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November 11, 2007
RJ's Newsletter - January 2, 2007
 
RJ’s Newsletter— January 2, 2007
 
Welcome to RJ’s Inventive Productions Newsletter, which is written to inspire myself and everyone to live a “grand, heroic, life.”  (from a poem by Walt Whitman)
 
(Note: a copy of this newsletter can also be read at www.rjmchatton.com)
 
This newsletter is dedicated to my youngest sister, Patty, who is stationed in Iraq with the US Navy.   I was lucky to be able to talk with her over the Christmas season on the telephone all the way from Iraq.  She sure misses America.  
 
It is hard to believe it is already 2007.  I am very excited and optimistic about this coming year.  I believe it will be the BEST year so far.  Thanks to all the friends and family and clients who have helped make 2006 so wonderful.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to help people tell their life story on video.  What a unique responsibility and learning opportunity we have!
 
 
 Great Quotations:   (thanks very much to Kurt Micka for sharing these awesome quotations)
 
"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the hell happened." --Cora Harvey Armstrong
 
" I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."  --Martha Washington, former U.S. first lady
 
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us." --Helen Keller,
author, activist and lecturer
 
"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." --Michael Altshuler, motivational speaker
 
 
Inventive Productions update:
 
1.  Movie Poster Party—you are invited to our Movie Poster Party where we premier movie posters from several of our past and present projects. Come check out our cool movie posters.  The party is scheduled for Tuesday, January 23rd.  We will have Live music by entertainer India Turner, plus lots of wine, finger foods, and prizes for the best costumes.  Feel free to dress up like anyone from your favorite movies. You could be Marilyn Monroe or Charlie Chaplin or John Wayne or the Creature from the Black Lagoon or whomever you want.   Let’s all have a great party and remember to have fun. The party will run from 4 pm to 7pm at our offices in Bellevue. Please RSVP so we know how much food and wine to get. You can RSVP by calling Kellie Ridenour at 425-747-4538 or by email at kellie@inventiveproductions.com
 
2.    Mission Statement:  To ethically help people and organizations tell their unique life story in their own words with High Definition Video.
 
3 . Coming Soon:  A biography of a poodle. We have been asked to create a Video Biography of a very special poodle.  This poodle is rated in the top five in all of America.  Our mission is to create a marketing video that will highlight the achievements of this incredible animal.  This is no ordinary dog, it is an athlete.
   
4  . PREVIEW COLLECTION DVD.  We have created a new free DVD compilation of short excerpts from several of our projects.  If you would like a free DVD sampler of our work, just email RJ@inventiveproductions.com and I will send it out to you.
 
5. Inventive Productions on YOU TUBE.  Some of our samples are now viewable on www.YouTube.com  Just go to YouTube.com and do a search for Inventive Productions
 
6.  Good article:  http://radio.weblogs.com/0107127/stories/2003/01/01/tippingPointNetVersion.html
 
7.  We are very grateful for the personal referrals we are receiving from our clients, friends, and family.  Remember, we have a referral program where you can earn $200 referral dollars for any business you send us.  You can donate this to charity if you want.  Thank you so much.  If you have a friend or family person you would like to recommend, please email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
8. Coffee Table Books & Movie Posters--We can now create a beautiful hard-bound coffee-table Picture Books & Movie Posters. 
 
9. Packages and Prices—our packages and prices are now available in the BREAKING NEWS area of our website at www.inventiveproductions.com
 
  
  (As of January 1, 2007)
 
10. Financing Available—we are pleased to be able to offer financing if needed.  Call or email RJ for exact details.
 
11. Ship of Miracles.   It was Christmas 1950 when a small merchant ship saved over 14,000 civilian refugees on one voyage.  It has been described a nothing short of a miracle.  Five babies were born on the three day voyage and no one died.  The ship captain, Leonard LaRue was so moved by this experience that after the war he became a monk in New Jersey.  I was so moved by this story that in 2001 I started a journey to create a personal documentary about this exciting story.  I have nearly finished making modifications and creating the final version of the film.  To learn more about the SHIP OF MIRACLES, goto www.shipofmiracles.com   If you would like to get a free copy of this film, please email me.
 
12. Writing. I am pleased to that my new book “BONUS TIME AND OTHER SHORT STORIES” has just been been published.  Email me if you are interested in reserving a signed copy.  My first two novels are available on AMAZON.COM.    Just go to www.amazon.com and do a search for RJ McHatton.  You will be able to see my first novel, “THE DIRTY DEED,” and my second novel “MY KIDS.”  My fourth book, “THE BRILLIANTS AND OTHER SHORT STORIES” will be available early next year.  You can learn more about my writing at www.whiteknuckles.com   Thanks goes to Laura Standring for helping me type up my books and to Kellie Ridenour for editing them. 
 
