The Details
Background Info
Cousin Jon
It's difficult to imagine why no one has produced a documentary about Blaze, aside from the logistics of such a project (he constantly moved and lived in Georgia, Chicago, Houston and finally settled in Austin, and he knew A LOT of people). Most likely, it's because he's pretty much unknown outside of Austin. I first learned of Blaze through my cousin Jon around 1993 when he sent me a demo tape of the Blaze Foley tribute project.
The Tribute Project
Jon was working with Ryan Rader on a project to record all of Blaze's known songs for posterity. Ryan was concerned that the songs would be forgotten or changed, since there weren't any recordings that people could learn the music by or just plain buy. So they brought musicians who knew Blaze into the studio and let each of them pick their favorite Blaze Foley song to record.
When I moved to Austin in 1995 and started visiting with Jon, he would spin these incredible stories about Blaze, never repeating the same story. Over time I developed a mental picture of who Blaze might have been.
From Jon, I met many people who knew Blaze. Through their personal stories it became clear that he was still remembered, had influenced many people and the artifacts of his life were cherished. Slowly, the idea of producing a documentary about Blaze was born. Without any hope of making money (Filmmaker's rule #1: Stay away from documentaries, documentaries do not make money), I picked up my trusty No. 2 pencil and composition book and started interviewing people.
Why?
Why am I doing this? Good question -- sometimes I don't even know why. It's captured my imagination. I see the documentary unfolding in my mind and it's compelling. I believe that Blaze's life has the power to capture people's attention and give new insight into the human condition, artistic expression, justice and redemption. He courageously questioned what most people took for granted, challenged conventional perceptions and was a crusader for children, the weak, the poor, the working class, and the underdog.
I also love documentaries ... they give insight into a range of issues and show how people live. I've since learned that producing a documentary forces self-examination ... I've learned quite a bit about myself from Blaze.
Where You At?
The Status
In 2000, I assembled a talented and dedicated crew and after six years of research (where we met a great big bunch of wonderful people who knew Blaze) we ended the first production phase. We've now started the task of editing. All the interviews have been transcribed and we have rough cuts of select scenes that are starting to show us what the finished film might look like. There is a second, smaller production phase planned and then the big push for the final cut and film festival submissions.
For more information, my production diary is online ... it's usually updated with our progress, so come back every now and then and see what's new. Make sure you sign up for our newsletter or send email to me, Kevin Triplett, so I can keep you posted when there's news about Blaze or the project.
Help!
And please email me if I haven't contacted you yet, especially if you have any Blaze toys, art, photos, cassettes, videos or stories. Email of support are important 'cause sometimes I sure need encouragement or a downright kick in the can to keep me going.
Who are You?
Kevin Triplett
Director, Producer, Bottle Washer
I grew up in a family of photographers, splicing Super8 film of silly skits acted out by my friends. I went on to college and got a couple degrees in electrical engineering and did that gig for over fifteen years. in 1998, I re-discovered my love of filmmaking and storytelling. Over the past four years, I've produced four short films, three music videos, a dozen promotional videos for corporations and non-profits, and currently I'm wrapping up a feature-length documentary on the Spacek family home in Granger. I'm also a fifth-generation Texan on both sides of my parents.
A Texan?
With my accent, many people think that I'm from somewhere in the Midwest or Canada. My ancestors arrived in Texas during the second land grant offered by Stephen F. Austin. So my family's been here awhile, mostly in central Texas but I have kin in the west, east and south parts of Texas, including the panhandle.
As for my accent, the best I can explain is that my mother is an Anglophile (being a mix of Scot, Welsh and Irish) and I grew up listening to British comedies and BBC television productions. Her sister and my cousins have the definitive Texas accent. I can't explain it any better -- you just can't judge a book by it's font.
Thanks and hope to meet y'all someday!
Kevin Triplett
1812 Walnut Ave
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 478 - 1812