I have been diligently working away on this project for the last several days and am very pleased with the results so far. The North Africa segment is almost complete and if all goes as planned, will begin work on chapter 3 - Sicily, very shortly.

It is such a good feeling to be back in gear and seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

North Africa was a really tough segment, because there was very little info at first. Then all of a sudden, I began getting journals and personal memoirs and photos and film and...things began to come together.

I am also finding more sources for royalty-free music (classical, etc.). That doesn't necessarily mean it's FREE, but means it's affordable for a struggling artist, such as myself. It's amazing how quickly I've run through the money in the account. Five dollars here, sixty dollars there, one-hundred dollars, another ten dollars. It all adds up so fast.

I've had the pleasure of working with a lot of great people, including the publisher for Irving Berlin's music. They agreed to grant me a license for use for up to 1000 DVD's for $100.00. But I have to submit an application to Universal for rights to use the actual song White Christmas, as sung by Bing Crosby. I will let you know how that goes.

I deleted the two image files from the movie White Christmas, because it would wind up costing me around $250.00 dollars! A little too steep for me. I wasn't that concerned with the images, for what is really important, is to be able to use the song White Christmas, for it is integral to the storyline. Sure hope THAT works out.

What I REALLY need are some corporate sponsors, so I don't wind up skimping along the way. I want to make sure this winds up being a class act.

Well, it's getting late. Been up since 5:30 and need to go relax.

Here's a letter I am emailing this morning. I think you will FEEL my enthusiasm!

---------

Dear Kevin:

I can't begin to tell you how much your site means to me! I discovered your music yesterday, while perusing for royalty-free music for my documentary, No Bridge Too Far.

I am writing, directing and producing this baby, myself, and have a very limited budget. Therefore, finding a web such as yours, was (pardon the expression) music to my ears. I downloaded several classical pieces last night, and this morning began working a few into the second chapter.

I must admit I got goosebumps a few minutes ago, and a lump in my throat, when I placed your Trio for Violin and Viola, behind the intro vocals for chapter two. I swear to God, you wrote that composition for me, for not only did it create the mood I desired, but matched the voice-over timing to the second. I have played it over and over again, and each time I almost want to cry; it's that stirring.

I just had to write and tell you; you've made my day and and the music is going to be a wonderful addition to the project. So, thank you, thank you, thank you. I plan on making a donation. It won't be much, but I certainly appreciate your talents and your generosity.

I am more than happy to include you within the closing credits, and will send you a copy of the completed several-hour series, upon conclusion.

Attached is the opening segment from chapter two. I hope you enjoy the trailer. I think you will agree with my assessment; the music is perfect! Also sending a clip from later in same chapter.

Looking forward to hearing from you. Who knows; I may just have you compose more of the same for me if you are interested. I think we'd make a good team.

Warmly,

Marion

===============

I will try and post these two clips later today, so everyone can hear them.

Here are a few clips from the documentary. These are from the North Africa chapter, and should give you a feel for the documentary. Will have a few more clips in the very near future. These are QUICKTIME files and should play on almost any computer.

No Bridge Too Far

Please note they may take a while to download to your computer, for play. Thanks for your patience.

My computer only has Mexican time so I don't have

quicktime .,all I get is a blank. both links da wabbit

ah you have to download the q-time module then. Here it is:

http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

THE FREE player is to your left on the page. Make sure you UNCHECK the boxes where it says, SIGN-UP, so you won't receive email from APPLE. You don't have to enter an email address, just click on FREE DOWNLOAD NOW!

Let me know how that works.

Thank you M-1 got it.

On a different note....I got a card today, PM. Fro a very lovely lady.

Had beautiful writing in it. I read it and then I just leaned back on the sofa

and thought, what beautiful freind I have now. My mind kinda wondered

back to Anzio and Cassino when I saw the Combat engineers crawl on

their bellies holding a bayonet and probing for mines so that we could

advance. I still say, LADY, WEAR YOUR DADS' C.I.B. PROUDLY, GET

the miniture one. Martha wears one and when asked she says,

"THAT'S MY DADS'" aGAIN THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CARD. 87 now but feel like 40. Roque J. (Rocky), Riojas aka da squirrel----

---

What a beautiful thing to read before turning in for the evening. Glad you received my card on time and appreciated the deep sentiment within.

Surely meant all I said, and much more that I couldn't put into words. One of those where you have to read between the lines.

