PRODUCTION UPDATE
The Coronavirus Pandemic has made outreach, fundraising, and other pre-production tasks quite difficult. We still have not reached our financial goals need to launch this project. Without public support and funds, this short film does not happen. Please explore our website to learn more about how you can become involved in our project. Thank you.
EXPLORE THE PROJECT
COMMUNITY PARTNER LETTER
Sergeant Thomas W. Nycum of the 4th Infantry Division.
Mark and Jared honoring their grandfather at Utah Beach.
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Dear Community Partner:
We never really knew our grandfather--Thomas W. Nycum. He was gone before we had the opportunity to talk to him about his service in the Second World War. However, as we came of age, stories of his kind nature and helpfulness were imparted to us. We learned of his hobbies, his eccentricities, and heard his jokes. His humorous sayings are still repeated at family gatherings. As a U.S. Army veteran, Tom witnessed some of the deadliest combat of the war. Similar to other members of the Greatest Generation, he did not speak of his experiences; it was simply too painful. Today his story and that of his generation live through us. As brothers, we have organized educational programs, explored European battlefields, and have completed exhaustive research--all to learn more about our grandfather and his division. This historical pilgrimage inspired us to write a short film about his service during the brutal Battle of the Hürtgen Forest in November 1944. Hürtgen is bringing the story of our grandfather to the big screen. Using local scenery, actors, crew, and resources to achieve this goal, our film will focus on isolation and survival during one of the costliest battles of World War II. Like any movie, monetary contributions are necessary for all aspects of production. Our project is not funded by international investors or corporate studios but by people like yourself. We humbly turn to your generosity and ask that you become an official Community Partner for Hürtgen today. Throughout filming, marketing campaigns, regional premieres, and the national film festival circuit, your name or corporate emblem could be at the forefront of our movie's outreach. Additionally, you could be recognized on screen in every showing and online stream. Joining us in this creative endeavor are Andrew and Catie Grant, talented producers who bring institutional knowledge of the film industry to the project. Cinematographer Mark Stitzer will add his signature style to the movie as well. A small legion of World War II historians and reenactors are standing by, bringing with them gritty authenticity and accuracy. Collectively, our team has over 50 years of professional filmmaking and storytelling experience. If you wish to help bring this meaningful tale to life, we invite you to join our team as a Community Partner today. Please review our incentive list below and visit our website to learn more about these opportunities. Thank you for making our project become a reality.
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"The combination of a determined enemy and such obstacles as foul weather, rain, snow and sleet, difficult wooded terrain, and the ever present mud were overcome by your sheer courage and your will to conquer the enemy even though he was bringing to bear all possible resistance in a desperate effort to hold his position." - T. J. Cross, 9th Infantry Division
COMPANY BACKGROUNDS
BRUSH MOUNTAIN MEDIA LLC was founded by emerging filmmaker Mark Frederick in 2018. This freelance enterprise offers a wide-variety of multimedia work to a diverse consumer base. Frederick tailors his expertise to fit the clients' needs and to fulfill their creative vision, whether it be a simple illustration or a complex video shoot. His services include videography, photography, graphic design, website building, and writing, among other technological tasks. In all of his historical projects, Frederick seeks to convey authenticity and drama in his cinematic depictions of the past.
THE FURIOUS FOURTH is a non-profit association that seeks to convey the personal stories, struggles and triumphs of the typical soldier who battled across Europe during World War II. This reenacting group typically portrays and interprets the 4th Infantry Division. Through education and public outreach, the organization strives to convey a profound human story that remains highly relevant. In an effort to expand upon this educational mission, The Furious Fourth is proud to partner with an independent film company, Brush Mountain Media LLC, in producing this short film.
"It was a forest out of a German fairy tale—dense, forbidding, and hostile. It seemed filled with dark secrets, evil, and the ghosts of the dead....One could imagine that a wicked witch might live in its shadows, waiting to snatch some unfortunate soul." – Bedford Davis, 28th Infantry Division
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PROJECT SYNOPSIS Inspired by the harrowing story of director Mark Frederick's grandfather; Hürtgen is a tale of isolation and survival during one of the costliest battles of World War II. As the Allies push east into the heart of the Third Reich, American divisions enter a thickly-wooded and fiercely-defended wilderness on the Belgium-Germany border known as the Hürtgen Forest. Sergeant Thomas Nycum oversees vital communications in the 4th Infantry Division and witnesses a vicious cycle of violence that threatens to destroy his unit. Fear, loss, and bewilderment ultimately take a toll. Amid the longest battle in U.S. Army history, Nycum must find the strength to carry out his job. In Hürtgen, death seems to be the only certainty.
