» Bill Cowell, Founder of The Buffalo Niagara
Film Festival is proud to announce a victorious
return for #2.
Bill pledges that this will be a spectacular 2nd year with large events and big
surprises to be talked about for years to come. Enjoyment to all, and to all
an enjoyable plight. See you soon.
The Gas Station is a 12 minute
documentary about an Italian American family's
68 year history as an independent gas station
in Niagara Falls, New York. The film follows
the family as they work , eat and laugh together
in the process of providing a place in the community
for people to come together.
PRODUCTION
NOTES "Food Gas and Coffee"
During the pre- production I had discussed with
the crew that I did not want to make a film
with the stereotypical Italian family eating,
drinking and eating pasta. After the second
day of filming I knew I was in danger of breaking
that deal as I had already filmed 3 eating scenes
and had over 8 references on the tape of eating,
drinking or was even being offered food directly
on camera while I was filming. Several minutes
of tape during the lunch scene were cut out
as concern grew from my Aunt and Uncle that
my second camera operator had not eaten. We
finally had to abandon filming, as this lack
of eating was being looked upon as an insult
to my Aunt's cooking. With only 3 days to film
and visit with my Aunt, the camera was laid
to rest as my Aunt's feelings were more important
than the film. She is happy with the final project
but may be more happy that I ate while on my
visit home.
