They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Mr. Davis went to the conference to pay tribute to the man and the legend, he paid for it with his career, reputation, and sanity. People can be cruel, Bigfooters can be downright evil.
Ironically when I was making the video Mr. Davis contacted me and wanted some text added to the end of the film. He wanted it to say that Roger entered documentary "hell" on the film date and to add the 'release' date of the video. I tagged the text onto the end of the video. Looking back it would appear Mr Davis indeed walked Roger to the Black Parade, then took his place among the tormented.
Today while purging several files from my computer I came across the video. It occurred to me that I had never read the lyrics of the song, only matching video elements to the beat and certain verbiage I could make out from the singer. I Googled the song and found the lyrics.
This tribute then took on a whole new meaning, at least for me. This may not be a video about Roger at all. Not now. To me it seemed the video and the lyrics spoke more to
than Roger. And a warning to those who berate and jest, lest they join the black parade themselves. It seemed almost prophetic.
When I was
A young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up
Will you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"
He said
"Will you defeat them,
your demons, and all the non believers,
the plans that they have made?"
Because one day I'll leave you,
A phantom to lead you in the summer,
To join the black parade."
When I was a young boy,
My father
took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said, "Son when you grow up
Would you be the saviour of the broken,
The beaten and the damned?"
Sometimes I get the feeling
She's watching over me.
And other times I feel like I should go.
Through it all,
The rise and fall,
The bodies in the streets.
And when you're gone we want you all to know
We'll Carry on,
We'll Carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And in my heart I cant contain it
The anthem wont explain it.
A world that sends you reeling
From decimated dreams
Your misery and hate will kill us all
So paint it black
And take it back
Lets shout it loud and clear
Defiant to the end we hear the call
To carry on
We'll carry on
Though your dead and gone believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated
You're weary widow marches
And on we carry through the fears
Ooh oh ohhhh
Disappointed faces of your peers
Ooh oh ohhhh
Take a look at me
Cause I could not care at
All
Do or die
You'll never make me
Because the world,
Will never take my heart
Go and try,
You'll never break me
We want it all,
We want to play this part
I won't explain
Or say I'm sorry
I'm unashamed I'm gonna show my scar
Give a cheer
For all the broken
Listen here
Because it's who we are
I'm just a man,
I'm not a hero
Just a boy, who had to sing this song
I'm just a man,
I'm not a hero
I don't careWe'll carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're dead and gone believe me
You're memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated
Your weary widow marches on
We'll carry on
In retrospect I wonder who the video may be for? Roger, the community at large, or MK himself? It would appear to fit all three.
We want it all,
We want to play this part
No matter what you think the Patterson film depicts, it is a piece of Americana. Legendary in it's own right. An almost reverent icon that represents the core of a belief in something as yet unknown. It is the symbolic effigy of a passion in ones own opinion of it's subject. One cannot blaspheme that opinion or concept. The results of such have been seen many times in the forty plus years the film has existed.
When MK brought me the footage and concept I asked him what his plans were after the conference. He indicated that this was something of a
final tribute and he wanted to leave the community. Though he did have an August engagement. He wanted to leave the conference with something that was inspiring. I believe he wanted to make a point then exit stage left with grace. Unfortunately that would not be the case.
Sometimes I get the feeling
She's watching over me.
And other times I feel like I should go.
Instead other people who have chosen to speak for him and about him have thrust a little regarded theory and open discussion into a major political issue. Like the proverbial
Hotel California,
"you can check out any time you like but you can never leave." MK Davis retires leaving a legacy of his own.
Disappointed faces of your peers
Ooh oh ohhhh
Take a look at me
Cause I could not care at All
In many ways he was a pioneer, taking a fresh new approach to a film that most would never dare touch. Or for various financial reasons, couldn't. His enhancements gleaned additional knowledge from the film regarding the walk, gait and perhaps even nature of the subject. Others have built on his work with their own enhancements and analysis of the film. Indeed many of the aspects of the film never seen before are now considered common reference. Such as the bulge on the leg and other artifacts brought forth from the emulsion.
Before MK Davis no one thought to animate frames to study the movement of the creature. No one used computer software to bring out details in the cellulose. It's common practice now.
Some say his work means nothing because we still know little more about the subject than before. Be that as it may, the work still stands as an effort to coax some truth from the material.
A world that sends you reeling
From decimated dreams
Your misery and hate will kill us all
Prior to MK Davis's appearance at the
Ohio Conference, a sensationalist blog began publishing rumors and innuendo of claims made by Mr. Davis. Perhaps setting the stage for dissent. After the conference daily posts continued to ravage an already overblown theory. Mr Davis never denied things he had said but questioned the context whereby they were being presented. He appeared on National and Internet radio stations but only furthered the controversy.
