Bill Sackter Documentary Blog

See the Inspirational Bill Sackter Documentary For Free

2011-11-02T00:58:00.000-05:00

Now Playing On YouTube and BillSackter.com

"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story"

See the full feature-length documentary for free!

Voted the #1 Audience Favorite in

5 Consecutive Film Festivals!!!

Click Here to view "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story"

You are invited to view the full inspirational feature-length documentary "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story", right now on YouTube (at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUfaB41xjao&feature=share ) and at http://www.BillSackter.com for free!

This engaging 90-minute feature-length documentary explores the unlikely real-life friendship between Bill Sackter (who was abandoned in an institution for 44 years for mild mental retardation), and Barry Morrow (a young idealistic college student who became Bill's legal guardian to keep Bill out of the institution), and how their relationship and Bill's unique embrace of life allowed Bill to become an internationally known hero for people with disabilities.

It's a very funny, highly emotional, and ultimately uplifting experience for everyone to enjoy, and it's received great praise, many standing ovations, and was voted the #1 Audience Favorite at 5 consecutive film festivals!

Perhaps you remember the made-for-tv drama "Bill" (1981) starring Mickey Rooney and Dennis Quaid that portrayed the events in Barry and Bill's life, or maybe you've never heard of Bill Sackter. Now for the first time you have a chance to know the real Bill Sackter through actual film/video footage and photographs of Bill and interviews with those closest to him, told in a very entertaining and engaging way.

It's an amazingly powerful film that will bring you to tears and leave you smiling. See Lane Wyrick's award-winning independent feature about friendship, faith, and the value of human compassion.

-- See the full length version of "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" here and hit "Like" below the video (at http://www.billsackter.com/Bills_Homepage.html )

-- Buy the Deluxe Edition DVD with over two hours of additional content (at http://www.billsackter.com/Buy_The_DVD.html )

For more information about "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story",

please visit http://www.BillSackter.com

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Reviews

"Watching this movie made me a better person...It's a story of redemption and uplift that immerses us in a gentle soul's very personal world. I guarantee you will find yourself bawling."

--- Bob Butler - Kansas City Star Newspaper

"My personal favorite and the sleeper hit of the (Kansas International Film) Festival is 'A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story'...It will touch your heart and bring you to tears." Rating 4 stars (out of 4)

--- Keith Cohen - Entertainment Spectrum & Kansas City Jewish Chronicle

“There were few dry eyes in the house at the conclusion of the screening. Lane Wyrick has demonstrated a special gift in revealing Bill's life so completely, and the world needs this film!” Rating 5 stars (out of 5)

--- Deborah Ground Buckner, ANEVibe.com

“It’s a documentary that’s just super-well-done. It’s very moving, very emotional. I’m not embarrassed to say it brought me to tears. It really renews your positive outlook toward the human spirit.”

--- Travis Alden - Hardacre Film Festival Director

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P.S. Tell your Facebook/Twitter and other social network friends about this wonderful documentary by posting a link on your site to http://www.BillSackter.com

Facebook members can also click on the "Like" button below the full documentary video playing at http://www.BillSackter.com.

Also please leave your comments on the YouTube version here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUfaB41xjao&feature=share

Please let your friends know about "A Friend Indeed"!

Bring "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" to your City

2010-01-28T16:18:00.020-06:00

Hi Fans of "A Friend Indeed",

I wanted to update you about the innovative new distribution model for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" allowing you to easily "Bring A Friend Indeed To Your City" and share this inspirational production with the rest of your community, while at the same time making a profit for yourself or your organization through these screenings.

Click Here to view the trailer for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" (3 min.)

The concept is called the "Screen It Yourself Package" and it was developed when it was noticed that a consistently high percentage of audience members were purchasing "A Friend Indeed" DVDs that were being made available after every screening. For instance, immediately following a recent Minneapolis screening with an audience of 500 people of all ages and backgrounds, nearly 200 DVDs were sold! At smaller venues with around 50 audience members, viewers will typically purchase 20-30 DVDs!

You may also host a Filmmaker Presentation and Screening and have Filmmaker Lane Wyrick come to your location for a first-class event.

For more information, visit

http://www.BillSackter.com/Bring_A-Friend-Indeed_To_Your_City.html

Notes: With the "Screen It Yourself Package", all screenings and DVD sales must be within your same county. - Internet sales of the DVDs are strictly prohibited. For a full explanation, please call Lane Wyrick at 1-314-200-5534.

Filmmaker Lane Wyrick to be at Des Moines Screening This Sunday

2009-10-31T19:27:00.010-05:00

This Sunday night (November 1), Filmmaker Lane Wyrick will make a special appearance at the 7:30 p.m. screening of "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" at the Fleur Cinema & Cafe (4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa).

He will give insight into the documentary and host a Q&A after the screening. Also, DVDs will be available at a reduced price after this specific screening.

The award-winning documentary is currently playing for a week long theatrical run now through Thursday November 5. This is your chance to see "A Friend Indeed" in a very classy independent theater where, after a successful recent showing at The Fleur it was invited back for a full week of screenings.

Showtimes are as follows:

Friday/Monday through Thursday: 4:45, 7:30, 9:35

Saturday & Sunday: 1:50, 4:45, 7:30, 9:35 (Filmmaker Presentation)

Tickets are just $8 for General Admission
(Matinees, Seniors & Children are $6) and are available at
the door.

For more information, visit: http://www.fleurcinema.com
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Barry Morrow Donates Emmy to Univ. of Iowa

On Friday October 30, Barry Morrow gave a special presentation to the University of Iowa Foundation Board Members and guests where he donated his Emmy Award that he received for his screenplay for the 1981 made-for-tv movie "Bill" (starring Mickey Rooney & Dennis Quaid) to the University of Iowa where it will be on permanent display.

Barry Morrow donates Emmy for "Bill" TV Movie to Univ. of Iowa

In his rousing speech he also enthusiastically related how "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" now tells the real life documentary story that he originally started in 1972 when he first met Bill. Other people from the documentary at this special event were Bev Morrow, Filmmaker Lane Wyrick, Tom Walz, & Darrell Wyrick.

A video of Barry Morrow's incredible speech will be posted soon.

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For more information about Bill Sackter and “A Friend Indeed” and for reviews and video clips, please visit http://www.BillSackter.com.

