FILMMAKERS ON THE MOVE
Two primary areas the filmmakers are working together are in Sand Mountain, Alabama and Tuscany, Italy. The screenwriters are in the "throws of research" in both locations. With the support of Jimmy Segars and having Jim Gromer, a Navy Special Forces veteran the ability to ensure military protocol is mandated. As a team, we will honor the United States and her Allies in a respectful way, coupled with our true understanding of the Partisans in Italy during the second world war. OUR TEAM Co-Producer Stephanie Musser is the project manager working with the Executive Producers to bring this film to screen. Larry Owsley, Scott Buzzell, Jag Gholson, Miller Bargeron, Lynn McAfee and the veteran film team are all praying for financiers, the right distribution strategy and creative insights during the early days of the process. Stay tuned for much more... Our project manager is surrounding Lorretta Segars with all the tools needed in her arsenal to make this dream a reality. Thank you for your support and we also want to recognize VERITAS MISSION FILM ASSOCIATION for their support in creating materials for our audiences. 
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HOW THIS MIRACLE BEGAN
When authors dream of becoming filmmakers, they believe there is something very magical about bringing a true story to life in the world of cinema. Lorretta Segars had a vision for making this true story into a full length feature film and maybe more. Her family rallied around her inspiration. Lorretta met with her family because of her belief for many years that this story was unique. While some might have thought she was seeing this through the lens of "rose colored glasses", she believed and had faith. Her family had the same vision too and now, they are in the film making business with VERITAS MISSION FILM ASSOCIATION and production company GRP FILMS. By creating a historical fiction feature film based on the true love story of her parents, the book was written entitled SAND IN TUSCANY. This has now inspired the creation of the documentary. In this process, she extended to the filmmakers the total creative license to take a historically true war story and wrap around this beautiful love story for the ages. After much deliberation and in the very true recognition of a promise made to her mother, the full decision to make this movie based on a true story was completed and the documentary has begun. In the Bible it says, "All things are possible to them who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose". The film team of VMFA & GRP Films and non profit ministry of Veritas Mission Film Association, are now partnering together with the Segars family to do the impossible in telling her parent's amazing story. A film requires people of vision, of wealth, and finding people who believe in the United States Military. Thankfully, we have many patriots in America and this foundation of positive movies continues to be growing. Great WWII films recently released like Hacksaw Ridge, Unbroken, Dunkirk and Darkest Hours are paving a way for a new group of WWII enthusiasts. Lorretta's husband, Jimmy Segars served as in Vietnam. He was a decorated, recipient of the purple heart through combat whose bravery impacted the film copmany. Jimmy believes and has led their entire family to act on faith for this film. He recently said, "This story combines both the Allied Forces and the patriotism of the Partisans from Italy and this combination is powerful." The Segars' family invites you to become a part of this historic project of love and war. The first group of people our team has been meeting with, are from the state of Alabama, a region rich in patriotism, God and freedom. Financiers are being sought here. Being moved by the impact of the Chuck Norris endorsed film, LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE, Lorretta and her family are now calling people from the Military, former veterans, corporate executives and folks who simply still believe in hard work and character to join them in this crusade of valor to make this movie. Films standing for freedom are growing in our nation and storytellers like the Segars family are calling each one of us to join us in making this movie hit the silver screen. KEVIN & LORRETTA A formidable team of creative energy is surrounding the author and film director to make SAND IN TUSCANY the special project for the future. Keep them in your prayers. 
Many people are getting involved with SAND IN TUSCANY as preparations come closer to finishing a screenplay. The primary goal in Italy was to follow the path of Loretta's father as a GI with the WWII troops from Anzio Beach "up the boot" through Florence and eventually ending in the capture of Mussolini in Donga, Italy. This intersects with Rosanna, who found love when her eyes met his for the first time beginning a love at first site.
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SAND MOUNTAIN ALABAMA - DREAM RANCH FILM SHOOT
Film Shot in June 2018
What happened when the Segars family gathered on Sand Mountain, was nothing less than supernatural. Family members met with the GRP Film team for the purpose of collecting invaluable insights related to what truly happened with Fred and Rossanna in Italy in the mid-nineteen forties when they connected. Speaking from the charismatic spirit of a 94 years of age gentleman, the love union was reborn all over again when Fred and his family had the real opportunity to share their unique memories decades earlier.
Co-Producers, Director of Photography, Producers and screenwriters captured and listened with a true sense of destiny from family members sharing important background data for a full length feature film. After the filming was over, there was one unaminous vote to somehow consider a feature documentary from these amazing findings. GRP believes in this creative approach too.
DREAM RANCH near Sand Mountain was indeed the perfect first location for multiple filming options to begin this journey.
Not all family members were present, but on the horizon, GRP will revisit these "sands" soon. Italy was the second focus in story discovery beginning at Anzio Beach, Rome, Cassiono, Florence, Montacatini, Pisa, Camogli and Donga, Italy.
Film Shot in June 2018
What happened when the Segars family gathered on Sand Mountain, was nothing less than supernatural. Family members met with the GRP Film team for the purpose of collecting invaluable insights related to what truly happened with Fred and Rossanna in Italy in the mid-nineteen forties when they connected. Speaking from the charismatic spirit of a 94 years of age gentleman, the love union was reborn all over again when Fred and his family had the real opportunity to share their unique memories decades earlier.
Co-Producers, Director of Photography, Producers and screenwriters captured and listened with a true sense of destiny from family members sharing important background data for a full length feature film. After the filming was over, there was one unaminous vote to somehow consider a feature documentary from these amazing findings. GRP believes in this creative approach too.
DREAM RANCH near Sand Mountain was indeed the perfect first location for multiple filming options to begin this journey.
Not all family members were present, but on the horizon, GRP will revisit these "sands" soon. Italy was the second focus in story discovery beginning at Anzio Beach, Rome, Cassiono, Florence, Montacatini, Pisa, Camogli and Donga, Italy.
ITALY FILM SCOUT - ANZIO BEACH, NETTUNO to ROME
Filming Began July 2018
Filming Began July 2018
There are some famous BATTLE MUSEUMS and Italy Based WAR MUSEUMS worth visiting in Anzio Beach, Italy. In story discovery the GRP Film team traveled and what was found was not only moving, but an important historical part of history which has been largely forgotten.
The Italians and the Allied Forces from all over the world came together to stop the tyranny of Adolph Hitler and the Italian Dictator in Mussolini. However, this would not have happened in the Italian theater, outside of the Partisan patriots who used the typewriter, intelligence gathering and military intelligence providing essential documentation for victory, when the enemy had the entire group outnumbered.
These brave soldiers are heralded in these national and international gravesites and will never be forgotten at Anzio and around the world for there bravery, courage and sacrifice.
The Italians and the Allied Forces from all over the world came together to stop the tyranny of Adolph Hitler and the Italian Dictator in Mussolini. However, this would not have happened in the Italian theater, outside of the Partisan patriots who used the typewriter, intelligence gathering and military intelligence providing essential documentation for victory, when the enemy had the entire group outnumbered.
These brave soldiers are heralded in these national and international gravesites and will never be forgotten at Anzio and around the world for there bravery, courage and sacrifice.
Leading the creative strategy are founder of GRP Films Dr. Kevin McAfee and founder of Cross Training, Jim Gromer, a veteran of Desert Storm. These two men focusing on the screenplay followed the path used in war from the Allied forces from Anzio Beach up the boot of Northern Italy to the capture of Mussolini in Donga. Their primary focus in visiting the military areas where the WWII combat sacrifices were made brought first hand the home of where Rosanna Ferreti and her family would meet Fred for the first time and fall in love. Historical statistics, family memories and documentation provided necessary data for the story.
ROME TO FLORENCE - MONTECATINI TERME
THE HOME OF THE FERRETTI FAMILY
It was essential to go to Anzio Beach and discover the Italian cemetery gifted to the Allied Forces from many countries in helping to liberate Italy from the cruel dictator during their "Civil War". A beautiful cemetary inside Anzio Beach not far from the Beachhead Museum was breath-taking and our GRP film team covered the hallowed grounds with a spirit of reverence.
