Rj McHatton's Journal

Chefs of Seattle documentary film

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Thu, 29 Jan 09 22:55:00 UT

Check out my new documentary "Chefs of Seattle"

Directed by RJ McHatton

Here is a link to the video:

http://vimeo. com/3013058

You can learn more at my blog at

http://inventiveproductions. blogspot. com/

Thanks.

RJ

Harrison Ford interview

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Sun, 25 Jan 09 12:23:00 UT

Interview with Harrison Ford I really enjoyed meeting and interviewing Harrison Ford for the Legends of Aviation project. Harrison is being honored and recognized for his work with the Young Eagles program, which tries to introduce the love of aviation to young people all across America. We met Harrison at a hangar with some of his airplanes and helicopters. Harrison was great. He really made us feel comfortable and the interview turned out awesome. I hope he likes the video we made for him. To learn more go to www.inventiveproductions.com

Ted Taylor - Seabee, Korea, Vietnam, Pentagon

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Fri, 9 Jan 09 00:49:00 UT

Today I had the priviledge to interview a true American Hero, Rear Admiral Ted Taylor (retired). Ted was kind enough to allow me to interview him for my documentary "THE NEW FIGHTING SEABEES" and then I convinced him to let me send the DVD to the Library of Congress for the Veterans History Project.

Once I had Ted in my green screen studio, I told him that since we were there it would be criminal to not take advantage of the situation and to go ahead and record his answers to my special 124 questions I use during my normal video biographies.

Ted is a real nice guy. He is from the midwest. He grew up in Kansas and decided to join the service during the Korean conflict. He loved engineering so he had a choice of either the Army Corp of Engineers or the Navy Seabees. He chose the Seabees because he wanted to see the world.

Ted told some incredible stories about his experiences in Korea, back in the USA, Alaska, London, Vietnam, and his work at the Pentagon. Ted acknowledged that the true hero in his family was his wife Rosalie and his kids because they had to cope with moving every two years.

Ted said one of his proudest moments was when he heard he was becoming a Rear Admiral. After over twenty years in service to his country, Ted and his family truly inspired me. They represent the very best in those Americans who dedicate their lives to their country.

During my interview with Ted, we started by talking about the Seabees and we finished by talking about the Seabees. He said that once a Seabee always a Seabee.

Over the years, Ted had been involved and led the building and construction of probably a thousand buildings, bridges, waterways, power plants, roads, runways, etc. But when it came down to his legacy, Ted said that his kids were his legacy. I had to agree with him.

Thanks, Ted, for your service to America and us all.

Warm regards,

RJ McHatton

5 Tips from Gordy Graham about Drugs

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Fri, 9 Jan 09 00:48:00 UT

I first was introduced to Gordy Graham in 1988 at a morning breakfast
seminar at the old Canyon Club at Eagle Crest, Oregon in the spring of 1988.
I went to breakfast that morning with my father, Bob McHatton, Sr., to hear
a few words of wisdom from this guy named Gordy. Gordy once was a career
criminal, a bad guy, a prison inmate, a rough guy who was in prison for 17
years for safe-cracking, inciting riots, and fighting. But that day Gordy
was a man who had turned his life around and became a good guy, now a
motivational speaker and an author of two books.

I remember how much I was moved that day by my introduction to Gordy Graham.
He had a unique way of relating to me and my dad. After the talk, I
remember how my dad smiled and seemed to react to the words from Gordy.
Gordy's words have a universal theme. I felt he was talking to me. My dad
felt he was talking to him. Each person in that audience felt Gordy was
talking to them individually. Gordy has terrible diction. He paces
constantly around the room like he is full of coffee. He is a little rough
around the edges. But, frankly, Gordy is the Everyman in all of us. He
represents the change that is possible in all of us.

Recently I asked Gordy for his advice for a grandparent or a parent, on what
they should say to their kids or grandkids about drugs. Gordy was kind
enough to send me the following advice. I hope you take the time to read
it.
RJ

Gordy Graham's 5 Tips for talking to young people about drugs

1.)Whenever possible avoid a confrontational approach. When we feel pushed
we automatically push back.

