Last year a man by the name of Norman Skul emailed me about working with him on some projects about famous Chicago columnist Mike Royko. He fell in love with my work and wanted me to bring to life some of Mike’s columns as short films.
In December I made the first of these with him in Chicago. A Christmas piece called “Bound with Love”. It was a hard shoot, incredibly cold, tight schedules but we made it and I was due to go to Hawaii to work with him in February for two weeks and again in the summer for a reshoot of “A November Farewell”.
Fellow DP and friend of mine, Tom Guilmette has just passed on the awful news that Norman died from a heart attack in Florida yesterday, he was just 48.
Norman was incredibly passionate about Mike Royko and had decided late in life that he wanted to become a film maker. He had a real vision for Royko and Chicago has been robbed of a wonderful way to remember one it’s most famous sons.
I don’t know if “Bound with Love” will ever be released as he was in rights negotiations about it at the time of his death. I will miss him as he was a kind man and very good to me. We had big plans together and am really shocked right now as I was expecting a call from him yesterday and wondered why I hadn’t heard from him.
Norman, if there is an afterlife am sure you will be sitting in a bar talking over stories with Mike himself, someone you never met in life. My thoughts are with all Norman’s friends and family, especially his parents who have been robbed of a son. Rest in peace Norman.
If you knew Norman at all please leave your thoughts on this page as a memory to him.
20 comments
Norman was a great guy. He had big ideas. I was excited to be a part of his vision. It’s sad he is not with us anymore, and I can’t help but think that Norman, Buddy and Mike are sipping beers and eating cheezborgers at the Billy Goat Tavern in Heaven. Heres to you Norman!
My experience with Norman has been nothing but wonderful. He brought me on the Royko project to play young Mike Royko and I was extremely greatful for the opportunity. I was anticipating great things for Norman and the crew. I’m sorry to see Norman go.
A man with such ambition and a big heart has been takien from us and he will be missed by all who has had the pleasure of meeting him.
I am and will always be as true as possible to my roles as an actor and I will take my experience with Norman on in life as he had invited me into his.
A BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING…..I thank life for giving me a Friend like him.
I will miss you NORM
Sorry to hear about this tragedy.
http://anesthesia.tumblr.com/post/70611549/normanskul
I heard the news last night, and made this comic. Norman was a wonderful person to work with. he always made sure i was taken care of. I’m really sad to see him go.
I only knew this guy for 14 days. 14 days! and for the past few days, i think of him often. especially when i am alone with my thoughts. he obviously left a lasting impression on me. i did not realize it until he was gone.
i posted some thoughts, pictures and videos from my last two meetings with norman.
i will never forget this guy. he was a good person.
http://www.tomguilmette.com/wp/my-blog/archives/1180
Oh Man….. so sad….. My heart goes out to those who know and loved him.
Norman was & is a fraternity brother of mine from our days at Loyola over 30 years ago. Although I have not seen him in many years, it does not surprise me the affect he has had on many peoples lives including those who only knew him for 2 weeks. Norman was & is a compassionate & loving person and to those who opine if an afterlife exists..it most certainly does & I know the good Lord has rewarded Norman’s compassion & love & mercy with the ultimate reward..Eternal Happiness.
My condolences & ardent prayers go to the Skul family, particularly his mother & father in this most difficult time.
Mike Cronin
TKE Fraternity
Thanks to all the people who have left messages, both from those who knew him and those who didn’t. Am sure Norman would have been really touched.
Dearest Friend Norman, A day will not pass without a wonderful thought of you and our precious friendship.
Your memory will shine forever in my heart as, “A bright star”. Placy
I have spent the last few days helping Normans parents get through one of the toughest times any parent can go through, perparing to say good by to their child for the last time. It was truly an honor to have know Norm for almost the last 40 years. Through the ups and downs I still always thought of Norm as close to me, my wife and kids as a brother, a friend and a uncle to my kids. The grief that my family is feeling for the lose of Norm I can not put into words and the pain in my chest for the hole that we all feel will not be filled for a long time to come. I only wish Norm to be happy in the better place that he is in now, looking down on the rest of us and smiling in that Norman way. With all our love the Roti’s
I had the pleasure to meet Norman thru his sister V. Skul. I work for her and Norman was our Computer God. He was the right man at the right time just for the right reasons. A super sweet heart, he will be missed. Every christmas he made sure not to leave anyone out here at CCWM. Talking with a few co-workers we struggled with what to get a guy that had all that he wanted in the palm of his hands. SO HARD TO BELIEVE. WOW! WHAT A SUPER SWEET GUY. Sleep with the Angels Norman.
I was in a restaurant in London the other night in the same where Norman and I sat down and talked about his ideas for 5 hours. Is was a terrific afternoon where we really connected.
I have thought of him much these past few days. Many times I have wanted to email him with some exciting idea then it quickly hits me…
Norman flew all the way over to London just to talk to me face to face about projects, like Tom said, he preferred it to the phone. He was a rare thing, a gentleman in a modern world.
Im very sorry to hear this. As a Chicago native it is a real loss, may God Bless him and his family.
There will be a memorial service for Norman on Saturday 24 January 2009, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 1501 Magnolia Ave. Chicago. This is the Atomic Imaging/Golan Productions studios. All are welcome.
Obit here from Chicago Tribune:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-hed-skul-20-jan20,0,3438739.story
Sometimes my friend and I would make fun of Norman for how generous he was. He would help people out in enormous ways, even if he just met them.
His passion for Mike Royko re-taught me what passion is. I’m going to miss getting ten emails a day from him, expecting my vibrating phone to say his name, and going to never ending lunch meetings where we worked so hard on makin’ movies. Although some of those meetings were intense, they always made me feel like I was moving forward.
I’m gonna miss the guy.
I knew I liked him from the moment I met him. He arrived on my dairy farm in Whitewater WI this last fall, and from the moment he stepped out of the car he exuded excitement and passion for the project he was working on. He was genuine and kind. His boyish enthusiasm made him someone that you just didn’t want to say “no” to. He was the kind of person that you would want as a friend forever. I’m sorry that we won’t get a chance to watch that sunset this summer in the country. He will be truly missed by those who had met him.
Norman & I were close friends since the second grade. There will be many things I shall miss but nothing more than his billowing laugh. That boy could laugh. I wish Philip & Daniel could have worked more with Norm. I feel “Bound with Love” is a sweet piece of film in spite of the acting work of the young Slats (my son Mike). I hope there is a way more people can see it. Norm (and others) worked very hard on it. He sunk most of his savings and all of his free time on those films. They should be seen.
I miss you already my friend,
chris
My condolences to you, Philip, for losing a friend and to Norman’s family.