’s Opening Day. And how incredible is it to work for two guys, Bill Hipsher and Brandon Taylor, who let us make a movie?
Everything that lead us to this release though has been a little muted. There’s no baseball on right now. Even spring training was cut short. But baseball will be back! It has to be. Watch the film and get excited for it all over again.
Get your copy of 50 Summers
50 Summers is also available from your cable provider to watch on demand.
We know that Cox, Fios by Verizon, Spectrum, and Xfinity are all carrying the film on demand, but your local cable provider may be carrying it also.
Podcasts/Interviews
If you’d like to hear Dan, Bill, Martie Cordaro (president of the Omaha Storm Chasers) and myself talk about the film, check us out:
- Between Two Berms Episode 14 and Episode 15
- Big Screen Sports
- Let’s Get Two
- Pat & JT