Inspiring Documentary Returns to Des Moines

2009-10-26T15:35:00.004-05:00

“A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" Returns For Full Week To Fleur Cinema – Des Moines, Iowa

After a very successful recent screening, the inspiring feature-length documentary “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” is returning to The Fleur Cinema & Café for a full week long theatrical run starting this Friday October 30 through November 5.

Winner of the #1 Audience Favorite Award at five film festivals in a row, “A Friend Indeed” has been surprising and delighting viewers with its powerful story of human compassion and incredible range of heartfelt emotion.

The documentary tells the true story of Bill Sackter who was institutionalized for over four decades for mild mental retardation, and his friendship with Barry Morrow (Academy Award Winning Screenwriter for “Rain Man”) who in real life as a young college student took the unprecedented step of becoming Bill’s legal guardian to keep Bill from being sent back to the institution.

Their friendship, Bill’s positive outlook on life and his eventual rise to international fame was chronicled in the highly successful made-for-tv movie “Bill” (1981) starring Mickey Rooney and Dennis Quaid, and Morrow’s screenplay for the production also won him an Emmy Award.

But Barry Morrow’s original intention of creating a real life documentary about Bill Sackter (using the hours of film and video footage and hundreds of photographs he captured of Bill during his life) would have to wait for over two decades until Barry met Iowa filmmaker Lane Wyrick and entrusted him to complete this project that was so dear to his heart.

Wyrick spent the next 8 years editing the archival footage along with filming new interviews of Barry Morrow and many others who were close to Bill. He also closely collaborated with Hollywood-trained composer Peter Bloesch who created a very rich and emotional full orchestral music score for the production.

“A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” has been praised for retaining its documentary authenticity while having an entertaining quality more akin to a Hollywood movie. Wyrick’s groundbreaking hybrid style is very unique, and the film is filled with lots of humor and is ultimately very inspiring, but a box of Kleenex is also highly recommended!

Don’t miss your chance to see firsthand why “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” is becoming the grassroots hit for moviegoers looking for a very positive, inspirational experience that will touch their hearts, and that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Even if you have never heard of Bill Sackter, by the end of this film you will know and care for him like a close friend!

“A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story”

LOCATION: The Fleur Cinema & Café, 4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa

Screening October 30 Through November 5

For showtimes, visit: http://www.fleurcinema.com

Tickets are just $8 for General Admission (Matinees, Seniors & Children are $6) and are available at the door.

For more information about Bill Sackter and “A Friend Indeed” and for reviews and video clips, please visit http://www.BillSackter.com.

"A Friend Indeed" to screen at City High School This Thursday

2009-10-19T22:47:00.004-05:00

Winner of the #1 Audience Favorite Award at five film festivals in a row, an inspiring new documentary will have a special screening at City High School's Opstad Auditorium on Thursday October 22 at 7 p.m. "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" was created by award-winning filmmaker Lane Wyrick (a 1985 City High Grad). He will introduce the screening and host a Q&A and Filmmaker Presentation afterwards.

"A Friend Indeed" is an amazing and entertaining real-life documentary about people and events that happened right here in Iowa City!!! Tickets to the event are just $8 and are available at the door.

This special screening is sponsored by City High's Drama Department who will benefit from every ticket sold.

If you are on Facebook, please let us know if you're coming and help by inviting all your Facebook friends by going here: http://www.facebook.com/BillSackter#/event.php?eid=150721442809&index=1

The Background:

In 1981, actor Mickey Rooney portrayed Bill Sackter's life in the highly successful television drama "Bill", which depicted Bill's unique relationship with young college student Barry Morrow (played by Dennis Quaid). Their friendship developed shortly after Bill's release from Faribault Institution in Minnesota where he had spent 44 years of his life for mild mental retardation. Barry's compassion for Bill and deep concern for his situation led him to taking the unprecedented step of becoming Bill's legal guardian to keep Bill from being sent back to the institution.

This new documentary "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" gives viewers the opportunity to know the real Bill Sackter, Barry Morrow and many others who were close to Bill, in an entertaining production full of heart and emotion. The 90-minute feature length production uses actual film and video footage and photos of Bill (captured in the 1970's and 80's by Barry Morrow and others), along with interviews with the people closest to Bill, filmed more recently by Wyrick, who also edited the production.

During the final years of Bill's life, his positive attitude, passion for the harmonica, and enthusiastic embrace of everyone he met began to get Bill noticed. As proprietor of "Wild Bill's Coffee Shop" on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Bill's striking personality led to his rise as a local "celebrity", and eventually to his becoming a national leader in a movement that helped normalize peoples' reactions to people with disabilities. He was honored with many awards and was even invited as a guest at the White House, all the while retaining his humble and caring personality and love for all people, especially children.

A Groundbreaking Documentary:

"A Friend Indeed" is filled with lots of emotion, evoking laughter, tears, and ultimately leaving audiences with a feeling of real inspiration. And it shows how a little care and attention can truly transform someone's life and enrich us all. The emotion of the film is greatly enhanced by the full orchestral music score created by Hollywood-trained composer Peter Bloesch who closely collaborated with Wyrick throughout the production to interweave the rich music score seamlessly into the fabric of the story.

At every screening "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" has been enjoyed by moviegoers that are looking for a very positive, inspirational experience that will touch their hearts.

For complete details, please visit http://www.BillSackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

Join us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/BillSackter

Location: City High School's Opstad Auditorium - 1900 Morningside Drive - Iowa City, Iowa

Chicago Premiere of "A Friend Indeed" THIS WEDNESDAY

2009-10-12T13:27:00.006-05:00

Don't miss the Chicago Premiere of "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story"at The Music Box Theater THIS WEDNESDAY October 14 at 7 p.m.

The event will be introduced by Kathy Lavin, director of community relations at Neumann Family Services in Chicago, who is also a mother of a child with a disability. Filmmaker Lane Wyrick will then introduce the film and afterwards give a Q&A/Filmmaker Presentation offering his perspective of over 7 years of research into Bill Sackter's life as well as a behind the scenes look at the documentary.

Also, the Deluxe Edition DVDs will be available after the screening at a reduced price as a benefit to those that come to the theater to see this very inspiring film.