2.)Be pro-active in discussing the issues surrounding drug use, i.e., make
the problem something that impacts communities and families on a larger
scale than just your son or daughter.

3.)Respect the young person's right to have opinions. Develop an
understanding that we are on the same side and solicit their input.

4.)Avoid a judgmental approach. The goal is to fix the problem not fix the
blame.

5.)Take advantage of opportunities to discuss current events (newspaper
articles, news stories) relating to the consequences of drug use, however,
not with an "I told you so" attitude.

A sense of unconditional love should override every conversation.

To learn more about Gordy Graham, go to www.ggco.com

Warm regards,

RJ McHatton
Inventive Productions
www.inventiveproductions.com

Al Bentley - Seabee - Greece, Spain, & Antarctica

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Wed, 7 Jan 09 10:47:00 UT

Al Bentley - Seabee - Greece, Spain, & Antarctica

I really had a super time interviewing Al Bentley yesterday.

Al came in to do an interview for my new documentary "The New Fighting Seabees" and while he was here he went ahead and let me ask him 124 questions about his life. I recorded the interview in our green screen room, on high definition video.

Al told some incredible stories about how he got into the Seabees and his adventures in Greece, Spain, and Anarctica. He talked about the incredible comraderie among Seabees and about the different projects his battalion built over the years.

He told an amazing, scary story about how his team got stranded on the South Pole for four days. The Seabees really are an remarkable group.

At the end, Al shared his feelings about life and the importance of family, especially his kids and grandkids.

Gordon Perin - US Navy Seabee Cold War

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Wed, 7 Jan 09 00:57:00 UT

Gordon Perin - US Navy Seabee

This morning I interviewed Gordon Perin who served as a US Navy Seabee during the Cold War. His parents were both private pilots who died in a plane crash when Gordon was only 12 years old. From that moment on, he learned to be self reliant.

During his four years with the Seabees he served in Guam and Alaska.

He said that his time as a Seabee was probably the favorite chapter in his entire life.

After his time in the service, Gordon worked for the post office until his retirement.

Jon Koenig - Seabee, Seven Kids, Self Reliance

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Wed, 7 Jan 09 00:56:00 UT

Jon Koenig - Seabee, Seven Kids, and Self Reliance

I really enjoyed interviewing Jon Koenig. Jon came over to our green screen studio to be interviewed for my new documentary, "The New Fighting Seabees." The first thing I found out about Jon was that he had served with my youngest sister, Patty McHatton, as a Seabee in Iraq. Jon had worked for many years in the construction industry and about twenty years ago was recruited to be a Seabees in the US Navy Reserves. Next our discussion went to his experience in Iraq with my sister. It really is a small world.

While Jon was here, we went ahead and interviewed him for the Veterans History Project. We have volunteered to interview veterans for the Library of Congress program, the Veterans History Project.

Since we had Jon here, we went ahead and asked him my normal 124 specialized question about his life. I really learned a lot of wisdom from Jon. He inspired me to want to become a better parent.

Francis Meyers - Seabee from WW2

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Wed, 7 Jan 09 00:55:00 UT

Francis Meyers - Seabee from WW2

I really enjoyed shooting my video interview with Frank Meyers for my new documentary "The New Fighting Seabees."

Frank and his wife Barbara came by the studio. Frank told me stories about his being drafted after Pearl Harbor and about his service in England, France, and in the South Pacific.

I especially appreciated when Frank talked about his adoption of four children.

The NEW Fighting Seabees Movie

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Tue, 30 Dec 08 09:38:00 UT

I was going to make a movie about his sister Patty and her experience serving her nation as a Navy Seabee in Iraq.

Then the word got out and I started getting calls from Seabees from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf Wars. The calls were very emotional and powerful. Everyone told me that there really needs to be a real movie made about the Seabees.

So I have taken on the task to create a new documentary film about the NEW fighting Seabees. Using interviews with the men and women who have served as a Seabee, my goal is to tell the history and human story of the Navy Seabees.

History of the Seabees
WORLD WAR II
KOREAN WAR
SEABEES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
AFTER VIETNAM
DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM
IRAQI FREEDOM
AFGHANISTAN

We need your help! If you are a Seabee, we need your Story!

