Field Notes
El Dorado Films interviews many people in the course of making a film. What they recount on camera is almost always intriguing, but for any number of reasons doesn’t always make the final cut of the film. We don’t like leaving interesting ideas on the cutting room floor, so we offer their stories in one-minute shorts from the field.
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Field Notes: Velda - Light Skinned Baby
From "Velda: A Mother's Story of Suicide", Velda Dobson shares a vivid memory of her son Michael's birth, marked by the hospital's reaction to his interracial appearance.
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Field Notes: Velda - Flowers for Mom
From Velda: A Mother's Story of Suicide, Velda Dobson tenderly recalls her son Michael's loving gesture of bringing her irises, a small act that filled their home with warmth and pride before his tragic passing.
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Field Notes: Ultimate Sacrifices - Post 9/11 Drill Sergeant
Drill Sergeant Cat Harris leads dedicated professionals-turned-recruits through intense military training, revealing a rewarding era where careers seamlessly transform into service.
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Field Notes: Ultimate Sacrifices - OPTEMPO
Drill Sergeant Cat Harris unveils the relentless 'optempo' in military life, spotlighting the overlooked heroes in the rear's demanding operations.
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Field Notes: Ruiz - Pranking the Teacher
Friends Tevin and Kcey cherish a bond built on lightheartedness, indulging in playful pranks and creating lasting memories through laughter.
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Field Notes: Ruiz - Kcey at the Yard House
In the heart of Atlanta's Atlantic Station, Tevin and Kcey forged an enduring bond, exploring youthful adventures and laughter-filled escapades.
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Field Notes: Ruiz - Jokes, Music and Tech School
Jazz Krebs recounts forging a deep and unexpected friendship with Kcey, a fellow airwoman, through shared laughter and music.
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Field Notes: Riverside National - More than Graves
Riverside National Cemetery, embraced by a supportive community, stands uniquely adorned with a Medal of Honor memorial, embodying valor and remembrance beyond internments.
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Field Notes: Resilience - Wrong Upbringing
From Resilience: The Kim LeBel Story, Kim reflects on her transformation after being saved by the very man her family taught her to fear, confronting the prejudice she was raised with and finding humanity in unexpected places.
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Field Notes: Golden Gate National - Learning about Veterans
National Cemetery Director Kathleen McCall cherishes uncovering the diverse histories of veterans, offering poignant insights into community heritage.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Black Empowerment
Junior Kathleen Hill at Ygnacio Valley High School crafts a poignant artwork with cowrie shells, symbolizing Port Chicago's sacrifices and community strength for future reflection and empowerment.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Tour
Brooklyn, a high school senior, unveils the segregation and tragedy of Port Chicago, emphasizing the African American soldiers' roles.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Teacher Locates High School Connection
Meleah Hall, a teacher near Port Chicago, shares the community's familial ties to the tragedy and advocates for exoneration.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Granddaughter Remembers
Meleah Hall, inspired by her grandfather's WWII experience, advocates for justice, amplifying the untold stories of Port Chicago sailors.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Teaching Teachers
Meleah Hall, a Bay Area teacher for 20 years, advocates for educating educators on the overlooked Port Chicago incident for racial healing.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - 75th Anniversary
In the shadow of a naval base, Marilyn Honney recalls the stark disconnect between her town and wartime sacrifices.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Kindness
After the Port Chicago explosion, Marilyn Honney recalls the town's rapid organization and neighborly support, underscoring resilience and unity.
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Field Notes: Remembering Port Chicago - Living In the Port
Marilyn Honney recounts the traumatic night in Port Chicago at age ten, detailing the impact of the explosion on her family.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - Ralph's Uniform
Ralph Parr's stepson, Floyd McLaughlin, recounts the tragic loss of their cherished home to a sudden Guadalupe River flood in 1998.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - Meeting My New Dad
Linda Capps's heartwarming tale of meeting Ralph Parr at 12 unfolds, marking the beginning of a cherished father-daughter bond.
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Field Notes: Punch Bowl - Wilder King Legacy
Louise King Lanzilotti honors her grandfather, Samuel Wilder King, reflecting on his legacy, with emphasis on the overlooked role of her influential grandmother.
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Field Notes: An American Band Leader
Noble Sissle's son reminisces about his father's performances, weaving a musical legacy that resonated with veterans across eras.
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Field Notes: A Timeless Orchestra
Noble Sissle Jr. fondly recalls his father's enchanting prom performance, uniting generations through timeless music and cherished melodies.
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Field Notes: Miramar National - Volunteers
Kathleen Mae Bruyere, U.S. Navy ret., volunteers at Miramar National Cemetery, aiding daily memorial services. Her late husband, the 19th burial there, rests since the cemetery's inception. Positioned on her future gravesite, she assists staff in service coordination. Noteworthy, veteran couples ...