Two New Reviews of Timely Novel by MLHolton, TRILLIUM

--- Opps! A short apology, dear friends! 

I've just had my ancient laptop refurbished, (new keyboard), and upgraded with new software (Windows 10), and am now boldly stumbling forward. (... ach!  the filing system is sooo different, passwords have 'disappeared' and one drive of info will not 'link' ... arg!) - Still, I did what to get out this brief shout-out to two very kind book reviewers who recently penned their thoughts about my latest novel effort, TRILLIUM.

First up, California-based writer, Veronica Cline Barton. Veronica is a prolific writer in her own right with a very intriguing and active writing blog. Under her #amreading and #amreviewing hashtags, she very kindly wrote the following: -

- TRILLIUM by Author M. L. Holton - ***** 5 STAR REVIEW

'This week I traveled 250 years through time with an historical fiction, multi-generational masterpiece! - Three men, three families, and 250 years of life stories and secrets flow through this masterful tale by author M.L. Holton. 

War between the British and French comes to an end, at the dawn of a new Canada. Land is royally granted, setting up the beginning of unimaginable fortunes and business opportunities for the few, agricultural livelihoods supporting generations for others, and power schemes fueled by jealousy and envy for some that will do anything to get their way.

The TRILLIUM story line is magnificent in the way it has been structured, moving the reader seamlessly through the happenings in each family generation and disclosing the decisions that will impact descendants in the future. Author Holton cleverly ties in historical events to the fictional families and agricultural details of the region that yield surprising new ventures, giving you several ‘ah-hah’ moments that this reader enjoyed.

As the family destinies play out, the lives of the rich and famous, as well as those of more modest means unfold over the decades, giving you an insight to their love lives, fated relationships, family tragedies, scheming personalities, joys and dreams as the generations within the families grow and adapt to this wondrous land. The sadness of lives lost, cruel deeds, revenge driven intentions, illness and lost hope will keep you turning page after page to see how the characters will react—and who will survive and thrive, or not.

The surroundings detailed in TRILLIUM pull you in to witness the beauty and splendor of the land, grand homes, and the drama as it unfolds. I couldn’t put this book down–I was enchanted and mesmerized by the story lines of the families, the characters, and settings from beginning to end. The scope and depth of this story is fantastically told, taking you through generations of family love, hope and drama—slowly revealing the secrets that will bind these families together forever. --- A fantastic read, highly recommended!'

---
Cool, eh? Veronica also, unprompted, added her 5 STAR review to Amazon, Goodreads and BookPub. - That was very decent of her! - Thank you V! 

Then, a few days later, marvelous Mel, who writes for 'Book Reviews From Canada' blog had the following to say - 

'TRILLIUM follows the stories of several families from different backgrounds as their lives intersect across generations in the Niagara region. This is a very well-done book. ... Holton has crafted a beautifully written and incredibly detailed novel. I loved how character-driven the novel was ... and ... Holton vividly describes the scenery so that you can clearly imagine it  ... Holton has managed to intersect the story lines of so many varied characters and plot points.  ...  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in character focused historical fiction spanning generations.'

---  Cool too, no? 

It is fascinating how people do perceive and interpret this new work through their own perceptual prisms. - Each sees, resonates and amplifies something slightly different. I am so glad that readers are enjoying this timely historical fiction.

Please do feel free to add your thoughts about your read of TRILLIUM too to either Goodreads and/or Amazon (via Amazon CA in Canada, or via AMAZON. COM for American and global options.

(Kindly note, if you're thinking of picking up either an e-book or paperback please note that the currency exchange rates fluctuate from country to country.)

THANK YOU One & ALL! 

The Frozen Goose at Hamilton Film Festival, 2017

The Frozen Goose - a film by M.L.Holton

It's OFFICIAL! ~ 

The Frozen Goose will be screening at Hamilton Film Festival.

