Friday, July 27, 2012

'A Universe of Stories,' Providence Journal promo short for Film Festival

The rough cut is now a final cut, and posted on the Rhode Island International Film Festival site.


 This is the short I mentioned in an earlier posting:

"Editor Cile Prestamo has cut a promotional short that will be shown throughout this August's Rhode Island International Film Festival, where for the first time ever The Providence Journal will show many films and anchor the Film Forum, a half day of viewings and discussion about the craft and business of fillmmaking in Rhode Island. Cile's one-minute, eleven-second short -- which will be shown repeatedly at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, main venue for the festival -- is a masterpiece, featuring clips of some of our best films and words from three of our finest photographers/videographers."

And it helps answer the question we will explore at the at the Film Forum, Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Providence Biltmore:

"How does a media company founded just three years after the invention of still photography survive for nearly two centuries –– and remain fresh and vital in the Internet Age? The Providence Journal, published daily since 1829, has accomplished this by emphasizing news, public service and story. And in 2012, that includes storytelling in documentary films posted as videos to its web site, providencejournal.com

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Frank Beazley laid to rest



Photo by Katy Miller

After a funeral Mass in the Zambarano Hospital chapel that drew an overflow crowd of more than 200 -- and featured three very moving eulogies -- Frank was laid to rest today at Acotes Hill Cemetery, a beautiful spot in the quaint village of Chepachet. Along with Zambarano staffers Ed Fanning and Steve Westerman, who delivered one of the eulogies, I was honored to be a pallbearer. Frank would have been pleased by it all.

Frank's funeral at Zambarano.


Several politicians and dignitaries joined patients, staff and friends in sending Frank off. My daughter Katy, representing the lieutenant governor, joined me. Like everyone in my family, including my other daughter, Rachel, who works at Zam, Katy got to know this remarkable man over the years.

Frank was buried with some of his precious personal items, including his beloved signature hats and pins. Please honor his memory, as I have also done, with a contribution in his name to the group he long headed: a check made out to Patients for Progress, c/o Stephen Westerman, Zambarano Hospital, 2090 Wallum Lake Rd., Pascoag, RI 02859.

Godspeed, Frank, godspeed.

Read the full text of The Growing Season, the story of Frank Beazley, through this link.

Photo by Mary Murphy.

 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

'The Age of Miracles': Must-read

  My review in this past Sunday Providence Journal of this summer's smash debut novel, The Age of Miracles. Here's the Amazon page.

BOOKS - Earth, and 11-year-old main character, undergo transformation
G. WAYNE MILLER
Publication Date: July 22, 2012  Page: G6  Section: FEATURES 

"The Age of Miracles,"
By Karen Thompson Walker.
Random House.
288 pages. $26.

With "The Age of Miracles," we welcome the debut of Karen Thompson Walker, a young novelist whose beautiful language, distinctive voice and uncommon ability to write equally adeptly of loss and love promises a long career of important work.

On its surface - a clever and convincing surface - "The Age of Miracles" chronicles the experiences of 11-year-old Julia and her family and friends during the first months of what comes to be known as "the slowing." In this not-too-distant future, the earth's rotation is inexplicably decelerating, causing lengthening days and nights and unrelenting bio-disasters across the planet. The author gets global warming.

But this is not just another fiery depiction of unfolding apocalypse: The book has been optioned to Hollywood, but don't expect James Cameron or Christopher Nolan to direct. Because beneath the book's dystopian veneer, with its annihilating sun, mass demise of species and mysterious human ailments, Walker gives us a brilliant, small-scale study of the devolution of a Southern California neighborhood as old rhythms of life disintegrate and a new, unbalanced "normal" emerges. Her deft portrayal of this transformation would alone have made "Miracles" a worthy read - but Walker goes one level deeper still, telling a timeless coming-of-age story with fresh, sophisticated power, in part attributable to the striking beauty of her words. Two such stories, actually.

