Paget Films

16/08/2024

Today is the 47th anniversary of the day Elvis died (August 16th, 1977). But on a more personal note:

It's also the 25th anniversary of Elvis Week 1999, when we filmed the climactic scenes of the award-winning feature documentary "Almost Elvis" at the Elvis Impersonator World Championships and the Graceland Candlelight Vigil in Memphis, Tennessee.

I have many great memories filming Elvis Tribute Artists (like Irv Cass Robert Washington, Doug Church Johnny Thompson and Quentin Flagg, Eric Erickson, to name a few) with my crew Matt Valentine, James Waugh, David Ross, Mary Rafferty Gerstein, Michael R. Elvin.

The film remains (arguably) the definitive documentary on Elvis impersonators. It was picked up for distribution by executive producer Udy Epstein / 7th Art Releasing, screened at several international film festivals, and was seen on Netflix, TRIO, Ovation TV, and The Documentary Channel.

On August 16th, 2000, Irv Cass and I appeared on the national Fox & Friends morning show to promote the release. I posted a screen shot of that here, but you can search YouTube to watch the full clip. They were making toasted peanut butter 'n' banana sandwiches on the little table on set.

Elvis impersonators are often ridiculed, misunderstood, and unfairly maligned. I'm proud that we made a film that honors their artistry and dedication, and tells the story about the lasting cultural impact and legacy of Elvis Presley from a unique angle.

The film is heartwarming and humorous - but as many of the featured Elvis Tribute Artists told me, it is humorous in a way that the audience is "laughing with them, not at them."

The estimated attendance at last night's Elvis Week Candlelight Vigil was 10,000 people. I can't think of any other historical figure—whether politician, artist, explorer, or entertainer—who draws a pilgrimage of this magnitude 47 years after their death.

Many of Elvis' records for sales and number one hits have been surpassed, but I doubt any entertainer will ever have as many impersonators.

Miller Jackson Ronny Craig N Basia Jackie Van Winkle Myrick

[Photos by Mary Rafferty Gerstein]

11/08/2024

Elvis slept here. Sands Motel on Route 66 in Grants, New Mexico. Shot while scouting for new film .

10/07/2024

17/06/2024

The Old Pink, an iconic Buffalo dive bar was destroyed by fire today.

When I first moved to Buffalo in October 2005, Ron Eggleton helped me drive the moving truck cross country and we arrived in Buffalo around midnight. For reasons I did not understand then but do now, The Old Pink was our first stop. Ron introduced me to their famous steak sandwich AND grilled bologna sandwich. (A revelation!)

A few years later, I teamed with the ultra-talented Nelson Starr, to make this short video, which was part of our pitch to Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations to come film an episode in Buffalo.

(BTW our pitch worked!)

RIP The Old Pink

Following up on their acclaimed contest entry video, Nelson Starr and John Paget team up for one last attempt to woo Tony Bourdain to Buffalo, with a late ni...

11/06/2024

Filmmaker John Paget has started production on a new documentary Route 66: The Main Street of America - an Official Route 66 Centennial Project.

07/05/2024

Historic 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

05/05/2024

A good way to end a Route 66 shoot. More onion fried burgers at Robert's Grill - Onion Burgers.
This is my favorite hamburger restaurant in the world.

30/04/2024

Exciting news! I'm thrilled to announce my latest film project: a feature documentary on Route 66, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

This film, recently designated an Official Project of the U.S. Route 66 Centennial, will include a 26-city "rolling premiere" screening tour along the iconic Mother Road.

Having started my filmmaking journey on Route 66 in the '90s, I've always been drawn to its rich history and unique stories. Traveling from Chicago to LA and back (many times) shaped my passion for stories about cities and small towns, underdogs, and revitalization.

This new film will pay tribute to the unique cultural heritage of Route 66. But it is not just about history. It's about community, resilience, and the next 100 years.