To see a video clip from my movie, go to www.seabeesmovie.com

To be interviewed for this documentary film, please contact

RJ McHatton
Inventive Productions LLC
(425) 284-1900
www.inventiveproductions.com

Congratulations to Dion McIntosh

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Wed, 24 Dec 08 14:25:00 UT

Congratulations to DION McINTOSH, who was on the new ABC Television show "Rediscovered" last night. Dion won $50,000 and will be heading to Las Vegas to open for Donny and Marie Osmand.

Last year RJ and the Inventive Productions crew of Charles McHatton and Tyler Griffin drove down to Dana Point, California to shoot the unbelievable wedding of Amy and Dion.

It was a fantastic, incredible experience meeting Dion and Amy's families and friends. I am very proud of how the wedding video turned out, too.

Last night Dion McIntosh appeared on the ABC show in a singing competition between people who were close to being childhood stars, and never quite made it. Dion is an amazing singer, father, friend, and man. Everyone was inspired.

So, congratulations again to DION McINTOSH. He really is a good guy.

You can learn more about his wife Amy and her singing career at www.myspace.com/frankiejordan

You can see some short video clips from their wedding video by CLICKING HERE

We wish Dion and Amy great luck. Congratulations on your new baby, too.

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

RJ

Jim Christison

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Wed, 24 Dec 08 10:50:00 UT

I received an email from a friend who told me that Jim Christison died.

Jim was a great guy. He always said that it was easy to remember his name because the spelling of his last name was Christ is son. Jim always made it a choice to be happy everyday and to try to help others, including me. Whenever I might get down, I would go see Jim and he would make me smile. He was a great joke teller.

-----------------------------------------

The following is from the Klamath Falls newspaper, Herald and News website:

James Harry "Chris" Christison
James Harry "Chris" Christison, age 71, died on Dec. 14, 2008, in Klamath Falls.
Father Rick Fischer will celebrate the mass of Christian burial on Monday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 4880 Bristol Ave.
Chris was born on Sept. 10, 1937, in Portland, Ore., to Harriett Justine (Mederach) and James Swan Christison. After graduation from Central Catholic High School, he served his country in the U.S. Army.
He met the love of his life "Patti" Patricia Lou Frederick in Lake Oswego, Ore. They married on July 23, 1975, and made their home in Lake Oswego to raise their three children.
In 1981, they moved to Prineville, Ore., and later to Redmond, Ore., where Chris began working at the Eagle Crest Resort. In 1996, they came to Klamath Falls, where Chris transferred to the Running Y Resort. In his first year, he earned "Salesman of the Year" honors. He retired in 2003, but remained in real estate until his death.
Chris enjoyed hunting, fishing, and volunteering at Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery in Tillamook, Ore. In later years, he devoted himself to one of his lifelong passions of boxing. In addition to mentoring and training aspiring amateur boxers, he also worked as an official and was named "Chief of Officials of the Northwest" by the U.S. Amateur Boxing Association.
Survivors include his children and their spouses Tammy and Bill Michalik, Pamela and Mike Rice, and Tim and Shana Juarez; grandchildren and spouses Shawn and Tasha Juarez, Christopher and Chrissy Martin, Andrea Martin, Lindsay Rice, and Jarette Juarez; great-grandchildren Keelan Juarez, Tashawn Juarez, and Naomi Jo Millis; sisters and brothers-in-law Happy and Ron Floyd, and Jeanne Mae and Ed Mulick; and his Australian shepherd, Roper.

Emily Howell Warner

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Sat, 13 Dec 08 17:46:00 UT

December 13, 2008

I flew on Frontier Airlines that day to Denver to go interview an American hero, Emily Howell Warner.

I only got two hours to sleep when my Blackberry alarm went off. I was on my way within a half hour.

It was spitting snow all over Seattle but no one but me on the roadways. The flight to Denver went well. I got a chance to write some notes and to listen to some great podcasts on my ipod.