The film team were honored to recognize the fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Historically, the big surprise was the second "hallowed grounds" we discovered, the BATTLE MONUMENTS CEMETERY and special museum honoring the WWII sacrifices where thousands of men from the United States are buried. The photographs moved all of us to tears and we knew, this film was getting much bigger than just a motion picture, but a historical documentary also
honoring the "Blue Devils". The 88th held a major anchor to the victory in Italy.
This brave "all draftee" fighting unit has never been fully recognized in cinema, until now. This is thanks to the courage of an English teacher whose mother and father met during the most horrific war in the back yard of the Ferretti family, where Rosanna grew up. This was just the beginning of a littany of story discoveries while in Italy.
The team left Rome heading to Florence where for two days where we would "hub" for the purpose of truly seeing the home of the Ferretti family, which is literally a suburb of Montecatini, Italy. Borgo A Buggiano. What we would find there, astounded us on a number of levels from the personal side and the Italian theater side for the Allied troops.
Fred Camp was blown up while under heavy fire and was buried alive in a horrible explosion which killed innocent victims and brave soldiers. He was dug out by the bulldozers of the 313th and they saved his life. He was awarded the Purple Heart and taken to a hotel, but the question remained, exactly where was this place? Lorretta and Fred worked from across the pond to help the team as half a dozen hotels were investigated until we found the prize.
Literally, we found the very hotel Fred was brought to after almost seventy years,
THE GRANDE ALBERGO or GRANDE HOTEL & LA PACE was made into the army hospital where Fred was taken.
What is remarkable is the discovery process involved Lorretta Segars, Lynn McAfee, Jim Gromer and the "blood hound" team serving the story. Kevin McAfee shared, "This was a miracle and only God could have written this story here in Montecatini in the mid 1940's and it come full circle in the summer of 2018.
Fred Camp was more than a sergeant, he was a hero and while he never spoke of his battle encounters (in the same spirit as his other band of brothers), Fred was very articulate about meeting the only the love of his life whom he would marry in war, Rossana Feretti.
THE HOME OF THE FERRETTI FAMILY
It was essential to go to Anzio Beach and discover the Italian cemetery gifted to the Allied Forces from many countries in helping to liberate Italy from the cruel dictator during their "Civil War". A beautiful cemetary inside Anzio Beach not far from the Beachhead Museum was breath-taking and our GRP film team covered the hallowed grounds with a spirit of reverence.
The film team were honored to recognize the fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Historically, the big surprise was the second "hallowed grounds" we discovered, the BATTLE MONUMENTS CEMETERY and special museum honoring the WWII sacrifices where thousands of men from the United States are buried. The photographs moved all of us to tears and we knew, this film was getting much bigger than just a motion picture, but a historical documentary also
honoring the "Blue Devils". The 88th held a major anchor to the victory in Italy.
This brave "all draftee" fighting unit has never been fully recognized in cinema, until now. This is thanks to the courage of an English teacher whose mother and father met during the most horrific war in the back yard of the Ferretti family, where Rosanna grew up. This was just the beginning of a littany of story discoveries while in Italy.
The team left Rome heading to Florence where for two days where we would "hub" for the purpose of truly seeing the home of the Ferretti family, which is literally a suburb of Montecatini, Italy. Borgo A Buggiano. What we would find there, astounded us on a number of levels from the personal side and the Italian theater side for the Allied troops.
Fred Camp was blown up while under heavy fire and was buried alive in a horrible explosion which killed innocent victims and brave soldiers. He was dug out by the bulldozers of the 313th and they saved his life. He was awarded the Purple Heart and taken to a hotel, but the question remained, exactly where was this place? Lorretta and Fred worked from across the pond to help the team as half a dozen hotels were investigated until we found the prize.
Literally, we found the very hotel Fred was brought to after almost seventy years,
THE GRANDE ALBERGO or GRANDE HOTEL & LA PACE was made into the army hospital where Fred was taken.
What is remarkable is the discovery process involved Lorretta Segars, Lynn McAfee, Jim Gromer and the "blood hound" team serving the story. Kevin McAfee shared, "This was a miracle and only God could have written this story here in Montecatini in the mid 1940's and it come full circle in the summer of 2018.
Fred Camp was more than a sergeant, he was a hero and while he never spoke of his battle encounters (in the same spirit as his other band of brothers), Fred was very articulate about meeting the only the love of his life whom he would marry in war, Rossana Feretti.
Near the top of the mountain overlooking Montecatini and Borgo, an incline reaches the Montecatini Alto. It's heralded incline marks many milestones for the Italian people. Like every incline, there is a history captured in each train ride to the top of the mountain overlooking the cities in one direction and the famous Po River Valley in the other direction.
The military set up camp during the war in Montecatini Terme for operations, medical staffing, support and supply lines and the entire community would be later won by the Allies on their way to overcome an evil villain in a dictator.
A group would emerge that would be silent heroes, they were the Partisans, or the revolutionaries who believed in a free Italy and worked closely with the Allies to help stop this cruel aggression during WWII. However, the suprise of this story comes from an Italian family, whom you would never suspect, named Ferretti.
The military set up camp during the war in Montecatini Terme for operations, medical staffing, support and supply lines and the entire community would be later won by the Allies on their way to overcome an evil villain in a dictator.
A group would emerge that would be silent heroes, they were the Partisans, or the revolutionaries who believed in a free Italy and worked closely with the Allies to help stop this cruel aggression during WWII. However, the suprise of this story comes from an Italian family, whom you would never suspect, named Ferretti.
OUR HERO & HIS FAMILY
"ONE OF THE LAST VOICES OF THE GREATEST GENERATION"
The hero of our story is James "Fred" Camp and he is in the middle of the picture above with his precious family who gathered in Alabama to pray, tell stories and help support this film. Kirk and Tanya Segars were unavailable to join the team prior to the first trip overseas, but they too played a vital role in helping make this filming process possible. Their faith led by Jimmy Segars, a hero and purple heart recipient from the Viet Nam war are still helping our soldiers today in Fort Benning, Georgia.
FORT BENNING, GEORGIA
The Segars and the GRP Film Team have been meeting regarding the future of the documentary, the role of the 88th and how this Italian theater story could be captured in the best light. There are elements of WWII at Fort Benning and preliminary story discovery discussions are pointing the film team to go to Fort Benning and film more "military personnel" in the process. Additional discussions for filming in Ford McCoy, Wisconsin where the 88th Reserves are occupied are on the horizon. Military experts, historical experts and WWII Historians are all needed to be filmed relating to this story.
"ONE OF THE LAST VOICES OF THE GREATEST GENERATION"
The hero of our story is James "Fred" Camp and he is in the middle of the picture above with his precious family who gathered in Alabama to pray, tell stories and help support this film. Kirk and Tanya Segars were unavailable to join the team prior to the first trip overseas, but they too played a vital role in helping make this filming process possible. Their faith led by Jimmy Segars, a hero and purple heart recipient from the Viet Nam war are still helping our soldiers today in Fort Benning, Georgia.
FORT BENNING, GEORGIA
The Segars and the GRP Film Team have been meeting regarding the future of the documentary, the role of the 88th and how this Italian theater story could be captured in the best light. There are elements of WWII at Fort Benning and preliminary story discovery discussions are pointing the film team to go to Fort Benning and film more "military personnel" in the process. Additional discussions for filming in Ford McCoy, Wisconsin where the 88th Reserves are occupied are on the horizon. Military experts, historical experts and WWII Historians are all needed to be filmed relating to this story.
FRED CAMP & LORRETTA SEGARS
When Lorretta Segars decided to use her English teaching background to help tell the story of her father and mother, she never dreamed this literary worked might would morph in to a project of this magnitude. Fred and Rose had a huge love story that inspired her family and is now going to touch the heart strings of families all over the world via film.
