- The short film will premiere on December 26, 2020. Its gripping teaser first debuted in July to good reactions especially for the steamy scenes it showcased. Watch the trailer.
- World premiere of 'The Two of Us'Amanda (Zoey Moses) and Sophia (Marlies Bell) have been consummating their love in an isolated cabin in the desert for quite.
On December 12th at 8 pm, we will hold a Facebook watch party and share the film Who Killed Hazel Drew – The Murder that Inspired Twin Peaks. This has been a labor of love production been three years in the making. This film will bring you back to Troy and Sand Lake NY at a time before women had a right to vote and strict victorian society rules were crumbling.
I hope you'll join the cast and crew for this watch party and the Q&A session immediately afterward. Admittance will be given to anyone who purchases a DVD, Blu-ray disc, or Event Pass. Please support the arts and this independent film project. Ordering and price information below.
My first plunge into uncovering the Hazel Drew / Laura Palmer connection came by way of a podcast by Mark Givens.
In this Givens shares his discovery of Laura Palmer's origin story, mentioning that Twin Peaks, Co-Creator, Mark Frost referenced the murder of a young woman named Hazel as the inspiration for Laura Palmer. This took place during the 2013, Twin Peaks Series Retrospective at the University of Southern California.
A film's premiere is an invite-only red carpet event featuring the cast, filmmakers and invited press and is typically not open to the public. A premiere is not to be confused with the film's opening date (aka the release date) - the opening date.
He said It was a memory, a memory he revisited when he returned to Sand Lake New York to research the unsolved murder of a beautiful, blonde, farm girl named Hazel Drew.
*I've embedded the podcast episode at the bottom of this page.
Hazel Drew was murdered on July 7th, 1908.
She was last seen walking up a Taborton Mountain wagon road, dressed for a special occasion. It was over ninety degrees.
My ancestors lived just off that wagon road and if what I was hearing was true the woman floating in Mark Frost's memory was found face down in a pond less than a mile from my home. Holy shit was my first thought and my second thought was documentary.
Mark Frost found and evidence shows that Hazel Drew was living a double life. Hazel had left her family farm six years ago for employment in the wealthy city of Troy NY. At the time of her death, Hazel was telling her friends one version of her life and living out a secret more exciting version
Her family, employer, and her best friend all said she was seeing no one. Personal records told a different story. Traveling and wearing expensive fashion, Hazel was living a life far beyond what her salary would allow.
Film Premiere Ordering Information Below
Hazel was a domestic servant who according to numerous accounts caught the attention of almost every man around her.
Luckily or maybe unlucky for Hazel this was the turn of the century, and victorian woman were giving way to what is now called the 'New Woman.'
Shaped in part by the popularity of the Gibson Girl. The New Woman represented an active and more independent lifestyle. Many Gibson Girl illustrations also conveyed a promise of romantic love powerful enough to transcend the boundaries of Victorian class structures.
This was the Cinderella dream, but tragically Hazel's fairy tale life didn't end with a prince, it ended with her body floating in a remote Sand Lake Pond.
Dead for at least five days, Hazel was dressed in custom-made clothing, indicating a special occasion. From the letters found by detectives in Hazel's trunk, it was clear that she was living a double life.
But why, what was she hiding?
Why the need to be so secretive?
On Wednesday, December 9th everyone who purchases a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or online premiere ticket will be granted access to a small collection of select interview clips and 1908 newspaper articles that will provide significant insight into what Hazel was navigating and why she made the choices she did.
I hope you'll join us for the Film Premiere and treat yourself to a cold case, a deep-dive investigation that begins in Victorian Troy NY.
For $35 you'll get the December 12th online 'Film Premiere Event' as well as your choice of either a Blu-ray disc or DVD. Keep in mind Blu-ray discs playback high-definition video and you will need a Blu-ray player.
Got a Question? – Click Here.
More About the Film & Filmmaking
Who Killed Hazel Drew is a 96-minute feature film that follows a group of smart and motivated citizen detectives as they piece together the 100-year-old crime from newspapers, conversations with decedents, and by retracing Hazel's steps. 1t ssd external hard drive.
I weave this footage with expert interviews and historical reenactments designed to bring the era and Hazel to life.