Tickets are just $8 and are available online or at the door at the Music Box Theater - 3733 N. Southport Avenue, Chicago, Illinois - http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/

For online tickets go here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/84842
For further details, visit: http://www.billsackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

Here is a wonderful article about the Chicago screening by Medill Reports:
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=141649

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More upcoming screenings include:

Doctoberfest Documentary Festival - Gloucester, Mass. - October 14, 15, 23

Yes Cinema - Columbus, Indiana - October 19

The Flicks Theater - Boise, Idaho - October 21

City High School - Iowa City, Iowa - October 22

Western Illinois University - Macomb, Illinois - October 24

Vermont International Film Festival - Burlington, Vermont - October 23, 25, 28

The Fleur Cinema - Des Moines, Iowa - October 30 through Nov. 5 (Weeklong screening)

Cedar Lee Theater - Cleveland Heights, Ohio - November 3

St. John Lutheran Church - Newhall, Iowa - November 8

Auburn Public Theater - Auburn, New York - November 22

More dates to come soon...

To learn more about Upcoming Screenings visit the BillSackter.com website at: http://www.billsackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

Several New Screenings of "A Friend Indeed"

2009-09-08T15:40:00.018-05:00

Over the past month, I have been starting the process of booking screenings in independent movie theaters across the country. Please check back frequently at http://www.billsackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html to see added dates.

Upcoming Confirmed Screenings

Times Cinema - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Sept 17

OFS Documentary Film Festival - Olympia Washington - Sept. 20

Iowa City Senior Center - Iowa City, Iowa - Sept. 21

Music Box Theatre - Chicago, Illinois - October 14

IndieFest! 09 - Celebration, Florida - October 18 & 23

The Flicks - Boise, Idaho - October 21

City High School - Iowa City - October 22

Western Illinois University - Macomb, Illinois - October 24

Vermont International Film Festival - South Burlington, Vermont - Oct. 25 & 27

The Fleur Cinema - Weeklong Theatrical Run - Des Moines, Iowa - October 30 through November 5

St. John Lutheran Church - Newhall, Iowa - November 1

The Arc of Greater Cleveland - Cleveland, Ohio - November 3

Auburn Public Theater - Auburn, New York - November 22

-More dates to come soon-

(for full details, go to: http://www.billsackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html)

"A Friend Indeed" is an incredible experience with an audience in a theatrical environment, and I encourage all of you to come to these events in your area and also bring a friend, co-worker, family member, etc. - Bring a friend to "A Friend Indeed"!

Des Moines Screening of "A Friend Indeed"

2009-08-03T12:03:00.004-05:00

"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" will be screening this Thursday August 6 (at 7 p.m.) at the classic Fleur Cinema & Cafe (4545 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa). Tickets are just $8 at the door.

Enjoy this inspirational documentary, and meet Filmmaker Lane Wyrick who will host a Q&A after the screening. Also, the newly release Deluxe Edition DVD will be available at the theater for a reduced price.

For more information on this and other upcoming screenings, please go to: http://www.BillSackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

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In other news:

-"A Friend Indeed" was winner of the "Best Documentary" award at the Iowa Independent Film Festival. Lane Wyrick attended this three day festival in Clear Lake, Iowa where the documentary was screened twice to an enthusiastic crowd (there was no "Audience Award" available at the festival, so this was the top award available).

-A Chicago screening is being planned at The Music Box Theatre in October. Other screenings will soon be set up for many locations, so please check out the BillSackter.com website to keep updated.

-You may purchase the Deluxe Edition (Home Use) DVD at http://www.billsackter.com/BuyTheDVD.html

-If you would like to set up a Filmmaker Screening in your community, please call Lane Wyrick toll free at 1-877-852-9485 for more details.

Two new screenings of "A Friend indeed"

2009-07-10T00:46:00.005-05:00

See "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" this Saturday July 11 (2 p.m.) at the New Strand Theater in West Liberty, Iowa. The documentary was recently voted the #1 Audience Favorite at the New Strand Film Festival, and was invited back for this special screening.

With an outstanding projection system, "A Friend Indeed" looked and sounded its very best on this independently run screen that shows many Hollywood films. Lane Wyrick will be present and give a Q&A, and will be selling the DVDs at a discounted price after the screening. Tickets for the event are just $5.

"A Friend Indeed" will also be screened at the Iowa Independent Film Festival on Saturday July 18 at 2 p.m. and Sunday July 19 at 4 p.m. (awards ceremony is Saturday at 9 p.m.).

The festival takes place in Clear Lake Iowa, and Lane Wyrick will also be at the festival (and have discounted DVDs available).

You can find out details on these and other Upcoming Screening at http://www.billsackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

Don't miss these two great opportunities to see "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story".

You may also purchase the DVD at http://www.billsackter.com/BuyTheDVD.html

"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" Now Available on DVD

2009-06-13T17:03:00.020-05:00

For immediate release

Winner of the Audience Favorite Award in 5 Film Festivals already (the Kansas International Film Festival, Hardacre Film Festival, Omaha Film Festival, Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival, and the New Strand Film Festival), “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” has just been released worldwide on DVD and is available and shipping now at www.BillSackter.com.

It’s an inspiring new feature-length documentary by award-winning filmmaker Lane Wyrick, showing how a forgotten man and an uncommon friendship shattered the world’s perceptions of people with disabilities, and it's been captivating audiences with its humor, emotion, and powerful message of human compassion!

The Deluxe Edition DVD Includes:

The Full Award-Winning Documentary "A Friend Indeed"

plus

An Insightful Director’s Commentary Track

Additional Footage of Bill & Friends

New Interviews, Deleted Scenes, & Audio recordings

The World Premiere Event at Hancher Auditorium

Behind the Scenes Orchestra Recording in Seattle

Theatrical Trailer, Biographical Information

...and much more.

WITH OVER 2 HOURS OF ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

IT IS A “MUST HAVE” DVD FOR YOUR COLLECTION!

Click here to find out more & order your DVD(s) today!

The Background: At the age of 7, Bill Sackter was institutionalized for mild mental retardation, and wouldn't be released from Faribault Institution in Minnesota for another 44 years.

But his friendship with college student Barry Morrow (who met Bill in Minneapolis and became his legal guardian to keep Bill out of the institution), would lead to Bill's meteoric rise as an international hero for people with disabilities, as the optimistic harmonica-playing proprietor of Wild Bill's Coffee Shop on the University of Iowa Campus in Iowa City.

Bill Sackter’s life story was made famous by the highly successful made-for-tv movie “Bill” (1981) starring Mickey Rooney as Bill Sackter, and Dennis Quaid as young filmmaker Barry Morrow.

This new feature-length documentary “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” uses the actual film and video footage and photographs of the real Bill Sackter taken by Morrow and others, along with new interviews with the people closest to Bill.

