Labor Day - Support the MDA

 Happy Labor Day!

As I say ever year - support the MDA!  Just click HERE!

Support the MDA!

  

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is very near and dear to us at Elmwood Productions. This Labor Day weekend please take a moment and make a donation to the MDA!

Click HERE to show the MDA some love and support!

Why Does Elmwood Support The MDA? Happy Labor Day!

If you know me then you know I have unwavering support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The MDA was huge for my family, and extended family of friends for my whole childhood.  Literally.

My brother Michael was born with DMD (Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and the MDA was there every step of the way.  With support, doctors, and events that help us live a "normal" life.  

Because of the MDA my brother got to go to camp every year, and we all got to spend time with other families that we could relate too and make more "families" with.  

Our local MDA in Connecticut threw amazing Halloween and Christmas parties, and a great summer picnic every year.  It was normalcy in an abnormal situation.  

And I didn't know it any other way.  I'm four years younger than my brother, and by the time I can remember my family was already deep into the association.  And my brother was even the poster child (now they call it The Goodwill Ambassador) for the CT MDA, and he loved every minute of it.  Meeting politicians, celebrities, and so on...  He was always smiling.

And Labor Day.  

From the 1950's until 2014 the MDA hosted a telethon to raise money for research and more.  In the 1960's they chose to do it on Labor Day weekend, where it happened every year until 2014.  Labor Day was a big deal for my family as I was growing up.  Every year we were there, at Channel 3 WFSB (the local affiliate in CT) and running from event to event...  And it was awesome.  As I got older and into my pre-teens and teens I got to actually help out a bit too.   The events were amazing though.  And watching all these people from all over the world give up time on a holiday weekend to help make it happen. 

My brother died in 1993.  Just a few weeks after the telethon. 

He was 22.  And he beat the odds.  So for me, even though there was never a cure in his lifetime, he beat the disease.  He won.  And the MDA was a huge part in why he lived so long, and with normalcy in his life.

My brother fought hard to be as normal as possible his whole life.  And for me, he was the most normal person I knew.  And he was my hero.

The following summer the local telethon producers and the local MDA branch asked to do a piece on him to air during the telethon.  My parents agreed to be interviewed.  I really didn't have a choice.  Haha...  I was told by them I had to be there for it.  So I was.  

Someone at WFSB back in the day was nice enough to give us a master VHS of the piece.  Feel free to laugh at my hair.  And yes, I did have hair!   

So, each year we at Elmwood try to do something for the MDA.  And this year we're hoping you'll step up and join us this year...

Purchase "The Bernice, Too Package" and you'll be supporting the MDA and Elmwood Productions!

For every purchase of "The Bernice, Too Package" from August 30 through September 3 Elmwood will be donating $10.00 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association!
Not only will you be supporting the MDA you'll also be supporting Elmwood make our next film; "Bernice, Too"!
You'll even get a social media shout out on Facebook and a thank you in the movie once it is completed!

Here's what "The Bernice, Too" package includes:

For only $20.00 you'll get the following films and series:

"Animal Behavior" - 13 episode series (PG)

"The Risley Brothers: Welcome to The Wooden Beaver" - Short film (PG-13)

"The Risley Brothers" - 10 episode series (PG-13)

"The Jungle Man" - Short film (R)

"Josh and Todd: The Story of a Man and His Puppet" - Feature film (R)

"Steve the Vampire" - 12 episode series (PG-13)

and when the film is complete you'll also get "BERNICE, TOO"!

All for $20.00. To buy all these separately would be $30.00!

What are you waiting for? An invite? Well, consider yourself invited!!! HERE’S THE LINK TO THE “BERNICE, TOO” PACKAGE - 

https://elmwood.vhx.tv/products/the-bernice-too-package

Get caught up with Elmwood just in time for "BERNICE, TOO"! And show love and support for the MDA!

Two men. One wheelchair. And a day in their lives... The world is a wonderful and strange place. Let's spend some time in theirs.

Starring a cast of puppets, in a world of our creation. Nothing too deep. But, maybe just deep enough.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Support The MDA!

Purchase "The Bernice, Too Package" and you'll be supporting the MDA and Elmwood Productions!

For every purchase of "The Bernice, Too Package" from August 30 through September 3 Elmwood will be donating $10.00 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association!
Not only will you be supporting the MDA you'll also be supporting Elmwood make our next film; "Bernice, Too"!
You'll even get a social media shout out on Facebook and a thank you in the movie once it is completed!