I rented a car from Budget. The girl at the counter called everyone "Sweetie" because she was the only girl working there. I told her that she had the "power." She smiled. I got my keys and GPS machine and I was on my way to see Emily.

I was in Denver to interview Emily for the Airport Journals video project called the "Legends of Aviation." Emily Howell Warner is being recognized for her groundbreaking aviation career and also for being the first woman pilot to work for a US Airline.

I had put Emily's name into Google a few weeks ago and I was tanken by her awesome smile. In all of her photos, Emily had this giant smile. Like she was always happy and having a good time.

After a quick Starbucks stop where I could double check my equipment, I headed to Emily's house. I had called Emily about a week ago and found her to be very nice and cordial.

It was unbelievably sunny in Denver that day. Blue skies all the way to the Rockies. It had been 40 years since I had lived in Denver and it looked different but felt the same.

I lived in Denver from 1965 to 1971. I remember playing football as a kid and always it would snow at night but be sunny during the day. Not sometimes, but all the time it was that way. Stormy at night, sunny during the day.

The GPS machine gave me great directions. The woman's voice saying "Left in point two miles, right in point two miles." I heard that some of the GPS machines had voices with different accents, like Australian. Not this GPS machine, though. It only had one voice. I wish it had a southern accent or a New York accent, or especially a Philly accent. My dad was from Philadelphia and I liked the unique accent from there, especially my late Grandmother's voice.

I drove through many different kinds of neighborhoods. Hispanic, African American, Asian, and then the houses turned all at once from older neighborhoods, to new townhouses and condos. I would learn later from Emily that this area used to be Lowry Air Force Base but it had been re-developed to housing and retail.

Emily met me at her door with her big smile and her puppy. Emily was dressed very nicely. She is a tall, slender woman with short, well-groomed hair. She showed me her small office area where there was a wall full of placques and trophies and photos. She said there was also a larger display at the Wings Museum located about three blocks away.

I went out to my rented SUV and got my lights, camera, and cases. I set up very quickly. I could tell Emily was a very organized, prepared person. She had all of her photos and materials ready for me.

After a few moments of making some adjustments to the white balance, I positioned the camera so a model 737 would be seen above her right shoulder in the camera frame. I told her I was ready.

We had a really great interview. At first I asked her about her family history. I learned that she was a twin and that her family came to America from Ireland. Emily was very proud of her Irish roots. She remarked several times that her maiden name was Hanrahan and of her Irish determination.

We talked about her parents and then her childhood. Emily loved her childhood. She talked about her close relationship with her father. We talked about Emily's first learning about flying from a book she read. She talked about her favorite teacher who was a num at St. Catherine's. Emily talked about how she got her first job at May Company, which allowed her to earn her own money. She talked about how a girlfriend wanted to be a stewardess. Emily thought for a while about being a stewardess, but one day her friend suggested to her the idea of Emily learning how to fly. Emily talked about how she went down by herself on a two hour bus ride to learn about what it would take to learn how to fly.

She found out that it cost $12.50 per hour to learn how to fly, which was a lot of money in those days. She only earned $36 a week at the May Company. Emily talked about how her mother thought she was being foolish, spending do much money on flying. Her mother had survived the Great Depression and every penny counted.

But that did not stop Emily. She kept taking those lessons and one day she did her solo. Emily lit up with emotion when she talked about her first solo. Like it happened this morning. Emily remembered every moment. She talked about how she told her mother that she had just solo'd and that for the first time her mother said it wasn't foolish.

Emily talked about how she became the first woman flight instructor in her area and then how she decided to become the first woman pilot for an American airline. She told me exactly how she did it and how she never gave up.

Even though everyone told her it was hopeless, she kept on. Eventually becoming the first Captain. Emily has flown over 21000 hours in an aircraft. She is so inspiring to us all.

After the interview, Emily had me follow her over to the Wings Museum. She showed me her placques and photos. She told me how the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC had called her one day asking if they could have her uniform or flight suit for the Smithsonian Museum. I could tell that Emily was very proud and honored to have helped inspire so many others.

Emily told me there are now 6000 women pilots out of 50,000. Still a long way to go. As we left the Museum, Emily gave me a copy of her book and she signed it "To RJ. Happy Landings, Emily."