During the height of the controversy he was removed from the lineup of guests at the aforementioned August engagement. He has now been effectively
blackballed from any further speaking. Individuals who have come to his aid have also been met with resistance and are now becoming quite aware of the "
guilt by association" aspect of the community.
Perhaps this video will stand as a testament to
him and his devotion to a controversial film?
I won't explain Or say I'm sorry I'm unashamed I'm gonna show my scar Give a cheer For all the broken Listen here Because it's who we areIn this phenomenon there are no absolutes. Until a body is brought forth to identify what a Bigfoot
is, or a Patterson creature
is, we have no right to justify defending one concept over another. Mr. Davis has the right to his opinion and his theory is no more far fetched than many others presented in the past. If indeed he truly believes a gunfight and "massacre" occurred at Bluff Creek is that any more bizarre than Sasquatch being presented as an alien, spirit or psychic individual? Or Bigfoot as a relic prehistoric ape still living today?
The Bigfoot Community is replete with many such notions. Perhaps certain individuals have ulterior motives for selecting this instance to chastise?
Should not any researcher or investigator be able to entertain any theory regardless of where it may lead, or should all theories remain within the status quo lest you be chastised for it?
The worst and perhaps most unfortunate aspect to this whole mess is that Mr. Bob Gimlin, the other participant in the filming of the 1967 event has been brought into the theory. As the only living witness to the event, Mr. Gimlin would have to know if any shots were fired. He denies any armed conflict during the incident. He has been personally hurt and offended by the accusation that himself or Roger participated in the killing of these creatures. Since Mr. Gimlin has over the years never portrayed himself any less than an honorable man, his honor should be addressed. Mr. Davis owes him* a public and very vocal apology, regardless of whether he intended to include Mr. Gimlin in the theory. What has happened is what it is, and that responsibility now falls to Mr. Davis.
*The same can be said for Mrs. Patterson who holds the legacy of her deceased husband.
And though you're broken and defeated Your weary widow marches on
Mr. Davis went to Ohio to pay tribute to these individuals, indeed why commission a video if not? The video was supposed to be shown at the end of the conference as a way to pay homage to Roger. It is my understanding it was met with great applause! This does not sound like someone who intended to defame or disrespect the participants of the original film. MK was very specific about the nature and tribute aspect of the video. He honored Roger and all the people associated with this film. I believe he still does.
In the meantime I find myself holding this little video. I must admit I considered deleting it and simply moving on. But I didn't for various reasons.
One, it was hard work making it and I was proud of it when it was completed.
Two, it was shown at a national conference and I'm proud of that.
Three, it is after all a tribute to a man (men) who in my opinion deserves the accolade. And
fourth, I believe it of itself makes a statement and therefore in perhaps some small way, is art. Like any art it is open to interpretation.
And I considered the backlash from people for even writing this blog entry, adding fodder to an already exhausted subject. But people will talk smack no matter what you do.
We'll carry on
And though you're dead and gone believe me
You're memory will carry on
We'll carry on
Perhaps individuals who missed the Ohio conference and didn't get to see it would appreciate the opportunity to view it here before I burn it to disk and file it away with my other projects.
Therefore it is presented here for your edification and enjoyment. For a limited time only. I take credit only for it's assembly. Though it was not my concept I did take creative license and add elements such as the parades and marching band images and other aspects that I felt contributed to the idea. It is a fair use effort to make tribute to a historical event and those witnesses to it. I hope I have honored them and you with it's presentation. Frankly I think it ROCKS!
But that, and this whole blog is just my humble opinion.
:-D
~*~
PS: Over the years MK Davis and I have remained friends. We have collaborated on some video projects and researched together. I must admit I am personally offended by the way many in this community have chosen to treat Mr. Davis. I do not believe Bigfoot is human in nature, but I cannot disregard the idea. I do not think any massacre occurred at the 1967 film site, but again I was not there. If evidence of such does exist in the film then it should be brought to light.
MK Davis has been accused of being crazy, insane and too obsessed with the film. Though he is passionate about his work, I don't believe for a minute he is insane. I'm sure this fiasco has challenged his sanity though.
I am not here to defend Mr. Davis, he is quite capable of doing that himself. And if people choose to berate me for supporting a friend, then that is their prerogative.
However if speculation on the subject of the Patterson Film or Bigfoot is not to be allowed because it upsets everyones established belief systems or challenges someones political or financial agenda, then it may be time to quit and go home. I doubt
anyone reading this blog hasn't speculated, even wildly about the nature of this beast or events concerning it. After all, until we actually have a Bigfoot to study, it's
all speculation.
J.
Some Notes: The video above and this article represents some hard work, I would appreciate it if you didn't steal it or misrepresent it somewhere else. I make no money off the work, nor do I intend to. This article is my opinion based on how I perceive the events that proceeded it. 
