Coming Home: Celebrating the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 2017
Project by Hilary Prentice

Hilary Prentice
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Coming Home - Celebrating the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 2017 is a stirring celebration of America’s first female military pilots, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). It is a living History, a tribute and exploration into the courage of these women.
Coming Home: Celebrating the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 2017
by Hilary Prentice
Hilary Prentice
Follow
Coming Home - Celebrating the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 2017 is a stirring celebration of America’s first female military pilots, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). It is a living History, a tribute and exploration into the courage of these women.
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Story
Mission Statement
Led by a female director & crew, our project highlights our long-forgotten WWII female aviators, often left out of the WWII narrative entirely, & simultaneously adds women in uniform to our cultural dialogue, so young boys and girls around the world will know these women for the heroes they are.About The Project
Coming Home - Celebrating the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 2017 is a portrait of the last surviving World War II Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), a moving memorial tribute to their service to their country, and a stirring celebration of their fierce determination that went against the tide of their times. Time has lent these women, most of whom are in their mid to late 90s, a perspective of their past unequalled in its significance on women’s history. Taking place over Memorial Day Weekend at the National WASP WWII Museum at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, TX, Coming Home introduces the audience to eleven WASP who have made the journey from all over the country for this celebration.
We hear from our remarkable women what it was like to leave home for the first time as a young woman in America in 1943; what it was like to solo in a military aircraft for the first time; about the perils of night-flying and equipment malfunction; and what it was like to find love - and lose a love in war time. Hearing these women tell their stories, with their matter-of-fact sensibilities, vocabulary from a different era, and their wonderful humor, we experience a group of women pushing the boundaries of society, without consciously trying. We feel the spunk and gusto that our first female military aviators still possess today, and what must have propelled them beyond society’s expectations of “normal” during the 1940s.
Against the backdrop of a Memorial Day celebration, we also see the impact these women of “the Greatest Generation” have had on the next generations. The keynote speaker, Former U.S. Fighter Pilot and 9/11 Hero Heather Penney, pays tribute to the women who came before her. The WASP are escorted throughout the weekend by young servicemen and servicewomen. We experience their arrival with a formal salute from the servicemen and women, followed by cheers and applause by the crowd that has come to witness the weekend celebration. It is an emotional moment with the WASP, their children and family members, and the community of people who have gathered to show their gratitude for the sacrifices the WASP made in service to their country. Men, women, and children of all ages descend upon the National WASP WWII Museum to shake the hands of these women, have them sign books they have authored, witness a WASP having an imprint of her hands taken, and fly in restored airplanes from WWII.
Finally, we experience a moving memorial service for the 38 WASP who died in the line of duty, but at the time of their deaths, they received no military burial, no flag for their families. That is rectified at this Memorial Service, and we then experience a military funeral ceremony for WASP Marty Wyall, who died this past spring. A flag is presented by Colonel Sunny Cool to Marty’s daughter, and Marty’s ashes are spread on Avenger Field while the crowd is silent. Through the voices of the WASP who are in attendance, along with some of the children of the WASP, we feel connected to this memorial service for Marty Wyall; like we got to know her in a way. We feel the love for her that is present in the crowd in attendance, through the music played by the marching band, and the military gospel singers. We hope that her service will be remembered, recognized, and appreciated by our country, along with our eleven WASP who have taken us on this journey in Coming Home.
Incentives
$10
Personalized Social Media Thank You!
If you donate $10 and above you will get personally thanked on the FlyGirls Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts! Plus we will email you a personalized FlyGirls logo with "Special Thanks To Your Name."
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$25
Postcard from Director Matia Karrell!
All of the rewards listed above, plus a thank you postcard from Oscar-nominated director Matia Karrell!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$50
Thank You Video or Voicemail Greeting from Director Matia Karrell!
All of the rewards listed above, plus a personalized thank you video or a personalized voicemail greeting recording from Director Matia Karrell and Producer Hilary Prentice!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$99
DVD of Coming Home!
Donate $99 in honor of the 99's and we will give you your very own DVD copy of Coming Home with behind the scenes content, plus exclusive updates just for our donors, in addition to all of the above rewards!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$250
Bronze Pilot's Cross Circle Member; Advanced Streaming Link
Donate $250 to be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Bronze Circle Member of our "Pilot's Cross Circle"! At this level, you will get an exclusive advanced release streaming link to the completed documentary in addition to all the rewards listed above. Pilot's Cross Circle Members receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings. If you donate by November 11th you will also receive free admission to our November 12th event "The Greatest Generation Meets the Next Generation: Women in Flight" at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica and get to meet the WASP in person at the event's private reception for donors! (Travel accomodations not included).*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$500
Silver Pilot's Cross Circle Member & Exclusive Merchandise Discount Codes!
With a donation of $500, you will be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Silver Circle Member of our Pilot's Cross Circle, as well as any future educational documentaries about the WASP that The Red Door Films produces to accompany their dramatic series FlyGirls. Pilot's Cross Circle Members receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings. You will also receive everything listed above as well as a code to receive 50% off discounts on exclusive FlyGirls merchandise!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$1,000
Gold Pilot's Cross Circle Member & Personalized Thank You from the WASP!
With a $1,000 donation, you will receive a personalized thank you video from one of the WASP living right here in Southern California. Donate by November 11th, to receive a video thank you from the WASP attending our event "The Greatest Generation Meets the Next Generation: Women in Flight" on November 12th at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. You will also be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Gold Circle Member of our Pilot's Cross Circle, as well as any future educational documentaries about the WASP that The Red Door Films produces to accompany their dramatic series FlyGirls. Pilot's Cross Circle Members receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings. In addition, you will receive all of the above rewards!