This is the story of "two worlds" coming together to form a miracle love that lasted a life time. We honor this hero and his daughter for their bravery, love and character which have shaped all of us. May God bless Fred and his service. We also honor Rossanna Ferretti and her brave family. Vito Ferretti was a patriot and also helped the Italians liberate.
When Lorretta Segars decided to use her English teaching background to help tell the story of her father and mother, she never dreamed this literary worked might would morph in to a project of this magnitude. Fred and Rose had a huge love story that inspired her family and is now going to touch the heart strings of families all over the world via film.
This is the story of "two worlds" coming together to form a miracle love that lasted a life time. We honor this hero and his daughter for their bravery, love and character which have shaped all of us. May God bless Fred and his service. We also honor Rossanna Ferretti and her brave family. Vito Ferretti was a patriot and also helped the Italians liberate.
FROM FLORENCE TO THE PO RIVER VALLEY
What is so unique about the nation of Italy is their brand. They are known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean". This is not just because of the location in the sea, but the treasures of the arts, the treasures in faith and culturally much more. From Michealangelo's famous David, to Leonardo Da Vinci's amazing inventions like the military tank, military prowess, underwater diving apparel, bicycles, flight, machinery and the list extends even into medicine. This arts and cultural genius symbolizes the Renaissance.
The genius of the classic inventors painters and sculptors have brought millions from around the world to its shores.
Rose Ferretti grew up in this environment. Even in Montecatini, Grace Kelley, the Princess of Monaco celebrated her honeymoon in the epicenter of Old World Italy in the very hotel where Fred was nursed back to health after being buried alive. It is important to note while all of this beauty is so breathtaking, the Allied forces were marching against the
Gustav Line into Po River Valley not far from Florence, Italy
As our team continued to discover and find more story elements, it was important to realize how these "pearls" were impacted by the war. Some of the invaluable items were moved to France and Great Britain during war time and were returned. Some of these great works ended up all over the world. The movie MONUMENTS MEN just like the book, SAVING ITALY were all part of the "targets" the Axis Forces were trying to accumulate and never return from the people of Italy. There were art rich economies and sources of wealth carrying invaluable resources. This rose the stakes for the war torn country during its cruel and merciless Civil War.
What is so unique about the nation of Italy is their brand. They are known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean". This is not just because of the location in the sea, but the treasures of the arts, the treasures in faith and culturally much more. From Michealangelo's famous David, to Leonardo Da Vinci's amazing inventions like the military tank, military prowess, underwater diving apparel, bicycles, flight, machinery and the list extends even into medicine. This arts and cultural genius symbolizes the Renaissance.
The genius of the classic inventors painters and sculptors have brought millions from around the world to its shores.
Rose Ferretti grew up in this environment. Even in Montecatini, Grace Kelley, the Princess of Monaco celebrated her honeymoon in the epicenter of Old World Italy in the very hotel where Fred was nursed back to health after being buried alive. It is important to note while all of this beauty is so breathtaking, the Allied forces were marching against the
Gustav Line into Po River Valley not far from Florence, Italy
As our team continued to discover and find more story elements, it was important to realize how these "pearls" were impacted by the war. Some of the invaluable items were moved to France and Great Britain during war time and were returned. Some of these great works ended up all over the world. The movie MONUMENTS MEN just like the book, SAVING ITALY were all part of the "targets" the Axis Forces were trying to accumulate and never return from the people of Italy. There were art rich economies and sources of wealth carrying invaluable resources. This rose the stakes for the war torn country during its cruel and merciless Civil War.
TUSCANY - CENTRAL REGION OF ITALY
There are many people who have studied the Tuscany region as it relates to WWII. However, looking through the lens of the 88th Infantry of the Allied Forces, new pictures come in to view. The film team has been working diligently on the third version of the beat outline for the feature screenplay integrating findings from the exploration.
After finalizing the military perspective, there were a group of horrible "villains" prominently interwoven in the fabric of the Italian army. The people of Italy call the war, a "Civil War" and the reason was self evident. Italy was at war with themselves and if it were not for great revolutionary people like the "Partisans", freedom would have never happened. This group of "minute men" as a comparable to the Revolutionary War in America, were working with the Allied Forces behind the scenes in the most fascinating series of intelligence gatherering during war time.
In the mideival town of Peccoli are a group of Italian villas which reminded us of the place where Fred and Rose might would have met. The warmth, the romance and the innocent presence of love at first sight always carries something beautiful to every heart.
The juxtaposition of war continued to plague this young couple and changes the complexion of our story.
There are many people who have studied the Tuscany region as it relates to WWII. However, looking through the lens of the 88th Infantry of the Allied Forces, new pictures come in to view. The film team has been working diligently on the third version of the beat outline for the feature screenplay integrating findings from the exploration.
After finalizing the military perspective, there were a group of horrible "villains" prominently interwoven in the fabric of the Italian army. The people of Italy call the war, a "Civil War" and the reason was self evident. Italy was at war with themselves and if it were not for great revolutionary people like the "Partisans", freedom would have never happened. This group of "minute men" as a comparable to the Revolutionary War in America, were working with the Allied Forces behind the scenes in the most fascinating series of intelligence gatherering during war time.
In the mideival town of Peccoli are a group of Italian villas which reminded us of the place where Fred and Rose might would have met. The warmth, the romance and the innocent presence of love at first sight always carries something beautiful to every heart.
The juxtaposition of war continued to plague this young couple and changes the complexion of our story.
STORY DISCOVERY - FROM TUSCANY TO VENICE
It has been an amazing process to understand the role of the Partisans which was continued to be uncovered. The Partisans were indeed the "freedom fighters" or the "Minute Men" of the Italian people who were willing to stand up and face the aristocracy, the regime of the dictator Mussolini, and one of his top henchman, Achille Starace. Starace is a major villain to be addressed.
Horrible in every way, the villain in our movie, Starace was very much in prominence and power hurting Italian families.
He was carrying out the evil deeds of the dictator.
Since Mussolini was aligned with Hitler, they were responsible in Italy for being involved in the execution of Jews and going through with this genocide through home invasions and horrific terror. This villain begins early in our film on Anzio Beach, where SAND IN TUSCANY begins and through this war, the love story emerges.
Uniquely, this heartwarming tale will become a story the Segars have wanted to share for a long time and will especially draw the millenials of our day into a deep respect for the sacrifices of the Allied Forces and the Partisans. From fierce battle scenes, espionage, dictatorships and revolutionaries into the most heartwarming love story any woman would love to read in a book every single day, the film has started its romantic foundation in family and deeply rooted in faith.
It has been an amazing process to understand the role of the Partisans which was continued to be uncovered. The Partisans were indeed the "freedom fighters" or the "Minute Men" of the Italian people who were willing to stand up and face the aristocracy, the regime of the dictator Mussolini, and one of his top henchman, Achille Starace. Starace is a major villain to be addressed.
Horrible in every way, the villain in our movie, Starace was very much in prominence and power hurting Italian families.
He was carrying out the evil deeds of the dictator.
Since Mussolini was aligned with Hitler, they were responsible in Italy for being involved in the execution of Jews and going through with this genocide through home invasions and horrific terror. This villain begins early in our film on Anzio Beach, where SAND IN TUSCANY begins and through this war, the love story emerges.
Uniquely, this heartwarming tale will become a story the Segars have wanted to share for a long time and will especially draw the millenials of our day into a deep respect for the sacrifices of the Allied Forces and the Partisans. From fierce battle scenes, espionage, dictatorships and revolutionaries into the most heartwarming love story any woman would love to read in a book every single day, the film has started its romantic foundation in family and deeply rooted in faith.
Our re-enactments have primarily focused on two young lovers, a GI just turned 20 and new to Italy for the purpose of meeting the war "head on" and a young Italian girl barely nineteen who would meet, fall in love and be completely smitten. This pure kind of unadulturated kind of love was beautiful.
The unlikely nature of this amazing story will have hearts moved forever as young love begins to overcome every obstacle.