A very happy birthday to you this day.

Will post more in the morning, but must get some sleep right now, or else it will be a very long, long day.

Many hugs till then,

M1

Adding some clips from first chapter this evening:

No Bridge Too Far

Hey Rocky:

Just wanted to say thanks for your support. It really means a lot to me to come here and see your posts. When you work mega-hours on a project such as this, you really need cheerleaders, few as they may be.

Just wanted you to know!

Hey Rocky:

 

Just wanted to say thanks for your support. It really means a lot to me to come here and see your posts. When you work mega-hours on a project such as this, you really need cheerleaders, few as they may be.

 

Just wanted you to know!

 

7:50am CST--Just had my first cup of "Joe" Still raining

but in my heart it's sunny after reading the above.

Makes me happy to know that I am a friend and as

close to you as the keys on my computer. xxx000xxx

from me--

Just sent an via email to Saginaw Valley State University (here in Michigan), inquiring if it would be possible to gather volunteers from their theatre department for voice-overs for the documentary. Thought this would be a great idea, for am not making progress elsewhere. In fact, may have to fire two friends who are not panning out. Wrote to them again last week, after they assured and promised me it would be NO problem to get the scripts to me within a couple of weeks. I even told them I was applying for a grant mid-month, and had to submit a copy of the documentary in progress.

...Well a couple of weeks has gone by, and they have not even responded to my last email. Sigh! So may wind up having to replace them with FRESH MEAT! Great, for that just adds to my production time...

Let's hope this pans out. Wish me luck!

=============

Dear Steven:

I am writing and producing a documentary, No Bridge Too Far, which is dedicated to my late father, and his fellow WWII combat engineers. Upon completion, will be selling copies via my website, and also submitting to PBS for possible airing.

My funding is very-limited, so have been relying greatly on volunteers to help me complete the several-hour series. And that brings me around as to why I am contacting you this morning...

The production is greatly influenced by Ken Burn's, The Civil War series, and as he did, am using "actors" to play the roles of the various combat engineers, etc. While I have several volunteers, including family and friends, I am in dire need of many more. So this morning came up with the brilliant idea (that's left to be seen ha-ha!) of contacting local university theater departments, to see if it would be feasible to extract some budding actors!

I would email scripts as they become available to any volunteers, and am asking them to return completed works via mp3 or wav files.

If you are interested in finding out more...

https://ww2combatengineers.comNoBridgeTooFar.htm

I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance for your time.

Kind regards,

Marion J Chard

Proud Daughter, LLC

Great idea M-1

That might look good on a resume, if they're going into acting.

Thanks. I think it would be a win-win for all parties involved. They gain experience and a chance for good exposure, and I gain FREE assistance.

Just sent this off to the same school, but addressed to their music department:

=====================

Hello:

Earlier today I contacted the theater department to make an inquiry regarding voice-overs for my production, and now I am contacting your music department, to make another inquiry.

I am writing and producing a documentary, No Bridge Too Far, which is dedicated to my late father, and his fellow WWII combat engineers. Upon completion, will be selling copies via my website, and also submitting to PBS for possible airing.

My funding is very-limited, so have been relying greatly on volunteers to help me complete the several-hour series. And that brings me around as to why I am contacting you this afternoon...

I have the sheet music for three engineer tunes, which were written during WWII. I would love to showcase these songs within my production, so am looking for a men's chorus to assist me with my quest. If you think this may be possible, please get in touch with me. Of course, the school would be placed within the closing credits.

If you are interested in finding out more...

https://ww2combatengineers.comNoBridgeTooFar.htm

I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance for your time.

Kind regards,

Marion Chard

Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek

540th Combat Engineer WWII

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com

http://www.6thcorpsmusic.us

To subscribe to our email newsletter click here:

https://ww2combatengineers.comnewsletteremail.htm

Received a letter today from Saginaw Valley State U and they are very willing to help me! Hip-hip-hooray. Many thanks to Professor Steve Erickson and his drama students. This means more to me than words can express. I can finally stop fretting about an integral part of my production. Was beginning to get very worried about not being able to accomplish this.

Continued thanks to those who are currently assisting me with voice-overs, for I will still need you. Appreciation sent your way again.

===========

Marion,

We would be interested in helping with your voice-overs. Our students are quite versatile and would relish the experience. I have not had a chance to check your website yet, but will do so very soon.

I just wanted to express our potential interest in helping you with your project.

Steve