Julia is a shy girl, late to puberty, often alone with her thoughts and fears, an outcast seeking shelter in her room and the school library - and yet gifted with prescience and insight, even if she is still too naive to interpret some of the extraordinary (and ordinary) things she observes (the novel is narrated in first person by Julia looking back several years later, when she is a young adult).

Seth Moreno is the skateboarding, emotionally contained boy (he does his best to hide the agony of his mother's slow death) -- a child who nonetheless is intellectually curious and, in his way, charismatic. How they fall for each in their tumultuous pre-teen world, which survives "the slowing," carries this book to an unforgettable conclusion. I will not reveal the end, but the words "We were here" proved haunting.

Right from the opening page, "The Age of Miracles" brims with exquisitely crafted prose on which rests Julia's emerging personality (a former editor at Simon & Schuster, Walker evidently labors over her every sentence, polishing each as she might a precious heirloom).

"This was middle school," Julia relates, "the age of miracles, the time when kids shot up three inches over the summer, when breasts bloomed from nothing, when voices dipped and dove. Our first flaws were emerging, but they were being corrected. Blurry vision could be fixed invisibly with the magic of the contact lens. Crooked teeth were pulled straight with braces. Spotty skin could be chemically cleaned. Some girls were turning beautiful. A few boys were growing tall. I knew I still looked like a child."

About a third of the way in, Walker seems to have momentarily lost her touch, with a few errant clichés and repetitions (enough, already, of "radiating"!) -- but these were but occasional, and elegance soon returned. I can imagine the delight when Walker's manuscript reached the desk of the acquiring editor at Random House, and why the publisher paid a reported $1 million for the book and has strongly supported its launch, including a full-page ad in the New York Times Book Review.

I read "The Age of Miracles" in nearly a single sitting: On East Matunuck Beach, on a pristine summer's day. I guess that makes it a perfect beach book.

But do not be fooled: Walker's debut signals the arrival of a major new voice in serious American fiction.

G. Wayne Miller is the author of seven books of non-fiction, a novel and a short-story collection. Visit him at gwaynemiller.com.








Monday, July 23, 2012

Video of Frank on his 82d birthday: Dec. 13, 2012

As far as I know, this is the final film of Frank, at Zambarano, celebrating his 82 birthday. He loved that hat! "Every Christmas, I put this hat on. Oh, yes!"

Frank Beazley: The obituary


 CLICK HERE to read the full story of Frank.


Page one, Providence Journal, Monday, July 23, 2012

passages | Beazley was champion for disabled, lauded artist
 
by G. WAYNE MILLER
Journal Staff Writer

BURRILLVILLE - Frank Beazley, who survived a harsh childhood and a devastating spinal-cord injury to become Rhode Island's foremost advocate for people with disabilities - and also a celebrated artist and poet - died Sunday morning at Zambarano Hospital, where he had lived since 1967. He was 83.

Just this spring, in a rare honor, the main patient building at Zambarano was named for him. Beazley, the General Assembly declared, was "someone who has worked tirelessly to ensure continuous quality of care for all patients, and who has been and continues to be a tireless voice for the voiceless." Governor Chafee signed the legislation into law.

Senators Paul W. Fogarty, D-Glocester, and Rep. Cale P. Keable, D-Burrillville, offered tributes to Beazley on Sunday.

"Frank was a longtime friend and mentor to me and to many," Fogarty said. "He made a tremendous difference in the quality of life of residents at Zambarano and throughout the state, with his art and poetry, with his advocacy, and especially with his infectious smile. … I was honored to know him and to call him a friend."

Keable said: "As someone whose brother was a resident at Zambarano for 13 years, I saw firsthand the difference that Frank made in the lives of residents there. Frank was an inspiration, to them and to me. … All Rhode Islanders can learn a great deal from Frank's life."

Son of an unwed teenager whose family did not acknowledge him, Beazley was born Dec. 13, 1928, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was raised in an orphanage and, later, in a foster home run by an abusive alcoholic.