Mark calendars for Nov. 8th, 7pm - 'Ontario Shorts!' program.
At wonderful theatre space - Cinestarz Burlington

Event listing:  https://www.facebook.com/HamiltonFilmFestival/posts/904118356412288

Ticket info:  https://www.bruha.com/event/2002

UPDATE: Sept.25th -  Tickets selling fast! Almost sold out!
UPDATE: Oct 18th - SECOND SCREENING set up. Nov. 9th.

Don't delay if you want to catch this Canadian classic WW1 family drama on the big screen! Fun for the whole family.

Also thrilled to report that this 25 minute film has been picked up by educational distributor,  McIntyre Media.  It is in their fall catalogue, available to rent or buy. (It has also been included in their Remembrance Day package.) And, #TheFrozenGoose will be broadcast on COGECO on Nov. 11th at 1pm & 7:30pm, and again on Nov. 12th at 1:30pm. Check your service provider's schedule for dates & show times.

UPDATE: Dec 12th - A special one-time Christmas airing is happening on CABLE 14, Dec. 17th, 6pm. Tune in then! Rogers and COGECO subscribers can live-stream. 

Or - Watch on-line through my secured portal: 

https://thefrozengoose.vhx.tv

The Frozen Goose, Canadian Film - One Year Later

One Year Later - Final scene location for The Frozen Goose film

 

 One year ago today, after nine months of rehearsals, the local cast & crew dove in for an intense 6 days of film-making in North Burlington, Milton and at Westfield Heritage Village in southern Ontario, Canada.

One year later, this completed 25 minute Canadian film, about the psychic devastation that World War One wrought on one rural family, is a Reel Keeper! - Thanks to a superb cast: Leslie Gray as 'Leslie', John Fort as 'Tom', Rod McTaggart as 'Uncle Harry' - with youngsters Hannah Ralph playing 'Bella' & Cameron Brindle as 'Charlie! - Plus, a shout-out to local film champion, Nathan Fleet for keeping me rolling in the right direction during all aspects of production.

Clockwise: Two young stars, Hannah Ralph as 'Bella' & Cameron Brindle as 'Charlie', ruby red mittens made for the shoot, Cover Shot from The View Magazine review in December, 2016, plus DVDs on display at Canadian library.

(Here are some additional  'behind-the-scenes' from the 1st Day of the shoot.)

Releasing on September 11th, 2016, with a World Premiere at the Art Gallery of Burlington, it was very gratifying to see & hear audience's reaction, (from 2 sold-out screenings), for all the hard work all had put in. Overall, since 2014, there have been 18 pieces of PRESS written about this film.  The First Edition DVDs also sold out within the first two weeks of release.

Slowly but surely, as Producer, Director and Writer, I am now planning the BEST way to carry this small, yet timely, project forward ... Two distributors have offered Contracts. But, in the current topsy-turvy world of internet broadcasting, their EXCLUSIVE 5 to 7-year terms may not be, in fact, the best way ahead ... While I weigh out the pros and cons of this aspect of production, this wonderful family-friendly film is now Available ON-LINE  - GIVE A GANDER!

Cameron Brindle, as 'Charlie', getting ready for Take 4 at another private location in Halton County.

 Watch & Share The FROZEN GOOSE on-line 

at: https://thefrozengoose.vhx.tv/

Terrific Review of The FROZEN GOOSE in The View!

Front Cover of The View - Current Edition, Dec 2016

 Thrilled by this review (with a  FRONT COVER!) by Canadian film critic, Rachel More. 

Very complimentary, perceptive & kind. 

What a Christmas gift! 

Having trouble reading? 

Try the on-line version - Swipe thru to PAGE 13. 
Back issue: Volume 22, Issue 49. Dec 15-22nd, 2016.) 

Footage from Premiere of The FROZEN GOOSE

NB: This is my first time posting with Bloggers innate video tool.
FYI,  it does NOT link to Youtube, so don't bother popping over there ...
(You can use the bracket tool on the lower right corner to enlarge the video to full-screen.
 Quality is not so hot when you do that. So far, it seems to work on PCs, but not on APPLE mobile products.)

