i just came from a memorial service for charlene olson. she was a producer and post-production supervisor on splinters. she died following a long battle with cancer.
i had only a handful of face-to-face interactions with her during the course of making the film.
she was eulogized by her family, friends and co-workers in such a rich, multifaceted and humane way. again and again during the service i thought: that's what a full and dignified life looks like.
she had great success as a filmmaker. and this clearly, after hearing her dearest speak, was simply one area of many in which she excelled. from the character of her children, to the palpable love of her own siblings, to the loyalty of life-long friends, obviously she left no part of the garden unnurtured.
and there was story after story about how charlene selflessly took other filmmakers under her wing, or compassionately gave them the magic bit of support or advice they needed to blossom. this was an unyielding habit of hers. the debts of gratitude expressed were ardent.
i heard from one young co-worker who said that, unbeknownst to her, charlene had been calling her boss every couple of weeks over the course of several months to gently suggest an improved, more creative position in the company. ultimately the boss listened and this woman now has a burgeoning career.
i'll never know what charlene was doing behind the scenes to bring splinters to fruition. i am sure that it was as spirited and beyond the call of duty as everyone else's anecdotes described. i am grateful for her influence, seen and unseen. in all my interactions with her she was so giving and warm. she always carried herself with grace and humility.