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Eric C. Dickson says:
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I'm planning to do a feature documentary with The Hatley family in Clermont, FL based on their Unsolved Mysteries segment in 1992. I still need confirmation that they are for sure interested, but would like to start production in the next two months.

I'm in the midst of writing voice over, segments, etc. and will be editing the final cut. Right now, I'm searching for residents of Central Florida, Orlando, Tampa, etc, who would be interested in Directing/shooting the documentary. This would require your own camera, mic, etc.

I don't have a good HD camera, but have solid post production software and would take care of the screenplay. YOU supply the camera.

Here's a tid bit of the story...


This is the home of one of the most infamous unsolved murder investigations in American history. It's also the house that put a once obsucre town called Clermont, FL on the paranormal map". For twenty years, the unselttled spirit of John Harden wandered the halls of 426 Osceola Avenue. Searching for answers behind his shocking and untimely death. Searching for the killer he would never find.

In 1972, Harden gave his first wife... notice that he was leaving town, for reasons unknown. Six months later, he had remarried, bought a new home and set up a new life here in Clermont, FL. Less than a year later, he was dead.

On the night of........, Harden was startled out of a deep sleep by the sounds of a crackling fire blazing on his rear lawn. He peeked out this second story window to find his Ford truck had caught fire. Opposed to grabbing the phone and calling 911, and never once attempting to extinguish the dangerous fire himself... John Harden instead grabbed his rifle and stormed down these stairs with the intent of confronting the one whom he believed started the fire. Before he could get the chance, he was shot by someone perched in these bushes.

Years before Virginia native June Farris moved to Clermont, she dreamed of walking those same steps and stepping onto the same sprawling lawn where John Harden was shot and left for dead. In an unusual twist of fate, she would move into the exact same house that she once believed only existed in her dreams.

Over the span of twenty years, She would become just one of many residents of 426 Osceola who believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that their home was haunted.
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A Participant says:
Eric, that story reeks of crime not haunting. Maybe you should first watch The Shining or What Lies Beneath if you want to haunt someone.
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Eric C. Dickson says:
Top Reviewer
the house was haunted with a ghostly apparition that matched Harden's description and drove out five families in less than twenty years. The idea is to interview the residents, and shoot in the house itself. It was a frightening segment on Unsolvled Mysteries back in 92, and if edited properly could be frightening as well as interesting..
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A Participant says:
Sounds like a cool story. Maybe I should open my mind a little ...
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Indigo Thomas says:
Top Reviewer
This does actually sound really awesome, Eric. Do you have permission from the current residents to film in the house?
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Eric C. Dickson says:
Top Reviewer
My mother actually ran into Mrs. Hatley last week after not speaking with her since the prayer group in 92. This was after I mentioned wanting to do a documentary about the Clermont house. It was very strange that they were at the same doctor's office at the same time since neither of them live anywhere close to one another.

I sent an email to Mr. Hatley mentioning my mother and his wife having a conversation last week to peak his interest, but have yet to hear back. I'm wondering now if this was an old email no longer in service. I'm gonna try another avenue today, see if I can get in touch with him. If that doesn't work, I'm gonna call.
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Last week on GITS - reporting on spec sales - it was reported that some guy had sold to Paramount (or something like that) a found footage spec based on three guys entering a haunted house (or something like that). You might wanna keep a close eye on that. TIMING could just be everything.
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CENTRAL says:
I think you should do more research before you do anything. It would def. help you to know what happen
at the house and I hope what you have posted in the
above is just a ruse and not what you Have taken as to be truth. I use to live a couple houses down from this
this house I passed it every day for yrs. That house proved to me that john is still there and that ghost
are not at all just like casper. It took me several yrs to
get rid of him. Hope you fare better
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Eric C. Dickson says:
Top Reviewer
He's not interested, so I moved on.
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Hopefully you. An channel that inspiration in another direction. Spec script, maybe?
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I meant "you can channel."
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Eric C. Dickson says:
Top Reviewer
Meh. I think I've lost interest in the subject. I'm sure they've been approached soooo many times over the years since Unsolved Mysteries. It is a great story though.
 
 

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