Hürtgen is not a story of generals or strategy. It is instead a intimate tale of common, often fearful, young men hurled into extreme circumstances beyond their control. Plagued by foul weather and preyed upon by a determined enemy, GIs faced some of the most grueling challenges of their lives. Yet, the only way home was through the pines. If you want to help bring this meaningful story to the screen, the director welcomes you to make a donation via the PayPal button below. DONATE HERE
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"Darkness came quickly in the forest, and we had to stop and dig in for the night while we could still see what we were doing. Because of the German artillery and mortar fire we had to get below ground and also get a log roof over our heads. The Germans, of course, did the same, and whenever their abandoned shelters fit into our line we used them gratefully."
– George Wilson, 4th Infantry Division
HISTORY OF HÜRTGEN
From September through December of 1944, American soldiers engaged in one of the cruelest battles in U.S. history. In their efforts to push into the heart of the Third Reich and end World War II in Western Europe by Christmas, Allied commanders hurled multiple American divisions into a dense forest on the Belgium-Germany border named Hürtgen. In a series of futile attempts to advance, GIs became bogged down in an endless array of ambushes, minefields, and bombardments that ultimately inflicted 35,000 casualties. Overshadowed by the even larger Battle of the Bulge that followed, the fighting in the Hürtgen Forest serves as a stark reminder of recklessness in the pursuit of victory. This film seeks to depict the forgotten trials and tribulations of the men who endured that struggle.
"The death and destruction was unbelievable. Dead bodies were stacked, like logs, awaiting recovery. Whole sections of forests were sheared off 50 to 60 feet above ground by incoming artillery tree bursts. D Company, full strength being 193 men, was reduced to eight men. I was one of 110 replacements. Three months later there would be ten of us left."
- John Weinert, 4th Infantry Division
TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
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MARK FREDERICK
Writer/Director 
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JARED FREDERICK
Executive Producer 
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MARK FREDERICK has long been a student of history and cinema--two life passions he energetically blends together. He has written and directed orientation films for several historic landmarks and has created educational presentations for the National Park Service. Frederick also assisted producers at WPSU Penn State in creating a documentary entitled A Time to Heal. He currently operates his own multimedia business, Brush Mountain Media LLC, and works at the Railroaders Memorial Museum as their Director of Digital Outreach. Hürtgen is a passion project for him.
JARED FREDERICK has a lifelong passion for American History. One of his many books include Dispatches of D-Day: A People's History of the Normandy Invasion. Prior to his career in academia, Frederick served as a park ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. He has appeared on AccuWeather, C-SPAN, PBS, and the Pennsylvania Cable Network. In 2019, he acted as a guest host on Turner Classic Movies for the channel's 25th anniversary. Frederick currently serves as an Instructor of History at Penn State Altoona.
"In this cold and depressing forest, we were greeted with Nazi propaganda leaflets...They reminded us—'Death awaits you behind every tree. Fighting in woods is hellish.' At first I was scared to death, then after so many days up there, we kind of came to the conclusion that we're weren't going to get out of this alive and....Then we didn't worry about dying."
- Frank Fauver, 83rd Infantry Division
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ANDREW GRANT
Producer 
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CATIE GRANT
Producer/Assistant Director 
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MARK STITZER
Director of Photography 
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ANDREW GRANT is always exploring new ways to create and tell compelling stories. He has worked in television and video production for fifteen years, including long and short-form documentary work for both broadcast and digital media. Grant has worked for several production companies including Driftwood Productions in State College, PA and WNED-TV Buffalo/Toronto. He is currently the Lead Producer of Digital Media at WPSU-TV.
CATIE GRANT has fifteen years of experience in documentary, client-based media production, and branded content. She specializes in producing and directing, with an interest in cinematography and editing. Grant teaches courses at the Donald Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University in video production and production management. Before teaching, she worked at WPSU-TV, where she specialized in producing and directing short-form documentaries. Grant's philosophy is that any story--no matter how big or how small--deserves to be told.
MARK STITZER has more than fifteen years of experience behind the camera as a cinematographer and editor for projects ranging from television spots to feature length documentaries and narrative films. His most recent credits include documentaries A Time to Heal as well as Water Blues: Green Solutions for which he was awarded an Emmy. Stitzer currently works as a videographer and editor at WPSU-TV.
CATIE GRANT has fifteen years of experience in documentary, client-based media production, and branded content. She specializes in producing and directing, with an interest in cinematography and editing. Grant teaches courses at the Donald Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State University in video production and production management. Before teaching, she worked at WPSU-TV, where she specialized in producing and directing short-form documentaries. Grant's philosophy is that any story--no matter how big or how small--deserves to be told.