I plan to chronicle "the making of" this film like no other project I've produced. At our website, you'll find a link to sign up for updates. And you can become a patron at our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, sneak previews, and stories as we hit the road and start production. Check out more and join me on the adventure here:

Official site of the feature documentary film THE MAIN STREET OF AMERICA

29/04/2024

06/02/2024

"It will make you cry." - Stephanie Barber Geter.

I was honored to meet and interview Stephanie Barber-Geter for my film "Buffalo: America's Best Designed City." (see an excerpt below)

Mrs. Barber-Geter (1954-2024) was a "community pillar" for Buffalo - an original opponent of the destruction of Humboldt Parkway, and a tireless champion for restoring it.

Eleven years ago, we released the film in which she appears, which now has 1.2+ million views.

The film reminds Buffalo that it was once "the best-planned city in the world," and recounts how it later squandered that legacy in a series of tragic decisions: Buffalo rammed freeways through its one-of-a-kind world-class Olmsted parks; and for good measure, the city added a freeway all along the entire waterfront, cutting off downtown and historic neighborhoods from access to the Niagara River and Lake Erie.

There really is only one path forward for Buffalo. It's especially obvious now that even the economic development experts (after so many failed silver bullet projects) have realized that the best economic development is actually .

Buffalo can easily reclaim its title as America's best-designed city - and it does not require some insanely expensive expenditure or innovative invention. The money and technology to fix it exist right now. It is eminently doable. It simply requires removing the freeways.

This is not even a radical proposal anymore. Freeway removal has been done in cities all across America and around the world, and it has worked every time. Milwaukee, Seoul, San Francisco, Rochester, the list goes on.

Stephanie Barbe-Geter spoke the truth. Hopefully, other civic leaders will finally rise up and call for the removal of freeways, the reconnection to the waterfront, and the complete restoration of Olmsted's parks and parkways.

Excerpt from the documentary "America's Best Designed City" featuring Stephanie Barber Geter."Stephanie Barber Geter harbored a dream of seeing the return of...

20/06/2023

Our feature documentary "Believe: The True Story of Real Bearded Santas" screens at West Sound Film Festival in Bremerton, Washington August 5th.

NEWS: We're an official selection to West Sound Film Festival in Bremerton, Washington!
Screening at SEEfilm Cinema on Saturday, August 5th 11:00am.
Thanks and hope to see you there!

02/03/2023

27/01/2023

Even a city that is getting better makes mistakes, such as a massive concrete wall around a good development in a city where population and urbanism are growing.

02/12/2022

Our feature documentary Believe: The True Story of Real Bearded Santas screens tonight as part of Utah Film Festival - check out this interview and a bit of the story behind the film.

Festival News Filmmaker Interviews John Paget & James Waugh – Believe 5 days ago John Paget and James Waugh are filmmakers from New York who’s film Believe: The True Story of Real Bearded Santas will be screening at the Utah Film Festival monthly screening on December 2nd at the Towne Hub in Ame...

01/12/2022

NOW OPEN! Today we announce our Call For Entries for our 10th Anniversary Edition of the Better Cities Film Festival! We founded this festival ten years ago in Los Angeles. It's grown over the years with over 100 screenings around the world. 200 guests speakers leading discussion and workshops. And we've reviewed over 1,000 films. In 2020 the festival moved its home base to Detroit and continues to be the premiere film festival sharing stories about people making their city a better place. Today's the first day of submissions for our biggest year yet. Please share this news to help us grow the festival into the biggest event yet. Submit a film today! https://filmfreeway.com/bettercitiesfilmfestival
Cinema Detroit Woodward Original PlacemakingX Congress for the New Urbanism MiCNU (Michigan Chapter of Congress for the New Urbanism) CNU Midwest Strong Towns

16/11/2022

An ocularist in Portland, Oregon makes incredible prosthetic eyes. Recently shot for 60 Second Docs.

In the market for a glow-in-the-dark or Swarovski crystal eye? Ocularist Christina King is your person. She designs creative prosthetics for patients who hav...

