A Case Study
Narrative | Dramatic Features
Film Name: IF I COULD RUN
Genre: Family-Drama Film
Date: the completion date for the film 20xy
Director: Shawn Welling, Don Miller
Producer: Don Miller, Shawn Welling
Writer: Don Miller
Cinematographer: Shawn Welling
Production Company: Welling Films, Houston Tx.
Budget: $20,000
Shooting Format: Canon 1DC
Screening Format: Apple ProRes 422
World Premiere: Worldfest, Houston Tx.
Awards:
– Winner – Movie Trailers, Worldfest Houston
– Winner – Best Young Actress, Worldfest Houston
– Winner – Best Film Of The Festival- Worldfest Houston
– Mindfield Film Festival, Albuquerque, N.M, Best Feature Film
– Moondance International Film Festival – Nominee Best Feature Film
– NYC Indie Film Awards – Best Actor
– NYC Indie Film Awards – Best Feature Film
– Global Nonviolent Film Festival – Best Production/Score in a Feature Film
– Direct Online Film Festival – Winner, Best Feature Film
– Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival- Winner, Best Of Festival
– Houston Film Critics Society Awards – Nominee, Rising Star
– Mindfield Film Festival – Winner, Best Director
– Mindfield Film Festival – Best Director
– Mindfield Film Festival, Best Original Score
– Mindfield Film Festival – Winner Best Cinematography
– Lakeview International Film Festival, Nominee, Best Feature Film
– Lucky Strike Film Festival – Nominee, Best Feature Film
– Mindfield Film Festival – Best Actress
– Aphrodite Film Awards- Best Fiction Feature Film
– Depth of Field International Film Competition – Award Of Exceptional Excellence
– Eyecatcher Film Festival- Winner, Best Feature Film
Website: www.ificouldrun.com
“If I Could Run” is available for viewing on GlobalCinema.online starting on April 15th, 2021
indieactivity: About Author/Producer Don Miller?
Don Miller (DM): This journey began many years ago, in 1958 when I was a Sophomore in high school being bullied. (I’ll come back to this part later). I was married in 1966 to my wife of 55 years. In 1968 we were excitedly expecting our first child. On August 8th he was born. However, complications during the birth, our child died. That was the first tragic setback in our life’s journey. March 21, 1970, our second child was born A healthy boy we named Oliver Walker Miller the third, named after my Dad. My fathers nickname was Chick, so our sons nickname was Rick.
The Official Trailer for IF I COULD RUN produced by Don Miller and Directed by Shawn Welling
In 1975 we suffered our second setback. We had a house fire and lost everything. My dog “Duke” woke us up and saved our lives. October 9, 1976, we had our 3rd child, Donnie, and on Nov. 15, 1978, we had a beautiful baby girl, Heidi.
March 21, 1982, tragedy struck us again. It was Rick’s 12th birthday. My father, a veteran pilot with his own plane, flew Rick and my nephew to northern Vermont for a weekend snowmobile getaway. On the flight home, during a severe thunderstorm, they crashed. My father was killed, and Rick and his nephew survived with serious injuries. Words cannot describe the devastation and grief this brought into my life. My father getting killed on Rick’s birthday. However, it would get worse.
October 22, 2004, after a long health battle, our son Rick died at age 34. There can be no tragedy any worse than parents losing a child. For the next couple of years, I wasn’t worth much. Grief was consuming me 24 hours a day and I was lost in my own self-pity. Then, a simple, precious small incident put my life back on track. One day, as I wallowed in my grief, my wife grabbed me by my shirt front (like a mother does to a child that is misbehaving) and shook her finger in my face.
“Now you listen to me. I know you’re broken-hearted and overcome with grief. Well, so am I and so are our 2 beautiful children. As parents, we have a responsibility to them now and for the rest of our lives. We’ve been dealt a cruel blow, but our lives can’t stop. So, snap out of it, and let’s live with what we have left!” She was so right. I had been so lost and consumed in my grief that I left her and my kids to struggle on their own. A Mothers bond with a son has got to be one of the strongest things in this world, and I had not been there to help her.
A few days after my “lecture” I was in my truck and an Elvis song came on, “Are You Lonesome Tonight”. As I listened to it, I began to put my own words in the lyrics. Words of how I was feeling at that moment. When I got home, I wrote them down. I took the words to a musician friend of mine. I asked him to put these lyrics to music. He did a great job and ‘I Miss You Tonight” was now my first song. It helped me handle my grief so much, listening to a song I wrote expressing my grief. I would always bawl my eyes out listening to these songs. However, that helped. I have written 15 songs since then and had a friend in Nashville turn them into music.
