alcatraz

Throwback Thursday - Episode 4

Unthanksgiving Day

2016 - San Francisco, California

 

Last week, I called attention to two movie props used in The Rock, starring Nick Cage and the late Sir Sean Connery. This week I will call attention to the reason why one of those props had to be created.

The famous sign prop was created to replace the historic sign of the same design. In 1969, Native Americans painted the sign to claim the island as their own.

You can find the movie props inside the New Industries Building. If I recall correctly, that's where the infamous Al Capone used to work in the laundry.

The National Park Rangers on Alcatraz are worth their weight in gold. Be sure to pepper them with questions about the Native American Occupation, how the historic graffiti was recently restored, and all of the historic graffiti Easter eggs you can find around the island.

Don’t forget to ask about the movie props, the shoot for The Rock, and get all of the celebrity goss. They tell wonderful stories that I won't spoil here.

“TIP: October thru April is THE best time for Bay area locals to visit Alcatraz. Plan ahead at least two weeks if you can but they always do their best to accommodate a last minute visit ”
— Me

Save the Date: November 23, 2023

Lastly, if you are Native American or an ally, now is the perfect time to plan for an upcoming annual event that honors the 1969 Native American Occupation as well as current indigenous causes: Unthanksgiving Day aka Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Gathering.

This is an annual event on what most American’s celebrate as Thanksgiving Day. This year’s event is scheduled for Thursday November 23, 2023.

Visit Alcatraz City Cruises for more info and booking.

 
 

More Behind the Scenes

 
 

Throwback Thursday - Episode 3

“Welcome to The Rock!”

2019 - San Francisco, California

 

While shooting an ad for Alcatraz City Cruises, one of my all-time favorite clients, our Ranger pointed out two props from the movie The Rock starring Nick Cage and the late great Sir Sean Connery.

Circa 2019 - Two movie props from The Rock

You can find them inside the New Industries Building. If I recall correctly, that's where the infamous Al Capone used to work in the laundry.

Those windows above are the gun gallery for the prison guards. Also a must see.

Ask one of the national Park rangers about Capone, the props and the shoot. Great stories that I won't spoil here.

“TIP: October thru April is THE best time for Bay area locals to visit Alcatraz. Plan ahead at least two weeks if you can but they always do their best to accommodate a last minute visit ”
— Me

You can see more of the New Industries Building in this ad we produced for Alcatraz City Cruises for the recent Red Power exhibit. It’s a powerful venue for artists to show their work.

 
 

Behind the Scenes

 
 

Throwback Thursday - Episode 2

Indigenous Alcatraz

2021 - San Francisco, California

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 9, let’s focus on a watershed event for Native Americans: The Native American Occupation of Alcatraz from 1969 to 1971.

Why all this focus on Alcatraz right now? Not only is Alcatraz City Cruises one of my favorite clients, I’m a huge fan of local history.

In addition, it’s a little-known-fact that the best time for bay area locals to visit Alcatraz is during the “slow season” from October through April. Book your trip at least 2 weeks in advance for best results.

I’ve produced many ads for Alcatraz City Cruises since 2014 but this was one of my favorite productions to be a part of.

 
 
 

Behind the Scenes

 
 

A Surprise Takeaway

This occupation and other protests that followed helped to shift the relationship between Native Americans and the US Government. To me, the most surprising takeaway was this:

It was Richard Nixon who, before he resigned his Presidency, helped to…

  • bring an end to two brutal US Government policies

  • return large areas of land to Indigenous tribes

 

Nixon signed HR471 Blue Lake Bill, returning indigenous lands to the Taos Pueblo Nation.

 

It was truly an honor to be a small part of this exhibit.

#tbt #alcatrazcitycruises #RedPower50

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday: Met a Hero

April 2019 - San Francisco, California

The author (left), Captain Tubby (right)

I met a real life hero during a shoot for long-time client, Alcatraz City Cruises. This is Captain Tubby who ferries tourists from Pier 33 to Alcatraz as his day job.

He, along with his First Mate and crew, saved 10 passengers as their boat sank near Alcatraz in 2017. This rescue would have been difficult enough during the day, but the emergency distress call came just after sunset, plus it happened near the island's west shore, and nearer still to some notorious submerged rocks. In addition, his vessel was over 100 feet long and had a capacity of 700-800 people. A boat of that size doesn't exactly stop on a dime.

Cap found the craft and maneuvered close enough to pull people off. He kept his vessel steady against the bay's treacherous current as the First Mate and crew pulled people off of the sinking boat. Within two minutes of rescue, the empty boat slipped under the dark water

A crew member not pictured here shared a sobering thought: had they arrived after the boat sank, this would not have been a happy ending. The search would have been hampered by the dark clothing and dark life vests most of the passengers were wearing. When you’re treading the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay, hypothermia sets in quickly and chances of survival dwindle by the second.

Thankfully, however, everyone was rescued in the nick of time. Captain Tubby and crew tell everyone they were just doing their job. That may be true, but it's not every day your skills are put to a life and death test... and you succeed.

It was an honor to shake Captain Tubby’s hand.

Here's one of the many news articles about the story: https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Capt-Tubby-hailed-a-hero-after-SF-Bay-rescue-11735284.php #tbt #alcatrazcitycruises