The unlikely nature of this amazing story will have hearts moved forever as young love begins to overcome every obstacle.
CAMOGLI BEACH TO DONGA ITALY
So much can be said about screenwriting, story discovery and factual backgrounds when doing a picture about World War II in the Italian theater. However, so many mistakes are made in filmmaking when you don't take the time to listen to all sides of the story. Many of the Germans did not want to be at war. A great many Italians hated what was happening to their homes.
The Italians were thrust into the conflict because of another evil dictator and for the most part, everyone participating on the front lines, the men and women of nations were doing their job, they were simply serving in hopes of freedom. This story is about freedom and this translates to many "fronts".
Fortunately, the lives of James Fred Camp and Rossana Ferretti from the greatest generation taught us many life lessons.
So from Tuscany, we moved to Northern Italy to discover the Mediterranean beaches in Tuscany, just up the memorable coast to Camogli, one of the most enchanting cities in the world. From here, our film scout traveled to Lake Como to Cernobbio learning the path of the Partisans to capture the evil dictator. In April 1945, this act would be one of the final acts of World War II and a defining moment for Italy's liberation. Now, the full picture of the Italian campaign had come into focus.
So much can be said about screenwriting, story discovery and factual backgrounds when doing a picture about World War II in the Italian theater. However, so many mistakes are made in filmmaking when you don't take the time to listen to all sides of the story. Many of the Germans did not want to be at war. A great many Italians hated what was happening to their homes.
The Italians were thrust into the conflict because of another evil dictator and for the most part, everyone participating on the front lines, the men and women of nations were doing their job, they were simply serving in hopes of freedom. This story is about freedom and this translates to many "fronts".
Fortunately, the lives of James Fred Camp and Rossana Ferretti from the greatest generation taught us many life lessons.
So from Tuscany, we moved to Northern Italy to discover the Mediterranean beaches in Tuscany, just up the memorable coast to Camogli, one of the most enchanting cities in the world. From here, our film scout traveled to Lake Como to Cernobbio learning the path of the Partisans to capture the evil dictator. In April 1945, this act would be one of the final acts of World War II and a defining moment for Italy's liberation. Now, the full picture of the Italian campaign had come into focus.
LAKE COMA - THE END OF WORLD WAR II
One of the great storytelling elements for any motion picture has to do with the ending of the picture or climax What happened to the evil dictator of Mussolini? Everyone has heard of stories of Hitler, but the world at large is unaware of the surroundings, the people who actually caught him, and the details associated with his ending. The purpose for coming to Northern Italy was to establish key important elements to what really happened, where did it take place and who was involved?
In our entire trip, the most "amazing private tour" was our climax to the discovery process. The GRP Film Team was granted a private tour into the very "Golden Room" where Mussolini was held after his capture in Dongo, Italy. Across the street, there is a water fountain where bullet holes are still present and people come from all over the world to view this. Through research, we found this amazing museum to experience the Museo della fine della Guerra. This place was called the Manzi Palace and in April 1945 the dictator escaped in hiding while Germans were throwing away their uniforms, dressing like Italians and literally walking their way back to Germany after the Allied wins. In this haunting room, were the last hours of Mussolini.
In taking water transportation around Lake Coma, you can actually get to Dongo. The small city's charm is arrested with the stark reality of the horror taking place decades earlier. We walked and sat where he would wait execution.
We have learned the real role of the true patriots, the Partisans and how Rossana's father, who was a patriot sacrificed his life for the very freedom the Italian people found. It was indeed the Partisans who captured the dictator, helped aid the Allied Troops in many battles and brought invaluable intelligence in winning all over the Italian military theater.
Here the 88th Division would march from where they started after raging battles in Cassino and the Po River Valley.
One of the great storytelling elements for any motion picture has to do with the ending of the picture or climax What happened to the evil dictator of Mussolini? Everyone has heard of stories of Hitler, but the world at large is unaware of the surroundings, the people who actually caught him, and the details associated with his ending. The purpose for coming to Northern Italy was to establish key important elements to what really happened, where did it take place and who was involved?
In our entire trip, the most "amazing private tour" was our climax to the discovery process. The GRP Film Team was granted a private tour into the very "Golden Room" where Mussolini was held after his capture in Dongo, Italy. Across the street, there is a water fountain where bullet holes are still present and people come from all over the world to view this. Through research, we found this amazing museum to experience the Museo della fine della Guerra. This place was called the Manzi Palace and in April 1945 the dictator escaped in hiding while Germans were throwing away their uniforms, dressing like Italians and literally walking their way back to Germany after the Allied wins. In this haunting room, were the last hours of Mussolini.
In taking water transportation around Lake Coma, you can actually get to Dongo. The small city's charm is arrested with the stark reality of the horror taking place decades earlier. We walked and sat where he would wait execution.
We have learned the real role of the true patriots, the Partisans and how Rossana's father, who was a patriot sacrificed his life for the very freedom the Italian people found. It was indeed the Partisans who captured the dictator, helped aid the Allied Troops in many battles and brought invaluable intelligence in winning all over the Italian military theater.
Here the 88th Division would march from where they started after raging battles in Cassino and the Po River Valley.
THE VILLAGE OF OUR FILM-TEAM MEMBERS
You can't do anything in motion pictures without a team of people and our team begins with prayer. We are thankful for the daily prayer warriors who have committed to one day a month to pray for this film franchise. Secondly, there are family members who have been blood relatives and extended family members who are like blood relatives who have sacrificed for this discovery. The individuals are far too numerous to mention, but they are none the less essential to our success.
THANK YOU TO STEPHANIE MUSSER
Next, the team members stateside begin with Stephanie Musser who first brought Lorretta Segars after seeking Dr. McAfee out on social media as an author to introduce her story to our team. Stephanie has worked hard to create original compositions for the film, to project manage the process and deserves great applause.
THANK YOU TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Next are the Executive Producing team of Scott Buzzell, Larry Owsley, Jag Gholson, Jimmy & Lorretta Segars, Kirk & Tanya Segars and especially for their prayers and hard work. This group of people will be working diligently to help us make the entire film franchise a reality and we deeply know their vital role in moving forward.
THANK YOU TO LYNN MCAFEE
Lynn McAfee worked tirelessly to put together this massive exploration by creating a sixty page work book, stewarding every penny for the maximum usage. As the administrator of GRP FILMS she plays the bookkeeping and accounting roles with her team and is vital to the success of our films, plus she has great creative insights too.
Without these behind the scenes people, we would not have the filmed experiences, the re-enactments and beyond.
THANK YOU GRP SUPPORT STAFF
We cannot say thank you enough to the support team who make up our company. We have lawyers, accountants and many advisors and our deepest thanks are for each one of you. The Filmmakers Roundtable, Mark Mingle, Jessica Gambill and Executive Assistant Julie Spencer continue to be doing the work of champions behind the scenes to help make GRP FILMS successful. We appreciate the dedication and love we feel from all of our team members.
THANK YOU TO OUR FINANCE TEAM
The financial team of Jimmy Segars and Kirk Segars have played the most vital role in our ability to find truth, share the truth in our films and make this entire effort possible. We appreciate the spouses, the children and the single parents who have relentlessly worked on the SAND IN TUSCANY film project.
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO LORRETTA SEGARS & JIMMY SEGARS
Lorretta Segars in her desire to capture a story of her parents, she stepped out in faith. Her English background, her attention to detail and her love of language brought about SAND IN TUSCANY, or this would not have happened. Our entire film team wants to honor her for her patriotism, for her love of God and country. Alongside of Jimmy Segars, one of the finest men our film team has ever known, we believed from day one, this story was bigger than one family. Thank you Jimmy for your service to our country and for your sacrifice in Viet Nam. May the Lord bless your family for generations!
WE THANK OUR CO-WRITER JIM GROMER & REENACTMENT ACTORS JIM & RACHEL GROMER
To Jim Gromer and Rachel Gromer from Colorado who literally have stepped out in faith to help bring this "love story" to life by playing the role of Fred and Rosanna in Italy, dedicating time and talent and leaving their family and four wonderful children, we appreciate their hard work. Thank you Jim Gromer for working so diligently with Dr. Mcafee in co-writing a moving screenplay.
