My mother, Chu-yu Chen, and me in Wulai (1968)	My mother and I in Taipei (1970)

The Story:

We developed a storyline that will be a creative dramatic approach to the documentary film. In our approach, the audience is presented with the subject matter from a more personal point of view, providing a better opportunity to relate to and appreciate the indigenous people of Taiwan. In viewing the motivation of another person, it may be easier to find their own motivation to care about people they have never heard of. It is a film that provides a personal perspective of Tony Coolidge as he discovers his mission in life and travels to Taiwan to fulfill his dream. The intended goal is a movie that will earn attention on television networks and at film festivals around the world to give the tribes of Taiwan a higher international profile.

Tony was very close to his mother, who kept their indigenous heritage a secret from her son until she died. He was heartbroken by her death, and the worst feeling he had was not being able to keep a promise he made to his mother a long time ago. She had not been in Taiwan since she was a 20 yr. old and she missed her family terribly. Tony had promised to take his mother back to Taiwan and meet all of the relatives she loved. After she died, the only thing he could think of to do was to visit Taiwan and discover his relatives without her. That first trip to Taiwan in 1995 made a profound impact on Tony's life. That was when he discovered he was more than just a Taiwanese descendant. He learned that he was a descendant of a culture he never knew about --- the indigenous culture of Taiwan. He was so impressed and inspired by the people he met and the culture they shared with him. He couldn't believe that his mother never shared her indigenous heritage with him. He had to find out why. He has dedicated his life to gaining understanding of what it means to be an indigenous person of Taiwan to better understand why so many people like his mother were silent about their heritage. Mr. Coolidge hopes this understanding can give him insight as to why his culture is disappearing so he can help to preserve it. Tony Coolidge will return to Taiwan on missions of exploration, to study the past, experience the present situation and to help make a difference for the future.

Mr. Coolidge will share his personal story through interviews and show the audience why the indigenous culture inspires him so much. There will be interviews with experts in indigenous culture who are working to preserve the culture. He will have discussions with members of the government about their role in supporting and preserving the culture and the people. He will also interview individuals who are breaking new ground to overcome stereotypes and shape the future of the indigenous people. All of this will come together to paint a big, beautiful picture for a world audience to inspire them to appreciate and respect this unique culture.

Everything Mr. Coolidge will reveal in his journey of discovery will reinforce his convictions that there was nothing his mother needed to feel ashamed about when it came to her heritage. Tony will honor his mother by working hard to make a difference for the future of the indigenous people during his mission. He will offer the commitment of his organization and many supporters around the world to provide the indigenous people with tools for their future. He will offer the ten tribes an opportunity to work together to have a strong united voice to be heard around the world.

In September of 2003, the American film crew of InQuisitive Productions will document Tony's story share his discoveries through a very personal perspective.

Throughout his travels, the film will document many aspects of the tribal culture and issues the people face from a modern perspective. It will capture the beauty of the mysterious mist-shrouded places, and the colorful excitement of the tribal dances and traditions. The lens will illuminate the spirit of the generous and humble people who are eager to share their stories with the world.

Happy childhood days in Taiwan (1969)	Rediscovering my heritage and family in Taiwan (1995)

The Team:

The experienced crew of Inquisitive Productions will capture the story in a creative and powerful manner. The Inquisitive Team includes:

Derek Bedini, Producer & Director

Derek Bedini began in Orlando, FL, as a student of the Valencia Film Program. While a production trainee in the program, Derek worked on various projects, including the soon-to-be-released feature film The First of May, starring acclaimed stage actress Julie Harris, with a cameo by sports legend Joe Di Maggio.

In addition to Producing and directing various projects ranging from Features to Short films, he has worked as a Production coordinator, an Executive Assistant, various production personnel positions, and even in development.

After graduating in 1999, Derek worked for six months as an intern for the Pamplin-Fisher Company in the back-lots of Universal Studios. During his internship, he had the opportunity to work on the film Hoover, starring Academy Award-winning actor, Ernest Borgnine.

Derek took his real world experience and applied it toward his profession, by producing and directing a number of shorts, including a 35mm TV commercial for the entertainment-based charity, The Variety Club.

Recently relocated to New York, Derek worked at The Tribeca Film Center with the acquisitions and development department as an intern, which will open doors for many other internship opportunities to cross his path in the near future.

His company Inquisitive Films was started in 1997 as a networking tool, but has recently embarked on numerous productions, including a feature documentary that will bring Derek and his productions peers to the coasts and mountainsides of Taiwan. Please check out the official company website at www.inquisitivefilm.com.

