Sylvia Caminer, Rick Springfield, Melanie Lentz-Janney

“Stand Up and Hold Onto Your Dream”

A Note from Melanie Lentz-Janney, Executive Producer

Dear Friends:

It is with extreme passion and enthusiasm that we are embarking on this project. As the executive producer of this film, I can honestly say that this is my absolute dream project on so many levels.  My filmmaking partner (and the director/producer of this film), Sylvia Caminer, is a 20 year veteran of TV and film, has won Emmy® Awards for directing and has been focusing on feature documentaries for the past few years (and her name is “Sylvia”, how perfect, huh?!?).  She is the perfect partner to bring this vision to life.  We met 10 years ago when I was Executive Director of Women in Film and TV – Florida and vowed to one day collaborate on a project … I am tickled pink it is THIS project.

This certainly would not be happening if I didn’t connect with and observe with great interest so many of you over the course of the past 30 years.  Even back in 1981 at my first Rick Springfield concert, I felt a connection with Rick enthusiasts.  In the late 90s/early 2000, when Rick was getting back into a substantial tour schedule, I began noticing the same faces at his shows (at least in Florida, where I reside) and listening to you share your stories with me.  I quickly realized I wasn’t the only one who felt a connection with Rick Springfield and his music.

In 2001, my friend Kari (who is also helping with the marketing of this project) and I traveled to Las Vegas to see him in EFX, which was the first time we flew to see him perform. We didn’t realize at that time traveling to see Rick was a huge part of the “Rick Experience.”

Over the years, I have had the privilege of getting to know many of you, but it wasn’t until Facebook and his first cruise that I stepped back and thought “WOW” … this is a really cool sub-culture … a TRIBE of phenomenal people all bonded through our love for Rick Springfield.  Economic standing, marital status, educational background, political views, religious beliefs, age, etc., take a back seat in the Rick World.  If you are a true Rick Springfield fan, you are automatically part of the club!

This project is truly an opportunity to give something back to Rick, who has provided so much happiness, been a consistent source of comfort, and has impacted so many of our lives for 30+ years.  Although all of his fans “get it” and love him, he still remains somewhat under-rated and under-appreciated in the non-Rick World.  We would love nothing more than for the world to see the Rick that we all see and the unbelievable connection he shares with his fans … that’s one huge objective of our film.

In order for the film to succeed, we will need to ask all of you to help us. We are an independent film company.  Rick is not paying us to make this film.  It’s our film and we are aiming for the stars!  We are shooting it with the intention to do a theatrical (film festivals and select theaters) and television release.  Down the road we will create a DVD and BluRay that will include lots of outtakes and fun extras.

Please join us throughout the process of making and distributing this film (it’s never too late to be a part of the adventure).   There are lots of ways for you to participate: Becoming a member of our YRR Virtual Crew is a great first step; Buying the merch we sell on CafePress, eBay and SmugMug (including our limited edition Yellow Rick Road street sign); Telling your friends and family what we are doing and asking them to become VIP Virtual Crew Members (even if it ends up being a donation to help with our funding efforts); Posting information about this film on your website and social networks; Talking it up whenever and wherever you can; Taking photos and videos of any Rick inspired gatherings and posting it on our “Yellow Rick Road” Facebook site. We want to get as many people “following the Yellow Rick Road” as possible.

Thanks so much for being on the journey with us.  Stay tuned …

Melanie Lentz-Janney (“East Coast-Mel”)