“A Friend Indeed” was created by Iowa City Filmmaker Lane Wyrick over a 7 year time period, and premiered at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City last June to an audience of nearly 1200, where it received a standing ovation and much critical acclaim.

“I think the reason audiences have embraced ‘A Friend Indeed’ is because it is not only highly inspirational and very funny, but it also allows viewers to look beyond Bill’s disabilities and care for him as a human being,” Wyrick said. “It’s a fulfilling emotional experience that people will remember for a long time. A box of Kleenex is highly recommended!”

The documentary features a very moving full orchestral music score, created by Hollywood-trained composer Peter Bloesch (also of Iowa City). Wyrick and Bloesch closely collaborated throughout the entire process to make the music integral to the emotional storyline, and recorded the soundtrack at Seattle Music, well-known for their movie scores for major Hollywood productions.

The DVD is now available exclusively at www.BillSackter.com, where you can also find extensive information about “A Friend Indeed” and Bill Sackter, and even view the first 4 minutes of the documentary.

This Deluxe Edition DVD includes full 90-minute documentary, a director’s commentary, and over two hours of ‘extra’ footage, including additional film & video footage of Bill and friends, insightful interviews, audio recordings, as well as footage from the Hancher Premiere and behind-the-scenes at the orchestra recording in Seattle.

The DVD release comes at the same time that the documentary is picking up steam theatrically. Fresh off a nearly packed screening at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis (where nearly 200 DVDs were sold after the screening on the first night of it's release), Wyrick plans on offering the DVD to a worldwide audience to help spread the story more quickly and work hand in hand to promote more theatrical screenings, and to offer everyone an enhanced experience on DVD, and an opportunity to share “A Friend Indeed” with friends and family.

For more information, please visit www.BillSackter.com.

"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" DVD Now Available for Pre-Order

2009-04-16T22:53:00.037-05:00

The Home Use DVD for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" is being finalized at this very moment and will be shipping on May 21st.

Don't miss your chance to be the first to receive your copy of this powerful, inspiring and emotional documentary that has been voted the "#1 Audience Favorite" in four film festivals already.

You can now Pre-Order your DVD(s) today

The Home Use DVD Includes:

The Full Award-Winning Documentary "A Friend Indeed"

plus

An Insightful Director’s Commentary Track

Additional Footage of Bill & Friends

New Interviews, Deleted Scenes, & Audio recordings

The World Premiere Event at Hancher Auditorium

Behind the Scenes Orchestra Recording in Seattle

Theatrical Trailer, Biographical Information

...and much more.

WITH OVER 2 HOURS OF ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

IT IS A “MUST HAVE” DVD FOR YOUR COLLECTION!

Click here to find out more & order your DVD(s) today!

Make sure to check out our
Buy 2 Get 1 Free Pre-Order Special!

Please visit www.BillSackter.com for more information

“A Friend Indeed” Gaining Momentum

2009-04-11T18:16:00.060-05:00

Here are highlights of the many new things that have happened with “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” since the last blog update in late January (see details below).

1) Voted #1 Audience Favorite In 2 More Festivals!

2) The Home Use DVD Is Nearly Complete

3) Bill Sackter Day Screening This Monday
4) Arc of US to Publish Nat'l Article about Documentary
5) New Video Clips on BillSackter.com Website
6) Photo of Bill’s Father, Sam Sackter, Discovered
7) Now You Can Bring “A Friend Indeed” To Your Town
8) Major Screening Event in Minneapolis on June 8

Voted #1 Audience Favorite At Two More Festivals

In late February, “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” was screened in the Omaha Film Festival which was held in a brand new theater complex – The Great Escape Theaters – in Omaha, Nebraska.

"A Friend Indeed" voted #1 Audience Favorite
at the Omaha Film Festival

Drawing a wide audience for both screenings, from avid festival-goers to families with people with disabilities, “A Friend Indeed” was voted the “#1 Audience Favorite” of the Omaha Film Festival, and as part of the prize was given a third screening immediately following the awards ceremony.

Then in early April, “A Friend Indeed” was voted the “#1 Audience Favorite” and won “Best Documentary” in the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival. This festival, featuring indies to Hollywood films was held at the Collins Road Theaters.

Lane Wyrick receiving #1 Audience Favorite Award from Scott
Chrisman at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival

The documentary received a standing ovation at both the screening and the awards ceremony.

"A Friend Indeed" has now been voted the "#1 Audience Favorite" in 4 festivals (Kansas Internat'l Film Festival, Hardacre Film Festival, Omaha Film Festival, and the Cedar Rapids Indep. Film Festival).

You can read about the festivals and other screenings at: http://www.BillSackter.com/Previous_Screenings.html

Home Use DVD Nearly Complete

Over the past few weeks, I have been going through all the additional film and video footage and photographs that accumulated over the course of creating the documentary.

When I was in the middle of editing the documentary I had amassed over 50 hours of source material, and further on in the process I had edited the documentary down to 11 hours of really great usable material!

Of course the final documentary is 90 minutes, so I will have lots of this wonderful and insightful "additional material" as extras on the Home Use DVD, which will add a considerable new dimension to the whole experience of "A Friend Indeed".

Along with the full documentary, the DVD for "A Friend Indeed"
will also have over 2 hours of bonus material

Here are some of the features of the soon-to-be-released Home Use DVD: The full award-winning documentary, an insightful Director’s commentary track, lots of additional footage of Bill & friends, new interviews, deleted scenes & audio recordings, the World Premiere Event at Hancher Auditorium, behind the scenes footage at the orchestra recording session in Seattle, theatrical trailer, biographical information, and more…

With over two hours of additional material it is going to be a “must have” DVD for your collection and will add a lot to the experience of “A Friend Indeed”. For more information, go to: http://www.BillSackter.com/BuyTheDVD.html

*** AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE VERY SOON ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE HOME USE DVD ***

Bill Sackter Day Screening This Monday

Monday April 13 is the annual Bill Sackter Day celebration, held to commemorate Bill’s birthday.

There will be a special event sponsored by the University of Iowa School of Social Work which includes a celebration at Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop at 3 p.m. in North Hall, and then at 6:30 p.m. a screening of “A Friend Indeed” will be held in room W151 in the Pappajohn Business Building. The screening is free and open to the public.

Go to http://www.BillSackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html for more details.

Arc of the US to Publish National Article About Documentary

Last November, “A Friend Indeed” was screened at the Arc’s National Convention in Albuquerque, NM. The Arc has nearly 800 Chapters across the US, serving people and families with disabilities.

