We would like to thank many individuals who helped us bring this project to fruition in various ways.
To Alex Morrison, San Franciscan, sommelier, and wine specialist, much appreciation for your insights into Francis Ford Coppola's industry outside of film. Our respect and gratitude to Dr. Wendy Doniger, Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of Religions in the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, for her knowledge about Youth without Youth and other Francis Coppola projects.
We especially thank Daniel Harmon, the first editor of this project, for his warmth, compassion, and professionalism. To Jane Messah, we are grateful for her patience and perseverance in working with us to shepherd this book to completion.
To Susan Stodolsky for her assistance; to Harry Northup and Holly Prado, and to Randy Weinstein, we are indebted to you for your friendship. As always, our affection to Rebecca Roes for her unconditional support. Vincent LoBrutto acknowledges: at the School of Visual Arts (SVA), thanks to Reeves Lehmann, chair of the Department of Film, Video and Animation for his constant support; and to Sal Petrosino, director of operations, for his friendship and encouragement. And to all SVA students—past and present—thanks for their motivation. To Edgar Burcksen, former editor-in-chief of American CinemaEditor, to Jenni McCormick, American Cinema Editors’ production manager; and to President Randy Roberts and Vice President Alan Heim of the ACE Board, my gratitude for keeping me in the fold.
To all interview subjects: Richard Marks, Walter Murch, Gordon Willis, the late William Reynolds, and the late Rudi Fehr—much gratitude for your expertise and contribution to the world of film.
We would like to acknowledge the following authors whose works on Francis Ford Coppola preceded this book: Gene D. Phillips, Rodney Hill, Peter Cowie, Michael Goodwin and Naomi Wise, Michael Schumacher, and Jon Lewis. Their books are listed in the Bibliography, and where citations have been used they are in the notes.
Finally, with warm appreciation we acknowledge the passion and enthusiasm of film director, screenwriter, and producer Francis Ford Coppola. We were privileged to be part of the audience at a sold-out viewing of Apocalypse Now at New York City's Ziegfeld Theater before its official opening. We watched in amazement the Francis Ford Coppola Presents Hans-Jürgen Syberberg's Our Hitler event at Hunter College auditorium in New York City and witnessed Abel Gance's Napoleon with live orchestra conducted by Carmine Coppola at Radio City Music Hall. These experiences and so many more cinematic gifts have enriched our lives.
We are grateful to have had the opportunity to delve into the artistry of the Coppola dynasty and to apply the belief of President John F. Kennedy to them: “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”