A Message from the Elephant Man

If you like the trailer and you're interested in the story, you can be a part of sharing it with the world. I'm going to start a campaign on Kickstarter to finish the documentary. Keep checking back here for the link!

Interview with Chris G. (at 15 minute mark)

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles: December 2011 from MovieMaker Magazine on Vimeo.

The New Documentary, Continued

On October 12, 2011, I was given the Los Angeles Film Festival's Best Short Documentary Award for The Elephant Man Journeys. The reason it's a "Short" is, we aren't done yet. It's costly and difficult to tell such an involved story. The Gallucci Brothers Productions is just my brother and me. Hopefully, someone will see this documentary and want to invest in this story. It truly needs to be told.

Thank you to everybody who "gets it."

I think we have done a good job so far. If given the chance, I will open people's eyes even more on the reality of captive animals. Captivity sucks!

Chris Gallucci
The Elephant Man

Judging a Book By Its Cover (Yes, the Elephant Man Wears Ivory)

Humans have been doing this for a long time, and not just to me. Sometimes it is just the way it goes. Recently I have been frequently photographed, and it has been beneficial for the publicity of Shambala. These photographs have also caused people to ask why the Elephant Man wears ivory. I wear my ivory necklace and rings proudly despite this criticism. They do not know the real story. When my two elephants were alive, they would break and chip their tusks by digging holes to reach roots underground, ripping branches off of trees, and occasionally scuffling with one another. For me, it was important to find and gather these broken pieces of Timbo and Cora's ivory, and I am glad I did. When they died, it was essential to lay the two at rest fully intact, meaning I did NOT and would NOT cut these pieces of ivory off of the elephants out of respect and honor. A warrior is laid to rest with his sword and shield, and I did just that. Once they were gone, I made these two ivory rings and pendant to wear proudly.

The New Documentary

The Elephant Man, filmmaker! Only I'm not, so it has taken me longer than I thought to put my new documentary together. But I will never give up. I went back to editing in September, with a professional and enthusiastic company working with me. All is coming together better than expected and hopefully will be out by late December

My trip to Austria

It has fired the magic within me, and that is what we are looking for. I just got back from Salzburg, Austria. The purpose of this trip was to give inspiring speeches and appear at the opening of an art gallery. My first stop was in the church of an Austrian Prison (what a tough crowd). Me, Chris Gallucci standing in a church, in a prison. It was too much like a dream and not a very good one.

Thank God, there was more – next I went to a school for young, aspiring artists. In that speech I knew I had really reached the children. The children loved it and I loved telling my story to them. I felt it was good. They responded with excitement. One little girl especially – she came up to me and said, “I will never forget you or your story. You must be a great man!”

Then that night I went to the opening of the new art gallery in Salzburg which featured photos of Timbo and me. Another little girl, dressed up like she was going to the Oscars fought her way through the crowd, grabbed my hand and placed a note in it. She said her mother drove her here to the event to meet me. This little girl said she was having trouble dealing with a problem. She had lost someone very near and dear to her and after listening to my story, she said she knew now that she could deal with any problem that might come her way. Why? Because the magic is inside. She said thank you and walked away.

PS: It’s the Chris and Timbo thing – we are still going and it feels great. Moments like this make me proud to be “The Elephant Man”.

Sharing

When Timbo and Kura were alive they opened so many doors for me, brought so many interesting people into my life; people I probably would not have met if I wasn't "the guy with the elephants" (but I was). And now that they are gone, the doors are still opening. Interesting people are still coming, but now they come seeking knowledge. I guess when you spend thirty years with two elephants, you learn a few things.

I love sharing the things my elephants taught me.

A Tease

Be sure and check out the teaser from my new documentary on YouTube!

The Follow-Up Documentary Progresses

Exciting stuff is happening! The negotiations are continuing for the new documentary. I will update as soon as we have anything definite.

I'M BACK!!!

The crew and I are back from Africa. The project is moving along just as planned so stay tuned for the second documentary and the second book about CHRIS GALLUCCI THE ELEPHANT MAN!

Ready for Take Off!

Last minute details are all figured out. All the gear is checked and ready. Nothing else left to do. The next time you hear from me, I will be in Africa with elephants and with my crew. So stay tuned. This is gonna be exciting!

Soon

Soon, very soon, I will be with elephants again, doing what I do best—-the elephant thing. But this time, on their turf, not mine.

Soon

The crew is positive and professional, willing to go beyond and above for this project. The people on the ground in Africa are eagerly awaiting our arrival. Some great new things have been set up. The departure date is soon . . . very soon!

Back on Track

The "people problem" have been solved and everything is looking good. The Africa trip is moving forward again and I should have the new dates worked out this week.

Setback

I ran into a “people problem.” Nothing I can’t handle, but it does push the Africa trip back. I will post the new departure date shortly.

The Date Is Set

The reservations are made. The crew is together. And my eye is on the elephants. This adventure is a reality. On June 27th, we leave for AFRICA.

My Letter of Introduction to Elephant Researchers

I am the man the world became interested in because of my work. I made a promise 30 years ago to stay with 2 African elephants through thick and thin, no matter what. I kept that promise and stayed with them until they each took their last breaths. The elephants with whom I shared my life gave me a purpose. Timbo was a strong loner and demanded honor and respect. Kura was sensitive and shy. They both needed understanding and dedication. I am coming to Africa to try to understand them in a way I never could while they were in captivity. I am not the guy who took them from their home; I am just the guy who tried to give them a good life. When Cora died I felt her spirit leave. When Timbo died his spirit stayed with me. I am attempting to make sense of the relationship with my elephants.

Prep Time

Been busy getting contracts signed, lining up the necessary gear in Africa, checking animal movements on the ground. This is the unfortunate reality of business before the fun part—all the preparations for the trip. Getting all my “elephants” in a row!

Planning for Africa

I am working hard putting this Africa trip together. Working every day on just trying to figure out where to go that has the most elephants, the most interesting people, most interesting natives. I am definitely looking at Zimbabwe, which has an enormous amount of elephants, and I can get my feet on the ground there. Kenya brings me to a couple of elephant orphanages, two elephant researchers, and most important: the Masai warriors. Those are my choices. As you all know, things can change!

The Elephant Man Goes to Africa

The Elephant Man Goes to Africa—in two months I am on my way. I am trying to sell my motorcycle, I’ve cashed in my retirement fund, and my brother is matching my money. It’s definite. A photographer and a cameraman are coming with me. I will be writing another book and filming a new documentary, telling the story of how I will keep my promise to take Timbo and Kura home to Africa and laying their spirits to rest in an honorable way. Stay tuned.