Alumna Works With Rock Icon

Everyone has a role model. Many of us look up to professional athletes, celebrities, or our favorite rock stars. Most people look forward to a chance to meet the people that we so adore. For one Wright State graduate, the chance of a life time became a reality.

Amy Pickard, former WSU student from 87-93 and first-time filmmaker, isn't just looking up to her musical hero, she's looking across at him...through the lens from the passenger seat of an RV.

When Glenn Tilbrook, former lead singer of the popular 80s band Squeeze, instant messaged Pickard about his plans to tour the United States in an RV playing solo shows to promote his new record, the vision of a ROCKumentary came to Pickard. "I thought, 'How white trash and hilarious!' Here was this quintessentially English, charming, older pop star and he'll be driving himself around America in an RV. I thought that would be fascinating to see and that it would make a fun documentary," said Pickard.

The film is entitled Glenn Tilbrook: One for the Road. After sold out screenings in LA, New York and San Francisco, the film had a sold out UK debut as part of London's prestigious Raindance Film Festival. It will make its debut in Dayton May 7 at 3 p.m. at the Neon Movies. It will feature a question and answer period with Pickard following the screening. Admission is $5. For more information on future screenings, visit www.amyglennmovie.com.

"I had the passion to tell Glenn's story and I knew that people would love his personality. I also wanted people to love his music as much as I did. I liken the movie to a train that had me frantically laying down the track in front of it piece by piece as it raced along. I was unbelievably naive and in hindsight, I think that innocence prevented me from being scared of what was ahead. Every day I was completely overwhelmed, but I was so excited to share Glenn's story and tour with my musical hero that fear was not an option. I just relied on my passion to get by," said Pickard.

As with any major project, making the film had its ups and downs, according to Pickard. "It's (the experience) been the most creatively fulfilling thing I've ever done. I was in charge of everything to do with the film. On the other hand, it was incredibly isolating and very stressful knowing that you couldn't really delegate to anyone, and I think the complete lack of money/budget was just traumatic. Would I do it again? Probably, but I think making an independent film is like childbirth; you have to repress the horror of it in order to do it again," said Pickard.

Pickard has also written a companion book to accompany the film. It's an extensive diary of the month on the road with her cameraman filming the movie. "It goes into the euphoria involved in going on the road with the guy that was in a poster on my bedroom wall when I was 18, as well as the challenge of making a film," said Pickard. The book also includes Pickard's online diaries from her website.

So what's next for Pickard? "I just want to settle back into my life as it was before making the documentary. I want to write more, travel with the movie and continue producing TV," said Pickard.

Pickard just finished working on the VH1 show "Motormouth" (second season), and has worked on VH1's "Behind the Music" and as a contributor for BBC Radio. She is currently a freelance television producer.