WE THANK OUR DIRECTOR - KEVIN MCAFEE
We especially thank Dr. Kevin McAfee for his vision for this movie. He is always driven by story and this "love story" was a lot more amazing when he learned of the power of the legacy in this family. When Kevin became involved, he was captured by the heart of Fred Camp and the story of Lorretta Segars who were honoring her parents. He investigated Rosssana Ferretti Camp and found one of the bravest women he had ever met.
A SCREENPLAY IS NOW IN THE WORKS!
During the coming days, the screenplay for the feature film will be completed based on these invaluable stories we have collected and the military backgrounds of the 88th experts and the Italian Partisans. Our team will be working diligently with the Segars family, the United States Military and more to find the right financial partners to help us accomplish a FEATURE DOCUMENTARY and A FEATURE MOVIE! You can be a part by first, praying for us. Remember our entire team and their faithfulness.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!
If you know if an individual, a company, a sponsor or anyone who would like to honor our American patriots, thank the Partisans for the freedom in Italy, bring attention to a generation who sacrificed so much for all of us and leave a legacy of love, then you have come to the right place. Please contact GRP FILMS today and get involved with what we are doing with films that matter. This is SAND IN TUSCANY...
You can't do anything in motion pictures without a team of people and our team begins with prayer. We are thankful for the daily prayer warriors who have committed to one day a month to pray for this film franchise. Secondly, there are family members who have been blood relatives and extended family members who are like blood relatives who have sacrificed for this discovery. The individuals are far too numerous to mention, but they are none the less essential to our success.
THANK YOU TO STEPHANIE MUSSER
Next, the team members stateside begin with Stephanie Musser who first brought Lorretta Segars after seeking Dr. McAfee out on social media as an author to introduce her story to our team. Stephanie has worked hard to create original compositions for the film, to project manage the process and deserves great applause.
THANK YOU TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Next are the Executive Producing team of Scott Buzzell, Larry Owsley, Jag Gholson, Jimmy & Lorretta Segars, Kirk & Tanya Segars and especially for their prayers and hard work. This group of people will be working diligently to help us make the entire film franchise a reality and we deeply know their vital role in moving forward.
THANK YOU TO LYNN MCAFEE
Lynn McAfee worked tirelessly to put together this massive exploration by creating a sixty page work book, stewarding every penny for the maximum usage. As the administrator of GRP FILMS she plays the bookkeeping and accounting roles with her team and is vital to the success of our films, plus she has great creative insights too.
Without these behind the scenes people, we would not have the filmed experiences, the re-enactments and beyond.
THANK YOU GRP SUPPORT STAFF
We cannot say thank you enough to the support team who make up our company. We have lawyers, accountants and many advisors and our deepest thanks are for each one of you. The Filmmakers Roundtable, Mark Mingle, Jessica Gambill and Executive Assistant Julie Spencer continue to be doing the work of champions behind the scenes to help make GRP FILMS successful. We appreciate the dedication and love we feel from all of our team members.
THANK YOU TO OUR FINANCE TEAM
The financial team of Jimmy Segars and Kirk Segars have played the most vital role in our ability to find truth, share the truth in our films and make this entire effort possible. We appreciate the spouses, the children and the single parents who have relentlessly worked on the SAND IN TUSCANY film project.
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO LORRETTA SEGARS & JIMMY SEGARS
Lorretta Segars in her desire to capture a story of her parents, she stepped out in faith. Her English background, her attention to detail and her love of language brought about SAND IN TUSCANY, or this would not have happened. Our entire film team wants to honor her for her patriotism, for her love of God and country. Alongside of Jimmy Segars, one of the finest men our film team has ever known, we believed from day one, this story was bigger than one family. Thank you Jimmy for your service to our country and for your sacrifice in Viet Nam. May the Lord bless your family for generations!
WE THANK OUR CO-WRITER JIM GROMER & REENACTMENT ACTORS JIM & RACHEL GROMER
To Jim Gromer and Rachel Gromer from Colorado who literally have stepped out in faith to help bring this "love story" to life by playing the role of Fred and Rosanna in Italy, dedicating time and talent and leaving their family and four wonderful children, we appreciate their hard work. Thank you Jim Gromer for working so diligently with Dr. Mcafee in co-writing a moving screenplay.
WE THANK OUR DIRECTOR - KEVIN MCAFEE
We especially thank Dr. Kevin McAfee for his vision for this movie. He is always driven by story and this "love story" was a lot more amazing when he learned of the power of the legacy in this family. When Kevin became involved, he was captured by the heart of Fred Camp and the story of Lorretta Segars who were honoring her parents. He investigated Rosssana Ferretti Camp and found one of the bravest women he had ever met.
A SCREENPLAY IS NOW IN THE WORKS!
During the coming days, the screenplay for the feature film will be completed based on these invaluable stories we have collected and the military backgrounds of the 88th experts and the Italian Partisans. Our team will be working diligently with the Segars family, the United States Military and more to find the right financial partners to help us accomplish a FEATURE DOCUMENTARY and A FEATURE MOVIE! You can be a part by first, praying for us. Remember our entire team and their faithfulness.
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!
If you know if an individual, a company, a sponsor or anyone who would like to honor our American patriots, thank the Partisans for the freedom in Italy, bring attention to a generation who sacrificed so much for all of us and leave a legacy of love, then you have come to the right place. Please contact GRP FILMS today and get involved with what we are doing with films that matter. This is SAND IN TUSCANY...
SETTING UP PROMOTIONS, MORE RE-ENACTMENTS & SCREENWRITING
There are a mixture of story discovery goals established for every film. Our team met together each day to discuss the love story, the Partisans, the heroes of Italy, the American GI's, the British and American forces, our Allies and so much more.
Even honoring the United States MIlitary, having Jim Gromer a Navy veteran who was on the ship during Somalia where the helicopters were fighting against the enemy, was another blessing. Jim finished his Masters of Divinity degree a couple years ago and has a real heart to honor our American soldiers, just like Dr. McAfee did in LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE.
However, our Executive Producer Lynn McAfee had worked diligently to plan the series of discovery points in the mission and worked extra hard to find out the details of what really happened between 1939-1945.
To honor the wardrobe selections during the early nineteen forties, Rachel Gromer found vintage clothes to wear from the era to get us even farther cinematically down the road in our story as an example to be used for the full length feature documentary.
There are a mixture of story discovery goals established for every film. Our team met together each day to discuss the love story, the Partisans, the heroes of Italy, the American GI's, the British and American forces, our Allies and so much more.
Even honoring the United States MIlitary, having Jim Gromer a Navy veteran who was on the ship during Somalia where the helicopters were fighting against the enemy, was another blessing. Jim finished his Masters of Divinity degree a couple years ago and has a real heart to honor our American soldiers, just like Dr. McAfee did in LAST OUNCE OF COURAGE.
However, our Executive Producer Lynn McAfee had worked diligently to plan the series of discovery points in the mission and worked extra hard to find out the details of what really happened between 1939-1945.
To honor the wardrobe selections during the early nineteen forties, Rachel Gromer found vintage clothes to wear from the era to get us even farther cinematically down the road in our story as an example to be used for the full length feature documentary.
HONORING THE PEOPLE OF FAITH BEHIND OUR STORY
Rossana Ferretti was a "hero" on many levels. We chose to focus the first part of our trip looking at the road of the American GI's, because Fred Camp would travel from Southern Italy all the way up the boot to find Rose. However, the Italian family of the Ferretti's were Catholic and the church established in Rome was always a centerpiece in their faith.
To honor Rose, we wanted to fully understand her belief system and how she decided to marry a GI from the United States and leave everything sacrifically traveling across the sea, so many miles from home.
