Timothy R. Hall: Hill District

What Green Could Be

Editor’s Note: As Pittsburgh celebrates its big 250, Andrew Halasz and Kristen Lauth Shaeffer have found their own way to commemorate the city – through a series of short films collectively titled Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives. To make their project even more interesting, Halasz and Shaeffer invited local filmmakers to submit story treatments highlighting one of the many diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. This article is the ninth in a series profiling each of the filmmakers selected for participation.

Throughout the years, artists and historians alike have been drawn to the story behind Pittsburgh’s Hill District – and for good reason, as the area has seen a lot of change since its heyday in the 1930s and ‘40s, carrying with it a rich cultural history. In fact, the Hill, as it is fondly known in the ‘burgh, was once considered to be the center of African-American culture, steeped in art, literature and music. A decline in the steel industry, however, and the construction of the Civic Arena forced many residents to leave the neighborhood beginning in the ‘60s. Today, the area is slowly being revamped.

While numerous works of art chronicle the Hill’s history, local filmmaker Timothy R. Hall, 58, has opted to capture the spirit of the neighborhood in a unique and unconventional way – through a style of filmmaking known as “photo roman.” Tim’s film, part of the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives project, portrays a very human element of the Hill using only still photos and sound to tell his story.

“It’s really a pseudo-biographical kind of thing,” said Tim about his narrative, What Green Could Be.

Like his creator, the main character grew up in the Hill District at a time when many people were leaving. Eventually, the pursuit of an education and later, a career, prompted him to relocate as well.

But if there’s anything we learned from the Wizard of Oz, other than the fact that it eerily syncs up to Dark Side of the Moon, it’s that sometimes you really do have to step away from the comfort zone to appreciate what’s in your backyard.

When circumstances bring the main character back to his birthplace, he is shocked to discover how much he missed it.

“It’s a growing process,” explained Tim. “As he slowly eases back into the neighborhood, he realizes that he has a different kind of appreciation for the Hill.”

The same is true for Tim, who also returned to the neighborhood he grew up in. While he appreciates today’s version of the Hill, he also confesses that it’s a “shell of what it used to be.” That contrast between the old and the new, and the emotional journey of the residents who lived the transition, is conveyed through his main character’s experiences.

“This takes all of that and nails it down to one person with experiences,” he said.

Tim is a passionate photographer, so using photo roman to tell his story was an obvious choice. He was very meticulous about how and when his photos were caught, and didn’t limit himself to one style either.

“It’s about images being caught the right way with the camera,” he said.

To do that, he would drive down Centre Avenue and make a note of the way things looked in certain light. Later, he would return to get his shot, using only the natural light provided.

Of course, What Green Could Be wasn’t his first photo roman. Tim also produced one about the intimidations of going back to school as an adult – a theme he can relate to, having recently graduated from Chatham University with a master of fine art’s degree in digital and film photography.

What Tim hopes to achieve with this photo roman, however, is to give another perspective on life in the Hill – through the ever-watchful eye of the camera.

“I want people to leave there [after seeing his film] thinking, ‘Hmmm … that’s an interesting variation on the theme,’” he said.

Ray Werner: Strip District

Tommy and Me

Editor’s Note: As Pittsburgh celebrates its big 250, Andrew Halasz and Kristen Lauth Shaeffer have found their own way to commemorate the city – through a series of short films collectively titled Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives. To make their project even more interesting, Halasz and Shaeffer invited local filmmakers to submit story treatments highlighting one of the many diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. This article is the eighth in a series profiling each of the filmmakers selected for participation. Be sure to check back in a weeks for the next profile.

A Saturday afternoon spent strolling through the Strip District is a mysterious kind of fun, luring Pittsburghers with ethnic fare, fresh produce, and gourmet coffee. The challenge lies in navigating one’s way through a sea of street merchants without surrendering to each and every persuasive aroma. It’s like Ulysses and the “song of the siren,” except the song is really an enchanting smell that threatens to overwhelm the wallet.