We then went back to her home and I got some photos of her with her husband Julius and then Julius took one of Emily and me!

I really enjoyed my short visit and two hour interview with Emily Howell Hanrahan Warner. As with most heroic people I have met over the years, Emily was humble, caring, and focused on helping others. Emily still flies occasionally and she spends a lot of her time mentoring young people about the benefits of learning how to fly.

She told me she had over 21,000 air hours as a pilot. I asked her what her goals were for the next five years. She said that she wants to inspire more young women to become pilots and then she smiled and said "I would like to go up in one of those rockets, once the price comes down."

You could see her love for flying in her eyes and that big bright smile. I looked over at a photo of Emily that was taken 30 years ago when she was "Captain Emily." She had that same smile in the picture and in real life.

Emily said once they asked her what her title should be--should it be "Aviatrix" or "captain" or ? Emily said that "Captain" sounded pretty good.

Meeting Clay Lacy

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Fri, 12 Dec 08 17:47:00 UT

My day started great when the hotel lady said "You have a great smile!"

Clay Lacy. I arrived at Clay Lacy Aviation about fifteen minutes early. I had woken up at 8am, thought it was enough time to prepare for a 10am meeting. I started reading an article on my laptop about Clay Lacy's life and the next thing I knew it was 9am and I hadn't even taken a shower yet. I rushed and it all worked out.

Lacy Aviation is located right at the Van Nuys Airport. I parked in visitor parking and then walked to the front door. It was a beautiful sunny California day. Just yesterday I was in the storms of frigid cold Seattle, but here today I was in Sunny Southern California, 75 degrees, tee shirts and shorts everywhere.

I was met by a cute receptionisth who called up to Melanie, Mr. Lacy's executive assistant. Melanie came down and unlocked a large conference room for me. I began to set up my equipment. The walls of the conference room were covered by numerous original paintings of the many airplanes and aircraft from Clay Lacy's life. There was a large painting about a very strange looking plane called a "guppy."

I asked the receptionist for a blank piece of white paper that I could use to set my "white balance" on my High Definition camera. I used it for the white balance and also to write down the main subjects that I wanted to discuss. I set up the lights and camera and angled it all so a nice model of a jet would be right behind the subject's right shoulder.

Clay Lacy came in wearing a brown suit with a tie. Clay is a big man with lots of wrinkles from a a good life. We shook hands and he asked, "So, what's this all about?" I told him I was a professional video biographer who has been hired to shoot videos for the Legends of Aviation event to be held in Beverly Hills in January.

I told him that if Airport Journals likes the videos we might go back and do video interviews with all the previous 7 years recipients, including himself, who was a true Legend of Aviation.

I talked to Clay about my pro-bono work with the Veterans History Project and my goal to interview 100 World War II veterans.

We sat down an the interview began. I asked Clay to talk about the legendary aviator Johnny Myers. Clay talked for a good length of time about Johnny Myers, and then he talked about other legends including Bob Hoover, Linden Blue, and Sidney Pollock the film director. We talked about Milt Kuolt for a while and then we talked about the difference between a pilot and an aviator..

Clay told some great stories about his friendship with aviators and entrepreneurs. As we wrapped up the inteview, Clay asked if I wanted a tour of his aircraft. I asked if I could take my camera. He said "Sure."

Clay loaded us into his white Lexus SUV and we drove around the air hangars for about an hour. I was able to record a lot of great footage and Clay telling great stories about each plane. He showed me several different kinds of planes including a Citation, a P-51, and lots more.

Along the way we talked about his dad and his mentors and his life. We talked about his 52000 hours logged as a pilot, and some of the changes he has seen in his life. We returned to his office and he showed me his incredible wall of photos from the movies (including TOP GUN) he has shot and the planes he has flown. There were pictures of Clay with lots of movie stars including Danny Kaye and Frank Sinatra.

Clay said I should shoot an interview with a guy named "B-27 Ben" who flew 35 missions over Tokyo during World War II. Clay said he would call me with Ben's phone number. We shook hands and I grabbed my equipment. As I was leaving I saw Clay was busy with one of his employees, so I gave him a salute goodbye.

