Tamara Davenport was the main Producer on the film, as well as, many other important functions

Tamara Davenport was — and is — an important person in Gerald's life and her role is one that can never be repaid.

Her support, love, understanding, and physical presence on the set give Gerald a sigh of relief knowing he has one of his favorite people in the world next to him.

Tamara was instrumental in keeping food and drinks available on set, designing the golden nuggets, first day cinnamon rolls, transportation, and acquiring the North Star Properties for lensing.

Sandy Schmidt unknowingly participated as the Co-Producer on the film, as well as, Women of Worth donating the sparkling apple juice and a tent for the wrap party.

Sandy Schmidt, the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Worth, has a passion for helping abused women and children that was born out of her own experiences both in her childhood and later at the hands of an abusive and controlling husband.  Every time Sandy adds a new service to Women of Worth, the underlying question is always, “What would help others to escape and start a new, safe life?”

Not one to have a set and limited “program,” the help that Sandy and Women of Worth offer is as unique as the people who seek it.  When a client is referred to Women of Worth, they are greeted with love, compassion, and warmth.  Sandy prefers to let the clients choose what they need, rather than limiting them.  In this simple act, lives are changed.

Blessed with an innate nurturing ability, Sandy has a flair for making a home — or business — beautiful with what is on hand.  In the same way, she enables abused women to see their value and beauty in God's eyes.  Thus they are empowered to break the chain of abuse for their own children, and society as a whole is greatly benefited.

A dedicated servant, Sandy must sometimes be reminded that taking care of herself is her number one "job."  Yet, it is her passion for God and seeing women and children restored that has her perpetually set on "fast forward" and those traits are why Women of Worth exists and thrives today.

http://www.women-of-worth.org • Women of Worth Facebook page

Brendan Brooks was not only the Cinematographer, but also the camera operator, steadi-cap operator, and equipment supplier — he was quite important on this film.

Brendan was the Director of Photography on another Aria Pictures production written, directed, and edited by Gerald Martin Davenport and produced by Rob Tillitz called the WATERING hole done for the 2011 PCS contest.

With a background in classical music and a love for the cinematic, Danny Gray creates instrumental music based upon haunting themes, vivid imagery, and the fusion of musical styles.  While his primary interest is in scoring for motion pictures and television, his works span various genres; compositions include instrumental and vocal concert works, contemporary rock/jazz, theatrical and cinematic music, and inspirational songs. www.dannygraymusic.com

Danny's debut instrumental album, “Erubescent Night,” was released in November 2009.  Prior to this, he composed music for the Illuminations Dance Company's original production, “Stories and Snapshots,” which premiered in NYC in October 2009.  Other original works have been premiered in numerous venues and media throughout the New York City region.  In April 2007, he was featured on the WQXR (New York Times Classical Station) Young Artists Showcase; he has also contributed music to student films from NYU and the School of Visual Arts. His song cycle of inspirational music, entitled “Songs of Joy,” premiered in concert in February 2000 in New Rochelle, New York, and CD sales raised over $4,000 to benefit local charities.

As a pianist, Danny has experience as a pit musician for over twenty productions with community, college, and high school theater groups throughout the Westchester and New York City area, also acting frequently as musical director/conductor, and composer of incidental music.  In August 2006, he was pianist and musical director for the Circle of Friends Benefit Concert at Symphony Space in NYC, working alongside an ensemble of veteran Broadway actors, dancers, and composers.

Danny holds a B.M. in Composition from the Purchase College Conservatory of Music (State University of New York). He has taken graduate classes in film and multimedia scoring at New York University and the University of Southern California.

Danny is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). • Danny's Facebook page

Megan Alicia Engle was not only the Script Supervisor on the film but was the 2nd Assistant Camera: slate girl.

Noble L. Engle was the Gun Wrangler on the film and Gun Safety Supervisor

Noble — father of Megan Alicia, our Slate gal and more — offered to let us use some of his authentic and relished pistols of the era.  We have no idea how to thank him or repay him, but his willingness has put a coat of authentic icing on this production that you can't get with fake newer props.

Gary Udell was an Associate Producer on the film.

Gary Udell was one of the first people cast in THE GOLdEN TREE as the character of Dad, but he was also an important supporting asset as a Associate Producer, Assistant Casting Director, Lighting Tech, Production Sound Recordist, and BBQ master on day one of lensing.