01/11/2022

Creepy Dolls - are they humorous or horrifying? A recent shoot I did for 60 Second Docs for Halloween Day release.

https://youtu.be/YlHPWKdS1gE

18/08/2022

Buffalo is a great place to be together.

Recent work for Visit Buffalo Niagara.

28/04/2022

The public is invited to Buffalo's CEPA Gallery to view two internationally debuted exhibitions exploring the urban landscapes of Buffalo and the School’s work within them over the past 50 years. "The City and Its School" is on view through April 30.  

04/04/2022

Western New York is home to some incredible business success stories - often little known and unsung.

Last year Paget Films had the opportunity to tell one of those stories: Whiting Door Manufacturing Corp. in Akron, New York.

In the first year of operation (back in 1953), their entire plant was destroyed in a fire. They never gave up and went on to launch the $100+ million roll-up truck door industry. For 70 years, they've continued to innovate and dominate the market worldwide - all while staying family-owned and based in Akron, New York.

[Special thanks to the crew who contributed to this production including gaffer Nicholas Earley and amazing FPV aerials by Tom Warner / Flyte Bytes]

23/03/2022

Saddened to hear of the recent passing of our friend Dan Berger from La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Dan was a generous, lovable, humble friend, a mentor to many musicians, and an amazing poet, singer, and songwriter.

We met while making the film Larry Has Left The Building in La Crosse, as Dan was a fellow musician and friend of the late Larry Hass (the subject of the documentary).

Dan's original song "River Town" is a tribute to his hometown - a civic anthem for La Crosse and river towns everywhere - and the film includes a brief scene of Dan performing it live at a local bar.

Posting this excerpt from the film here in his honor and memory.

Condolences to his many friends and family.

07/03/2022

Discover the Vision, the “Why” and the Inspiration behind The Villages of Summerfield Farms

31/10/2021

This year, I was honored to work with Lexington Co-op to create a film to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

I call the Lexington Co-op "Buffalo's most beloved store." It has anchored a neighborhood, fostered community, supported local farmers and food entrepreneurs, and enhanced life in the city of Buffalo in countless ways that go far beyond providing healthy and delicious food.

I became an owner member in 2005, within my first week of arriving in Buffalo. I'm owner number 3,053. Back then, I felt like a newcomer. This year, they surpassed 20,000 members!

Since it is a store owned by us, an institution truly made "by the people and for the people," our approach to the film was to let the people tell the story in their own words. So we interviewed 50 members from across the years, to create this tribute.

[Thank you to the Co-op team Tim Bartlett, Michelle Niblock, Amanda Cammarano, and Shelby Little -- and to the talented local creatives that helped on the production, including Jarek Pulit at 19 Ideas, Tom Warner Flyte Bytes, Nicholas Earley, Brandon Moran Buffalo Above Films]

Sit back with your favorite healthy snack from the co-op, and enjoy!

https://youtu.be/F-k_Cp6gK20

The film, produced by John Paget, features interviews from fifty owners, one from each year of the co-op. It is a combination of animations, photos, and -of ...

30/07/2021

Last Call! July 31 is the final deadline for films for our 2021 Flagship in https://filmfreeway.com/bettercitiesfilmfestival

17/04/2021

Atomos HDMI cable (not all HDMI cables support the 10-bit 60p recording - this special Atomos HDMI cable does). Condition is "Used". Atomos hard protective case with custom cut foam. This item is used, but in great working condition.

13/04/2021

The Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture & Culture is calling on the NY State Department of Transportation, with other state agencies, to restore reclaimed land from Skyway removal to conditions established by founder Joseph Ellicott in 1800 and Erie Canal builder DeWitt Clinton in 182...

01/02/2021

20% of the Buffalo Skyway causes 100% of the urban harm. Why not save the other 80% and make it a sustainable urban amenity?

20/01/2021

Recently had the opportunity to serve as contributing DoP on this short film featuring faith leaders from across the country. A timely and important message.