Since the five of us film-makers involved with this project plus the concept of Neo-Silent Film work well with the Niles-Essanay Silent Film Museum, we chose to add our own version of the Essanay logo to our first Neo-Silent Newsreel.
After establishing San Francisco in 2006, we have a
look at some unpublished photos taken by the Miles Brothers who were pioneer
film-makers in San Francisco at the turn of the 20th century.
There were an estimated 250,000 homeless survivors of
the 1906 earthquake and fire. We shot a recreation of refugee tents in
an exhibit by the National Park Service at the Presidio.
Lotta's Fountain was restored during Willie Brown's
administration as San Francisco Mayor, and it was beautifully lit for
the many news crews covering the 2006 event.
Media coverage was worldwide and organized by P.J. Johnson for "San
Francisco Rising"
which was established by Mayor Gavin Newsom and Chief of Protocol, Charlotte
Mailliard Shultz.
http://www.sfrising.org/
The Salvation Army helped with relief efforts in 1906 and participated in period costume at the 2006 centennial event. Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams brought home the message of preparedness.
Taren Sapienza is following in her father's footsteps
in organizing the 1906 Earthquake remembrances at Lotta's Fountain. She
introduced the survivors, including 103 year old Herbert Hamrol, before
Tim Murphy sang the National Anthem as Mayor Gavin Newsom joined in.
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi spoke, and Willie Brown wiggled
in a word before the wreath was laid.
The clock counted down to the exact historic moment
as the lost were remembered.