The final part of the trip would focus on the Catholic Church. Our team traveled to St. Peter's in the Vatican City where Peter was said to have been buried and then to the church "Outside the Walls" where the Apostle Paul was also said to have been buried after his beheading. These two amazing Basillica's are among the greatest churches ever constructed. They are incredible historical markers for the Catholic faith, all of Christianity and especially for Rose. She was as a young woman and her belief in Jesus Christ remained an important part of her entire life. So to honor the story in truth, we knew the full understanding of the Catholic church would have to be included in the movie. The faith of Rose and Fred are both important story elements.
The pictures truly say it all, but they cannot possibly depict the amazing experiences Rose carried in her heart all of her life. From growing up in Italy as a young girl in Borgo and knowing she was connected to one of the most powerful belief systems known to man. Her faith would become intertwined with the faith of a young evangelical Christian and together, they would learn to serve God in their own unique way. Faith is a key element to every film GRP FILMS make because of the "veritas" found in this process.
Rossana Ferretti was a "hero" on many levels. We chose to focus the first part of our trip looking at the road of the American GI's, because Fred Camp would travel from Southern Italy all the way up the boot to find Rose. However, the Italian family of the Ferretti's were Catholic and the church established in Rome was always a centerpiece in their faith.
To honor Rose, we wanted to fully understand her belief system and how she decided to marry a GI from the United States and leave everything sacrifically traveling across the sea, so many miles from home.
The final part of the trip would focus on the Catholic Church. Our team traveled to St. Peter's in the Vatican City where Peter was said to have been buried and then to the church "Outside the Walls" where the Apostle Paul was also said to have been buried after his beheading. These two amazing Basillica's are among the greatest churches ever constructed. They are incredible historical markers for the Catholic faith, all of Christianity and especially for Rose. She was as a young woman and her belief in Jesus Christ remained an important part of her entire life. So to honor the story in truth, we knew the full understanding of the Catholic church would have to be included in the movie. The faith of Rose and Fred are both important story elements.
The pictures truly say it all, but they cannot possibly depict the amazing experiences Rose carried in her heart all of her life. From growing up in Italy as a young girl in Borgo and knowing she was connected to one of the most powerful belief systems known to man. Her faith would become intertwined with the faith of a young evangelical Christian and together, they would learn to serve God in their own unique way. Faith is a key element to every film GRP FILMS make because of the "veritas" found in this process.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH - VATICAN CITY
It's impossible to fully understand how faith has played such an amazing role in the development of the Catholic Church. When Christ said, "Peter I will build my church on this rock", only Jesus would have known thousands of years later where Peter was buried ten meters below St. Peter's Basillaca, would be the one of the amazing monuments to our Lord. So many different faiths and religions compete for "true knowledge", but one thing we discovered, God is God and His church stands beautifully in Rome.
Rossana knew this and as an Italian growing up in the Tuscany region, she honored the Lord with regular attendance to mass and a total respect for her faith and the church. This powerful faith lives on the lives of her children, even today.
The Vatican City is worth visiting to understand how the journey began in our faith of Christianity because of so many reasons.
From the powerful words of Peter, his life and sacrifice following Jesus, we learned more of his love for God.
This love inspires all of us even today.
We also turned to another evangelist whose faith inspired Rossanna, it was the Apostle Paul. Paul was beheaded and his remains were buried "Outside the City Walls", which is where people of his day were placed into tombs. A majestic church in Rome known as the Basillica for the Apostle Paul "Outside the Walls" of the old city and is another famous legacy of faith.
When you go to the center of the church, you can walk down the steps, pray and consider the life of this great orator and communicator who followed Jesus. From Damascus to the grave, you will be inspired by Paul's journey in Italy.
It's impossible to fully understand how faith has played such an amazing role in the development of the Catholic Church. When Christ said, "Peter I will build my church on this rock", only Jesus would have known thousands of years later where Peter was buried ten meters below St. Peter's Basillaca, would be the one of the amazing monuments to our Lord. So many different faiths and religions compete for "true knowledge", but one thing we discovered, God is God and His church stands beautifully in Rome.
Rossana knew this and as an Italian growing up in the Tuscany region, she honored the Lord with regular attendance to mass and a total respect for her faith and the church. This powerful faith lives on the lives of her children, even today.
The Vatican City is worth visiting to understand how the journey began in our faith of Christianity because of so many reasons.
From the powerful words of Peter, his life and sacrifice following Jesus, we learned more of his love for God.
This love inspires all of us even today.
We also turned to another evangelist whose faith inspired Rossanna, it was the Apostle Paul. Paul was beheaded and his remains were buried "Outside the City Walls", which is where people of his day were placed into tombs. A majestic church in Rome known as the Basillica for the Apostle Paul "Outside the Walls" of the old city and is another famous legacy of faith.
When you go to the center of the church, you can walk down the steps, pray and consider the life of this great orator and communicator who followed Jesus. From Damascus to the grave, you will be inspired by Paul's journey in Italy.
THE FOUNDATION OF PRAYER
It is no accident our film team found themselves on their knees asking for insight, wisdom and blessings over this entire project. From the very beginning of this project, we sensed a "divine purpose" in sharing this story. Who would be our primary actors, who would follow this call and even be interested in a young GI from Sand Mountain, Alabama and a young Italian girl from Tuscany?
God knows the answer to every question and we leave many of these questions to Him.
When we came to the very church where the remains of the Apostle Paul are in the tomb at the center, we were amazed. God has been such an important part of this film project.
Chris Pratt recently shared, "God is real" in front of a secular audience on film and his courage in the face of a secular press who hates Christianity, was moving. One more example of how even Hollywood's finest know the reality of faith in our culture.
Our team believes the Apostle Paul was a radical and revolutionary man of humility. He lived by a mighty sword, the sword of the spirit and it wielded more power than the Roman chains, which imprisoned him throughout much of his life.
We were honored to pray in these great cathedrals of faith for the prayer team behind this movie, the creators who are involved, financiers, our amazing staff and families and a cast we would one day meet. We used the personal time to pray for those who are facing sickness, going through mourning and having a challenging time in their lives.
Making a movie is impossible without wealth, especially to make them with precision. Bill Bright once told our founder, Dr. McAfee that the key in making a film, one must use excellence and not compromise on the funding of the movie. Bill said, "Spend what you need to invest, to ensure the quality of the picture is excellent, just like we did in our film."
Equally important, we have so admired the different faiths represented in this story. A young boy who grew Baptist and a young girl who was entrenched in Catholicism. Even from a distance, their sacred approach to acknowledging God and their place in the history of faith moves us. We are not universalists, but we do believe God brings many people together,
and sometimes they are even people from different religions who learn to embrace each other's teachings.
Our last stop was the Colloseum where some Christians were possibly once martyred for their beliefs. They loved God so much, they were willing to sacrifice their very lives for what they believed. In the Bible, it talks about the importance of a man being willing to lay down his life, for another. Sacrifice is a key to every great story and part of our heritage of faith.
A soldier has always been one of the greatest servants in scripture. This is what Fred did when he became part of World War II. Also, this is exactly the bravery held deep inside of Rose. She would cause her to step out in faith and leave everything she knew to be safe, to journey into a new world and start a new life in another world, but faith would be the tie that binds.
It is no accident our film team found themselves on their knees asking for insight, wisdom and blessings over this entire project. From the very beginning of this project, we sensed a "divine purpose" in sharing this story. Who would be our primary actors, who would follow this call and even be interested in a young GI from Sand Mountain, Alabama and a young Italian girl from Tuscany?
God knows the answer to every question and we leave many of these questions to Him.
When we came to the very church where the remains of the Apostle Paul are in the tomb at the center, we were amazed. God has been such an important part of this film project.
Chris Pratt recently shared, "God is real" in front of a secular audience on film and his courage in the face of a secular press who hates Christianity, was moving. One more example of how even Hollywood's finest know the reality of faith in our culture.
Our team believes the Apostle Paul was a radical and revolutionary man of humility. He lived by a mighty sword, the sword of the spirit and it wielded more power than the Roman chains, which imprisoned him throughout much of his life.