After service in the Royal Canadian Army, Beazley became a baker. He moved to Rhode Island in 1953 in search of a better life. He was returning to his Providence home from his shift at a Dunkin' Donuts bakery Jan. 6, 1967, when he fell down a flight of stairs.

The accident left him a quadriplegic, permanently paralyzed from the neck down. After several weeks at Rhode Island Hospital, he was moved to Zambarano, now a unit of state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital. With rehabilitation, he was able to regain some use of his hands.

Beazley's fiancée eventually abandoned him, leaving him alone at the institution on remote Wallum Lake, but Beazley did not let his circumstances defeat him. He began to paint and write poems. He gained U.S. citizenship. He found his voice, becoming president of Patients for Progress, a platform he used to advocate for rights for the disabled.

At Zambarano, Beazley successfully championed campaigns for greater patient freedoms, including the right to wear regular clothes, pass fewer hours in bed, watch cable TV and spend more time in the community - campaigns that required years of dogged persistence.

Beazley fought moves to close wards and stop RIPTA bus service to Zambarano. Statewide, he fought for increased funding of programs for all people with disabilities. He regularly testified at the State House, where governors and legislators opened their doors to him. And he always spoke his mind.

Beazley was honored many times for his art and poetry, including twice winning the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Contest and being featured in a display at the Second International "One Heart, One World Exhibition 2002 Cultural Olympiad," in conjunction with the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

Beazley was the subject of a 12-part Providence Journal series, "The Growing Season," published in 2006. Hundreds of readers responded to his story of triumph against great odds.

Behind his many achievements was a modest man of endless good will, with blue eyes and a warm smile. He was fond of flags, lapel pins, candy, children and what he called "beautiful days" ones, for example, with soothing breezes and glorious sunsets.

Beazley lived a simple philosophy: "Take what's there for you. Enjoy what you can."

To generations of doctors, nurses and other staff at Zambarano, Beazley was a cheering presence always grateful for their care, which kept him in good health for nearly a half century. To the many friends he made through his advocacy and his art, Beazley was a man who listened and provided encouragement in whatever challenges people faced.

In his private moments, he loved a good meal, music boxes and the New England Patriots.

Beazley's last public statements came in April, when he made what would be his final visit to the State House, to be officially honored on the occasion of the naming of the Frank Beazley Building, where he lived so long and died.

"It's one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me," said Beazley. "I hope it gives inspiration to a lot of other people."

Typically, Beazley offered gentle advice to others facing adversity, of whatever kind.

"Well," he said, "it's the old saying: You just have to keep your chin up and fight your battles. And respect people."

Vigorous in the spring, Beazley declined in recent weeks, though he could still manage a smile. He died in his bed on his long-time ward, 2 North.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Frank Beazley, 1928 - 2012

Frank Beazley died this morning at Zambarano Hospital, in Burrillville, where he had lived since 1967, when a spinal-cord injury left him paralyzed from the waist down -- and began his extraordinary journey to celebrated poet and artist, and Rhode Island's foremast advocate for the disabled. Just this spring, the main patient building at Zambarano -- where he lived and died -- was named for him, a rare honor. I am glad he lived to see it.

Frank was the subject of the favorite series I ever wrote, a series that produced an amazing outpouring of praise for Frank from hundreds of readers. But more than that, Frank became a very dear friend -- in his humble way, a sort of father figure. Those who know me best will understand why I grieve.

I saw Frank for the last time on Tuesday, when I visited him after learning he was gravely ill. He had been very sick on occasions before, but I knew seeing him that he was tired, and ready to go, and at peace with that. I sat by his bed and we talked for a few minutes, just a few spare words. Frank kept saying "OK" and "good." Then he smiled, that great Frank smile, and drifted back to sleep. I touched him and said goodbye.  And then I went back to The Providence Journal and wrote his obituary, which will be in tomorrow's edition.