For some, such as local filmmaker Ray Werner, 69, this unique part of town is more than a Saturday trip – it’s a treasure trove of memories. Years ago, Ray and his wife transformed the No. 7 Engine Co. – the building now known as the Firehouse Lounge – into a family-owned advertising agency. It was not only the first historically restored building in the Strip, but their agency was also the first service company to be established in the area.

This is one reason why Ray chose the Strip District as the setting for his Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives film, Tommy and Me. But he also holds a deep appreciation for the culture of the Strip.

“The Strip really draws its own crowd. It has its own personality,” he said.

The majority of Ray’s narrative takes place in a store called Mike’s Stuff, modeled after and filmed in Mike Feinberg’s novelty shop. An old friend of Feinberg’s, Ray said that “the film couldn’t take place anywhere but the Strip” because Feinberg’s store is truly one-of-a-kind.

The main character, and narrator, is Schmoo – a young new hire at the novelty shop. When a homeless man named Tommy makes a habit of panhandling outside the shop, Schmoo decides to “make him useful.” So, he puts a retail scarf on Tommy. Sure enough, passers-by come into the shop to purchase the scarf “the guy out front” is wearing. Recognizing an opportunity, Schmoo makes a habit of outfitting Tommy in merchandise.

One day, when Tommy dons Steeler pajamas, he is given the nickname “Steeler Santa.” The Steeler Santa quickly becomes a Pittsburgh icon.

“It catches on and people love the guy,” said Ray. “He’s a media celebrity.”

Ray’s story takes its listeners on an emotional journey, allowing them to fall in love with Tommy while at the same time introducing them to the harsh realities of street life. When asked how / when his fascination with the homeless started, Ray begins with “I’m a very serious bread maker …” As he continues, one also learns that Ray plays concertina in an Irish band called Hooley and that the flute player’s brother ran a non-profit organization dedicated to the homeless. The brother’s name is Dr. Jim Withers, and the organization is called Operation Safety Net. The bread came in when Ray, Jim and several others distributed 200 loaves of fresh, homemade bread to Pittsburgh’s homeless.

“Ask their name. No one ever asks their name,” said Ray, remembering Jim’s advice on how to treat the homeless.

But Ray’s compassion for the homeless runs even deeper than his film lets on. Tommy and Me is dedicated to Jim, and all proceeds from the screening at the Firehouse Lounge will benefit Operation Safety Net. Ray also cast four homeless men as extras in his film. Johnny, Michael, Ray (not Werner) and George were the only extras to be paid.

According to Ray, the filming of Tommy and Me went extremely well – thanks to good weather, a “terrific” cast and crew, and the generosity of local residents / businesses. The Steelers organization also came through for Ray. One of the scenes was filmed in Heinz Stadium, and the organization was eager to grant permission when it learned of the connection to Operation Safety Net.

But perhaps the best part of filming Tommy and Me was that it allowed Ray the opportunity to work alongside his wife and four kids – Larkin the production designer, Brendan the editor, Brian the financial consultant, and Katie the Production Assistant (along with Ray’s wife Susan).

“This was a real family production,” said Ray. “I proved to my kids that I can still work a 21-hour day,” he added, laughing.

Jenn Golling and Matthew Fridg: Homestead

Notes in the Valley

Editor’s Note: As Pittsburgh celebrates its big 250, Andrew Halasz and Kristen Lauth Shaeffer have found their own way to commemorate the city – through a series of short films collectively titled Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives. To make their project even more interesting, Halasz and Shaeffer invited local filmmakers to submit story treatments highlighting one of the many diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. This article is the seventh in a series profiling each of the filmmakers selected for participation. Be sure to check back in two weeks for the next profile.

