Suction Horse Productions, Josh Self, Xabbu1974 Exploiting my father & my son's Grandpa Bill Birmingham Alabama

Even though I understand it is within your rights to talk about how horrible you think we are and calling me personally an "idiot" over and over again. It is my right to give our side of the story and make sure people understand that there was absolutely NO exploitation of Bill. I was the producer. The director Kim Johnson and her friends came up with the idea after they befriend Bill. We at Suction Horse Productions (not even a real company) are a group of friends and film makers telling stories. We did the film because of the interesting story and to show everyone that you don't have to give up after tragedy happens or just because you get older. Yes, there were funny parts. Bill is a funny guy. And he laughed every time he saw the film. But most of the film is him telling his story. We find out who Bill is and follow him on a typical day.

We got signed releases by everyone involved and Bill was absolutely excited about the documentary every step of the way. The documentary was a $0 budget film, meaning we believed in the story and donated all of our own time money and effort into making this film and wanted to show people how inspiring Bill was and make him feel important in these later years of his life. We LOST about $500 total (not including the donated volunteer man hours from our crew and Bill's friends) for Film Festival submissions charges, fliers and postcards to let people know about screening times.

I appreciate you fairly posting my comment from YouTube. This basically explains the situation so I'm not going to go into every detail again. Basically the documentary has been dead in the water since the fall of 2007. Its not making any money. It never has. We're not selling any merchandise related to Bill. I DID take down the Cafepress store that we had up. We were planning on using any profits made from that for more film festival submission fees and eventually to bring Bill with us on any trips to film festivals. Sadly nothing ever sold so the store is pretty much useless.

I still don't know if any of you have seen the film yet (since you refuse to respond to any emails or messages or have any kind of dialogue). I would like to send you a copy if you haven't seen it already. If you would like, to send me your address, I will get it in the mail ASAP.

Hello Lauren, I have heard personally from Bill about you and now I am finally seeing your words for the first time. I am the person that is responsible for the film. Me and another friend used to see him out and wanted to know his story. So I approached him about the documentary and I gathered a group to shoot the movie. Not only am I a filmmaker but I am also a mother, have a close relationship with my family and lost both of my grandmothers the same year that the film was made. So I will never make a negative film. Lauren the only thing I ask of you is to RESEARCH AND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!! You are handing out names like “idiot” to my friend Josh and the film was not even his idea. I approached him to help me. Also, your father is a wonderful man and the city loves him. But, you will never know that unless you call him like you should. The time you are spending on this campaign, you could be spending with your father!!!!! But, you choose too pre-judge him and others as well. Ok as for the name Grandpa Bill……Your father has been on the radio here in Birmingham for a few years and has befriended one of the DJ's there. He has had him on his show once a week. Before I ever meet him I heard this show. So people have been calling him this name for many years now. Long before me or Josh even meet him……..Another fact you would have known if you talked with him. As for money. This one is very funny to me. This was a short film and there is no money in that. Me and Josh spent our own money to make this and we only tried idea such as café press etc to get the film seen at other festivals ONLY!!!!! We have sold some copies locally and guess what Lauren…….Bill does keep the money from what he sold!!!! WOW Lauren imagine that he has made more than the 1 penny that you thought that he was not keeping….lol. And last but not least if you would have seen the film, ALL of this unnecessary energy could have been avoided. I grew up in a family where my grandfather is a pastor and father is a minister so I know how much people look down on others who g to clubs and drink. With that said, your SON would be proud to know that his Grandpa Bill is the only father figure that some of the guys that he hangs out with have. Somehow your father gives inspiration in a very positive way to so many people in a place that is seen as a negative place. People love to see him and yes Bill does bring a smile to many faces when he dances. It is funny to see a man at his age dance BETTER than people I there early 20's. I can not speak for other people he has meet or work with but I made sure that this film was positive. Bill still calls me at least once a week to see how me and my daughter is doing. You are very lucky to have a father like him and he wishes that YOU and the rest of the family will be there more. He talks about you guys all of the time and misses you alot. This is your father no matter what he does and you should love and support him no matter what. Lauren you are missing out on some of your fathers last days. So before you post another thing please know the FACTS!!!!!! God Bless you and your family.

You Kim, are the one who has made a complete fool out of yourself on here, myspace and youtube. My name is not Lauren. If you had talked my father as you stated. You would had gotten my name right. PLUS, you would have known that I HAVE been in contact with my father. Which he does NOT disapprove on what I've been doing. So, YOU need to get YOUR facts/lies straight. And one other thing Kim, WHY did that one comment got deleted on myspace.The one from a family member who spoke the TRUTH. You did respond back. And then so quickly deleted it all. But not quick enough. Maybe I should post that here too. The TRUTH hurts don't it.

As for you Josh Self, Thank You for taking off that merchandise. As for your offer on sending me a copy of that documentary. I will only accept if it is appropriate for any minor can watch. Remember, this is my son's Grandpa Bill

I have to speak my peace and here it is. I read your last statement and I do speak with your father and I do not know your real name because Bill did not tell me your name when he speaks about you.He only shared with me his feelings about how his family not approving of his current lifestyle.  That is what people who love you do. Also, about what you are doing, He ONLY LOVES YOU once again and respects/supports the way you feel despite his own personal feelings. I never said that you did not talk with your father at all. When I first meet him he wished that you called more and really wanted to see his grandchild. In the film he even shared a toy that he used to play with. So he loves you both dearly.

When it comes to the myspace, I did not erase anything from it. I was not the only person that worked on this film or had access to the myspace page. Who ever did it may not have wanted to anything negative attached to a our positive film. So once again you have pre-judge me.

So, to clear me and Josh's name nothing that you stated in your messages was correct and just another display of acting carelessly in anger. You might find this hard to believe but EVERYONE IS NOT A BAD PERSON. Me and Josh have both tried to contact you personally to talk with you about this and we have both been very NICE despite the overly negative response that you have given. In the future please try to discuss things one on one with the people you have an issue with. Because now you have spent alot of time and energy accusing something very positive as negative. Me and Josh are not those type of people and I think that we both proved that.

I will say that I am very happy you are willing to see the film and it is PG-rated and will make you both smile. You have an amazing father and it was my honor highlighting a person like him. God bless you!!!!!

But yet I read bad reviews from it. One of which is stating my father
as a PIMP. That you can be read below. I know there's always bad
reviews. But being called a PIMP based on a "documentary" is very
harsh. And that was based YOUR film. Though you say it's rated PG and
it's a "very" positive film. PLUS, you have butt cracks showing on the
myspace.




And again, I am speaking the truth!!! and I am not only doing this for
my father. But for my son too. Which by Rip Off Report's guidelines, my
son can file a report too.





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