BID CALLER is a portrait of auctioneer Harold “Harry” Betthauser and the personalities that surround the estate auction community he and his wife Marilyn(also an auctioneer) have established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin over the last 50 years.
The human connection to material items and loss of these items is central to themes explored in the documentary. Wisconsin personalities provide the film with levity and humor as darker themes of material and sentimental loss provide contrast in dissonance.
During production we filmed interviews with auctioneers, collectors, auction employees, buyers/sellers, and more. Our crew covered plenty of action too, including one of the Betthausers’ live auctions, their annual Christmas party, “pick-up and look at” appointments with clients, cheese shop revelry and much more.
Shot in January of 2019, Bid Caller is currently raising funds for post-production and expected to be 30 to 40 minutes in length.
Learn more about the film at:
One of the biggest challenges in independent filmmaking is gathering funds to complete or even begin a project. This is especially true for filmmakers emerging in the art. As a fledgling director I reach out for support monetarily and otherwise believing that the success of this project will also contribute to my growth and development as a filmmaker. Thus far production of Bid Caller has funded personally by the director. Thank you for your support!
Originally from Prairie Village, Kansas, David studied cultural anthropology at Northern Arizona University. Recently graduating from a video production program in Portland, Oregon, David utilizes his education in Anthropology and hands on training in Video Production to craft compelling stories that are culturally based.
For the past 25 years Rob has worked as a still photographer for various Magazines and Ad campaigns. With his first love always being moving pictures, in recent years he’s put his expertise with still images into motion as a cinematographer.
Jeff Van Bockern is an Emmy award winning, full time video editor for Wide Awake Films based out of Kansas City. He has more than 15 years of experience editing corporate work, documentaries, and narrative films.
Kickstarter is all or nothing. If we don’t meet our goal, we don’t get any of the funds. Donors pledge the amounts, but don’t actually pay until the goal is reached and the funding deadline has passed. A limited budget is our main challenge, and we need your help and support to bring Bid Caller to the finish line in a timely manner. Thanks!