Loving through the lens

By Nicole DeCosta

The West Linn Tidings, Aug 2, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

Vern Uyetake / The West Linn Tidings

West Linn resident Phil Bransom, middle, works on his latest film project, a full-length feature movie called “Train Master,” at Willamette Primary School. The project was inspired by his son, Douglas, who was killed a year ago when he was run over by a SUV. Bransom is flanked by co-workers Christian Dolan, production sound mixer, left, and Randall Timmerman, director of photography, right.

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A black, three-ring binder – nothing fancy.

Between its covers is white copy paper containing notes, a movie script and contact information for actors and crew. A July 2007 calendar with scribbling is inserted into the clear plastic front. A large glossy photo of a smiling boy and a toy train is on the back.

A three-ring binder: an inspiration for a directors’ first full-length film; a daily reminder of life without his son.

For West Linn resident Phil Bransom, this last year has had its moments – some he’d like to forget. He’s conquered personal and professional goals and grieved the death of his son Douglas. In May 2006, 7-year-old Douglas was walking on the sidewalk as he returned home when he was hit by a neighbor’s large SUV.

The incident was a frontover, where he was struck with the front of the car.

At the time, Bransom – a producer for 18 years – was just beginning work on his first full-length film titled “Train Master” about kids and trains.

The theme was inspired by his son, who loved trains. After nine months on hold, Bransom spent July filming the movie, adding elements into the film in memory of Douglas.

Capturing moments

Throughout Bransom’s career – which has included such projects as film equipment rentals, Bowflex, Honda and Red Lion commercials, infomercials for Jane Fonda, a hit craft show on PBS and a weekly show on an NBC affiliate station back East – he knew he always wanted to write and direct a film.

Bransom often traveled with Douglas to Northwest Portland while he dropped of tapes for PBS. On the way back they’d stop at the freight yards near the Fremont Bridge to watch the trains.

“(Douglas) started talking about how he wanted to get on one of the engines. I said, ‘by yourself?’ and he said, ‘no, I think I’d like to take some of my friends,’” Bransom re-enacted the conversation with his son. “I said (to Douglas), ‘what would happen if you accidentally got it started and it rolled out of the yard?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.’ And that was the seed for this film.”

“Train Master” is the tale of a grandfather, Jeremiah, who works for Western Railroad in the Northwest. His two grandchildren, Thomas and Sarah, share his passion for trains.

A wealthy heir to a railroad line on the East Coast, named Brett, purchases Western Railroad and kicks Jeremiah out of a job, leading him to despair. When Brett’s 9-year-old son, Thomas and Sarah – along with a few friends – end up on a runaway train, the grown men are forced to make amends and strategize a solution to save the kids.

When filming began last year, Bransom was able to set up his 30-person crew and boxcars near the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant along the Columbia River and use its implosion as a special effect for this film.

“Now we had a ticking clock, kids on a runaway train, cooling tower that’s imploded, damaged tracks and we had to get the train stopped,” Bransom said. “From there we developed the whole story line.”

Geared towards children ages 3 to 9, the film tells of an adventure between friends, family and the value of respecting others.

“It’s not about repairing a train,” Bransom said. “It’s about repairing relationships.”

Remembrances of Douglas are lovingly placed throughout the film.

Brett’s son causes the dramatic train sequence when he steals Thomas’ toy dinosaur after finding out Thomas knows how to drive a train. The dinosaur prop used in the film is Douglas’. Scenes shot at Willamette Primary School in West Linn – Douglas’ former school – were crafted carefully.

“We used all of Douglas’ artwork from kindergarten and first grade throughout the (classroom). His books and his kite were in the room,” Bransom said. “There’s several lines that allude to things he used to say to my wife.”

One of the main characters was cast as a boy named Douglas.

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