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Dayton's aviation history is woven into the fabric of our community and Kaplan has been weaver, connecting people, ideas and stories for more than 20 years. As the Director of Aviation Hall of Fame, Kaplan was instrumental in promoting aviation culture, inspiring icons like Harrison Ford and Dennis Quaid to attend and support aviation events in Dayton, Ohio.
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In 2008, Kaplan was instrumental in the facilitation of the first Reel Stuff Film Festival of Aviation, repeating the annual event in 2009 and 2010. Anthony Edwards ("Goose" of Top Gun), Robert A. "Bob" Hoover (aviation icon), and Col. Dean E Hess (subject of the 1957 film Battle Hymn) are among the icons that have graced the stage. In the wake of losing their primary sponsor, Kaplan and Reel Stuff are seeking the funding and support to bring this festival back to Dayton, annually honoring Dayton's aviation history while celebrating the artwork of film makers whose creations take flight.
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Kaplan’s passion for aviation bleeds into his work, his words and his art. Describing how his father’s legacy as a World War II veteran inspired him to immortalize the nose art of those iconic airplanes, he shares how the signatures of American heroes like flying ace Chuck Yeager and baseball legend and Marine aviator Ted Williams grace the metal sheets carefully hand-painted with the insignia that served as calling cards for these aging and passing pilots.
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“You know how some people (collect) rock star autographs? Well, these are autographs of the real WW2 heroes. Guys that shot down 23 airplanes, became an ace, earned the Medal of Honor,” Kaplan said.
His artwork and appreciation for aviation and the people behind the planes have taken him across the world. The people he has met and the places he has seen lives in his legacy, in his eyes as he speaks and in the passion that he brings to this project.
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The Reel Stuff Film Festival of Aviation is more than Kaplan’s baby. It is Dayton’s, this birthplace of flight. If we want the Reel Stuff Film Festival in Dayton, then Kaplan needs help to make this dream take flight. Specifically, Kaplan is seeking a host organization and like-minded sponsors that share his passion for bringing the best in aviation filmmaking back to the Birthplace of Aviation. Previous sponsor organizations include the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the Air Force Museum Foundation, Netjets, the Boeing Co., Rolls-Royce North America and Cassano's Pizza.
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For more information about Reel Stuff Film Festival of Aviation, visit http://reelstufffilmfest.com/.
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