He had only two days of principle photography but he was on set every day of lensing to lend a hand where ever needed.
Gary's Facebook page

Gary was a big help with auditions and casting on another Aria Pictures production written, directed, and edited by Gerald Martin Davenport and produced by Rob Tillitz called the WATERING hole done for the 2011 PCS contest.

Michele Burris was an Associate Producer on the film.

Tracy Avva — mother of Karly Avva who plays Brooke — is credited for Additional Casting because she found us Rob Hayes to play Zeke.

Steve Dakotya is credited for finding Bill Gallant and the American River location for us

In addition to Samuel Brannan and Location Finder for ‘THE GOLdEN TREE,’ Steve portrays Max in the film ‘Butterscotch’ as part of this year's A Place Called Sacramento (PCS) Film Festival — his past PCS film appearances include the next door neighbor in ‘POV-K9’ and the reality TV show host in ‘Lost: Sacramento.’

Steve studied acting with Janis Stevens as well as improv & theater games with Pam Downs at American River College, and improv with Charlie Holliday at the Mosaic Acting Studio.
Steve's Facebook page

Jim Heck was the main Production Sound Recordist on the film, as well as, one of the Still Photographers and one for the executive producers.

Jim Heck was very instrumental on this production, showing up the first day on June 19, 2010 with a still / video camera in hand and capturing almost every second of the lensing, as well as, making crucial and useful suggestions that helped with the production and the story.

After the first day Jim was quite eager to be involved much more than expected, he became the Production Sound recordist and Boom Operator throughout the rest of the production, as well as, becoming one of the Executive Producers, transportation provider, and a great sounding board to bounce ideas off of or get ideas from.

Jim was Production Audio and Boom Operator, as well as, one of the Cinematographers in another Aria Pictures production written, directed, and edited by Gerald Martin Davenport and produced by Rob Tillitz called the WATERING hole done for the 2011 PCS contest.

Susan Slaven helped out at 2nd Assistant Camera person: slate Girl, as well, as support on set, for 3 of the 7 days of lensing.

In 1981, Susan Slaven graduated from Woodland High School and attended the college of Academy of Business for several years and American River College.  After receiving a degree in Computer Science, she began working in the Information Technology (IT) field and is currently working in the IT field — enjoying the technology experience and changes.

For the last five years, Susan has been working at SureWest Company as an Information Technology 1st Level Support Manager; during the time she has been with SureWest she received a "Great Idea" award for reducing the cost of technology training within the company.  Before working at SureWest She worked at Health Net for 6 years as the IT Help Desk Manager where she managed 28+ staff members — both in the Help Desk and Access Administration departments.

In Susan's spare time, she enjoys reading financial books and working out at the gym.  She is raising two wonderful children and enjoys spending time with them and watching them grow and learn.

Susan has worked on several small films and has done modeling in the past and present.
Susan's Facebook page

Michael Carl helped out as 2nd Assistant Camera person: slate boy, as well as, Camera Assistant: lighting tech: reflector holder.

Michael showed up for the last two days and helped us out as a PA, Lighting Technician, and what ever else we asked of him — kind of person you don't thank often but one of the most important on a set.

Scott Slotterbeck was one of the Still photographers , as well as, the BTS and interview videographer on the film.

Scott Slotterbeck came onto the scene wanting to help in anyay he could to get experience being on a film set, well his professional demeanor is welcomed and his candid eye was useful.

Taking a majority of the bts stills and videography, as well as, the cast interviews at the wrap party, Scot has become a close friend.

Scott was a big help as BTS photographer and Production Audio and Boom Operator in another Aria Pictures production written, directed, and edited by Gerald Martin Davenport and produced by Rob Tillitz called the WATERING hole done for the 2011 PCS contest.

George Ann Heck was one of the Still photographers on the film.

Steve Stubbs helped out as Production Sound Recordists for short time on the film.

Jeremy Heck helped out as Production Sound Recordists for short time on the film, as well as, still photographer.

Aria Leven Davenport was a major contributor to the look of he film with his art work and drawings for he journal and place called sacramento book, as well as, camera assistant, and many more.

Aria was an important part of the production, not only by being cast as William Wimmer in 1859 — and he almost played on e of the outlaws — but as a leading contributor to the look and feel of the film with his input on story, characters, and production help with camera assistant, lighting tech, and moral support on set, but his creativity with the pencil and his art work on the JOURNAL, the PLACE CALLED SACRAMENTO book, and the golden nuggets.

in addition the whole process started based on his birthday in April of 2010, which dictated whether or not we spend the money we had on his birthday or save it for the film, and send in the script — HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARIA.
Aria's Facebook page

Kyriè Sierra Davenport was a major contributor to the look of the film with her Set decorations and art work.