Walking down Eighth Avenue in Homestead is like being on the set of a movie. One could almost picture the town as it was in its prime – a bustling shopping district nestled in the steel valley, families weaving in and out of its pretty storefronts …

And while some of those storefronts don’t look as pretty as they once did, having since lost their allure to cracked glass and empty shelves, the Homestead scene has acquired a new and mysterious charm of its own. Heading into the Waterfront from Eighth Avenue is reminiscent of the scene in Wizard of Oz when Dorothy opens her door to Technicolor, blinding herself with vibrant shades of ginormous plastic flowers. The contrast between the old Homestead and the new is as blatant as those flowers, with history outlined in every petal.

To Matthew Fridg, 27, and Jenn Golling, 30, Homestead was a movie waiting to be made, which is why they selected the neighborhood for their short film contribution to Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives.

“When you drive through Homestead, you only get this little sliver. You don’t really know what’s there,” said Matthew, who also lives in Homestead. “It has a lot of personality, mystery and enchantment, especially the library.”

In fact, their story begins in Homestead’s Carnegie Library where a young female employee finds a mysterious, unopened envelope dating back to the 1940s. After digging through the library’s archives, she is able to track down more information about the addressee – a fascinating woman whose life eerily mirrors her own. The young girl’s findings lead her to a World War II veteran who was a friend of her 1940s counterpart, and through his stories, she is quickly caught up in a search for answers. All the while battling the temptation to open the letter.

“In trying to solve the mystery of the letter, the lead character answers some questions in her own life,” explained Matthew.

The filming took Matthew and Jenn through some of the hidden gems of Homestead and Munhall, such as the library and the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Museum. At least one of the scenes takes place in a mansion formerly owned by Andrew Carnegie. According to Matthew, the current owners of the mansion had reverted the furnishings back to the way they were originally, which was a perfect fit for the film.

There were also some architectural shots of the main strip in Homestead, which served as transitional pieces.

On the first day of filming, the crew was shooting about two blocks away from the Waterfront when a train derailed.

“The helicopters and sirens threatened to shut us down,” recalled Matthew, who directed the film and produced it in conjunction with PMI (Production Masters Inc.). “We couldn’t hear anything. Luckily, we were able to get our footage and get out of there.”

But that wasn’t the only challenge the pair faced. According to Jenn, who co-wrote the script with Matthew, a huge underlying scene was re-written the night before filming.

“You make one change to the script and it ricochets throughout the whole thing,” said Jenn, laughing good naturedly. “I stayed up until three or four in morning making changes, but we ended up really liking the rewrite. The actors had the final script in their hands eight hours before filming. They were champs.”

As someone who wrote many plays in college, several of which won awards, Jenn has a deep appreciation for talented actors.

“I can’t act. I’m one of those people who sounds like they’re reading lines. That’s why I stick to writing,” she explained. “I always tell the actors, ‘Once I hand the script to you, you know the characters better than I do.’”

Jenn works with Matthew’s wife, which is how the two came to collaborate on the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives project. Matthew graduated from IUP with a bachelors of science degree in communications media. He always had a passion for filmmaking and moved to Pittsburgh to work on the Hollywood features that were shot here in the last few years. Currently, he serves as a director for award-winning production company PMI, located in downtown Pittsburgh.

While “Notes in the Valley” is not Matthew’s first short film (his previous short film, “No More Sunday,” has screened at several film festivals around the country), it was Jenn’s first movie script. Both were very happy with the way things turned out.

“It really got my creative juices going again,” confessed Jenn. “I’m excited to do more writing.”

Screening Schedule!