I can assure you this not a typical documentary. This film moves as it uncovers important new information and a brand new and very credible suspect. If you read Ron Hughes's book you'll see that we now have a few more missing pieces to the complex Hazel Drew puzzle.
Old Film Premiere Pro
This has been a passion project of mine since 2017. Filmmakers call them passion projects because independent films don't make profits. Hell, we're extremely lucky to make our investments back. I only say this because the 'Film Premiere' costs thirty-five dollars. A lot for a 'movie' but peanuts for a customized experience. For less than the price of a good dinner for one, you'll be engaged with a one of a kind story. This is a capital region project and I employed over one hundred local artists. So you'll be supporting the arts. Artists make every nickel work like a dollar. We need believers like you 🙂
Besides, you're be going to love this film and you'll have so much to talk about with others who watch it with you. If you're from the Capital Region it's full of local lore. If you're a Twin Peaks fan it's the Laura Palmer, 'Origin Story' and if you're a True Crime addict prepare to roll up your sleeves.
Be well and happy holidays. I hope to see you soon!
John Holser
Viewing Cost & Budget Information
This project is self-financed by myself and my wife, along with some help from a handful of sponsors and some DVD pre-sales. As it stands now the budget comes in just under $150,000. I've hired a lot of local actors, contractors, and vendors. Most all of them worked for deferred pay or at a fraction of their full rate. Thank god they did or we'd be over a half million – easy! God bless the believers.
Hi, John Holser here to announce that after three years and a half years of dedicated work 'Who Killed Hazel Drew' is ready for a limited local release! As the film's director no one is happier about this than I am. Well, maybe my wife Beth Ann is. Her support has been amazing and I'm sure she's looking forward to having me available for a backlog of domestic duties. No more slacker excuses 🙂
Who Killed Hazel Drew is a passion project that has allowed me to speak with some incredibly interesting and knowledgeable people concerning the investigation as well as social concerns of the time. I've edited the footage from these interviews in a way that focuses on the important relationship between powerful people in Troy NY and their influence on rural farm communities surrounding what was at the time one of the wealthiest cities in the nation. As you'll see this seemingly symbiotic relationship is behind many of the bad choices Hazel Drew made.
You'll not only learn of new and important investigative discoveries surrounding Hazel's double life but through the historic reenactment scenes, you'll get a rare chance to experience Rensselaer county in its glory through Hazel's eyes. I'm obviously biased but I believe we did a great job of bringing history alive. We certainly worked hard at it.
Why a Limited Local Release?
What Is A Movie Premiere
Many independent films spend a year completing the film festival circuit, and if things go well another year or more after signing a national and international distribution deal. I know many filmmakers who've temporarily lost viewing rights to their own films for over three years.
I'm not willing to go that route. I have too many local supporters who were itching to see this film now. I joke with my filmmaker friends saying 'I don't think I'd be safe at the local grocery store if this film got tied up in the dysfunctional distribution system. It would at least be very embarrassing – for sure.
A limited local release allows me to share the film with a limited number of people for a limited time without infringing on future, national or international deals. Hopefully, these deals will manifest after and or during the film festival circuit. That's the next phase.
And There's More!
As cheesy as that saying is I couldn't resist!
Rensselaer County's Role in America's Industrial Revolution
You'll also get access to the upcoming release of 'Rennselaer County's Role in America's Industrial Revolution.' A look back at how Rennselaer county's unique properties made it possible for men like Henry Burden to become the Bill Gates of his day.
While interviewing historians and scholars for Who Killed Hazel Drew, I collected some incredible insights into just how instrumental Rensselaer County waterways were key to industry growth and the region's prosperity. These interviews, old photos, and the drone footage will be used to create an educational video I will distribute this for free to local schools and libraries.
We live in a historically rich region yet many of us don't know just how important this area was to America's growth. I went to school here in Averill Park and don't remember learning any of this. If I did, I don't remember, which is very possible indeed.
Adobe premiere 1991. The bottom line is, I've learned so much from these historians and I have to share it.
Csveditorpro2 4 18 – csv editor and exporter. I promise this video will intrigue viewers of every age throughout America. If you're a local resident you'll be amazed! This footage will be combined with never before seen photos and drone footage.
Your purchase is not only a vote of support, but it's a signal that you value local history, the arts, and the entrepreneurial spirit. We hired a lot of local people. Most everyone worked for deferred pay or at a fraction of their full rate. Thank god they did. We couldn't have done it without their sacrifice.