MARK STITZER has more than fifteen years of experience behind the camera as a cinematographer and editor for projects ranging from television spots to feature length documentaries and narrative films. His most recent credits include documentaries A Time to Heal as well as Water Blues: Green Solutions for which he was awarded an Emmy. Stitzer currently works as a videographer and editor at WPSU-TV.
"It was drenched in bone-chilling drizzle and cloaked in steamy mist and no rays of sunshine could pierce the canopies of majestic trees....My memory carries pictures of a wet inferno where fir trees and flesh were torn by the armies' firepower and freshets of blood enriched the oozing muck."
- Paul Treatman, 1st Infantry Division
FUNDS & GOALS
Filmmaking is an expensive process, especially when creating a period piece. Even though Hürtgen is a short film, the project still requires a substantial amount of funds. With an authentic story and historical accuracy in mind, there are several large factors to consider. The film requires a talented cast and crew. Compensation for gifted professionals is a vital ingredient for success. Film equipment for video, lighting, and sound are equally significant. Additional expenses include props, make-up, special effects, insurance, and catering, among other costs. Funds will be raised through Community Partners and a crowd-funding campaign. These funds will provide the Hürtgen team with the resources it needs.
CROWD FUNDING LEVELS
In 2019, the 75 Drive ran for 75 days and only accepted $75 pledges in honor of the 75 years since Hürtgen. The generous individuals who donated will be recognized in the ending credits of the film as "Front Line Fundraisers." The drive ultimately raised almost $5,000. Even though our launch is over, we are still accepting contributions of any size. If you can't pledge you support now, contribute during our main fundraising campaign later this year. Electronic pledges will be possible via a crowd-funding page. Any backer will be able to view our tiered incentives and choose which price works for them. In appreciation of your support, our incentives include early releases and exclusive content for your viewing pleasure. Additional categories consist of keepsake mementos and props used in the movie. Gifts associated with the film's production will be sent to donors after the movie's completion and its run on the film festival circuit.
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$5 - THE PIN-UP
- A HEARTFELT THANK YOU: Thank you for making your pledge of support to this project! $10 - THE REPORTER - PROJECT EMAIL UPDATES - NOTIFICATION OF "HÜRTGEN" PREMIERE DATE $25 - THE RIVETER - All of the above PLUS: - EARLY RELEASE OFFICIAL TRAILER - PDF COPY OF "HÜRTGEN" SCRIPT $50 - THE LINEMAN - All of the above PLUS: - DIGITAL RELEASE OF "HÜRTGEN" - DIGITAL COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR - THE MAKING OF "HÜRTGEN" DIGITAL CONTENT $100 - THE ENGINEER - All of the above PLUS: - AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE BOOK "DISPATCHES OF D-DAY" $250 - THE PRIVATE - All of the above PLUS: - A SPECIAL THANKS IN FILM CREDITS - OFFICIAL "HÜRTGEN" T-SHIRT $500 - THE CORPORAL - All of the above PLUS: - AUTOGRAPHED, ON-SET SCRIPT PAGE FROM "HÜRTGEN" ACTOR - OFFICIAL "HÜRTGEN" BALL CAP $1,000 - THE SERGEANT - All of the above PLUS: - SIGNED "HÜRTGEN" POSTER PERSONALIZED BY THE CAST/CREW - SEATING FOR TWO (2) AT "HÜRTGEN" PREMIERE - INVITATION TO CAST/CREW PARTY FOLLOWING PREMIERE $5,000 - THE LIEUTENANT - All of the above PLUS: - GENUINE HÜRTGEN SOIL CANISTER - G.I. PROP M43 JACKET - MOVIE TITLE - ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT - (Internet Movie Database & Film) - PRESS RELEASE: highlights your generosity to local media outlets. |
SCROLL FOR COMMUNITY PARTNER LEVELS
A JOURNEY TO HÜRTGEN
In October 2019, Mark Frederick and several members of The Furious Fourth had the opportunity to travel to Belgium and Germany to see the battlefield that is the Hürtgen Forest. Historians met with them to show them glimpses of the past.
COMMUNITY PARTNER LEVELS
Surplus funds not spent on production will be gifted to the James A. Van Zandt Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania. This institution provides services to more than 81,000 veterans living in a 14 county area. Donations will improve the lives of the men and women who have proudly served our nation. Support them by supporting us. If we exceed our fundraising goal and you contributed $5,000 or more, you will be invited to a check presentation at the Medical Center.