One day, after taking my old, beautiful dog to the Vet`s for his last ride, I wrote a song of the devastation called “The Last Ride”. I put the finished product on Facebook. This is where movie director/producer Shawn Welling of Welling Film`s found me. He had just produced a short film “If I Could Talk” which has had over one hundred million views. My song mirrored his short film. He contacted me and soon he came to Vermont. Together we produced a music video of my song “The Last Ride” and also a short film “If I Could Bark” which was a sequel of If I Could Talk. I was the actor in the If I Could Bark film. I had never done anything like that before and I found it so therapeutic and healing as well as fun and enjoyable.
After we completed both projects, I found myself yearning to continue in this field. I wanted to make a movie! I had written a book about myself being bullied in high school. I talked it over with Shawn and that is how the movie “If I Could Run” came about. During the planning stages, the opportunity arose to get a young, talented actress for the lead, Preslee Tucker. I had to change the main character in the story to a girl. It worked out great!
If I Could Run appeared in several Film Festivals and received many prestigious awards. I have written a second book titled If I Could Ride and hope to make it into a movie very soon. It is available on Amazon.
IF I COULD RUN – The Movie?
Don Miller (DM): The story, based on true events, opens in 1958. A young farm girl, Kelly Brown, is the water girl for the boy’s track team. She desperately wants to compete. However, girls were not welcome on boy’s teams at that time. At the last meet of the season, she finally gets her courage up, signing up for the fall cross-country team. Ridicule, humiliation, and bullying faced her. As the summer began, she found an injured abandoned dog near her farm. Her parents would not allow her to have a dog, so she kept it hidden in the barn. She nursed the dog back to health and they became inseparable. Kelly trained all summer for the upcoming running season, her confidence growing every day.
Shadow, the dog, gave her the strength and courage she needed. With summer ending, Kelly headed back to school, leaving Shadow hidden in the barn. The bullying and taunting began all over again. The cross-country season was filled with failure and frustration for Kelly. Without Shadow beside her, all the confidence in herself was gone. All seemed lost. But, at the final race of the season, the State Championship, an unbelievable series of events happened, changing Kelly`s life forever. She never gave up! A powerful, inspiring film for the entire family.
Why I Wrote/Produced The Movie?
Don Miller (DM): Working through the grief of losing my son, I found that writing was great therapy for me. And after writing the book, If I Could Run, I was determined to see the story come to life on the big screen. It was important to me to try and pass my experience to others.
The Movie Crew?
Don Miller (DM): We had a tiny crew for a full-length feature film. Shawn Welling of Welling Films, Houston Tx, was the director and an actor in the film. His wife, Michelle was the drone operator and also directed when Shawn was in his scenes. Preslee Tucker was our star actress. Preslee`s mother, Lindsey Tucker was the sound lady. As a proud Dad, my daughter Heidi and my son Donnie played parts. Also, my niece Emily played the nurse, as her profession is a nurse. The rest of the acting crew came from our local High School. Our wonderful dog was owned by Shawn Welling. And did this dog do a super job! A wonderful team of amateurs and pros! Our entire small town got behind and supported this project.
The Scenes?
Don Miller (DM): The scenes were filmed in my little hometown. The school let us come in and film for two days. We also used the athletic field for the major scene. My barn and farm were also used. We also shot a scene at the local Diner. What is so remarkable about this is that the filming takes place in the actual locations that the story happened 63 years ago. The same school I went to, the track I ran on. The same house and farm I lived at, and still do. Even the diner is the same diner I went to when I was a child!
The Acting?
DM: There was no script written for the movie and no rehearsals. Preparing for each scene, I would get everyone together and we would read the chapter in the book. Then I would describe what I was trying to portray. I had never done anything like this before but having lived and written the story, I knew what I wanted to see. Then we would shoot the scene. Most times, it only took a couple of takes, which was amazing. Everyone did such a great job. Shawn and Preslee had acting experience and it certainly proved to be a big bonus. They were both so helpful, guiding us through the scenes.
All The Hats I Wore?
DM: Never having any involvement in the movie business, I certainly was unprepared for what lies ahead. Shawn, Michelle, Preslee, and Lindsey came to Vermont three times for the filming. Summer and fall scenes. So, I had to play travel agent getting them airline tickets and room accommodations. Most of the food was cooked and served by my wonderful wife of 55 years, Barbara. She is a fabulous cook, even having her own food blog, barbarasbistro.com. She kept everyone well fed and nourished. I secured all the filming locations. Filming scenes in Vermont in the autumn was one of my main goals.