13.  Umatilla Film.  My grandfather worked during the summer of 1941 to help build the igloos at the Umatilla Weapons Depot in Eastern Oregon. My award-winning documentary, UMATILLA, is now available on DVD on Amazon.com.  Just go to www.amazon.com and do a search for UMATILLA.  You will see my DVD there.  You can learn more about this project at www.whiteknuckles.com
 
14. Short films:  My short films "Duct Tape" and "Arrest Mommy" are now available on DVD.  For more information email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
15.  Coming Soon:  My first feature film "The Red Suit" is coming out on DVD.  For more information about "The Red Suit" email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
16. Family. My wife and kids and I really have learned to appreciate the little things in life.  Especially after living for five days and nights without power after the December 14th giant windstorm.  This year we have seen floods, snow storms and wind storms and power outages.  I think all this has brought us closer together as a family.  You can see some pictures of our puppies at www.astoriaweenies.com
 
17.  My youngest sister, Patty McHatton is serving in the Construction Battalion (Seabees) with the US Navy near Baghdad in Iraq.  She is very excited about the opportunity to serve her country, to help others, and she makes me proud.  She asked me to remind everyone that there are a lot of service people over there who never receive any letters from people back in America.  If you have a moment, why not write to someone over there and let them know you care? No matter what your politics or feelings about the war, why not at least show your thanks to those who are serving in harms way for our country?  If you would like to write a card or letter to a service person over there, go to:  http://www.forgottensoldiers.org/write-soldier.shtml
  
18. Home for Sale. We are selling our home in Astoria, Oregon.  It is a restored 1900’s Victorian with awesome views.  You can see pictures of the home at www.astoriaview.com  
 
19. Joke of the week:
Q.  What kind of cats like to go bowling?
A.  Alley cats.
                   (Joke submitted by my son Jason)
 
20. The Inventive Productions Team:
            Executive Producers:  Bill Peare & Jeff Sites
Producer-Director:  RJ McHatton
            Sales Producers:  Akina Moscinski, Anita Johnson, RJ McHatton, Matt K., Virgil Bowman., Bill Maxwell, Patty Paul,
            Managing Editor:  Tyler Griffin
           Production Coordinator:  Kellie Ridenour
           Associate Editors:  Kenny Stein, Shayla Jones, Olivia Howe, Nate, Shawna Cook, Gary Schmidt, Nikki Smith, and Gary Gerve.
           Graphics Designer:  Bekah Laughman, Nate J. Media
           Research:  Crissy McHatton
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Would you like to read some of our old RJ’s newsletters?  Go to:  www.myspace.com/inventiveproductions
 
Thanks for reading my email newsletter. 
 
If you have any questions or suggestions, please email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
To learn more about Inventive Productions, go to www.inventiveproductions.com
 
Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
 
Have a great day.
 
RJ McHatton
Inventive Productions LLC
3625 132nd Avenue, S.E.
Suite 100
Bellevue WA 98006
Studio office 425-747-4538
Fax 425-747-4564
cell 503-470-0728
 
Note: a copy of this newsletter can also be read at www.rjmchatton.com
 
If you would like to be added to or removed from this email list, please email RJ@inventiveproductions.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.   Basic Autobiography Interview     $499 
      Studio or On Location Interview with Specialized Questions                             
      One Camera -- No editing, Opening & Ending Music and Title Screen
      1 copy of video on DVD
 
2. Bronze Autobiography DVD           $2999
     Studio or On Location Interview with Specialized Questions                             
      One Camera, Custom editing of footage
      Includes up to 50 photographs & Music added
      Custom opening and title sequence, 5 copies of video on DVD
 
3. Silver Autobiography DVD             $4999
     Studio or On Location Interview with Specialized Questions                 
      Two Cameras, One is Green Screen
      Custom editing of footage, Includes up to 100 photographs & Music added,
      home movies, Custom opening DVD Chapter Menu
      10 copies of video on DVD
 
OUR MOST POPULAR PACKAGE
4. Gold Autobiography                       $5999
      Studio or On Location Interview with Specialized Questions                             
      Three Cameras, One is Green Screen
      Custom editing of footage
      Includes up to 150 photographs & Music added,
      Digitizing and insert home movies & slides,
      Custom opening DVD Chapter Menu , Custom Ending Credit Roll
      Musical Slide Show, High Definition, Coffee Table Book,
      Movie Poster.   15 copies of video on DVD
 