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$10,000 - THE CAPTAIN
- All of the above PLUS: - G.I. PROP M41 HELMET - PAIR OF G.I. PROP BOOTS - MOVIE TITLE – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT - (Internet Movie Database & Film) - HÜRTGEN PREMIERE PACKAGE: includes travel expenditures, lodging costs, limo transportation, and four (4) complimentary tickets to the premiere. $20,000 - THE MAJOR - All of the above PLUS - MOVIE TITLE – CORPORATE CREDIT - (Business Name & Logo in credits) - MARKETING PROMOTIONS: your organization is recognized in marketing and social media materials leading up to and including the premiere. - MILITARY HISTORY PACKAGE: enjoy a weekend for two (2) in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Guided by an historian, partners can tour Gettysburg National Military Park, the Eisenhower National Historic Site, and the vibrant downtown. Includes accommodations at a B&B. $30,000 - THE COLONEL - All of the above PLUS: - MARKETING CAMPAIGN: earn three (3) Brush Mountain Media-produced commercials for your business or project. - VETERAN TRIBUTE PACKAGE: is there a veteran(s) in your life you wish to honor? Have the name and military info of your family member or friend featured in a special dedicatory section of the credits. You will also be filmed for a special social media segment highlighting why that veteran(s) is important to you. Lastly, speak on stage at the premiere to honor a veteran, promote your business, or offer any special remarks. This is an ideal means to honor someone who served our country. $50,000 - THE GENERAL - All of the above PLUS: - EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE NAMING RIGHTS - Example: "Presented by Jones Furniture." - CORPORATE PROMOTION: have a display table for your company at the premiere and other film events. Let attendees know you made it possible! - THE HÜRTGEN EXPERIENCE PACKAGE: two (2) guests will be treated to a four day trip to the Hürtgen Forest in Germany and Belgium where you will receive personalized tours by expert guides. Includes travel expenditures, lodging costs, transportation, and tour guides. Businesses, corporations, and individuals who contribute to Hürtgen will receive the incentives described above. As is the case with such productions, Community Partners will not be given any artistic control, financial earnings or owning rights. Content is copyrighted by Brush Mountain Media LLC and The Furious Fourth. Information on this site is subject to change. Updated: March 2021.
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DONATE HERE
OR MAIL CHECKS TO BRUSH MOUNTAIN MEDIA LLC
P.O. BOX 222, BELLWOOD, PA 16617 U.S.A
OR MAIL CHECKS TO BRUSH MOUNTAIN MEDIA LLC
P.O. BOX 222, BELLWOOD, PA 16617 U.S.A
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Hürtgen has a strong presence in the community through educational outreach. The movie was publicized by WJAC News several times as a result of the film's growing social media following. The project was later highlighted digitally and in print, ultimately encouraging veterans and their families to share personal stories of war, in-person and online.
Mark Frederick is available for presentations at museums, universities, and libraries, among other venues. His lecture largely explores his 2019 expedition to Hürtgen, but also provides a brief overview of the battle, the role his grandfather played in it, and the production of his upcoming film. If interested in booking, please review the Contact Information.
After fundraising goals are met and the film's production is complete, Hürtgen will be available to a variety of classes at schools, universities, and other educational institutions. To accompany the film, teachers and professors will be given a lesson plan that will hopefully make the history of Hürtgen more mainstream in our classrooms and our society.
Mark Frederick is available for presentations at museums, universities, and libraries, among other venues. His lecture largely explores his 2019 expedition to Hürtgen, but also provides a brief overview of the battle, the role his grandfather played in it, and the production of his upcoming film. If interested in booking, please review the Contact Information.
After fundraising goals are met and the film's production is complete, Hürtgen will be available to a variety of classes at schools, universities, and other educational institutions. To accompany the film, teachers and professors will be given a lesson plan that will hopefully make the history of Hürtgen more mainstream in our classrooms and our society.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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JARED FREDERICK, Executive Producer
Phone: (814) 932-6476 MARK FREDERICK, Writer/Director Phone: (814) 327-0241 P.O. Box 222, Bellwood, PA 16617 U.S.A
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"We were entering an area where some terrific fighting had taken place. The first indication of this was the havoc the artillery had done to the trees....scattered among this debris were countless bodies or parts of bodies. By their shoulder patch, 'The Red Keystone,' you knew they were the remnants of the 28th Infantry Division. The sickening part was they had lain there all winter covered in snow....We came to what had been an aid station. Hundreds of bodies stacked like cordwood along with heaps of amputated arms and legs. Many of the bodies were still lying on litters."
- Wheatley Christensen, 1st Infantry Division