Lane Wyrick was speaker and screened "A Friend Indeed"
at The Arc's National Convention

Now the Arc of the US is featuring the documentary in an upcoming article in “Insight Magazine” that goes out to 100,000 Arc members across the country. The article will be published later in April, and will be the first publication to give “A Friend Indeed” national recognition.

If you know of publications that would like to review the documentary please email me with your ideas at Lane@BillSackter.com

New Video Clips on BillSackter.com Website

There have been many updates and improvements to the BillSackter.com website. Most notably along with the 3 minute trailer, there are three new videos: “See the first 4 minutes of ‘A Friend Indeed’”, “The Audience Reaction at the World Premiere”, and “Lane Wyrick’s Bio”.

If you haven’t stopped by the website lately (http://www.BillSackter.com), please watch these videos, especially the “First Four Minutes” which is on the main page just after you enter the site.

Website owners: I’ve also posted embed codes so that you can feel free to post these videos on your website as well to help spread the word. You can find the embed codes at: http://www.BillSackter.com/Press_and_Promotional_Tools.html

Photo of Bill's Father, Sam Sackter, Discovered

Bill Sackter touched many lives, and it’s been an incredible adventure for me to find undiscovered material and find new people that had experiences with Bill. For instance, at recent screenings I’ve met with people that worked at the preschool in North Hall, people from Faribault Institution that remember Bill, and several people that rode with Bill on the Iowa City bus.

The other great discovery has been to make a connection with relatives of Bill – Bill’s sister Alice had descendants who just recently realized that Bill Sackter didn’t die when he was 7 years old as was the family story, but actually got out of the institution to live a wonderful life in his final years.

Stanley Leff (Alice’s son) recently sent me this previously unseen photo of Bill’s father, Sam Sackter.

I also shared with his family an audio letter that Jack Doepke recorded with Bill that was intended to get to Alice Leff in the mid-70s.

I’m looking forward to sharing the documentary with all of Bill’s relatives in the upcoming weeks and enjoy uncovering any new photos or stories about Bill.

If you have photos or stories related to Bill, please email me at Lane@BillSackter.com .

Or if you would like to share your Bill stories with everyone right now, please feel free to post them on the “Guestbook” at: http://www.BillSackter.com/Bills_Guestbook.html

Now You Can Bring "A Friend Indeed" To Your Town

There are several ways in which you can bring the award-winning documentary "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" to your town.

By hosting a Filmmaker Presentation and Screening, or by purchasing a Public Screening Site License, your organization can share this powerful documentary with your entire community make a huge impact on the perception of people with disabilities. You may also help to bring "A Friend Indeed" to your local independent movie theater as well.

Lane Wyrick Hosting a Filmmaker Screening
and Presentation at St. Olaf College

Go to: http://www.BillSackter.com/Filmmaker_and_Public_Screenings.html for an explanation of some of these concepts, and please call Lane Wyrick toll-free at 1-877-852-9485 to discuss possible options that would work best for your situation.

Major Screening Event In Minneapolis on June 8

A very big screening event will be held at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis on June 8. It’s being called the “Minneapolis Launch of ‘A Friend Indeed’”, and much like the World Premiere last summer, this event will feature many guests including Barry Morrow, Lane Wyrick, Jack Doepke, Tom Walz and more.

This is going to be a wonderful event, with a Q&A afterwards, a chance for everyone to visit with people from the documentary and that knew Bill, and a Home Use DVD signing. Tickets will be $8.

June 8 - Major Screening at Riverview Theater in Minneapolis

More information, as it becomes available will be posted at: http://www.BillSackter.com/Upcoming_Screenings.html

Thanks to all of you who are interested in “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story”, and please help get the word out by telling people you know to visit the website: http://www.BillSackter.com

Take care and have a Happy Easter!

All the best,

Lane Wyrick, director/editor
“A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story”

"A Friend Indeed" - Numerous Updates

2009-01-24T20:46:00.037-06:00

There are many exciting developments with "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" since the last blog in mid-December. Here are the headlines, read below for the full stories -

1) "Screen the Documentary Yourself"

2) Incredible event: Bill Documentary Screening & 20th Anniv. of Rain Man

3) New Bill Documentary Facebook Fan Site

4) Photo Of Bill Sackter At Age 7 Discovered

5) Upcoming Screenings - Fairfield Film Expo & Omaha Film Festival

6) Sign Up For Bill DVD Notification

Screen the Documentary Yourself!

You may now purchase a Public Screening License for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" and have an unlimited number of screenings for your organization.

If you are interested in bringing this inspiring new documentary to your area, please read the details here on how you can purchase a Permanent Public Screening Site License for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story".

You may either host the screenings yourself, or encourage local organizations to become screeners of the documentary and bring this heartwarming and inspirational documentary to your town. Or you may also help by encouraging your independent local movie theater to bring the documentary to your town.

Bill Documentary Screening & 20th Anniv. Celebration of Rain Man

On January 17th, I travelled to Salt Lake City to be part of a truly amazing event. Created by a true savant artist Stephen Carnegie, the celebration featured the screening of "A Friend Indeed" and a celebration of the real Rain Man, Kim Peek at the Salt Lake City Library, where Kim spends every day reading book after book.

Fran & Kim Peek, Barry Morrow, Stephen Carnegie, Lane Wyrick

The event had many connections, and everything interrelated. First off, I was introduced by Kelly Rooney (Mickey Rooney's daughter), as she recalled when her father first presented his character portrayal of Bill for her, shortly after he learned he was cast for the lead role in the television movie "Bill" (1981), written by Barry Morrow.

Lane Wyrick & Kelly Rooney (Mickey's daughter)

I came to the stage and introduced the screening of "A Friend Indeed", my documentary about the real Bill Sackter, which played to a very enthusiastic audience.

After the screening, I fielded some questions, and was proud to introduce special guests Barry & Bev Morrow.

Barry of course was Bill Sackter's legal guardian and he and Bev with their very kind and generous spirit, took Bill into their home to keep Bill from going back to the institution. Barry originally wanted to create a documentary, but ended up writing a screenplay of their uncommon friendship that would become the award-winning television drama "Bill" (1981) with Mickey Rooney (I completed the documentary "A Friend Indeed" 35 years after Barry first met Bill and began filming their relationship).

Then after lunch, the celebration of the real Rain Man, Kim Peek, began.

Here's the background: a couple of years after Bill had passed away, Barry Morrow was at an Arc convention when he was met by a man who started to recite phone numbers to him.