I promise. This is a film you'll want to watch with family and friends for years to come. It's a one-of-a-kind film, filled with local history interviews and never before seen photos setting the stage for a tremendously compelling murder mystery.
Us Movie Premiere
The Offer
She was last seen walking up a Taborton Mountain wagon road, dressed for a special occasion. It was over ninety degrees.
My ancestors lived just off that wagon road and if what I was hearing was true the woman floating in Mark Frost's memory was found face down in a pond less than a mile from my home. Holy shit was my first thought and my second thought was documentary.
Mark Frost found and evidence shows that Hazel Drew was living a double life. Hazel had left her family farm six years ago for employment in the wealthy city of Troy NY. At the time of her death, Hazel was telling her friends one version of her life and living out a secret more exciting version
Her family, employer, and her best friend all said she was seeing no one. Personal records told a different story. Traveling and wearing expensive fashion, Hazel was living a life far beyond what her salary would allow.
Film Premiere Ordering Information Below
Hazel was a domestic servant who according to numerous accounts caught the attention of almost every man around her.
Luckily or maybe unlucky for Hazel this was the turn of the century, and victorian woman were giving way to what is now called the 'New Woman.'
Shaped in part by the popularity of the Gibson Girl. The New Woman represented an active and more independent lifestyle. Many Gibson Girl illustrations also conveyed a promise of romantic love powerful enough to transcend the boundaries of Victorian class structures.
This was the Cinderella dream, but tragically Hazel's fairy tale life didn't end with a prince, it ended with her body floating in a remote Sand Lake Pond.
Dead for at least five days, Hazel was dressed in custom-made clothing, indicating a special occasion. From the letters found by detectives in Hazel's trunk, it was clear that she was living a double life.
But why, what was she hiding?
Why the need to be so secretive?
On Wednesday, December 9th everyone who purchases a DVD, Blu-ray disk, or online premiere ticket will be granted access to a small collection of select interview clips and 1908 newspaper articles that will provide significant insight into what Hazel was navigating and why she made the choices she did.
I hope you'll join us for the Film Premiere and treat yourself to a cold case, a deep-dive investigation that begins in Victorian Troy NY.
For $35 you'll get the December 12th online 'Film Premiere Event' as well as your choice of either a Blu-ray disc or DVD. Keep in mind Blu-ray discs playback high-definition video and you will need a Blu-ray player.
Got a Question? – Click Here.
More About the Film & Filmmaking
Who Killed Hazel Drew is a 96-minute feature film that follows a group of smart and motivated citizen detectives as they piece together the 100-year-old crime from newspapers, conversations with decedents, and by retracing Hazel's steps. 1t ssd external hard drive.
I weave this footage with expert interviews and historical reenactments designed to bring the era and Hazel to life.
I can assure you this not a typical documentary. This film moves as it uncovers important new information and a brand new and very credible suspect. If you read Ron Hughes's book you'll see that we now have a few more missing pieces to the complex Hazel Drew puzzle.
Old Film Premiere Pro
This has been a passion project of mine since 2017. Filmmakers call them passion projects because independent films don't make profits. Hell, we're extremely lucky to make our investments back. I only say this because the 'Film Premiere' costs thirty-five dollars. A lot for a 'movie' but peanuts for a customized experience. For less than the price of a good dinner for one, you'll be engaged with a one of a kind story. This is a capital region project and I employed over one hundred local artists. So you'll be supporting the arts. Artists make every nickel work like a dollar. We need believers like you 🙂
Besides, you're be going to love this film and you'll have so much to talk about with others who watch it with you. If you're from the Capital Region it's full of local lore. If you're a Twin Peaks fan it's the Laura Palmer, 'Origin Story' and if you're a True Crime addict prepare to roll up your sleeves.
Be well and happy holidays. I hope to see you soon!
John Holser
Viewing Cost & Budget Information
This project is self-financed by myself and my wife, along with some help from a handful of sponsors and some DVD pre-sales. As it stands now the budget comes in just under $150,000. I've hired a lot of local actors, contractors, and vendors. Most all of them worked for deferred pay or at a fraction of their full rate. Thank god they did or we'd be over a half million – easy! God bless the believers.