*All donations are tax-deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$2,500
Platinum Pilot's Cross Circle Member & Associate Producer Credit
Ever wanted to be a featured producer? This is your chance! With a $2,500 donation, you will recieve all the rewards listed above, as well as an "Associate Producer" credit. You will also be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Platinum Circle Member of our Pilot's Cross Circle, as well as any future educational documentaries about the WASP that The Red Door Films produces to accompany their dramatic series FlyGirls. You will receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings.
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
Claimed: 1 of 10
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Personalized Social Media Thank You!
If you donate $10 and above you will get personally thanked on the FlyGirls Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts! Plus we will email you a personalized FlyGirls logo with "Special Thanks To Your Name."
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$25
Postcard from Director Matia Karrell!
All of the rewards listed above, plus a thank you postcard from Oscar-nominated director Matia Karrell!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$50
Thank You Video or Voicemail Greeting from Director Matia Karrell!
All of the rewards listed above, plus a personalized thank you video or a personalized voicemail greeting recording from Director Matia Karrell and Producer Hilary Prentice!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$99
DVD of Coming Home!
Donate $99 in honor of the 99's and we will give you your very own DVD copy of Coming Home with behind the scenes content, plus exclusive updates just for our donors, in addition to all of the above rewards!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$250
Bronze Pilot's Cross Circle Member; Advanced Streaming Link
Donate $250 to be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Bronze Circle Member of our "Pilot's Cross Circle"! At this level, you will get an exclusive advanced release streaming link to the completed documentary in addition to all the rewards listed above. Pilot's Cross Circle Members receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings. If you donate by November 11th you will also receive free admission to our November 12th event "The Greatest Generation Meets the Next Generation: Women in Flight" at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica and get to meet the WASP in person at the event's private reception for donors! (Travel accomodations not included).*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$500
Silver Pilot's Cross Circle Member & Exclusive Merchandise Discount Codes!
With a donation of $500, you will be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Silver Circle Member of our Pilot's Cross Circle, as well as any future educational documentaries about the WASP that The Red Door Films produces to accompany their dramatic series FlyGirls. Pilot's Cross Circle Members receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings. You will also receive everything listed above as well as a code to receive 50% off discounts on exclusive FlyGirls merchandise!
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$1,000
Gold Pilot's Cross Circle Member & Personalized Thank You from the WASP!
With a $1,000 donation, you will receive a personalized thank you video from one of the WASP living right here in Southern California. Donate by November 11th, to receive a video thank you from the WASP attending our event "The Greatest Generation Meets the Next Generation: Women in Flight" on November 12th at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. You will also be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Gold Circle Member of our Pilot's Cross Circle, as well as any future educational documentaries about the WASP that The Red Door Films produces to accompany their dramatic series FlyGirls. Pilot's Cross Circle Members receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings. In addition, you will receive all of the above rewards!
*All donations are tax-deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
$2,500
Platinum Pilot's Cross Circle Member & Associate Producer Credit
Ever wanted to be a featured producer? This is your chance! With a $2,500 donation, you will recieve all the rewards listed above, as well as an "Associate Producer" credit. You will also be credited in the Special Thanks of Coming Home as a Platinum Circle Member of our Pilot's Cross Circle, as well as any future educational documentaries about the WASP that The Red Door Films produces to accompany their dramatic series FlyGirls. You will receive special invitations to all of our events, private receptions and private screenings.
*All donations are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor From the Heart Productions*
Claimed: 1 of 10
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Current Team
About This Team
Academy Award-Nominated Creator/Director
MATIA ANNE KARRELL
Matia Karrell directed the 1989 Academy Award Nominated short film, CADILLAC DREAMS. In 2001, she directed her first feature length film, BEHIND THE RED DOOR on location in Newfoundland. In 2003, BEHIND THE RED DOOR premiered on Showtime Network, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Kyra Sedgwick, and Stockard Channing. RED DOOR took first prize for Best Feature Film Screenplay at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2002 and was a finalist in the 2004 PEN Center USA Literary Awards. Her second feature, ONCE UPON A WEDDING, was released in 2005 and had its television premiere on Showtime. Ms Karrell is a recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship. She was awarded the prestigious John Wells Directing Fellowship and the ABC/ DISNEY Directing Fellowship. Among her television credits are THE WEST WING and ARMY WIVES. Matia Karrell is a film instructor in the Graduate Program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. See examples of Matia’s film Behind the Red Door here: https://vimeo.com/204710913 and her award winning Cadillac Dreams here: https://vimeo.com/204711299. View her demo reel at www.matiakarrell.com/demoreel.mov, and her IMDB page at http://www.imdb.me/matiakarrell
Producer
HILARY PRENTICE
Hilary Prentice has been in production for over 15 years, assisting the producers of GO before producing writer/director Jim MacDonald’s first film, HEAVY LIFTING which garnered multiple awards across the festival circuit. Prentice is also producing the Indy film THE BOY ON THE BUS, which is in development, for the The Red Door Films. Recently, Prentice assisted Karrell on the Indy film THE TALE, starring Laura Dern. In addition to Film and TV, Prentice is currently producing a webseries airing weekly on the online lifestyle site Prohbtd, as well as promo videos for companies and nonprofits. A graduate of Dartmouth College with honors, Prentice received a Dickey Fellowship to study theatre in London and co-founded Dartmouth’s first student run television station. Her short film, SISTERS, was accepted into the All-Ivy Film festival.
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