Sunday, April 12, 2009

Untitled

It all started out innocently enough. A three-way conference call just catching up on events in the last 9 months or so. Yet, by the end of the conversation, I ended up with plans to head to Los Angeles on Friday to attend an advance screening of an HBO documentary. How the heck did that happen?

About a year ago, I got an e-mail out of the blue. HBO had found the blog, and wanted to talk about a documentary on Alzheimer's. After several more e-mails, conversations with the directors, conversations with my siblings, some googling of the directors, consulting with friends in the industry, and much thought on my part, I agreed to allow them to come film Mom.

Mom is one of seven people profiled in the upcoming HBO documentary "The Memory Loss Tapes", one of four documentaries in HBO's The Alzheimer's Project. One documentary will focus on patients themselves, one on the science, one on caregivers, and one on children coping with the disease in their parents/grandparents.


They came last July and filmed for four days. Mom was her charming self, created some art while they were here, and I think all in all it went well. All of the animals cooperated too. The llamas and alpacas did not spit at them, (not that mine spit with no reason) the dogs were good, the cats (Puddin') made themselves right at home.


The wildlife even obliged at one point. He was filming the sunset, and I could hear geese coming, but didn't know where they were. They flew right out of the sunset and directly overhead. It was incredible. You would think I had them trained to fly on cue or something! (Ok, release the birds...and...action!)

The filming was kind of stressful, rather exhausting, and it felt like I cried the whole time they were here. Not that they were cruel or bothersome in any way; I just tend to get emotional talking about Mom. No, they were lovely to work with, kind and down to earth.

So after all that, maybe I should tell you when it airs, yes? May 10th, Mother's day, 9 pm (8 central) Also, I have been told that HBO is unscrambling their signal for the series, but it is up to your local cable company to allow it. So if you have cable but not HBO, check with your company to see what's up. I've been told that DirectTV and Verizon have agreed.

15 comments:

Lori1955 said...

WOW, how exciting to be a part of that!! I hope I get to see it.

JudyP613 said...

Thank you for sharing your Mom and your life this way. I don't own a TV, never home enough to bother with one, but I'm going to find a way to watch this!!

Cindy said...

Love the pic of Puddin' on the cameraman's back. I got a letter from the St. Louis Alzheimer's Association announcing the HBO special. We have DirecTV, so I'm going to have to find out if we'll get it. I really want/need to see it on all levels. And, exactly how can we avoid crying when we talk about our beloved Mom's and a bitterly cruel disease? Happy belated Easter, Annie!

sophanne said...

Thanks Annie.

cornbread hell said...

i can hardly wait !

have fun in la.

Anonymous said...

I hope your trip to California is wonderful.
I think I've found someone to tape the special for me, however I'm considering signing up for HBO just to be able to watch.

Again, thanks for sharing your Mom with us, and all of your farm adventures. I HOPE they (HBO) include the geese flying in!

~Amanda (gr8aunt)

rilera said...

I can't wait to see it. I've been bursting with the knowledge that you and your Mom are in this documentary. I hope that they do you and your mom justice.

Mama Pea said...

Annie, thanks so much for going through the emotions that it must have taken to be part of this documentary. I look forward to seeing it.

Lilac Haven said...

We are among the last people on earth who don't have cable but I am going to try to see this somehow.

bulletholes said...

yEAH, I got no Cable, but I wouldn't miss this for the world!

Lies Spaink said...

I really hope we get to see it in Europe as well.

Linda Sue said...

That is so awesome! I can't wait to see it- I will be out of the country but have instructed dear husband to record it for later viewing.
It will be lovely to see you mom.

Anonymous said...

Annie, there are no words to say all of the emotions that hit me while I was reading this post today.

I hope they treat you to the red carpet treatment while you are in L.A.!

Sending ((hugs)) for both you and Mom.

Miss T said...

Fabulous! Have a great time at the screening!

MJ said...

Annie - we're waiting for you in California with open arms! Can't wait to join you on the red carpet in my gown and...wait, there's no red carpet? We're wearing jeans?! ALRIGHT! My kind of premier!

Can't wait to see you!