In the past many of you may have received your updates about this production via the Dear Anna Olson Newsletter.  But, because of the time it took to pull that tome together (not to mention the cost) its arrival to you, our friends and supporters, tended to be sporadic at best.  Now with this new hi-tech iteration of that most cherished publication, we will be able to bring you the latest news on the film’s progress, events and (not too far down the road) screenings!  DearAnnaOlson.com also allows us to provide new features that the traditional newsletter never could, such as:

• Image galleries.
• Video clips from the film.
• The ability to make convenient online donations!
• All easily accessed from our interactive Homepage (click on the notes!).

Now, aside from the creation of this website, we do have other news to report.  I’ll begin with the big news first…

… ACT I HAS BEEN COMPLETED!!!!  Yes, I’m happy to report that everything came together beautifully … including finding a cameraman who still shoots film and wasn’t on the verge of retiring  …  and, now, Act I of Dear Anna Olson is, as they say, “in the can!”

Working full-time on the film, for well over a year now, has allowed me to bring the production up to speed and make great strides toward its completion.  And, to build upon this forward momentum, I brought three additional animators and various assistants onboard to help out with the remaining acts.  If I can maintain this current pace I expect to have Dear Anna Olson all wrapped up by October 2009.  Then begins the process of promoting, exhibiting and eventually distributing this picture … a task, which will require almost as much work as creating the film in the first place!  This brings me to the next bit of news.

Dear Anna Olson is now being sponsored by the Independent Feature Project (www.ifp.org). No, I haven’t added 75-minutes to the film’s running-time! IFP sponsors the short works of emerging directors. Throughout its 29 year history IFP has been a significant presence at film festivals around the world and a champion of independent motion pictures. It is my hope that this affiliation will prove beneficial when it comes time to start entering the Dear Anna Olson into festivals.

And, by way of more local news, The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (www.cultureandtourism.org) screened excerpts of Dear Anna Olson as part of the inaugural show in their new gallery space the past February. The CCCT awarded me a $2,500 Artist Fellowship Grant last year, which I used to cover the camera costs and some of the lab fees.

That’s just about it for the news but, before I conclude, let me take this opportunity to thank several people who were instrumental in pulling this website together, starting with my close friend and Producer, Jennifer Kirby, who’s literary contributions to DearAnnaOlson.com (not to mention countless grant proposals, newsletters, press releases and on and on) have proven to be invaluable.  Thank you Jennifer!

Thanks to my Production Advisors, Liz Culp and Lori Castronuovo and my Animation Supervisor (and wife), Nancy Lennert for helping to polish and guide the look and content of this site.

Thanks to our Web Guru, Mary Jo Place, who  patiently worked with me while I explored the many presentation options for this site.

Thanks to the following Industry Notables who so generously lent their words of support to this project – Frederic Back, John Canemaker, Daniel Esterman, David B. Levy, Bryan Singer, Linda Simensky, Tom Warburton, Chris Wedge and Mo Willems.

I would also like to thank our team of brave and hearty Test-Pilots for diving into the site and providing additional perspectives which helped direct what you see here – Cory Gabel, Johnny Lennert, Phil McNagny, Scott Storm and Jennifer Tippins.

And finally, many thanks to you, for not only visiting DearAnnaOlson.com but, for your continued interest and support of this very special film!  Without you this site, and Dear Anna Olson, wouldn’t exist!

Please feel free to CONTACT US should you have any comments or questions about DearAnnaOlson.com or the film itself.  And, so you don’t miss any new developments, we encourage you to sign-up for the Dear Anna Olson ONLINE NEWSLETTER!

Most Sincerely,
Dean Kalman Lennert
Director/Animator,
Dear Anna Olson