We were honored to pray in these great cathedrals of faith for the prayer team behind this movie, the creators who are involved, financiers, our amazing staff and families and a cast we would one day meet. We used the personal time to pray for those who are facing sickness, going through mourning and having a challenging time in their lives.
Making a movie is impossible without wealth, especially to make them with precision. Bill Bright once told our founder, Dr. McAfee that the key in making a film, one must use excellence and not compromise on the funding of the movie. Bill said, "Spend what you need to invest, to ensure the quality of the picture is excellent, just like we did in our film."
Equally important, we have so admired the different faiths represented in this story. A young boy who grew Baptist and a young girl who was entrenched in Catholicism. Even from a distance, their sacred approach to acknowledging God and their place in the history of faith moves us. We are not universalists, but we do believe God brings many people together,
and sometimes they are even people from different religions who learn to embrace each other's teachings.
Our last stop was the Colloseum where some Christians were possibly once martyred for their beliefs. They loved God so much, they were willing to sacrifice their very lives for what they believed. In the Bible, it talks about the importance of a man being willing to lay down his life, for another. Sacrifice is a key to every great story and part of our heritage of faith.
A soldier has always been one of the greatest servants in scripture. This is what Fred did when he became part of World War II. Also, this is exactly the bravery held deep inside of Rose. She would cause her to step out in faith and leave everything she knew to be safe, to journey into a new world and start a new life in another world, but faith would be the tie that binds.
THE FINAL CHAPTER - ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME
On the final day the team experienced the Roman Arch of Triumph, where the historical mantra "All Roads Lead to Rome" is present under the area Julius Ceasar once resided. At one time, the 3,000 year old city was an epic-center of culture. Rome grew from a "kingdom", to a "republic" and finally into an "empire". It has been said Rome transitioned from glory to tragedy on many fronts.
Understanding the first objective of the Allied Troops in World War II was to occupy Rome. Monuments Men and other motion pictures from the famous Audie Murphy who landed at Anzio Beach were in and around the "taking of such a powerful city". Germany sent their strongest fighters to ensure the Italian theater would remain in their hands, until the Allied Forces took the nation, one battle and one city at a time. This agony would leave a trail of martyrs for decades.
Inside Rome is the Colloseum, which was named for the Collosal Golden Statue of Nero which was an egotistical triumph. Only, parents now name their sons Paul and their dogs they will name as Nero. For the ampitheater was a place recognized for gladiator competion, wild animals and yes, the belief in the persecution of Christians from horrible dictators who loved violence.
Our understanding of the military position of Rome was helpful to understand Italy's place in history even unto the modern age.
The largest competitions and combats between gladiators were held within these walls and the more violent, grew greater crowds.
Constantine in the 300's much later came and made a "Christian citizen" state in Rome and made enormous changes, both positive and negative in his theological and epistimology conclusions. The Jewish calendar would be compromised and the legacy would include major shifts in perspectives. The world would forever change.
However, no change is more present than a cross which stands at the gladiator entrance of the great stadium. This cross signifies in honor of all those who died in this tragic place for the sake of entertainment, for their ultimate sacrifice in honoring Jesus Christ.
On the final day the team experienced the Roman Arch of Triumph, where the historical mantra "All Roads Lead to Rome" is present under the area Julius Ceasar once resided. At one time, the 3,000 year old city was an epic-center of culture. Rome grew from a "kingdom", to a "republic" and finally into an "empire". It has been said Rome transitioned from glory to tragedy on many fronts.
Understanding the first objective of the Allied Troops in World War II was to occupy Rome. Monuments Men and other motion pictures from the famous Audie Murphy who landed at Anzio Beach were in and around the "taking of such a powerful city". Germany sent their strongest fighters to ensure the Italian theater would remain in their hands, until the Allied Forces took the nation, one battle and one city at a time. This agony would leave a trail of martyrs for decades.
Inside Rome is the Colloseum, which was named for the Collosal Golden Statue of Nero which was an egotistical triumph. Only, parents now name their sons Paul and their dogs they will name as Nero. For the ampitheater was a place recognized for gladiator competion, wild animals and yes, the belief in the persecution of Christians from horrible dictators who loved violence.
Our understanding of the military position of Rome was helpful to understand Italy's place in history even unto the modern age.
The largest competitions and combats between gladiators were held within these walls and the more violent, grew greater crowds.
Constantine in the 300's much later came and made a "Christian citizen" state in Rome and made enormous changes, both positive and negative in his theological and epistimology conclusions. The Jewish calendar would be compromised and the legacy would include major shifts in perspectives. The world would forever change.
However, no change is more present than a cross which stands at the gladiator entrance of the great stadium. This cross signifies in honor of all those who died in this tragic place for the sake of entertainment, for their ultimate sacrifice in honoring Jesus Christ.
PREPARING FOR THE FINAL STEPS OF SCREENWRITING
In researching and through discovery, we can see how so many details are involved in the creative story telling elements for a film franchise of this magnitude. Fred Camp served the battles with his life in the fierce battles of Cassino, the Po River Valley, Arno and beyond. It was never in the plan for Fred to meet Rossana Ferreti and after six weeks of falling in love, getting married in the middle of World War II, but they did. He believed their love would last, and he was right.
Rossana's father, a Partisan sacrificed his very life for the freedom of all Italy and in doing so, contributed to the Allied Invasion which produced victory against Hitler and the capture of Mussolini in Donga.
The Segars family and especially Lorretta, chronicled this story perfectly for our film team and without their support, we would not have accomplished our film team's mutual goals. Daily overseas calls brought great victories along the way.
Stephanie Musser worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure the shoot on Sand Mountain in Alabama which began this journey was precise as she continued to project manage as the Co-Producer each step of the way. Jim Gromer with his high quality 4K camera kit and drone brought the technology needed for filming,
support and equipment needed to help accomplish a huge preliminary mission.
His wife Rachel Gromer played the role of Rossana Ferretti in our important reenactments and wisely found 1940's apparel for the cinematic journey bringing to life, the spirit of a young couple in love.
Lynn McAfee stewarded the entire process as the administrator and Executive Producer for the trip
and carefully watched the details unfold. Her excellent care in finding all the travel logistics were invaluable along with the production folders which took over a month to create.
Kevin and Jim Gromer worked around the clock to finish the beat outline and created a scene by scene development map for the actual screenplay. Historical facts were documented, filmed, recorded in photography and history was made, to preserve a future documentary historical perspective.
This was not just a film about the Camp family, but on the horizon a new documentary highlighting the 88th division with a special recognition of the 313th division slated for the next trip. These men were heroes and deserve a cinematic review.
While all of this was going on, over four dozen people were recruited by the Segars family to pray for the film and over 700 Veritas Mission Film Members were praying. A group of Co-Executive Producers continue to scout for the movies. They are seeking to find who the financial partner will be. Who the Executive Producers and equity individuals will be in the feature documentary and feature film are on the horizon, but soon will be resolved thanks to the Segars and GRP Film Members.
On all accounts, this is a major effort, if not close to impossible, but our team believes all of these film projects will be fully financed and made for one reason, to use the visual language of film, the art itself and to tell a story and gently nudge people toward a receptive insight about family, faith and freedom.
To the men and women in uniform and to the patriots who wore a different kind of non-uniform, we honor you for your bravery and for your sacrifice. In the foreign soil of beautiful Italy, you paid a price we will always remember and we salute you.
The role of the typewriter held its place in history during WWII. The "Partisans" used the power of intelligence in helping the Allied Forces gather military strategies in bringing freedom to Italy. Vito Ferretti was a leading patriot who gave his life for a liberated home country and we honor his bravery in history. Closing the Italian theater visit, the GRP Film team shared about the amazing visit to Donga, Italy. The following pictures below chronicle the amazing journey into a private viewing of the GOLDEN ROOM where the dictator Mussolini was held prior to being executed. These never before seen photos will be part of the feature documentary as we find the 88th to be warriors who helped end the Civil War on the Italian front forever. .