Aaron Hose', Producer & Director of Photography

As a graduate from the Valencia Film Program alongside Derek Bedini, Aaron Hose' brings with him many years experience in audiovisual productions. Aaron also started as a freelance audio-visual specialist, and has since then steadily worked his way up in the local film and video production industry. In 1999, he became employed by the University of Central Florida as a Multimedia & Video Producer, where he is in charge of producing, writing, shooting, and editing short, documentary-style video projects for the individual collegiate departments within the university. Aaron is highly skilled in the operation of various editing systems (Media 100, Final Cut Pro, Adobe After Effects), and cameras, both high-end video (DVCAM, DVCPRO, BETACAM SP), and film (Arriflex, Bolex).

Aaron earned a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies (with a triple minor in Engineering, Cinema Studies, and Film Screenwriting) in Fall 2003. While at the university, Aaron constantly assisted on a number of short and feature film projects (as a member of the camera or lighting crews) produced by the university's ever-growing Film Production department (the department responsible for producing the makers of the box-office success, The Blair Witch Project.)

For the past four years he has dedicated a good portion of his spare time to his craft, and has found a niche in producing, motion picture, and still photography. In the Fall of 2000, Aaron independently produced and photographed The Deeder, a Super 8mm short film, which was the recipient of the Cine Eagle Award for "Outstanding Excellence in Short Film Production." Soon after that, he embarked on his first feature film, Hamster Sandwich, where he served as co-producer and cinematographer. The film is currently in post-production.

Since 1997, Aaron has served as Grip/Electric and Assistant Cameraman on a number of independent short and feature films on DV, 16mm, and 35mm, including Regret (Point of View Films), and Alligator Alley (NMN Entertainment), which recently aired on The STARZ Channel, a subsidiary of HBO.

Much like Tony Coolidge, Aaron also comes from a multi-racial background. Born in the United States in 1975, and raised on the beautiful island of Aruba in 1980's, Aaron has the ability to effectively communicate in five different languages (English, Spanish, Dutch, French, and Papiamento, Aruba's local dialect), and has maintained an "honor role" status throughout his collegiate years.

Steve Reilly, Production Assistant

Mr. Reilly was a graduate of the Valencia Film program in 1997. He wrote, produced and directed a number of short films. After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he worked for a number of production companies. He created his own company, Ozymandias Productions, but has offered his time to assist Inquisitive Productions in this project.

Colin O'Malley, Composer

Mr. O'Malley is an accomplished composer of music who is versatile and talented. He regularly produces commercial work for Universal Studios and Disney. He was contracted by Hollywood, CA music firm, Media Ventures, to produce a track for the movie, Ancient Warriors. he is currently working with world-famous musician and composer, Yanni to compose sountracks.

William Whitacre, Entertainment Attorney

Mr. William Whitacre has pledged support for ATAYAL and Inquisitive Productions by providing legal and promotional services upon the project's completion. He is a well-respected entertainment attorney who has represented famous projects such as the Blair Witch Project. He will be instrumental in finding distribution deals for the film and preparing all contracts.

Tony discovers the tribal chieftain of his home village of Wulai (1995)	All efforts of ATAYAL are to honor all indigenous mothers and to make them proud of who they are.

The Audience:

The documentary film will have the potential to reach millions of people throughout the world through various channels because of the diversity of value the film presents. The "Voices In The Clouds" documentary will provide a new, modern perspective into the culture of the indigenous Formosan tribes. Interviews will provide a personal glimpse into the "heart and soul" of these people. There will be a brief background on the native history, art, culture and language to give the viewers an overall appreciation of the people. Highlighting the achievements of these people amidst the adversity will earn the indigenous tribes of Formosa respect and admiration of the world audience. The ATAYAL organization will work in association with experts in the indigenous history of Taiwan from the cultural museums and government offices. The film's cultural value will make it easily marketable through educational film distribution channels. The film will be presented to educational networks, such as the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and may also have distribution throughout the public schools systems and universities.

The film will also feature admirable qualities of humanity that will capture more interest from mainstream society. The documentary will capture the strength of the human spirit and the power of self-expression. More importantly, it will capture the ability of ordinary individuals to unite to overcome generations of adversity. This is a story of a people involved in a struggle with their cultural identities. They take action to make a difference, to keep their culture from disappearing forever. This isn't about just a neighborhood, or a group of people. It's about an entire culture and society that has been in existence for five thousand years. It's about the struggle for the right to retain a cultural identity and to be fully self-expressed. The film will capture the drama of an empowered people as well as the conflict with those who stand in their way. All of this provides a human-interest story that will make it more marketable to the mainstream audience.