To his amazement, Barry realized that this man Kim Peek had some incredible talents, but had been misdiagnosed as just mentally retarded and written off by everyone.

What Barry discovered was that Kim had memorized nearly 14,000 books word for word after reading them just once! When he was 8 years old, Kim Peek read the Bible once, and can recite every passage verbatim!

Kim can read a book with his left eye reading the left page and right eye reading the right page at the same time, and in just a few seconds! And he has full retention of everything that he reads!

Barry was determined to bring Kim's story to light, and so he wrote the screenplay "Rain Man", which turned into the Hollywood film starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Dustin came to meet Kim and modeled much of his character portrayal on Kim's mannerisms. I had the great fortune to meet Kim and his father Fran for the first time.

Stephen Carnegie, the creator of this event, with Lane Wyrick

The creator of this event, Stephen Carnegie, is a savant himself, who has undergone great tragedy in his life but has brought himself up from mental illness and homelessness over the past 16 years to put together this inspiring event. He can create photo-realistic drawings amazingly fast using both hands at the same time, and is creating a children's book series based on many of the people that were part of this event.

There were many different people who Stephen brought to stage for the celebration. One of them was Nick Scott who was paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident.

Nick bounced back from the tragedy and became a weightlifter, and has become so strong that he is now able to squeeze his abdominal muscles so tight that he is able to get up off his wheelchair and walk across stage with great effort! He did this to the tune of Josh Grobin's "Lift Me Up" to a thunderous standing ovation.

Faith Ecklund was also paralyzed and was told she may not ever speak again, and she came out and sang beautifully!

Then Kelly Rooney took the stage and surprised everyone with a phone call from her father Mickey Rooney who congratulated Barry Morrow and Kim Peek on this wonderful day. I introduced Barry Morrow, and he brought Kim & Fran Peek to the stage.

Kim Peek, Barry Morrow, and Fran Peek (Kim's father)

This whole event was very inspiring for me, and it was a real testament to people overcoming incredible odds in their lives to strive to great heights. I received a lot of praise for the Bill Sackter documentary, and it was amazing how the whole event was interconnected, and ultimately honored the real people behind Barry's "Bill" and "Rain Man" screenplays.

I'm hoping to see the footage of the celebration that was videotaped in High-Definition by Michael Wunsch and the great group at Outpost Worldwide, and hopefully will get a chance to post it at BillSackter.com, because it really was a life-changing event for me.

New Facebook Fan Site for Bill Documentary

If you enjoy Facebook like millions of us out there, you now can join the Facebook Fan Site for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story".

Please go to this site and click on "Become a Fan". Be sure to check out the Discussion Board, as there are topics that you can post to, like "I met the real Bill Sackter" or "I saw the Bill tv movie", etc. Or you can post a Review if you have seen the documentary.

I will be working on this site more, and add more fun postings as I learn more about Facebook, so please become a fan today!

Photo Of Bill Sackter At Age 7 Discovered

Last summer, there was a remarkable discovery by a woman named Karen Leff. She was doing her geneology, and knew that her grandmother Alice Leff had a brother named Bill Sackter, but she had been told that he died when he was 7 years old. She put Bill Sackter into a search engine and up came my website www.BillSackter.com.

She emailed me and told me that she was very excited at this new discovery, but sad that she never knew that Bill was alive and missed the opportunity to meet him. She even saw the "Bill" tv movie with Mickey Rooney and was deeply moved, but had no idea it was about her great uncle!

Anyway, I told her that seeing "A Friend Indeed" will give her the next best opportunity to get to really know Bill Sackter, and she and other family members are excited to see the documentary.

A week ago she emailed me this photo of Bill Sackter when he was about 7 years old! I was amazed at how similar he looked to the actor, Mason DeGrazia, that we had portray him in the opening of the documentary! I'm looking forward to screening the documentary for Karen and the rest of her family.

Upcoming Screenings

"A Friend Indeed" will be screened 3 times at the Fairfield Film Expo in Fairfield, Iowa. Friday February 6 at 7 p.m., Saturday February 7 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Lane Wyrick will attend all the screenings, and will speak at 2:30 p.m. Saturday after the 1 p.m. screening.

It will also be playing at the Omaha Film Festival in Nebraska on Friday February 27 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday February 28 at 5:30 p.m. Lane Wyrick will also attend these two screenings.

For more details and to see what future screenings are coming, please go to Upcoming Screenings at the BillSackter.com website.

The creation of the Bill documentary "Home Use" DVD is underway, and will feature the award-winning documentary, plus tons of extra footage, photos, interviews, director's commentary, and much more.

The release date is not set yet, and depends on a number of factors, but if you would like to know when it is ready for purchase, please go to the Buy The DVD link and sign up for DVD release notification, so you will be the first to know by email that it is available.

If you are not already receiving these blog entries in your email, please sign up for the Email List.

"Take care and I hope you get a chance to see "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" soon." - Lane Wyrick

Screenings & More - "A Friend Indeed" Update

2008-12-18T23:53:00.003-06:00

Since the last blog post about the Bill Sackter documentary, there have been important screenings and the "Public Screening" version of the documentary is now available -

The Englert Theater Screening

"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" had a three day screening at the Englert Theater in Iowa City on October 1, 4, & 5.

Lane Wyrick attended all three screenings with Q&A afterwards, and Tom Walz also provided insight to the appreciative crowd. There were several people that were in the documentary that were able to see "A Friend Indeed" for the first time.

Citizen Advocates shows Bill documentary

On October 16, Wyrick presented the documentary to Citizen Advocates of Washington County, in West Bend, Wisconsin. Mark Brunner, President of Citizen Advocates had planned the screening for several months, which was held during their annual meeting and recognition banquet at West Bend - A Mutual Insurance Company's brand new conference facilities.

Projected simultaneously on two screens, the documentary was especially relevant, as the mission of Citizen Advocates is to find people in the community to be partnered with a person with disabilities, and the story of Barry and Bill resonated with the audience. Brunner was so pleased with the way that the documentary communicated the purposes of their organization, that he has already planned for another screening on March 28, 2009 where Wyrick will again be present to screen the film.

The Arc's National Convention in Albuquerque

Wyrick flew to Albuquerque to present the documentary to The Arc's National Convention on November 6. This is the largest Arc meeting held annually, and Wyrick spoke and presented "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" in its entirety.