Godspeed, Frank.

Frank in 2006, with my granddaughter, Isabella.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Rough cut of Providence Journal promo short for RI Film Fest

Editor Cile Prestamo has cut a promotional short that will be shown throughout this August's Rhode Island International Film Festival, where for the first time ever The Providence Journal will show many films and anchor the Film Forum, a half day of viewings and discussion about the craft and business of fillmmaking in Rhode Island.


 Cile's one-minute, eleven-second short -- which will be shown repeatedly at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, main venue for the festival -- is a masterpiece, featuring clips of some of our best films and words from three of our finest photographers/videographers. I'll post a link as soon as we get final cut.

As GM used to say, this paper, which began publishing in 1829, ain't your father's Oldsmobile. 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Providence Journal at R.I. Int'l Film Festival

With just three weeks until Opening Night of the 30th annual Rhode Island International Film Festival (7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Vets Auditorium), plans are being finalized for The Providence Journal's extensive participation. We will be showing some 20 videos of various lengths, including the 2012 New England Emmy-nominated and regional Murrow Award-winning feature-length documentary COMING HOME, which has also been broadcast on PBS.

One highlight of our participation will be the five short films we will show at the Rhode Island Film Forum, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 9, in the rooftop ballroom of the Biltmore Hotel. Pretty nice venue!

Our block is called Transmedia Technology: The Future of Storytelling.

Here's what it's all about, from the Festival web site:

How does a media company founded just three years after the invention of still photography survive for nearly two centuries –– and remain fresh and vital in the Internet Age? The Providence Journal, published daily since 1829, has accomplished this by emphasizing news, public service and story.

And in 2012, that includes storytelling in documentary films posted as videos to its web site, www.providencejournal.com

Join Michael Delaney, Journal Managing Editor for Visuals, and award-winning staff photographers/videographers Sandor Bodo, John Freidah, Frieda Squires and Steve Szydlowski as they show some of the paper’s finest films and discuss their craft from artistic, news and business points of view.

Journal videos have won several awards, including a 2011 New England Emmy for Freidah’s “Marathon Man,” which will be shown at the forum. The paper’s first feature-length documentary, “Coming Home,” about veterans of the War on Terror, was nominated for a 2012 New England Emmy and won the 2012 Edward R. Murrow Award for best online documentary, New England Region, from the Radio Television Digital News Association. Also in 2012, the paper’s “Justice for Jason: Foreman family strives to change Rhode Island Law” was nominated for a New England Emmy in the Outstanding Societal Concerns Category.

Monday, July 16, 2012

The Work of Human Hands: The e-edition

Arriving soon: the e-edition of my first book of non-fiction, THE WORK OF HUMAN HANDS: Hardy Hendren and Surgical Wonder at Children's Hospital. The book will be available on Kindle, Nook, and in PDF and other digital platforms.


This is the cover design, by the very talented David Dodd, who designed the cover for SINCE THE SKY BLEW OFF: The Essential G. Wayne Miller Fiction, Vol. 1. And like that short-story collection, published digitally in April, THE WORK OF HUMAN HANDS is being brought back into print by my friend David Wilson, founder, CEO and publisher of Crossroad Press.

And it is part of a larger effort to digitize some of my earlier titles. Recently, Kindle editions of MEN AND SPEED and COMING OF AGE have become available.



Saturday, July 7, 2012

Struggles of single parents in recessionary times

Crystal Tetreault and daughter Jada, 6. Journal photo by John Freidah.



Single parenthood has never been easy, but the recession has only compounded the difficulties for parents like Crystal Tetreault of Cranston, who was laid off from her job as a dental assistant. She, her daughter and her teenage son, Bobby, share their poignant story in tomorrow's Sunday Journal. This is my latest contribution to our year-long serialized look at the economy, Reinvent Rhode Island. For interactive graphics, to take a poll and join the congestion right now, go to our blog posting.