September 25 - Regent Square Screening
Regent Square Theater, 7:30 pm

September 28 - Bloomfield Screening
Brillobox, 8:00 pm

October 3 - Homestead Screening
The Pumphouse, 7:30 pm

October 5 - Hill District Screening
Hill House Theater, 2:00 pm

October 12 - Downtown Screening
Harris Theater, 2:00 pm

October 21 - Southside Screening
Rex Theater, 7:30 pm

October 23 - Oakland Screening
Melwood Screening Room, 8:00 pm

October 30 - Lawrenceville Screening
Your Inner Vagabond, 8:00 pm

November 8 - Strip District Screening
The Firehouse Lounge, 7:00 pm

Tickets are $10 for the premiere and $5 for all other screenings.
Keep watching our website for additional details:
www.pghneighborhoodnarratives.com

Nelson Chipman and Jeremy Braverman: Regent Square

Regent Square

Editor’s Note: As Pittsburgh celebrates its big 250, Andrew Halasz and Kristen Lauth Shaeffer have found their own way to commemorate the city – through a series of short films collectively titled Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives. To make their project even more interesting, Halasz and Shaeffer invited local filmmakers to submit story treatments highlighting one of the many diverse neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. This article is the sixth in a series profiling each of the filmmakers selected for participation. Be sure to check back in two weeks for the next profile.

Situated in the cross-section of four municipalities (Edgewood, Pittsburgh, Swissvale and Wilkinsburg), Regent Square has managed to carve out its own identity, framing brick-paved streets with Victorian architecture and large canopy trees. A single strip running through its middle provides local residents with all the basic amenities that a modern life requires – food, drink, shopping and entertainment. For exercise, there is Frick Park. And for happy hour, the front porch.

It is in this small, but charming neighborhood that local filmmakers Jeremy Braverman and Nelson Chipman tell their story for Pittsburgh Neighborhood Narratives. Both residents of Regent Square themselves, Jeremy and Nelson came up with the outline for their film while swapping stories with neighbors.

“We talked to people from the neighborhood and shared our favorite stories, things that were unique to Regent Square,” said Jeremy. “A lot of that stuff found its way into our film, such as the front porch happy hours. Those are pretty big around here.”

Their film, called “Regent Square,” is about a New Yorker who is forced to relocate to Pittsburgh when his wife lands a job with UPMC. For him, the transition was not an easy one. For Nelson and Jeremy, who are also big city transplants, the move to Regent Square was a no-brainer.

“I was immediately taken with the neighborhood even before coming here,” admits Nelson, who moved from New York about a year ago. He researched the neighborhood online prior to the move. “There are some amazing, friendly people in Regent Square. I met more people in my first week here than I met in all seven years on my street in New York.”

Jeremy uprooted from Chicago about five years ago.

“We were both really excited to come here. So we took the angle, ‘What if we came here and didn’t like it?’” he said, referring to the idea for their film. “This is a story about someone who has to accept changes in his life.”

Acceptance can be found in unlikely places, as “Regent Square” proves. When the main character breaks his ankle in Frick Park, it is his older, legally blind neighbor who volunteers to drive him to the hospital. The incident helps to break down some walls for the skeptical New Yorker, as he gradually learns to appreciate the neighborhood.

Filming in Frick Park was important to Jeremy and Nelson because they feel that the park is “a huge asset to the neighborhood.” In fact, the two meet on a regular basis to jog the park’s trails.

They were also fascinated with the historical aspects of Regent Square, which they tried to incorporate into their film. It is said that George Westinghouse encouraged his executives to build houses in the area. The larger, grander homes of the Westinghouse execs greatly contrasted those of the lower-paid workers, who lived in more modest “Hulley” homes.

“Regent Square appears to be very diverse in terms of economics,” said Nelson. “You can get a small apartment or condo … and then right down the road are these huge homes.”

According to Nelson, the neighborhood was very cooperative during filming. Many of the businesses in Regent Square are independently-owned and were more than willing to help out. Dunning’s Bar and Grill, for instance, provided the cast and crew with free lunches. Others provided discounts. The Regent Square Civic Association funded the catering for food and drinks.

Both Jeremy and Nelson are instructors in the cinema and digital arts department at Point Park University and were grateful for the opportunity to work on a project together.

“Jeremy and I live on the same street, we ride the bus together and we sit three offices away,” explained Nelson. “We were looking for an opportunity to collaborate on a project together. Plus, we’re obviously big fans of Regent Square, so it was serendipitous that this came along.”