People from Arc organizations from around the country heard about the documentary for the first time, and it gave new meaning to their "National Bill Sackter Award" which was presented the following evening...now they know the real Bill Sackter.

This national event also marked the beginning of the availability of the documentary for Public Screenings and Filmmaker Presentations.

Wyrick also met with Geraldo Rivera who was giving the keynote address for the convention. While Rivera had to leave before the documentary presentation, Wyrick was able to give him a copy of the Bill Sackter DVD...maybe sometime he will see it with encouragement from someone out there who has seen the documentary and knows Geraldo. : )

The DVD creation is beginning...

It is now mid-December, and I am starting the process of gathering the vast amount of extra footage/deleted scenes, photos, and a huge variety of material that will be on the DVD (along with the award-winning documentary).

This DVD will be completed in the future - the date is not set, but if you would like to be notified when the DVD is released, please go to the Buy The DVD link at the BillSackter.com website.

Upcoming Screenings

There will be a very special screening of "A Friend Indeed" in Salt Lake City on January 17, which will also commemorate the 20th Anniversary of "Rain Man". Both Wyrick and Barry Morrow (who wrote the screenplay for "Rain Man", and was Bill Sackter's legal guardian) will be at the event. Also, the event will honor Kim Peek, who Barry modeled the character that Dustin Hoffman played in the movie.

Also, on January 7, there will be a screening at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

To see what future screenings are coming, please go to Upcoming Screenings at the BillSackter.com website.

If you are not already receiving these blog entries in your email, please sign up for the Email List.

Major Updates – “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story”

2008-09-29T22:10:00.011-05:00

Here are the highlights of WHAT'S NEW with the Bill Sackter documentary (read below for the full stories) -

1) Upcoming Screenings – Englert Theater in Iowa City on October 1, 4, & 5

2) Bill Documentary gets standing ovation and voted “#1 Audience Favorite” at Kansas International Film Festival

3) Winner of “Best Documentary”, “Best Iowa Film” and voted “#1 Audience Favorite” at Hardacre Film Festival

4) Bill Documentary screens where it all began, at the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis

Upcoming Englert Theater Screenings

“A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” will be screening on Oct. 1, 4, & 5 (Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday) at the historic Englert Civic Theater in Iowa City. All screenings start at 7:30 p.m. – after brief introductions, the 90 minute documentary will be shown, followed by Q&A with Director/Editor Lane Wyrick.

Come see what critics and audiences alike are calling “A Must See Film”, in this emotional true life documentary on events that happened right here in Iowa City.

Tickets are just $10 and are available at the Englert Box Office (221 E. Washington Street), by phone 319-688-2653, or online through www.Englert.org.

You may purchase tickets on the night of the event. (Part of the proceeds will go to the Extend the Dream Foundation, an organization that employs and empowers people with disabilities.)

Kansas International Film Festival

On September 23, “A Friend Indeed” screened at the Kansas International Film Festival, and received a standing ovation. This highly competitive festival featured world class documentaries and top notch independent and Hollywood films. It was given the top festival award as it was voted the “#1 Audience Favorite” of the entire festival. Lane Wyrick attended the festival and hosted a Q&A after the screening.

KIFF #1 Audience Favorite

"A Friend Indeed" was honored with the Audience Award trophy and will also receive a one-week theatrical screening at the Glenwood Arts Theater in Overland Park, Kansas, from Friday Oct. 3 through Thursday Oct. 9. For ticket and show time information, please visit www.FineArtsGroup.com or call 913-642-4404.

It also received some great festival press:

"Watching this movie made me a better person...It's a story of redemption and uplift that immerses us in a gentle soul's very personal world. I guarantee you will find yourself bawling." --- Bob Butler - Kansas City Star Newspaper

"There were few dry eyes in the house at the conclusion of the screening. Lane Wyrick has demonstrated a special gift in revealing Bill's life so completely, and the world needs this film." Rating 5 stars (out of 5) --- Deborah Ground Buckner, ANEVibe.com

Hardacre Film Festival

At the 2008 Hardacre Film Festival on August 2, “A Friend Indeed” was winner of “Best Documentary”, “Best Iowa Film” and it was voted the “#1 Audience Favorite” of the festival.

This competitive festival in Tipton, Iowa is the longest running film festival in the state, and it featured documentary and narrative productions from around the world.

In a review of the Bill Sackter documentary, Hardacre Festival Director Travis Alden said “It’s a documentary that’s just super-well-done. It’s very moving, very emotional. I’m not embarrassed to say it brought me to tears. It really renews your positive outlook toward the human spirit.”

Minikahda Club Screening

On September 28, “A Friend Indeed” played at a very special venue – the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, in the very room where Barry Morrow first met Bill Sackter 37 years ago.

Back in 1971, Bill Sackter was a pot scrubber at the Minikahda Club, and Barry’s wife Beverly was a cocktail waitress at the club. At a staff Christmas party, Barry finally met Bill in main ballroom at the Minikahda Club in Minneapolis. After that meeting, Barry and Bill quickly became good friends and thus began the real life story that would garner national attention, two award winning tv movies, and now the real life documentary “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story”.

Lane Wyrick at Minikahda Club

It was a very successful screening and in attendance were many club members and staff of the Minikahda Club, as well as several people that were in the documentary, including Barry Morrow, Jack Doepke, Dawn D’Hanson, and Steve Buetow, and Lane Wyrick.

...On a sad note, two weeks ago one of the people that worked with Bill back in the 70’s who we interviewed for the documentary was tragically killed in a hit and run accident when he was riding his bicycle to work. Jimmy Nisser had worked at the Club since he was 18 years old. Fortunately we had interviewed him for the documentary and showed this footage before the screening, and presented Jimmy’s sister with a DVD of the footage, which captures his personality and warmth. The driver of the vehicle has still not been found.

- - -

For more information please visit www.BillSackter.com and please sign up for our email list if you haven't already.

All the best,

Lane Wyrick

Hancher Premiere a Big Success - Next Stop Hardacre

2008-07-28T12:24:00.014-05:00

On June 7, 2008 the World Premiere of “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” was held at Iowa City’s main entertainment venue Hancher Auditorium.

Hancher Auditorium - World Premiere

Audience of 1175

This was the first public screening ever of the completed feature-length documentary, and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive, with a crowd of 1175 people that filled the entire main level and spilled into the balcony.

The documentary received a standing ovation, and many people commented later about being surprised by the wide ranging emotional content of the production, from very funny high points to deeply serious moments that brought tears to the eyes of many, but overall leaving people with a highly uplifting feeling about Bill Sackter and the people that helped him.

