Mixer Music and More

Dear Ms. Mix,

Last Friday, I gave the keynote address at the University of California, San Francisco ceremony at which honorary degrees were bestowed on Nisei students whose education was interrupted because of the concentration camps. Because I mentioned your mother in my speech, I thought you might be interested in reading it.

I hope this email finds you as well as can be expected and that you are finding your work on documenting your mother’s kindness and courage exhilarating and deeply satisfying.

Pat Hayashi

What a wonderful, beautiful day!

I have the honor of speaking to the UC community on behalf of the Japanese American community.

I also have the honor of speaking to the Nisei who are being honored today on behalf of their children and grandchildren…

… At Gila River, 15-year-old Ruth Mix lied about her age, so she could help out in the camp hospital. There, she and other workers smuggled in medical supplies, sanitary napkins, clothing, shoes – anything to help.

You told us about their acts of kindness and courage. But you never talked about your own.

But, now your stories are being told…

Claire Mix’s documentary entitled “Gila River and Mama: The Ruth Mix Story”, which focuses on her mother and grandmother’s experience in a Japanese-American internment camp, will be completed by the end of December 2009. The premiere will be on or around February 19, which is the Day of Remembrance. Please check back to the blog for any further changes or updates.

Meanwhile…

Because of the positive reception of “The Barnsley Nightingale”, Claire is in the process of finishing another KidVid Digital entitled “Grampa’s Chair”. This video features the song Claire wrote about her father and how all of her students loved to play in his electric wheelchair. Featured soloist is Sean Warrick. Music arranged by his father, J.D. Warrick. You can hear more of J.D.’s musical arrangements at jdwarrick.com

Claire is in the preliminary stages of illustrating her children’s book entitled “Polly Sue Potts and her Magnificent Kite Flight”. This KidVid Digital is of a larger scale production and will be available to view in Spring 2010. It will be narrated by Delta Pick Mello, colorization by Chris Winner, and musical arrangements by J.D. Warrick and Jeremy Johnson. To see a preview of this up and coming project, head to the mixerkids.com and click on Coming Attractions.

Sunday March 29 was the final shoot of the re-enactment for the documentary. Claire re-created a day in the life of an internee.

Over 40 people were involved in the shoot, adults and children alike. It was another very emotional day for everyone since many of the actors had parents or grandparents who were previously interned.

Special thanks Ben Ferrer, Charles Klass, and Delta Mello. A special thanks to Kiyomi for being an excellent translator.

photo by jdwarrick

click to view more production photos

We have just posted a copy of the Sacramento station KCRA’s “Comon Ground” segment about the Making of the Gila River documentary, which aired Sept. 22nd.

The video can be viewed online at
http://ruthmix.clairemix.com/

February 6th marked another successful day of shooting for the documentary.

Cast and crew worked together from 8AM to 8PM without one complaint. Kudos to Clara Mello and Talon Akira for freezing their toes off with a smile on that cold, wet morning shoot.

The elementary school children were remarkable and again brought Claire to tears when she saw them dressed in 1940 clothing. Claire was most impressed with the Franklin High School teenagers and how quickly they picked up the ability to swing dance. Again Sweet Girl, Jo-Jo, and Claire created fun mischief.

High schooler Josephine Phung was named director for one take, she did an impressive job.

And a big congratulations to Delta Mello for her exquisite costumes, and her artistic designing for the sets and props.

Special thanks to B.J. Santucci, J.D. Warrick, Akemi Wong, Peter Lao, Diane Steiner, and a big huge thank you to Joseph Sims Elementary School for allowing us to use their facility.

We appreicate KCRA Channel 3 news for their showing up for a feature news presentation.

Hats off to Ben Ferrer (Director of Photography), Lamar Cox, Colin, and Executive Producer Charles Class.

ARIGATO!!!

click to view more production photos