I really enjoyed my short visit with Clay Lacy. A real nice guy.

Legends of Aviation

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Thu, 4 Dec 08 13:53:00 UT

Legends of Aviation. I get to interview some real legends and heroes!

Here is a list of the other Legends of Aviation that are being recognized at the "Academy Awards of Aviation." We are creating video biographies for Airport Journals, sponsor of the annual event. I am looking forward to this video biography project very much.

Zoe Dell Nutter--she first gained international recognition for traveling over 100,000 miles by air to promote travel on commercial airlines, and became one of the first attendants on passenger airlines. Originally a professional dancer, Zoe Dell Nutter logged over 2000 hours as a commercial multi-engine instrument pilot. She served as an officer in the Civil Air Patrol, is a charter member of the Friends of the First Ladies of the Smithsonian Museum. Zoe Dell Nutter was the first woman elected as President of the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

Linden Blue--a life of aviation, from the Yale Aviation Club to the Flying Blue Brothers in South America to service as a pilot in the Strategic Air Command to a political career as a councilman to a career in real estate, then pioneering design work at Lear Jets including the Winglets, to his successful General Atomics business which is pioneering work with drones and the Predator and future nuclear technologies--Linden Blue is a Living Legend of Aviation.

Johnny Myers (deceased)--a leading civilian test pilot in World War II, who helped develop the first American fighter plane designed specifically for night combat. As chief engineering test pilot for Northrop Corp. during WWII, Myers most notably performed experimental test flights on the P-61 Black Widow, America's first successful night fighter, and on the first flying wing.

Tony Bill--Academy Award winner, soloed gliders at the age of 14, went into acrobatic flying, producer & director of the movie "Flyboys".

Emily Howell Warner--the first woman in aviation history to be hired as a pilot by a major U.S. airline. She was also the first woman to earn her captain's wings for a major airline. Today Emily has logged over 21,000 flight hours, more than any other woman pilot in the world.

The Legends Awards (also known as the "Academy Awards of Aviation") ceremony is scheduled for January 22, 2009 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California

December is a Wonderful Time

rj@inventiveproductions.com — Thu, 4 Dec 08 13:51:00 UT

It is that time again. December is that wonderful time of year where we search for answers to the following questions:

1. What happened to the year?

2. What should I get my loved one's for Christmas?

3. What are my goals for next year?

December is also the month where we remind ourselves about the importance of our family and friends.

I just returned late last night from a trip to Eastern Oregon to visit my mother. The road trip began on Wednesday afternoon where I met my son Jason in Kelso, picked up my brother and his family in Portland, and then we drove all night to a little town called Long Creek, Oregon. We did not arrive until about 2am in the morning, but my Mom and my sister Patty and her kids AJ and Jeffrey were all still up, waiting for us.

We had a sensational family experience. Another of my sisters, Julie, came over with her husband Doug. It was turning into a small family reunion. I am the oldest of eight kids.

We talked about the good old days, and laughed about the teenage years when we got into trouble as kids. My Mom said she likes family gatherings because she always learns more about what really happened when we were kids.

The Holidays are a special time that reminds me of what is important in our fast-paced lives. Sometimes our family can get on our nerves or add a lot of drama to our lives, but in the end, I always am drawn back to those special people who love me for me.

Then something remarkable happened. My mother told me that while cleaning up one of the back bedrooms she had discovered some old photo albums of my late father from when he was in the Air Force in Germany in the 1950s.

I asked her to let me see the albums. I am still in a bit of emotion about those albums. My father has been gone now since 1991 and I really miss him. I was the oldest child and I had a great relationship with my Dad. He had a great relationship with each of his eight children.

My Mom had a chuckle about some of the photos because there were several of my father when he was with a lot of girls in Germany before he met my Mom. She said she had no problems with it, because they were all relationships before she and he had met.

My mom was in the Air Force, too. My dad was in the Air Force for eleven years. He was from Philadelphia, my mom from a small town in Eastern Oregon.

My Dad died seventeen years ago. My Mom hasn't dated anyone since.