D5.  Diamond Friends & Family Autobiography  $9999
 Studio or On Location Interview with Specialized Questions     
 Also Interview up to 15 friends & family
 (within one week of primary subject interview)                                                 
 Three Cameras, One is Green Screen
 Custom editing of footage
 Includes up to 200 photographs & Music added,
 Digitizing and insert home movies & slides,
 Custom opening DVD Chapter Menu, Custom Ending Credit Roll
 Musical Slide Show, High Definition, Coffee Table Book,
 Movie Poster,  Autobiography Website
 20 copies of video on DVD
 
Corporate video projects, including TV commercials, marketing videos, training videos, etc
are priced on a bid basis.
 
(note: prices subject to change) 
2006 was our first year in business and boy was it an incredible experience!
 
Here is an outline of some of the projects we were involved with this past year. 
 
 
List of Projects from 2006
 
  • Bill Peare, Cle Elum, WA—video biography of  the  founder of Trendwest Resorts
  • John “Bud” Hawk, Bremerton, WA—video biography of American hero and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from Bremerton. The documentary was picked up by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society who sent a copy to every living MOH recipient.
  • Ruth Peare, Cle Elum, WA—video biography
  • Connie Peare, Seattle, WA—video biography
  • Bob & Jackie Pappas, Bellevue, WA—video biography of the VP of Trendwest
  • Linda Kay Porlier, Leavenworth, WA—promotional video for the CEO of Follow Your Heart Productions
  • Richard Hote from Alaska Structures Inc of Kirkland— I was fortunate to experience a ten day trip to Pakistan to document the delivery of temporary housing for the victims of  the  devastating earthquake in Kashmir.
  • Paula Ortega, Bellevue, WA—created love video to her spouse
  • Colleen MacIntosh, Bellevue, WA—video biography for this  wonderful CPA
  • Woody O’Rourke, Cle Elum, WA—video biography for “Mr. Baseball” former owner of Sage Systems , currently Real Estate Broker for Mountain Crest Realty 
  • Jan Warren, Gleneden, OR—video biography for this nationally recognized white water rafting adventurer who led an expedition down the Yangtze River in China. Her story was documented on National Geographic. Now she wants to tell the story in her own words.
  • Shirley Mulliken, Bellevue, WA—video biography of this long time Boeing employee and marketer of the exciting new product RXP
  • Pacific Institute (Lou & Diane Tice), Seattle, WA—we are creating a video biography of the History and Culture of this 30-year old institution from Seattle. We are interviewing numerous clients and employees from over the years.
  • Bill & Dorothy Shaw, Ocean Park, WA—video biography of this couple who have been married over sixty years. Bill is a WW2 veteran who personally saw the devastation at Nagasaki after the bomb was dropped there.
  • Steeleheart, CANADA—documentary of this unique country western band from Canada. During the day the band members are working or retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers. Over the last thirty years they have raised over one and half million dollars for charity.
  • Dean Echelbarger, Edmonds, WA—video biography of this veteran from the Army who witnessed the rescue of the holocaust victims from Dachau concentration camp. He led his family business from the trucking industry, to oil delivery, and finally to becoming the leading developer in Snohomish County. His family has worked hard to make a difference. From involvement with the Chamber, the construction of the Alderwood Mall, to establishment of the foundation that started the Edmonds Community College, Dean has really lived a well-lived life.
  • Emerald City Smoothie, Mercer Island, WA—this franchisor has over twenty smoothie shops. We have been hired to create a series of educational videos that can be shown on their in-lobby big screens.   
  • LeTip International, Redmond, WA—this is one of the largest networking organizations in the world. We were hired to capture their Regional Power Breakfast and to create a winning highlight and educational DVD.
  • Mara Williams (Have a Ball Events), Kirkland, WA—we are creating a series of Dance training DVDs.
  • Greg Shaw, Magnolia, WA—top producing Windermere agent has hired us to create a winning television commercial
  • Al Farmer, Sherwood, OR—video biography of this Merchant Marine from WW2. He later became a successful, honest business man in the insurance industry in Portland.
  • Linda Linderman, Seaview, WA—memorial video about her husband, Rob.   Rob was the nicest guy I ever met and I truly miss him. 
  • Ted & Terry Kilcup, Seattle, WA—video biography of this loving couple—he was with Boeing for over 30 years.
  • Dan Foley, Fresno, CA—decorated veteran from WW2, Dan became a VP with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and a national leader with the United Way
  • West Coast Real Estate Investors, Portland, OR—created two television commercials
  • Fran & Dave Divelbiss, Roslyn, WA—video biography of this decorated Navy hero from Vietnam and NATO in Europe, former mayor of Roslyn
  • Richard & Joyce Nicolazzi, Wisconsin—video biography of these school teachers , football coach, and Vice Principal 
  • Evelyn & Robert Birkby, Iowa—video biography of this nationally recognized author and radio personality and her husband
  • Adeline Kim, Bellevue, WA—video biography of this 91 year old nurse who was at Pearl Harbor the day it was attacked
  • Rick Peare Memorial Video, Cle Elum, WA
  • Larry & Maria Morris, Lakewood, WA--helped transfer their incredible wedding in Tibet video from PAL to a DVD format usable here in America
  • Nancy McConnell, Bellevue, WA--helped transfer old Super 8 films to mini-dv format so she could then edit it in her computer
  • Randy Kim, Bellevue, WA—nationally recognized Estate Planner—former head of the WA State Association of Estate Planners—believes in video biographies so much that he is offering to help pay for them for his customers
  • Dr. Mathias Berry, Redmond, WA—we are creating a training video and marketing video, and a consulting video, and an infomercial  for this cutting edge leader in the chiropractic industry 
  • Barbara Knapp, Kirkland, WA—created a custom Christmas video
  • Roy & Patricia Bates, Glendale, AZ—video biography of this decorated fighter pilot and his awesome family who following him from Vietnam to NATO in Europe to the b-52s of the Strategic Air Command
  • William & Mary Joy Keane, Chapel Hill, North Carolina—video biography of this former professor from Notre Dame who eventually became a partner in Price Waterhouse
  • Jim Zorn, Mercer Island, WA—video biography of the first quarterback in Seattle Seahawk history, who talks  and lives his his religious beliefs,  loves his family, and his  remarkable career which led him to his position today as the quarterback coach for the Seahawks.
  • Bill Endicott, Mill Creek, WA—video biography of this veteran from WW2 who eventually worked in radio, television, had his own children’s TV show, worked as  television producer following the space race at NASA during the 60s, eventually working in Public Relations, and then an author of books and editor of veterans publications.
  • Gordon Graham, Redmond, WA—video biography of nationally recognized motivational speaker who once spent over twenty years in maximum security prison, was shot, stabbed, led riots, etc., until he turned his life around and became an inspiration  to kids, convicts, and everyone about the possibility of change. An author of books, Gordy is now consultant for numerous organizations including the United Auto Workers.
  • Providence Marianwood, Bellevue, WA—we created a fund raising video for this non-profit senior care company.
  • Veterans History Project—we have captured several video interviews of American veterans for the Library of Congress for this important program, including vets from Pearl Harbor, Battle of the Bulge, Guadalcanal, Persian Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, D-day, Philippines, etc,
  • Yakima Memorial Hospital, Yakima, WA—creating a  short documentary about their exciting program IN THE BLUE, which is transforming their entire organization.
  