Timing the filming during peak foliage was tricky. It varies from year to year. We hit it perfectly! I had to arrange cars from the fifty`s to be there. Also clothing and props from the Fifties. Each day I would lay out the filming schedule, knowing nothing about the time each scene would take. I had to coordinate everybody and everything. I was one tuckered-out guy when we finished shooting, being 78 years old! It was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life and I will never forget it. I am so looking forward to the next film.
How Long Did It Take To Shoot The Movie?
DM: Shawn and I started planning the film in April. Our first period of shooting was late July. That was for 7 days. Then they returned in October (peak foliage). We filmed 9 days during this time. Total filming took 16 days. A few mornings we would start at 6 am. Some days we would shoot until dark in order to get the spectacular Vermont sunsets. We were all pretty worn out when we finished. I still remember filming the last scene of the last day. Shawn yelled, want “That’s a wrap!” I almost started crying. I did it to the end. I had been so focused for so long and suddenly it was over.
What Was The Most Difficult Scene To Shoot?
DM: By far, the scene that was the most difficult and took the most takes was the movie`s climactic scene. Getting the timing perfect for the dog coming through the fence, catching the girl running on the track, and continue running beside her. Both hitting the finish line together. It took us 26 takes to get it right. The school was gracious enough to let us use the athletic field on a Saturday morning to film this scene. However, at 1 pm there was a school football game scheduled so we HAD to be done by noon. Time was running out. Both football teams were waiting, the spectators were there. It was a pressure-packed few moments. Finally, at 12:02 we finished the scene! We were all quite relieved! The scene is so powerful and moving.
Filming Complete, What Next?
DM: The filming was complete so Shawn, Michelle, Preslee, Lindsay, and of course the wonder dog Ranger headed back to Houston Tx. Shawn worked on the editing, scene by scene. It was difficult, me being in Vermont and he down in Texas. However, we made it work, communicating every day. We went over every part of every scene. Once again, I had never done anything like this before, so I was learning on the fly. Everything was finished by February third.
Where Was The Movie Shown First?
DM: The town of Windsor Vt. and its people were so supportive of this project I promised them that they would be the first to see the movie in mid-February, Shawn and his gang returned to Vermont in the middle of the winter. It made it so much more special to have Preslee and Ranger present for the showing. We used the school auditorium for the premier. We had a full house that night. The next afternoon the film was shown to the entire school. It was a magical time for me, one I will never forget. Both showings received standing ovations! Small town living is so wonderful.
Next Stop, World Fest Film Festival Houston TX
DM: In April I flew to Houston Tx to attend Worldfest. This was my first experience attending a film festival. It was an amazing experience. Meeting so many people from the movie world was so unique for me. Also, seeing my story on the big screen in a beautiful theatre blew me away! Saturday night I attended the awards banquet. It was such a fun time. They began announcing numerous different awards. Award after award and nothing for us. Oh well, next time. Suddenly the large gathering quieted. The announcer said “Your attention. Now comes the award everyone waits for, the BEST OF FESTIVAL. This year`s winner IF I COULD RUN!” I was stunned and speechless. Shawn, Michelle, Preslee Lindsay, Ranger, and I went up on the stage. Another moment I will never forget. We entered more festivals throughout the year with remarkable success. I have listed the awards earlier.
What Do You Hope The Audience Will Take From This Film?
DM: This story was written from my heart. It is based on true events that happened to me. Major tragedies followed. I have been able to survive because I never gave up. Did I want to give up? For sure! But I knew if I gave up, I would be done. I am 78 years old and have always kept pushing ahead and will continue to do so. I am hoping some viewers of this film will relate to this and realize you can overcome life’s major obstacles by not quitting, not giving up. Push ahead and at the end of the storm is the golden sky…..
What Is Next For Don Miller?
DM: My book, If I Could Ride, has been transferred to a screenplay. I added much content and drama from the original book so it could become a full-length feature movie. I am working with a singer/songwriter and a music producer to produce a music soundtrack for the film. I have all the locations needed for the filming in my beautiful State of Vermont. So, hopefully, I can find someone to produce the movie. I have already started writing a sequel to the book, carrying on the story of the main characters. I learned so much by making If I Could Ride. I want to take all the knowledge I`ve gained and apply it to this next film. I am blessed to be where I am in life.
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