Don Dohler

Timewarp Film's Co-founder Don Dohler recently lost his battle with cancer. He was 60.

On Saturday, January 5th, on a beautiful summer-like day, a Remembrance Ceremony was held in Don's honor. I was blessed by the offering of Don's family to be one of the speakers at this celebration. For those of you who did not know Don, below is the speech that I gave. It is my hope that you will understand the kind of man that has left this world a better place.

Joe Ripple

Good Afternoon, Friends, Guests and the Dohler Family.

It is to you first, Leslie, Glenn, Kim and Kurt, Greg and Cindy and the rest of Don's family that I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences.

What else can be said. The previous speakers before me were eloquent in their thoughts and words, and all of us share in the loss that brings us together today.

Quite honestly when I was asked by Leslie to speak, I was not sure what I was going to say.

Imagine that...an actor and film director at a loss for words...

Back in 1998 I located a small advertisement in the Avenue newspaper about a local science fiction film entitled "Alien Rampage" that was casting for actors. I went to the audition feeling quite good about my chances, as they had several roles available for actors to play Law enforcement characters...my career at that time.

This was the first time I had met Don.

When he called me to tell me that I had won the Role of FBI Agent Bill Hunnicutt, I had no idea the path that this now open door would lead us down together.

Through countless hours of working both on camera and behind the scenes with each other, a friendship was born based on the mutual respect of film making. I had always wanted to learn more of the behind the scenes aspect, so I picked Don's brain for any shred of knowledge that he could provide.

One day he gave me a copy of his book, "B-Movie Horrors." He told me to read it. What I initially thought to be vanity on his part, quickly turned into the ultimate insight into independent film making. Contained within that book was all of the knowledge and so-called "problems" that Don had encountered on his previous films. Lifes little lessons in dealing with this art form.

Little did I know that as I was watching and learning from him, he was also watching me. After the completion of "Alien Rampage," we were sitting at the Perry Inn, contemplating the overall plot and sub-plot of "Alien Rampage"....Ok, we were really talking about the actors that gave us trouble...and he said these words to me, and I'll never forget them.

"I've never been really comfortable letting someone else do the cinematography, and I don't like directing. How would you like to form a company, where I'll shoot the movies, and you can direct. What do you think about that?"

Well, the rest of the story, you now already know. "Timewarp Films" was born. We completed five films together, all feature length productions. What you may not know is that as we progressed through each film, our friendship continually grew.

Don and I spoke many hours on a whole range of subjects. His family, my family, our problems, our joys and our sorrows. We continuosly bounced ideas off of each other to not only improve the quality of our company, but also to improve the quality of our lives. We spent many an hour together at his house and the Perry Inn, sharing stories as well as plotting the demise of characters in future films.

One instance I recall the Perry Inn was particularly busy and as we sat there, I said to Don "Wouldn't it be cool if we stabbed someone in the eye?" Don's response was "Yea, that would be quite interesting."

It was at that point that I noticed the fellow that was sitting on the other side of me to grab his drink and suddenly vacate his seat.

We also spent many hours talking about his family and his children. Greg and Kim, you should know that your father was extremely proud of the both of you, and was not afraid to tell me or anyone else how he felt about your successes in life.

And it was at a certain point around where Don was working at the Harford Business Ledger that he called me one day after work to tell me that he had his eye on this cute black-haired girl that worked in sales. Yes, Leslie, I'm sorry, but I knew Don liked you before you did.

Throughout this time, I happened to notice one continuing theme. It was through Don, both working in the Magazine and film fields, that he not only brought people together, but inspired them. There have been many letters to Don from Hollywood Special Effects Artists, screenwriters, film makers and prop builders thanking him for helping them to get started because they read Cinemagic, or watching his films. For helping them to cultivate their interests in what some might consider to be a less than desirable job.

All the while, he sat and smiled, said "you're welcome," and he really should have garnered more publicity than what he actually received. But that was Don's way. He preferred to sit in the wings, knowing that he influenced so many people and not wanting anything other than a "thank you" once in awhile...that was enough for him. It was nothing for this man to talk on the phone for an hour to a fan that had found his phone number and called him, just because he understood and appreciated the fact that the fan had taken the time to call.

He was so bent on maintaining this status quo, that when he discovered that he was sick, he bluntly informed me and I quote; "Joe, I'm telling you right now that I don't want any of this 'feel sorry for me' crap!"

It was with much begging and pleading that I had convinced him to make a cameo appearance in "Crawler." Now, I'm more thankful of that than ever. Speaking of "Crawler," Don had completely edited that film, with the exception of the last few scenes. You should all know that there will be no changes at all to Don's edit of that film. When it is ready to be shown, you will see it exactly as Don had intended.

On the set of each film, Don was an amazing cinematographer. He could pick out the most minute detail, not being in a hurry, making sure that everything was correct, that the lighting was perfect. We established a similar thought pattern in the way a scene should be shot, and we prospered as a company.

Through Don I learned how to think on my toes if an actor didn't show up, or if there was a location or equipment problem. His cool demeanor and even temperment was equalled by his willingness to listen to ideas or thoughts about specific shots. His guidance and knowledge will be irreplaceable.

We became so close on the set that a simple glance from him indicated that he wanted to do the shot again...or that he had captured the shot he was looking for.

Prior to starting a scene, he would indicate to me that he was recording. He would do this by saying "I've got speed," which is an old film making phrase that indicated that the film you were shooting on was at the appropriate motion capture rate. With today's digital technology, it's really not required to say that.

But I will so miss hearing him say those three words.

We have all lost -- each and every one of us. We have lost a Husband, a father and a brother. We have lost a mentor and a friend. We have lost an icon in the independent film making community.

But what have we gained? From Don, we have gained inspiration. A knowledge that even a guy from Baltimore can make a film that gets translated into hundreds of languages around the world, seen by hundreds of thousands...if not millions...of people.

Look around this room. Look behind you...look beside you. Would you have known that person, had it not been for Don? Probably not. Don was the proverbial spider whose web of creativity has intertwined us all.

Director Robert Altman was quoted as saying "Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes." Don's legacy will indeed carry on for years to come. I'm honored to have shared a small part of his legacy.

As you carry on with your lives, I would simply ask that from time to time if you would simply pull out one of Don's movies, and watch it. Remember that as a film maker, all he wanted to really do was entertain people just like you with a 90 minute flight of fancy. A dream that started as words on paper made into a visual realization. His true success will come from the fact that you enjoyed what he tried to accomplish.

I thank you for your attention and I thank Don's family for giving me this opportunity to speak.

But most of all, just like you, I will miss my friend.