TLD Productions is a video and movie production house based in Berrien Springs, MI. It is the brain-child of Terry Dodge, whose vision is to create videos and films from a Christian perspective.
Our work may cover a wide range of topics and styles, from air shows to crusades; from presentations to video memory books; from the secular to the scriptural, but the underlying theme is service to God and service to others.
Large or small, your project is important to us. We have high ambitions regarding the quality of the work we produce. Our goal is to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients, and to meet and exceed our own expectations.
As the Corsairs come round and line up on the USS Lexington for a close pass, the survivors of VMF-451, sitting on the deck of an aircraft carrier for the first time in decades, are transform from a group of dignified veterans into ecstatic school boys. They point and talk, almost jumping up and down. They are connected once again to the machine they love, and remember the time when they were behind the controls.
“They came to attention, and time seemed to be forgotten,” said Terry Dodge, CEO of TLD-Productions. “Their love of flying and of these planes was palpable. You could feel it.”
The shoot was for the film, The Blue Devils: The Story of VMF-451 during WWII. The documentary is a labor of love for one of the films makers, director & producer, Terry Dodge. A pilot himself, Dodge has a deep love for vintage WWII aircraft and particularly the F4U Corsair.
Michigan based filmmakers, Terry Dodge and Leonard Brown, CEO of Lighthouse Productions, have been personally funding the project with the help of others who share Terry’s vision of seeing the story of VMF-451 told. Reenactment groups, including Texas' own Lone Star Flight Museum, Commemorative Air Force and Tora Tora Tora were involved in the project. The USS Lexington Museum and staff generously allowed Terry Dodge and his crew to film aboard the ship. Dodge has trouble summing up the day's shooting in Corpus Christi into a few words. His plan began simply enough.
“When I planned this shoot, I really had in mind four things. I wanted to have a shot of the surviving veterans standing on the deck of the USS Lexington that matched a photo they had had taken on the USS Bunker Hill in Pearl Harbor 61 years ago---showing the survivors of the kamikaze strike. I wanted a group shot on the fantail of the carrier, near sundown, with the late afternoon sun on them. I wanted to get them in front of a Corsair for a group shot. I had also hoped to see their reaction to a Corsair fly by.”
What he actually ended up with, was more than anyone could have imagined. “I was overwhelmed,” said Dodge, “It not only was all that I planned, but so, so much more.”
Dodge grows silent; there are too many things to say. But after some thought, he says, “I never could have dreamed this up. The way it turned out, with so many people stepping forward and helping out, and the joy these veterans had at seeing their beloved plane again, and being together, and being honored...”
Dodge grows silent again, and “A special thank-you to all the veterans and their families for putting up with me and my crew interrupting their lives and changing their plans, and for allowing us to probe into their personal lives and hear their stories.”
“I am very thankful and humbled by how people have responded to the story of these men, and how people have given their time, effort and talents to honor these men and the machines they flew.”
Production continues on the documentary with plans to release it in mid 2007.
The public is invited to witness a show of aircraft and airmen, as the USS Lexington becomes stunt double for the USS Bunker Hill, November 9-10. Two Michigan production companies are coming to Corpus Christi to shoot the documentary, The Blue Devils: The Story of VMF-451 during WWII.
Coming with them is a veritable squadron of vintage aircraft, including 3 replicas of the Japanese Zero or "Zeke" fighters, a "Kate" - a torpedo plane and a "Val" - a dive bomber. They plan to recreate several key events in the history of Lexington's fellow Essex class carrier, the USS Bunker Hill. The VMF-451 squadron was a Marine Corsair fighter squadron flying missions off the USS Bunker Hill during World War II.
“We are telling the story of the men of VMF-451,” said Terry Dodge, CEO of TLD-Productions. “The Lexington is the spitting image of the Bunker Hill. We are simulating the kamikaze attack that eventually sank the Bunker Hill. This is a key event in the life of VMF-451, and changed the lives of these men who braved the air war in the pacific.”
As the story of VMF-451 is really about the men, not the hardware, surviving veterans of that highly decorated squadron, including WWII fighter ace, retired Col. Archie Donahue, will be on hand to witness the show, share their stories. Donahue is known for becoming an “ace in a day” not just once, but twice.
“I came to this project to honor these men. The story of their courage and sacrifice is compelling. But, what really got me exited was the men themselves, and how they were shaped and changed by the events.” Dodge says the story of these men is an inspirational one, and he wants to share it with others. “I am so happy to bring these men together here and honor them in time for Veteran's Day,” Dodge said.
A reenactment group that specializes in recreating the attack on Pearl Harbor will be on hand to simulate the attack. A pair of vintage Corsairs will be on hand to “defend” the carrier.
“I love these aircraft, and the men who flew them. To bring all these pieces together, the men, the planes and the carrier will be a wonderful and very rare event.,” Dodge said.
The USS Lexington will be open to visitors during filming. For the price of admission to the carrier, the public can watch the filming from the ship's deck.
The film, The Blue Devils: The Story of VMF-451 during WWII, is a labor of love for one of the films makers, director & producer, Terry Dodge. A pilot himself, Dodge has a deep love for vintage WWII aircraft and in particular the F4U Corsair.
Michigan based filmmakers, Terry Dodge and Leonard Brown, CEO of Lighthouse Productions, have been personally funding the project with the help of others who share Terry’s vision of seeing the story of VMF-451 told. Reenactment groups, from the Commemorative Air Force, Tora Tora Tora and Texas' own Lone Star Flight Museum have become involved in the project. The USS Lexington Museum and staff are allowing Terry Dodge and his crew to film aboard the ship.
“I never dreamed that this project would have been blessed like it has, “Dodge said. “and, I am humbled at the support of people coming forward to help with this project investing time, money and equipment to the cause. It is truly amazing, and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”
So come out and join the men of VMF-451 aboard the USS Lexington and relive their stories as seen through the eyes of these old warriors. It’s a once in a lifetime experience!