News coverage  in 2006:   
 
  1. Front page article in the Seattle Times in September. This article was picked up by over 30 newspapers  from all across America, including Detroit, San Francisco, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, Florida, North Dakota, St Louis, New York, etc.
  2. Live interview on  Seattle's  KOMO-TV channel 4—Live at 4 show
  3. Article in Bremerton Sun newspaper
  4. NPR interviewed on of our Veterans History Project interviewees
  5. Article in Bellevue Business newspaper
  6. The website Veterans Today" has a great article about the Video Biography of John “Bud” Hawk. You can read it here: http://www.veteranstoday.com/article1343.html
  7. Article in Seniors websites 
  8. Article about our video biographies in the Ft. Lewis newspaper 
  9. Bud Hawk's documentary "Hometown Hero" was shown several times on Bremerton's public access television channel.
  10. Fidelity Investors Article.  The Fidelity Investors newspaper did an article about the importance of using Ethical Wills to share your values.  Here is a link to the article:
      
    Organizations
     
    1. Association of Personal Historians (www.personalhistorians.org)
    2. Chamber of Commerce – Bellevue (www.bellevuechamber.org)
    3. Letip International (www.washingtonletip.com)
    4. International Documentary Association (IDA) (www.ida.org)
    5. Independent Feature Project (IFP) (www.ifp.org)
    6. Official partner for the Library of Congress for the Veterans History Project (www.loc.gov)  
    7. Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
     
    2007 Update

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