- A coincidental return to "Long Beach"
- Our World Theatrical Premiere is coming in February!
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Special AIAA Screening of
Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future
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(L to R) Tim Branning, Kristina Hays, Douglass Stewart with AIAA LA/LV Events Chair Ken Lui and Section Chair Robert Friend
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Back in August, Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future screened at the Long Beach Film Festival, which was held in Long Beach, New York.
On December 1, the film screened again in Long Beach, but this time it was in California!
The campus of California State University at Long Beach (CSULB) was the site of a special showing hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Los Angeles-Las Vegas Section (AIAA). On hand was the film’s Producer/Writer/Director Douglass M. Stewart, Jr. along with some of his key crew members: Co-Editor Kristina Hays and Principal Director of Photography, Timothy Branning, a CSULB graduate himself. Moderating the event was AIAA’s Section Chair, Robert (Bob) Friend, Chief Engineer at Boeing Phantom Works Space Systems.
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(L to R): Tim Branning, Kristina Hays, Douglass Stewart and Robert Friend discuss the film “Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future” in the post-screening Q&A.
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After the screening, Bob confessed that he didn’t know who Chesley Bonestell was before seeing the film, but he really enjoyed the documentary. “Chesley was not only a visionary artist, but he led an extraordinary life. This film is amazing!”
With an audience of aerospace engineers who primarily build rockets and launch satellites, the Q&A focused on the challenges of "getting a film off the ground.” Director of Photography Tim Branning told stories of the difficulties of low-budget filmmaking that often include unforeseen events. “We were shooting in an office building in San Francisco, and we happened to pick the Saturday that a number of buildings decided to test their back-up generators. The noise just about ruined everything, but, fortunately, there were times when they took breaks.” Doug told the audience that, as the director, he had to “take civilians who were not used to being on camera and turn them into movie stars.” Co-Editor Kristina Hays pointed out the value of having the on-camera talent retell something several times during a shoot. This can be vexing on the talent, "but that way, we can work around all kinds of editorial problems and tell a great story.”
The audience response to the movie was most enthusiastic. One couple remarked: “We both absolutely loved the film! It is one of the best documentaries about a person we have ever seen.” There was a lot of laughter during one part of the film where Bonestell points out an octopus he had painted into a technical illustration of the Golden Gate Bridge. He told photographer Robert E. David, “It was my caricature of the Chief Engineer, Joseph Strauss.” During the Q&A, Bob Friend said - with a bit of a chuckle - that he could relate to that part of the film. “As a Chief Engineer at Boeing, I am known for getting my tentacles into everything.”
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The octopus on Chesley’s technical illustration of the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Robert E. David
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The film reveals an interesting connection between Bonestell and the AIAA. Doug said, “I was shown a painting that Chesley had given to NASA, but no one knew anything about its history. As it turns out, Bonestell had painted "Pittsburgh at L-2" for the cover of Astronautics and Aeronautics magazine (October 1976). I think it’s extraordinary that here I am, showing this film to AIAA members!”
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Chesley’s painting of “Pittsburgh at L-2” used on the cover of
“Astronautics and Aeronautics” magazine - October 1976
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This screening was produced by AIAA Los Angeles/Las Vegas Events Chair Ken Lui, who was assisted by the AIAA CSULB student branch. Doug, Tim and Kristina were very grateful to have been part of this special event.
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There's wonderful news from Chesley's home town of San Francisco!
Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future will have its
World Theatrical Premiere at the historic Roxie Theater.
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The exclusive engagement is set for Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23. If you are in the Bay Area on those dates, please come and participate in this great event on either of those dates!
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Upcoming Screenings of
Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future
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OFFICIAL SELECTION!
Feb. 16, 2019
Boston Science Fiction Film Festival
Somerville, MA
Chesley Bonestell: A Brush With The Future is now an official selection for this film festival. They are the oldest genre film festival in the nation. A Q&A will be held after the screening with filmmaker Douglass Stewart, co-editor Kristina Hays, and special guests.
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February 17, 2019
Cleveland Cinematheque
Cleveland, OH
Special screening of the film at the Cleveland Cinematheque. Check for updates and ticket information at www.cia.edu.
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Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019
Columbus College of Art and Design
Columbus, OH
A Q&A will be held after the screening with the film's Co-Producer Ron Miller, a CCAD alumnus and professional space artist. Event is free and open to the public.
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Sunday, Mar. 24, 2019
The Filoli Historic House and Garden
Woodside, CA 94062
Chesley helped design this fabulous estate while working with Willis Polk. This American Country Estate was completed in 1917. A Q&A will be held after the screening with Douglass M. Stewart, Jr. (producer/director), Christina Dikas (Senior Architectural Historian with Page & Turnbull); "The Dream of Spaceflight " author Wyn Wachhorst, (Stanford University), and Filoli's Head Curator and Collection Manager, Julie Bly DeVere. The public can purchase tickets for this event. A glass of champagne is included along with a special exhibition of Chesley Bonestell's original designs for Filoli from their archives.
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JUST ANNOUNCED!
Mar. 27-31, 2019
Sonoma International Film Festival
Sonoma, CA 95476
We're an Official Selection for this festival! Screening time to be announced.
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