Kyriè was not only one of the first three people cast in the film, and cast as Sierra, she was also instrumental in the look if the film with her decorating the set in her scene in the bedroom, as well as the text and writing in part of the journal.

Kyriè's Facebook page

Val Hicks was in charge of the Wrap Party Catering on the last of lensing.

Val Hicks was a blessing not only for her support for her daughter Haley Hicks — who plays Victoria Maria in the film — but for her role in catering and setting up the wrap party food, tent, and beverages.

Rachel Oldham helped out with the Wrap Party Catering.

Rachel Oldham was a blessing not only for her support for her daughter Claire Elizabeth — who plays Martha Jane in the film — but for her role in catering and setting up the wrap party food, tent, and beverages.

Bill Gallant played a major role in letting us use his backyard which had the South Fork of the American River running through it in Lotus, California.

Thanks to Steve Dakota — who plays Samuel Brannan in the film — for finding us Bill Gallant — a friend of Steve's — who just happened to have the American River going though his backyard and was willing to talk to me.

After my hour drive to Lotus, California, I found Bill to be the most generous and giving host I have met in quite along time: he showed me his home, his property, the city of lotus, took me to Sutter's Fort State park and we walked around, to Henningson Lotus Park — wehere we had out wrap party — and he only wanted from me was to be ableto say he had a movie made in his backyard.

Yes, I am still blown away at his sacrifice and giving, and not just for one day, but two, and most of the day for both of them.

THANK YOU BILL, YOU SAVED US, AND WE ALL APPRECIATE IT!

Peggy Levine was a major role in location for letting us use the North Star House Propeties for the film.

Thanks to Tamara Davenport — who is the producer on the film — for finding us Peggy Levine who just happened to be one of the main people in charge of the North Star House Properties — North Star Historic Conservancy — and was willing to let us use the property — after 12:00pm of course because every Saturday they had a Growers Market until 12:00.

The location was absolutely perfect and it had its own historic story during the gold rush &mdash, we felt honored, inspired, and grateful for the opportunity to capture such a wonderful location

THANK YOU Peggy, YOU SAVED US, AND WE ALL APPRECIATE IT!

Doug and Maureen Young were helpful in letting us use their home for the bedroom scene.

THANK YOU Doug & Maureen, YOU SAVED US, AND WE ALL APPRECIATE IT!

Ron Cooper, and Access Sacramento were an inmportant part to this production for selecting us to be a part of their annual event.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Access Sacramento (1992 to present)... Non-profit management of $650,000 annual budget, staff of ten and 750 volunteers serving all of Sacramento County.  Day to day management of cable television, radio, and new media public access facility inviting public involvement in the production, provision, and cable distribution of more than 5,000 videos annually and 24/7/365 community cable radio programming.  Policy coordination with fifteen member volunteer Board of Directors and eleven-member joint powers government Cable Commission.

Numerous Access Sacramento awards including "Best Public Access Television In Nation" and more than forty national and regional programming awards. Cooper was named the 2003 Alliance for Community Media Buske Leadership Award for national, regional, and local public access leadership.

Previous experience includes credential as high school and community college teacher, advertising, video production management, and mental health counselor. B.A. Sacramento State University and M.A. San Francisco State University, Broadcast Communication Arts.

Gerald Martin Davenport did nothing on this film.

From the age of 3 Gerald — as most of the world knows him as Gerry — has had his hands and mind in all things creative from, Music: drums, singing, piano, guitar, bass; Art work; Computers: studied at Chico State, website design, programming; Writing: screenplays, novels, short stories, poems; to Photography: still and moving; and pretty much anything in between.

As life as passed by he concentrates on a different medium to try and find his space, his place, his calling in this world, but the journey has been filled with joy and pain, rewards and disappointments — like everyone else's life, right?  Hardly.

Gerald's passion is creating entertaining, education, and fun material, either in print, audio, or the moving picture that has integrity of story and honesty in the creation process —. money is a needed item to pay bills and stay alive, but it is not his motivation for doing this like so many others that do it.

The journey on this film started back in May of 2010 and will not end until the world has seen what he and the cast & crew have done on THE GOLdEN TREE — he is very proud of his achievement on the film and honored and touched by everyone involved.

Gerald has written, directed, and edited another story — part of a long list — that has made it to the 2011 PCS contest which was produced by Rob Tillitz called the WATERING hole.

Gerald's IMDB page