Chatter Box- Cornhusker Hero won Best Documentary Film Award in the 4th Season of MP Film Award Donnie Dodge Director, Writer & Producer of the Film Chatter Box- Cornhusker Hero agree to interview with us.
Donnie Dodge: Professional Firefighter and Amateur Film Maker. Background in radio production and an unstoppable need to find stories that have fallen through the cracks of time have lead me to so many great stories.
About the Film: Synopsis: Chatter Box- Cornhusker Hero Film Synopsis:
Bob Chatt found himself behind the controls of a B-25 Bomber in the South Pacific in 1943. Just meters below was the Bismark Sea and ahead was 1500 tons of Japanese Destroyer. A nose to nose showdown between The Arashio and Chatter Box would begin the turn for America in World War two.
What was your drive behind making this film?
Donnie Dodge: A chance meeting at a local bar in small town Nebraska gave me the basics of my subjects story. The name of that bar Chatter Box Brews. The Owner said,”I named it after my Grandfather, he was a pilot in WW2 and he sunk a boat.”. That was the extent of her input to the story, I needed to know more.
How you feel when you are awarded with the MP FILM AWARD Award?
Donnie Dodge: I was honored to win the award for Bob and my crew which was the Narrator (my Wife) Jessica Dol and myself.
Can you tell us about the greatest moment during shooting this film?
Donnie Dodge: The day I found the News Reel and the hand drawn documents from Bob during the Battle. After months of research, there they were…the missing pieces of the puzzle.
How rigorously did you stick to the script while shooting?
Donnie Dodge: I try and include every little detail that I can find, my wife is my script editor and makes the films so much better with her talents of “Getting to the point.”.
Where there any onset problems During the filming of the film & how did you deal with it?
Donnie Dodge: The process went very smoothly, no real issues.
Do you have any advice for young filmmaker out there? Or like yourself?
Donnie Dodge: Make sure there is a need to tell the story, then dive down the rabbit hole of research. When you think you’ve found enough, give yourself another week- there is always more out there.
Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
Donnie Dodge: I have had some success locally and a little with online festivals, the networking from such an experience of a school could be very helpful.
Which film has inspired you the most?
Donnie Dodge: Any biographical Documentary is right in my wheelhouse.
Which particular film maker has influenced you the most?
Donnie Dodge: I am a huge Ken Burns fan
If you got the opportunity to go back in time & change something in any particular movie of yours, then which movie & what changes will you opt for?
Donnie Dodge: Chatter Box- I’d add a little more information about the base and training. Maybe more about their living conditions.
If you were to shoot the film again, what would you do differently?
Donnie Dodge: Nothing.
What is your greatest achievement till date?
Donnie Dodge: Chatter Box Screening at the Las Vegas Int. Film Festival in 2019. Also, my film was the centerpiece of Bob Chatt’s Hometown Veterans Day Program.
How do you pick yourself up after a failed film?
Donnie Dodge: I do the stories for me and for the people the story is about. No matter what, saving their story from being lost is never a failure. Did it make money, no, do more people know what an American Hero Bob Chatt was, YES. That is all a WIN for me.
Where our viewers can catch you (share your social media)?
Donnie Dodge: Dodgewell.com
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