Canadian artist/filmmaker, Margaret Lindsay Holton, introduces Mayor Rick Goldring at the World (!) Premiere of The FROZEN GOOSE at the Art Gallery of Burlington, (Ontario, Canada) on September 11th, 2016.  The Mayor offers up amusing insights into acting & local film production ... Missing is second speaker, CEO of the Art Gallery, Robert Steven. No footage of that.

Canadian Fiddler  David Clarence MacLean sets the pace for the 1st screening of classic Canadian short story The FROZEN GOOSE, during the World Premiere at the Art Gallery of Burlington (Ontario, Canada) on September 11th, 2016.

Between the two screenings of the FROZEN GOOSE, fab folk group Whiskey Epiphany - led by fiddler extraordinaire (and cast member) David Clarence MacLean - entertain with toe-tapping traditional rural reels. Excerpts of that fine performance are included in this final clip.

All footage generously supplied to MLH Productions by David's wonderful mum, Judy Holbrook.
THANKS JUDY!

The Frozen Goose - Teaser Trailer 1 - with PRE-ORDER LINK

Releasing SEPTEMBER, 2016. 

Pre-Order your Home-Use DVD Today! 

#TheFrozenGoose CANADIAN SHORT FILM Update

As some of you know, I'm doing a short film, The Frozen Goose, based on a published short story of mine of the same name. We've found some astounding private locations, as seen below, but we NEED Mother Nature to co-operate. We NEED below freezing temps for 2 weeks SOLID, to insure safety on the lake. (And we could use a bit more snow ...)  But, overall, SWEET!  - All coming together nicely. We SHOOT from February 6th to the 12th. Aiming for Release FALL 2016.

Follow along with cast & crew during pre-production via Facebook, Twitter or via dedicated website.

 

10th Annual Hamilton Film Festival - m.l.holton

Thrilled to announce that my short documentary about David Lambert: The Fastest Knot Tyer in Canada has been officially selected for the Documentary Short program for the 10th Annual Hamilton Film Festival. Running for one week during the early part of November this festival is WIDE-RANGING with over 200 films, a film expo, and entertainment throughout.

More info here: http://www.hamiltonfilmfestival.com/ 

My effort will be showing with a few other short great films - 
WEDNESDAY November 4th, 7pm - $10
STAIRCASE THEATRE, 27 Dundurn Street N. 
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 

Originally produced as an embed for a published article on Raise the Hammer in 2014, it's going to be a thrill to see it on the BIG SCREEN - Don't Miss It!

 

 

Director, Margaret LIndsay Holton, 

photo by A. Hornby, from Snapd Hamilton

Launch of THE FROZEN GOOSE - Part 3. INDIEGOGO LINK

It's OFFICIAL!! Join Us!!  Indiegogo campaign is now LIVE - 
NEW perks & Updates added - Sept 11th, 2015

So thrilled to have such great support from those in the arts & film community.  Keep 'em coming folks - only 22 days to go!!  

UPDATE: 6 days to go! It would appear that we've not done so well on the Indiegogo campaign, but thanks to 'private' contributions, like arts impresario Robert Missen and famed Canadian artist, Charles Pachter, we're much closer to a 'start point'. Thanks be to everyone who has pitched in to help make this happen! Your pennies do count! Please do chip in what you can before October 5th. Cheers!   

UPDATE, October 7th: DONE. Well, we didn't get anywhere NEAR what we'd hoped. STILL - because of other generous 'outside' contributions, we do have 'Lift Off'. This production is now fully in 'pre-production'. Aiming for - Release - in the September of 2016.  

Follow along on our Facebook 'fanpage', The Frozen Goose, or on Twitter, @TheFrozenGoose. Thanks everyone!  Lots of 'serious fun'! On & UP!