Here's what "The Bernice, Too" package includes:

For only $20.00 you'll get the following films and series:

"Animal Behavior" - 13 episode series (PG)

"The Risley Brothers:Welcome to The Wooden Beaver" - Short film (PG-13)

"The Risley Brothers" - 10 episode series (PG-13)

"The Jungle Man" - Short film (R)

"Josh and Todd: The Story of a Man and His Puppet" - Feature film (R)

"Steve the Vampire" - 12 episode series (PG-13)

and when the film is complete you'll also get "BERNICE, TOO"!

All for $20.00. To buy all these separately would be $30.00!

What are you waiting for? An invite? Well, consider yourself invited!!! HERE’S THE LINK TO THE “BERNICE, TOO” PACKAGE - https://elmwood.vhx.tv/products/the-bernice-too-package

Get caught up with Elmwood just in time for "BERNICE, TOO"! And show love and support for the MDA!

Two men. One wheelchair. And a day in their lives... The world is a wonderful and strange place. Let's spend some time in theirs.

Starring a cast of puppets, in a world of our creation. Nothing too deep. But, maybe just deep enough.

Support the MDA

Today would have been my brothers 48th birthday.

Actually...  Today IS my brothers 48th birthday. He's just not here on this level of existence to celebrate with us.  I'm sure he has other, much cooler plans...

Happy Birthday Michael.  I think about you every day.  Hope today is amazing - for everyone.

Support the MDA - Click the image below!

Still going!

 Support the Muscular Dystrophy Association!!!

Purchase "ANIMAL BEHAVIOR" on VHX/Vimeo for $3.99 from now through the day Monday, 9/3/2018 FORGET THAT DATE!  WE'RE GOING THROUGH 9/6/2018! - and we will and donate $2.00 from your purchase to the MDA!

And once you've got "Animal Behavior" make a donation to the MDA of $3.00 or more and email us a copy of the confirmation of your donation at contact@elmwoodproductions.com and we'll also send you a coupon to watch our series 
"The Risley Brothers" for FREE!
Not on Facebook?  That's OK!
Just email us your confirmation from The MDA to fanmail@elmwoodproductions.com

Let's make Tugger Cat and Wes Risley proud!

To make a donation - use this link: MDA

This offer applies to purchases of "Animal Behavior" and not rentals.  Donation to MDA and purchase of "Animal Behavior" required to get "The Risley Brothers" free coupon.
Coupons will be sent out between 9/10-9/15/2018.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

 Support the Muscular Dystrophy Association!!!

Purchase "ANIMAL BEHAVIOR" on VHX/Vimeo for $3.99 from now through the day Monday, 9/3/2018 and we will and donate $2.00 from your purchase to the MDA!

And once you've got "Animal Behavior" make a donation to the MDA of $3.00 or more and email us a copy of the confirmation of your donation at contact@elmwoodproductions.com and we'll also send you a coupon to watch our series 
"The Risley Brothers" for FREE!
Not on Facebook?  That's OK!
Just email us your confirmation from The MDA to fanmail@elmwoodproductions.com

Let's make Tugger Cat and Wes Risley proud!

To make a donation - use this link: MDA

This offer applies to purchases of "Animal Behavior" and not rentals.  Donation to MDA and purchase of "Animal Behavior" required to get "The Risley Brothers" free coupon.
Coupons will be sent out between 9/10-9/15/2018.

Labor Day Weekend...

 Support the Muscular Dystrophy Association!!!

Purchase "ANIMAL BEHAVIOR" on VHX/Vimeo for $3.99 from now through the day Monday, 9/3/2018 and we will and donate $2.00 from your purchase to the MDA!

And once you've got "Animal Behavior" make a donation to the MDA of $3.00 or more and email us a copy of the confirmation of your donation at contact@elmwoodproductions.com and we'll also send you a coupon to watch our series 
"The Risley Brothers" for FREE!
Not on Facebook?  That's OK!
Just email us your confirmation from The MDA to fanmail@elmwoodproductions.com

Let's make Tugger Cat and Wes Risley proud!

To make a donation - use this link: MDA

This offer applies to purchases of "Animal Behavior" and not rentals.  Donation to MDA and purchase of "Animal Behavior" required to get "The Risley Brothers" free coupon.
Coupons will be sent out between 9/10-9/15/2018.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Support the MDA!