INTRODUCING THE GRP FILMS PRIVATE TOUR OF THE GOLDEN ROOM
INTRODUCING THE GRP FILMS PRIVATE TOUR OF THE GOLDEN ROOM
THE PARTISAN HEROES OF ITALY
These brave and amazing "behind the scenes" soldiers gave their lives, faced torture, execution, house arrests and families murdered for their love of country and willingness to die for freedom. We salute the Italian men and women with their families who were brave enough to stand up against tyranny and say, enough is enough. God bless them and we remember their sacrifice as we remember the heroes of the Allied Forces working side by side to advance freedom for all.
We salute you, Vito Ferretti for your courage and we honor you eternally!
These brave and amazing "behind the scenes" soldiers gave their lives, faced torture, execution, house arrests and families murdered for their love of country and willingness to die for freedom. We salute the Italian men and women with their families who were brave enough to stand up against tyranny and say, enough is enough. God bless them and we remember their sacrifice as we remember the heroes of the Allied Forces working side by side to advance freedom for all.
We salute you, Vito Ferretti for your courage and we honor you eternally!
WRITING THE SCREENPLAY
One of the most meticulous journeys in filmmaking involves the actual "writing" of the FEATURE SCREENPLAY. This process takes 90-120 days to complete on the "best days" involving research, structure, filming, beat outlines, scene outlines, more research, dialogue, polishing and script doctoring. The exploration and discovery process continues long after the initial exploration phase which can list a few months by itself. In fact, Lorretta Segars has worked diligently with Dr. Kevin McAfee and Jim Gromer continuing to provide invaluable information about the Partisans throughout the journey on a weekly basis.
The original book, SAND IN TUSCANY was written as a historical fiction and there were many reasons for this, but the feature screenplay has taken some major "shifts" and turns to help tell the TRUE STORY.
After the process was truly researched, it was obvious a TRUE STORY was on the horizon for the movie. Thanks to the telling of what really happened by Fred Camp, Lorretta Segars and Tony Camp, the more the team discovered the real story of what happened, the more obvious it became to the entire time. Thankfully from the hard work of all and with the blessings of the author, the screenwriting team of Dr. McAfee and Jim commenced in a new strategic direction.
Because the accuracy is so important when dealing with the Italian military theater and the United States Armed Forces including the Italian Partisans who were the revolutionaries are involved, this screenplay takes time. The Italians were trying to help win their own Civil War and their role in the new screenplay will be vital.
If you read the book, SAND IN TUSCANY, you will see a new book is on the horizon that will blow your mind!
We discovered while filming in Sand Mountain Lorretta's grandfather was not only a Partisan, but had sacrificed his life for the purpose of freedom in Italy. This important information was not in the original book and provided a huge plot line for the movie. Thanks to his bravery helping in this underground movement this character brought to the forefront even greater suspense and dimension to the story. The screenplay now has her grandfather's journey as a major role in the film. Plus, the entire Italian underground used their intelligence, communications and dedication to helping overthrow Hitler and Mussolini's armies throughout the encounter enduring executions, home invasions and terror.
Mr. Ferretti was directly involved in this encounter and is now recognized for the hero he was!
A comprehensive beat outline providing the structure and the organized journey was developed by Jim and Kevin when they were working together in Italy for weeks. Afterwards, actual dialogue is placed in the process by Jim while Kevin is working on more research with Lorretta for the writing of the feature film. Once the first draft is completed, the screenwriting team will be meeting to polish and go through every step of the screenplay to ensure the military accuracy, the "romance accuracy" and the roles of the main characters in the film. There will be a few amalgamation of characters for simplicity inserted as creative tools used in storytelling, but these events took place and is being historically reported and actually happened.
One unique missing story element the team found about Fred Camp, thanks to Lorretta asking one of Fred's friends, was his background in being a real "sharp-shooter". Fred was a great shot and always had been since he was young, but you will never him talk about these things. Humbly, as everyone in the "greatest generation" was, he merely talked about cooking for the troops. Isn't it just like a hero, to take the accolades of being a Purple Heart recipient and medals where their entire unit received a Merit of Valor aware to never share of any personal heroism via sacrifice, but servanthood!
More updates on the screenplay will be completed in the Fall of 2018 and many are praying for this effort. With the initial discovery and trip to Sand Mountain, Alabama and also in Italy was in July, one more final trip to Sand Mountain is essential to conclude the story's accuracy. Family members still to be interviewed will be members of Kirk Segars and Tony Camp's family along with Lorretta Segars and Fred Camp again. Once this final filming takes place, all the "elements" will be completed.
One of the most meticulous journeys in filmmaking involves the actual "writing" of the FEATURE SCREENPLAY. This process takes 90-120 days to complete on the "best days" involving research, structure, filming, beat outlines, scene outlines, more research, dialogue, polishing and script doctoring. The exploration and discovery process continues long after the initial exploration phase which can list a few months by itself. In fact, Lorretta Segars has worked diligently with Dr. Kevin McAfee and Jim Gromer continuing to provide invaluable information about the Partisans throughout the journey on a weekly basis.
The original book, SAND IN TUSCANY was written as a historical fiction and there were many reasons for this, but the feature screenplay has taken some major "shifts" and turns to help tell the TRUE STORY.
After the process was truly researched, it was obvious a TRUE STORY was on the horizon for the movie. Thanks to the telling of what really happened by Fred Camp, Lorretta Segars and Tony Camp, the more the team discovered the real story of what happened, the more obvious it became to the entire time. Thankfully from the hard work of all and with the blessings of the author, the screenwriting team of Dr. McAfee and Jim commenced in a new strategic direction.
Because the accuracy is so important when dealing with the Italian military theater and the United States Armed Forces including the Italian Partisans who were the revolutionaries are involved, this screenplay takes time. The Italians were trying to help win their own Civil War and their role in the new screenplay will be vital.
If you read the book, SAND IN TUSCANY, you will see a new book is on the horizon that will blow your mind!
We discovered while filming in Sand Mountain Lorretta's grandfather was not only a Partisan, but had sacrificed his life for the purpose of freedom in Italy. This important information was not in the original book and provided a huge plot line for the movie. Thanks to his bravery helping in this underground movement this character brought to the forefront even greater suspense and dimension to the story. The screenplay now has her grandfather's journey as a major role in the film. Plus, the entire Italian underground used their intelligence, communications and dedication to helping overthrow Hitler and Mussolini's armies throughout the encounter enduring executions, home invasions and terror.
Mr. Ferretti was directly involved in this encounter and is now recognized for the hero he was!
A comprehensive beat outline providing the structure and the organized journey was developed by Jim and Kevin when they were working together in Italy for weeks. Afterwards, actual dialogue is placed in the process by Jim while Kevin is working on more research with Lorretta for the writing of the feature film. Once the first draft is completed, the screenwriting team will be meeting to polish and go through every step of the screenplay to ensure the military accuracy, the "romance accuracy" and the roles of the main characters in the film. There will be a few amalgamation of characters for simplicity inserted as creative tools used in storytelling, but these events took place and is being historically reported and actually happened.
One unique missing story element the team found about Fred Camp, thanks to Lorretta asking one of Fred's friends, was his background in being a real "sharp-shooter". Fred was a great shot and always had been since he was young, but you will never him talk about these things. Humbly, as everyone in the "greatest generation" was, he merely talked about cooking for the troops. Isn't it just like a hero, to take the accolades of being a Purple Heart recipient and medals where their entire unit received a Merit of Valor aware to never share of any personal heroism via sacrifice, but servanthood!
More updates on the screenplay will be completed in the Fall of 2018 and many are praying for this effort. With the initial discovery and trip to Sand Mountain, Alabama and also in Italy was in July, one more final trip to Sand Mountain is essential to conclude the story's accuracy. Family members still to be interviewed will be members of Kirk Segars and Tony Camp's family along with Lorretta Segars and Fred Camp again. Once this final filming takes place, all the "elements" will be completed.