Sounds of Summer - VIDEO

Ambient sound is the single most important element in any film ... It is the backdrop for all dialogue and action. Get it right, and the 'texture' goes unnoticed, get it wrong and the entire film can be jeopardized. Be sure, when on location, to record the ESSENTIAL sounds of place ...Offered here on my two channels: canadada on VIMEO & MLH Productions on YouTube. It is the same video. - Which format do you prefer?  (UPDATE: Consensus is in. VIMEO for better quality, but YouTube for efficiency & better public reach ... )

Actor Jens Hansen as Canadian poet, Robert W. Service

Robert W. Service, Courtesy of Wikipedia CC.

Local actor Jens Hansen performs a spell-binding rendition of Robert Sevice's 'The Cremation of Sam McGee' ~ in the persona of the poet. This short film below has been made as a video embed for a review that I'm doing of the poet's life & major works for Brick Books of Canada: 'In Celebration of Canadian Poetry'. To be published in October, 2015.

UPDATE: October 29th, 2015 - NOW UP on Brick Books of Canada, in 'Celebration of Canadian Poetry'. 

Hamilton Music & Film Festival, Sept 25th-27th - Yeah! I'm IN!

Thrilled that my 14 minute documentary short - 

'Harold Dickert: Burlington Luthier' - will be presented at this festival. 

Soon nice to see my film-making efforts finally come to fruition ...

Harold makes the most beautiful stringed instruments 

in exotic and local woods that have great tonal resonance and sound clarity. 

Showing at THE SPICE FACTORY at 
121 Hughson St North, Hamilton, ON

Check for schedule & tickets HERE.

Launch of The Frozen Goose - Part 2

\

I've just picked up the promo cards for the IndieGoGo campaign. 

Lookin' good people!

----- Press Release ----- 

 

A new independent Canadian film production is underway in the GHA!

The Frozen Goose, based on a published short story of the same name by award-winning Golden Horseshoe artist & author, Margaret Lindsay Holton, is being made into a short film.

First published in the critically acclaimed cross-country World War One anthology, 'Engraved: Canadian Stories of World War One' ,The Frozen Goose follows a rural farming Canadian family as they cope in the aftermath of The Great War ...Their lives have been shattered. There has been Great Loss. And then - a horrific incident occurs that tests the very last shreds of their Survival Capabilities ...

Directed by Holton, cinematography will be handled by local photographic all-star, Kien Tran. Principal Photography is set to shoot in the first week of February, 2016.

A superb cast includes two veterans of the local stage, Leslie Gray, co-founder of Koogle Theatre Inc, and the ever affable Rod McTaggart - known for his recent performances at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Newcomers to the set include Cameron Brindle and the brilliant young starlet, Hannah Ralph - of Hamilton.

A novel aspect of this film production is that the Director, MLH, has committed to give a percentage of the net revenues to support The Red Cross of Canada. As MLH says, "Without The Red Cross, Life would be very bleak for many throughout the world. Thanks are to be given for their outstanding work for the young and old alike - all across Canada - and beyond."

- - - - - - - - -

See seductive teaser trailers for The Frozen Goose on YouTube, under MLH Productions. Beguiling and thought-provoking imagery is accompanied by the toe-tapping fiddling of the ever popular Golden Horseshoe fiddler, David Clarence MacLean.

Teaser Trailer 1.
  Teaser Trailer  2.

Keep up with the The Frozen Goose production via their fan page on Facebook.

Or, via Twitter @TheFrozenGoose.

For additional media updates and/or press queries, contact -

Margaret Lindsay Holton -

Writer/Producer/Director

Phone (redacted for internet)

Email: mlhpro (at) hotmail (dot) com 

UPDATE Aug 14th: Our First Bit of Press!  in the BURLINGTON GAZETTE 
UPDATE Aug 25th: Our Second Bit of Press! in The Hamilton Spectator & Flamborough Review. 

Launch of The Frozen Goose - Part 1

As some of you know, I've been involved with filmmaking over the past few decades ...

I am delighted to announce a new project, The Frozen Goose. Releasing in the Fall of 2016.
Please 'like' and 'follow' our production over on Facebook.