MDA is amazing!  Help them keep up the great work...

Contribute HERE!

Thanks Jerry!

So...  Jerry Lewis...
My brother was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  In my lifetime I watched his.  I watched his change so much.  And he was my hero.
And Jerry Lewis...  
As a small child I only knew Jerry as the guy who hosted the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon, to me at that age he was an OK singer and really funny, and I thought it was great that he was doing these shows for my brother and all the other kids like him that I knew.  
As I got older I learned more about him, saw his movies with Dean Martin, and so on...  And realized how talented and passionate he really was.  

Jerry Lewis gave so many families hope.  The MDA does the same, and will continue to do so.  Families like mine.  We got to laugh at a horrible situation, and it was OK to do so.  
Thank you Mr. Lewis.  Sweet dreams, you'll never walk alone.

  

Labor Day Weekend.. As always - SUPPORT THE MDA!

From last Saturday to today it's been a loooong week. 

Last Saturday was awesome, Elmwood was at the CT Horror Fest to promote HEAD, and it was a huge success!  Saw some great friends, and met a ton of great new people...

Wednesday was a blast too...  The shooting of the "Risley Brothers" series is getting close to the finish line!

And I got pooped on.  No fun.  But that's another story of another day, hahaha...

And now...  A day off.

Before I spend the day mowing the lawn and then in the studio just wanted to point out it's Labor Day weekend.

For me it's more than a extra day off.  It's a soul feeding weekend.  I spent most them growing up running from MDA event to MDA event and watching the MDA telethon, and always ended up at Channel 3 here in CT at the end of the day Monday for the end of the telethon.  Those were fascinating and wonderful times.  I miss them, and so many of the people... 

So join me this weekend in supporting the MDA,

fill a fireman's boot, make a donation online...  Whatever you want! 

Feels like a century ago... But it was only 1994...

I remember this guy...  
He had just bought a Prince bootleg no one else had heard, I'm sure...  
And when done listening to that was blasting Gn'R (or something) while planning a movie that never got made...  
He worked at a real coffee shop, and hung out with guys with funny names like Tricky Rock, Mighty J.Slim, Rich Warren, Sten, and women who were probably too good to been seen in public with a dork like me....
 Go ahead...  Laugh.  It's OK. I did too when I saw the hair!

It's that time of year when we need a smile, a laugh.  
The video, shared below, was one I posted to Facebook and YouTube earlier this week, and shared in a mass message to some friends and family.
It's a little (very little) piece of history.  But it's a big piece of history for me.  
My brother was so much to me.
Not just a brother, but a best friend, a collaborator, and more.  Had he lived longer he would have been a part of Elmwood Productions without a doubt, and I can only imagine what he would have cooked up.

Anyway...
It's the "holiday" season.
Let's Do Good Things.
 Let's be good people.  And let's share positive thoughts and keep smiling.
We live in such a wild world now, Hell, we lived in on in 1994 when this was first filmed...
This wild world needs a smile.  Needs a "hug".
Let's do that.  Embrace each other.  Show love regardless of religion, skin color, age, gender, whatever...
Let's just be in love, with each other.  

Support the MDA
mda.org
In 1994 local television station WFSB was still airing the annual MDA Labor Day Telethon. Late that summer they sent a small crew to my parents home to do a piece on my brother, Michael, who had passed away just after the 1993 telethon. 
This is a transfer of that piece from a VHS tape provided to my family after it aired. 
My aunt also gave me a copy of the tape recently, which prompted me to transfer it to digital, and share it.I don't own it, or the music. Just want to share this small piece of my family history.


So that's it...
Til 2016, Jon's Java is on vacation!
See you in the new year!

Watch the movies I made.. And Support the MDA!

NOW THROUGH LABOR DAY!!!

Get "Josh & Todd", "HEAD" and "The Risley Brothers" for just $10!!! You don't want to miss out on this great deal!!!  And for every download or rent we'll donate $1.00 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association​!!!  Not only are you getting 3 fun flicks but you'll be saving and improving lives for people fighting muscle disease!    

Click the link below to get the flicks!

https://elmwood.vhx.tv/packages/all-three-elmwood-productions-flicks

Support the MDA!

Happy Labor Day!

Support the MDA!