Lane Wyrick & Barry Morrow

Following the screening, there was a Q&A session with filmmaker Lane Wyrick, Academy Award Winning Screenwriter Barry Morrow (who was Bill’s legal guardian), Music Composer Peter Bloesch, and Jack Doepke (one of Bill’s & Barry’s best friends).

Reception in Hancher Lobby

Following the Q&A, there was a reception in the lobby of Hancher, sponsored by the Univ. of Iowa School of Social Work, allowing cast members, contributors, many friends of Bill, and those that were new to the story to mingle.

This wonderful evening was was the last event to be held in Hancher for some time – three days later it had to be evacuated and then it sustained $13 million damage from the Floods of ’08. Fortunately the Premiere event was videotaped, and will soon be posted on the Bill Sackter Documentary Website at www.BillSackter.com .

Next Stop, Hardacre Film Festival

On Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 9 p.m. the Festival Premiere of “A Friend Indeed – The Bill Sackter Story” will be held at the Hardacre Film Festival in Tipton, Iowa.

Already gaining a significant amount of festival buzz, the documentary was chosen as the finale screening for the entire film festival.

Festival Director Travis Alden, in an interview with the Quad Cities Times had this to say about the documentary: “It’s a documentary that’s just super-well-done. It’s very moving, very emotional. I’m not embarrassed to say it brought me to tears,” he said. “It really renews your positive outlook toward the human spirit.”

There is more information about the Hardacre Film Festival at: www.HardacreFilmFestival.com. Tickets are available for the Closing Evening Show, and there will be Q&A with filmmaker Lane Wyrick after the 9 p.m. screening.

This festival is a competition, and awards will be announced immediately following the screening.

I hope to see you at the festival! - Lane

It's finally here - the World Premiere

2008-04-29T20:49:00.002-05:00

You're invited to:
The World Premiere of
"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story"
Saturday June 7, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City

$10 General Admission
For reservations call 1-800-HANCHER
For online tickets or more information visit http://www.BillSackter.com

Hi Everyone,

I'm pleased to announce that my feature-length documentary "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" will be having its World Premiere on Saturday June 7, 2008 at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City.

This World Premiere will be especially meaningful since June will mark the 25th anniversary since Bill's passing (here in Iowa City). Now after 25 years, the world will finally get to know the real Bill Sackter! Barry and Bev Morrow will fly in from California for the premiere, and many other people that were close friends of Bill will be there as well.

It is going to be a very special night, with a screening of the feature-length documentary (90 minutes), followed by Q&A with the filmmaker (me), as well as Barry Morrow and others. Then there will be a reception in the lobby where you can meet the people involved with the documentary, as well as many friends of Bill that will be back in Iowa City, the community where Bill came to live and thrive.

I encourage you to order your tickets now (before it's too late) by calling Hancher or visiting the website - www.BillSackter.com. Hancher Auditorium is an incredible venue to have the World Premiere of this inspiring documentary, so I hope you can make it to the event!

All the best,

Lane Wyrick, director/editor
A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story
www.BillSackter.com

Bill Sackter Documentary Blog - Welcome!

2008-02-19T13:25:00.002-06:00

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the official blog for "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" a new feature length documentary about the real Bill Sackter. This new blog can be found and read on the web at http://billsackter.blogspot.com.

Bill's Story:

Abandoned in an institution for 44 years, Bill Sackter would never see his family again. Forgotten and alone, his life changed through the help and friendship of a young college student, Barry Morrow and several other caring individuals.

With a harmonica, a warm cup of coffee, and an incredible embrace of life, Bill transformed from a neglected individual into a national hero for the disability community.

An inspiring real-life documentary about hope, compassion, and the power of friendship.

Bill Sackter first meets
young Barry Morrow (1972)

The Documentary Begins

I am a documentary filmmaker, and back in 2001 I was premiering my half-hour documentary "The Nazi Drawings" at the Directors Guild Theater in Los Angeles.

There, I was approached by Barry Morrow (Academy Award "Rain Man" Screenplay), who was intimately involved with Bill Sackter's life with the opportunity to edit some footage taken of him giving a standup performance talking about his life with Bill Sackter.

Many of the events in Bill and Barry's life took place in Iowa City where I live, so it afforded me the opportunity to get to know the major players in Bill's life. One of them was Tom Walz who directed the Univ. of Iowa School of Social Work and gave Bill a job at a coffee shop.

Bill Sackter and Barry Morrow

Working with Tom and Barry, I realized there was an incredible amount of source material (photographs, film and video footage of Bill), and learned of the powerful and heartwarming story behind Bill's life. I soon realized this would make a great feature length documentary.

Over the past 7 years, I did a huge amount of research on Bill's life, and created a 33 page outline of every article, fact, tidbit, etc. Along the way I made many great discoveries: an audio cassette recording of Bill's funeral, hours of Super 8 film and video footage taken by Barry Morrow of Bill, and all the while I videotaped hours of interviews with all of the people closest to Bill including some people that no one knew were around.

After hundreds of hours of editing, several test screenings, and continuous refinements of the final production, I can now say that the documentary is complete. "A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story" is a 90 minute production that is like an emotional roller coaster, with very funny scenes, powerful serious emotion and ultimately a very inspiring message of the power of human compassion.

Currently I am planning a screening in Iowa City this summer (2008) that will either serve as the World Premiere or at least the Iowa Premiere (if it were to Premiere in a major festival before that date).

The Official Blog

This blog will chronicle the major events that will happen over the next few months with the documentary, like premiere screenings, film festivals, television broadcast, DVD availability, as well as many other topics.

Official Poster for Documentary

If you are receiving this message by email, then you are already subscribed to the Bill Documentary email list.

If you came directly to this site, then I encourage you to sign up for the email list using the form at the top right of the Blogger screen, or you can also subscribe at the official website of the documentary www.BillSackter.com (just select the "Email List" tab). This way you will receive the blog updates.

Also, the reason I ask for your State (and Country) on the email list signup is so that I can get an indication of the demographic spread and make sure to target an email to you if there will be any screenings in your area.

In the meantime, if you have any comments, suggestions, ideas for screening venues in your area, or anything else, please leave your comments below, or email me at Lane@BillSackter.com.

Take care and have a great week!

All the best,

Lane Wyrick, Director/Editor
"A Friend Indeed - The Bill Sackter Story"
www.BillSackter.com

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