BURN THE SHIPS

Hello, and welcome to the Burn the Ships blog!

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I’m Danielle, and this is my co-director Julia. 

 

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In the fall of 2014, Think Media Studios was approached with the idea of making a documentary about the Akron Racers and the NPF, the women’s professional fastpitch softball league.

Didn’t know there was women’s pro fastpitch in this country? Neither did we, and that’s why we wanted to make this movie. But before we get too far, let me tell you a little bit about us.

Danielle’s Story:

Somewhere in a Tupperware(R) bin beside a petrified hot dog that was created in an attempt to feed my sick mother (note to all the five-year-olds reading this: 10 minutes is far too long to cook a hot dog in a microwave), lives a hot air balloon made of construction paper that reads, “When I grow up I want to make movies.”

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Staunchly dedicated to standing by all decisions I made at the age of nine, I felt it important to pursue this dream until it became a reality. I went to college for digital media production (RIP, Art Institute of Pittsburgh) and $3M later (tuition estimated based on emotional stress), I graduated a budding film and video editor.

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A year and a half later, I found myself begging for a job at Think Media Studios with a bunch of people who were far better at what they did than I. Ever the motivated youth, I studied their skills and talents and spent many a late night practicing my craft, desperate to make my former self proud. Now, here we are, almost eight years later and I’m knee-deep in editorial of my feature film directorial debut, Burn the Ships.

 

Julia’s Story:

Having not consulted Julia on her background for this blog, I will now take the liberty of fabricating her past.

Julia was essentially raised on a pirate ship, her father a lowly deckhand, her mother the daughter of royalty (why her rich mother was on a pirate ship is a sensitive subject, so please do not ask.) One day, the ship’s lookout spotted something suspicious from his crow’s nest. It was an object the size of an oblong volleyball. He shouted to the crew below him until the mysterious item was retrieved from the waters. Scooping it on board, the men realized that it was not the misshapen tool of family cookout fun, but rather an egg. The egg eventually hatched and a young Julia was welcomed to the world. Nobody wanting the responsibility of raising a human reptile, Julia was tragically neglected in her first days on earth until the deckhand and the rich maiden came together to feed and clothe her for decades to follow. Twenty-something years later, Julia fell overboard in the ocean and somehow washed up on the shores of Lake Erie where she was discovered by Think Media’s fearless leader, Brian Glazen. Brian offered Julia employment, and she’s been with us ever since, flawlessly producing and directing everything from broadcast commercial spots to this film.

 

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Note: Any similarities between Julia’s past and Pirates of the Caribbean/Jurassic Park are strictly coincidental.

Other Note: Julia wishes to inform you that this is not very accurate, but is mildly offensive.

 

Now that you know a little bit about us, stay tuned to learn about this film and our adventures making it!

 

 

Mary Hipp
5 Comments
  • Patricia Connor

    We had the pleasure of seeing the trailer at Firestone Stadium on Saturday night and can’t wait for the finished product. We discovered the NPF, the Akron Racers and Joey many years ago (we figure it has been the full 15 seasons) when searching for someplace for our Little League softball player to see upper level players. That first summer we made the trip from Rochester NY to Akron for one game. That game has turned into years of family vacations in Ohio watching the Racers play and lead to a trip to Hoover AL last year and reservations for Tuscaloosa in a few weeks. The players and the entire organization put their heart and soul on the field and it shows. We count them all among our friends and talk NPF and Akron Racers to everyone. It’s a secret that needs to be shared far and wide. Best of luck with your project.

    July 18, 2016 Reply
  • You get a lot of respect from me for writing these helpful arelsitc.

    July 20, 2016 Reply
  • Good depth 🙂

    September 22, 2016 Reply
  • Willie Seaman

    Do you have a release date for this movie yet? I can’t wait to see it or buy it. I love the NPF and the ladies that make this sport what it is.

    September 22, 2016 Reply
  • Hi, I log on to your blog like every week. Your writing style is awesome, keep it up!

    November 21, 2016 Reply