Ray & Judy Schmitt open “Eagles Nest” for film programs
Ray Schmitt with Morgan Spurlock at 2005 Sutton WV Filmmakers FF
Ray and Judy Schmitt have invested in some video projection equipment so they can show films at their farm in Mathias, Hardy County. They have been producing great films for decades, traveling around the state and region to show them. In July they opened up their own place so they can show their own films and others. In July they started by showing their two newest Sutton films, “For the Love of Theater,” “Beautiful You” and a work in progress, “Open for Business.” On August 18th they screened the finished version of their magnus opus, “Six Months” and “Big Jim Calvin” (which I plan on showing at The South Charleston Museum in 2008.)Check out his five new films at his website, Real Earth Productions. He is now working on several films including one he calls “Dead Girl Walking” about singer-songwriter Marcy Brenner who is a cancer survivor living and performing in Ocracoke, NC. You can contact him at rschmitt@hardynet.com to book a space at his micro-cinema or find out more about the Schmitt’s great films. His telephone number is (304) 897-6961. His address is - 2701 Crab Run Road, Mathias, WV 26812.The Schmitts have held an annual Oktoberfest on their farm which is one of the high points of the local social season. (When I visited the Schmitts on my way to Shepherdstown one year, the waitress at the local restaurant wanted to make sure she was invited.) Here is a description of their film -
The Oktoberfest Gathering
95 minutes 2005
For over 30 years filmmakers Ray and Judy Schmitt have been hosting an Oktoberfest Gathering at their farm in Mathias, WV. The idea originated in 1974 when the Schmitt’s wanted to thank friends who helped them convert an old sheep barn into a weekend getaway. Their friends invited other friends and when the children grew up and went away to college, many of them continued coming back each year. People camp out for as many as 5 days in the meadow and the gatherings are highlighted by a potluck BBQ supper and bluegrass and acoustic jam sessions lasting late into the night. In 2004 folks came from as far away as Washington State, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and DC, as well as many local West Virginians. The 2004 Oktoberfest Gathering was celebrated with a “lawn concert” on a hay wagon and commemorative T-shirts. Many fine musicians participated in this event which was recorded live. The documentary also contains archival film and still photos from previous years. Access: Real Earth Productions
I have encouraged other WV filmmakers to exhibit their own films and other WV films in their area but few have done so. B.J. Gudmundsson screened films for several years at The Carnegie Museum in Lewisburg but stopped because of lack of attendance. I would really like Morgantown filmmakers,Huntington filmmakers, Elkins’ filmmakers, and all of them to start their own programs like the Schmitts have. From 1978-97 as director of Film Services I helped WV’s 97 main libraries program films, mainly using our 16 mm film collection. Ideally, all WV public libraries would have their own micro-cinemas like the Lascaux in Buckhannon, setting up first rate digital projection.
The Eagle’s Nest
