World Premiere Tickets

Keith Cox called from L.A. yesterday.  He wanted to make sure we had received our tickets to the World Premiere of “History and the Oysters” – the final episode of his documentary series, “Willapa Bay Oysters.”  Talk about feeling like a celebrity!  It’s not every day that a film producer calls in person.  And certainly not about our attendance at a World Premiere!!

The answer was “Yes, tickets received!”  And we intend to be at the Raymond Theater at the appointed time two weeks from today.  Keith said that the theater is “sold out” and he thinks it will be the largest gathering ever of folks in the oyster industry here in Willapa Bay.

Not that Nyel and I are in the oyster industry.  My grandfather and great-grandfather were, but I hardly think that counts.  We are being included because Keith did a video interview with me several years ago concerning the industry’s early days here.  I guess some of that footage actually survived the cutting room floor and will appear in the film.  Scary.

The last time I saw myself in a documentary (which also happened to be about oysters) was the first television airing of “The Oystermen” on the Oregon Public Broadcasting “History Detectives” series.  That was some time back but every once in a while I hear from someone who has just seen it.  I think it’s one of those things they drag out during Pledge Month.  I cringe to think that it is still being shown.  I did not think it was my finest hour.

So, I haven’t much hope for my appearance in this World Premiere episode, either.   I have never seen myself on “the big screen” and I’m thinking that perhaps I should take a tranquilizer or something beforehand.  I have to say, though, that in the earlier episodes that I’ve seen on my old-fashioned, seventeen-inch TV screen, people I know have looked great.  Keith has a great eye and shows everything about oysters – including the people of the industry – in the best light possible.  So to speak.

His point in making this seven-disc series has been “to capture the stories and history of the oyster industry on Willapa Bay in Washington State.”  It has been a huge project – begun in 2010 as I remember – and, even though this showing of the last episode is only two weeks away, final production of some of the other episodes is still in progress.

In addition to the by-invitation-only World Premiere two weeks from today, there will be a Community Premiere, also at the Raymond Theater, on the following day, Sunday, September 1^st at 3:30 P.M.  I understand that tickets are still available and can be purchased at any of the pharmacies around the bay.