Hi, John Holser here to announce that after three years and a half years of dedicated work 'Who Killed Hazel Drew' is ready for a limited local release! As the film's director no one is happier about this than I am. Well, maybe my wife Beth Ann is. Her support has been amazing and I'm sure she's looking forward to having me available for a backlog of domestic duties. No more slacker excuses 🙂
Who Killed Hazel Drew is a passion project that has allowed me to speak with some incredibly interesting and knowledgeable people concerning the investigation as well as social concerns of the time. I've edited the footage from these interviews in a way that focuses on the important relationship between powerful people in Troy NY and their influence on rural farm communities surrounding what was at the time one of the wealthiest cities in the nation. As you'll see this seemingly symbiotic relationship is behind many of the bad choices Hazel Drew made.
You'll not only learn of new and important investigative discoveries surrounding Hazel's double life but through the historic reenactment scenes, you'll get a rare chance to experience Rensselaer county in its glory through Hazel's eyes. I'm obviously biased but I believe we did a great job of bringing history alive. We certainly worked hard at it.
Why a Limited Local Release?
What Is A Movie Premiere
Many independent films spend a year completing the film festival circuit, and if things go well another year or more after signing a national and international distribution deal. I know many filmmakers who've temporarily lost viewing rights to their own films for over three years.
I'm not willing to go that route. I have too many local supporters who were itching to see this film now. I joke with my filmmaker friends saying 'I don't think I'd be safe at the local grocery store if this film got tied up in the dysfunctional distribution system. It would at least be very embarrassing – for sure.
A limited local release allows me to share the film with a limited number of people for a limited time without infringing on future, national or international deals. Hopefully, these deals will manifest after and or during the film festival circuit. That's the next phase.
And There's More!
As cheesy as that saying is I couldn't resist!
Rensselaer County's Role in America's Industrial Revolution
You'll also get access to the upcoming release of 'Rennselaer County's Role in America's Industrial Revolution.' A look back at how Rennselaer county's unique properties made it possible for men like Henry Burden to become the Bill Gates of his day.
While interviewing historians and scholars for Who Killed Hazel Drew, I collected some incredible insights into just how instrumental Rensselaer County waterways were key to industry growth and the region's prosperity. These interviews, old photos, and the drone footage will be used to create an educational video I will distribute this for free to local schools and libraries.
We live in a historically rich region yet many of us don't know just how important this area was to America's growth. I went to school here in Averill Park and don't remember learning any of this. If I did, I don't remember, which is very possible indeed.
Adobe premiere 1991. The bottom line is, I've learned so much from these historians and I have to share it.
Csveditorpro2 4 18 – csv editor and exporter. I promise this video will intrigue viewers of every age throughout America. If you're a local resident you'll be amazed! This footage will be combined with never before seen photos and drone footage.
Your purchase is not only a vote of support, but it's a signal that you value local history, the arts, and the entrepreneurial spirit. We hired a lot of local people. Most everyone worked for deferred pay or at a fraction of their full rate. Thank god they did. We couldn't have done it without their sacrifice.
I promise. This is a film you'll want to watch with family and friends for years to come. It's a one-of-a-kind film, filled with local history interviews and never before seen photos setting the stage for a tremendously compelling murder mystery.
Us Movie Premiere
The Offer
Your purchase also includes a donation that will support the creation of an educational video that highlights 'Rensselaer County's Role in America's Industrial Revolution.' With your help, I'll be providing this for free to local schools and libraries. So here's the deal. For $35 you get the live online December 12th 'Film Premiere Event' as well as your choice of either a Blu-ray disc or DVD. Keep in mind Blu-ray discs playback high-definition video and you will need a Blu-ray player.
https://coolxfile467.weebly.com/xml-validatorbuddy-keygen-crack.html. I promise. This is a film you'll want to watch with family and friends for years to come. It's a one-of-a-kind film, filled with local history interviews and never before seen photos setting the stage for a tremendously compelling murder mystery.
I've marked what I consider to be some of the highlights of this interview.14:30 – 2013 USC Twin Peaks Retrospective. Mark Frost makes the connection to a murder and a ghost story his grandmother told him and his brother.18:38 – Excerpt from Brad Duke's book 'Reflections'. Mark Frost goes deeper into the Hazel Drew murder, the location, and the time period of the murder. He ends this excerpt by saying 'that obviously had a lot to do with how Laura came into our lives.
