Swinging in the Shadows is the untold story of the California Beat Era depicted in a two-part documentary.

Venice West and the LA Scene is about what took place in Venice, California and West Los Angeles during the late 50s mostly insider knowledge until now. It provided the inspiration that rocked the Los Angeles cultural world.

San Franciscos Wild History Groove focuses on the underground artists and poets who hung out together in the 50s/early 60s. They helped create an energetic renaissance in that city that resonates today.

Art does matter. Poetry adds meaning to your life. For an underground group in 50s California art and poetry was everything and they went full tilt for their muse. They hung out together in smoky coffee houses and bars, digging jazz, falling in and out of love, having kicks; but, still competely serious about their work. They produced  distinctive and individualistic art. They brought poetry out of academia into the bars and hangouts. They created their own world apart from the 1950s mainstream. Its not surprising to realize they planted the seeds of the late 60s cultural revolution that started in 1967 San Franciscos Summer of Love. How they kept their freedom and survived has a compelling effect on later generations. Its a history that is even more revelent today when so much of our culture has been popularized and co-opted, diminishing any meaning. As Poet David Meltzer put it There has been a considerable darkening.

Commitment What has kept me dedicated to doing the project, against all odds, is a realization that these Beat Era individuals were correct in resisting the commercial, mainstream world. They knew that it would compromise their own creative expression losing the freedom they valued above all else. Their example has strengthened my resolve to continue working on this project regardless of the practicality. Doing what you have love to do is the best reward.

I have self-funded this project for over 15 years (with some contributions) and can no longer continue to do so. Now I need to raise finishing money to see the project to completion.

Production The expertise, creativity and commitment of our well respected professional team consisting of Elaine Trotter, Michael Rohde and Andy Neddermeyer has made this project become a reality.

Approach This documentary tells the story in a very personal, direct, and intimate way. Its a wild history from first-hand accounts of the participants. This differs from official history, which is written by others after the fact. You get a more accurate flavor of the milieu, hearing it described by those who were actually on the scene. Fortunately, I was able to record these stories on camera before many of the participants passed away.

Back Story In 1960, I came to San Francisco and fell into the North Beach scene meeting artist Les Kerr in the Jazz Cellar. After we married, I moved into the infamous Fillmore Building.  Artists and a few poets lived there until it was sold and rents skyrocketed in the mid 60s. This building was a focal point of the San Francisco art scene a place to produce, show work as well as a hangout with lively parties. Meeting these artists and seeing their work opened a new world for me.  Their uncompromising approach to art and creativity influenced and inspired me to document their story now many years later.

Epilogue Today, the work from this underground group has become more recognized and valuable the deserved outcome of maintaining a committed aesthetics. Now, a younger generation of artists and poets are struggling with the same dilemma how to keep the pressure to make money from destroying the freedom to produce what they really want to create regardless of acceptance. Often, after showing the rough cut of these documentaries to the public, young artists have told me how inspired they felt to know about the experiences of those individuals in the documentary. It reinforces their desire to follow their passions with the same seriousness striving for pure self-expression and taking the risk to do it without the motivation of personal gain.

Participants These are the poets & artists featured in the documentaries (in alphabetical order):

• Bob Branaman -  Artist (1933 - ) SF
• Charles Brittin - Photographer (1929 - 2011) LA
• Roy De Forest -  Artist (1930 - 2007) SF
• Jack & Adelle Foley  - Poets (1940 - ) SF
• Dimitri Grachis -  Artist (1932 - ) SF
• Wally Hedrick -  Artist (1928 - 2007) SF
• Philomene Long -  Poet/Filmmaker (1940 - 2007) LA
• Ron Loewinsohn - Writer/Poet (1937 - ) SF
• Joann Low (1934 - ) Artist SF
• William Margolis -  Poet (1927 - 1998) LA
• David Meltzer  - Poet/Writer - (1937 - ) LA & SF
• Stuart Perkoff  - Poet/Artist - (1930 - 1974 ) LA
  
• Deborah Remington -  Artist (1930 - 2010) SF
• Frank Rios -  Poet/Artist (1936 - ) LA
• Aya Rose (Tarlow) -  Poet/Writer (1932 - ) LA & SF
• Tony Scibella -  Poet/Artist (1932 - 2003) LA
• David Simpson - Artist (1928 - ) SF
• John Thomas -  Poet/Writer (1930 - 2002) LA
• ruth weiss - Poet (1928 - ) SF
• Saul White -  Artist/Poet (1932 - 2003) LA

More about Swinging in the Shadows For more information, go to our website, BeatEra.org.

You can view trailers for each documentary on our YouTube channel, CaliforniaBeatEra. 

If you have questions or comments, do not hesitate to email us at contact@beatera.com.

What your contributions will accomplish It will get us over the finish line completion and release of these two documentaries in a boxed set which includes the following:

• Editing was completed but editor not yet paid (Venice West and the LA Scene) 
• Add closed captioning on both documentaries
• Finish audio sweetening/sound mix (Venice West and the LA Scene)
• Produce a two DVD boxed set that includes:
•     Extra bonus material additional comments/anecdotes from the participants
•     Menu development for special features and authoring        
•     Downloadable study guides
•     Replication

After we reach our goal of $8,500, any additional funds will be used for:

• Outreach costs for film festivals and screenings
• Outstanding production costs

What you get for contributing We have great perks for you when you contribute.  See the rewards for each level on the right of this page.  The original paintings for the highest levels can be viewed on our website.

In addition to the perks, there are other many related items (original paintings, prints, etchings, autographed books, signed photographs, and much more) available for donations on our website.

Please contribute to the project now and choose your perk on the right side of the page!

Note: All contributions and donations are tax-deductible. CA Palm, the production company, is an educational 502c3 non-profit corporation.

I thank you for your interest and support Mary Kerr