504 pm trailer

Where were you at 5:04 p.m. PDT, 1989? I was standing in line to buy a hot dog at Candlestick Park, waiting for Game 3 of The World Series to start. The 7.1 earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area was the largest to hit a major American city.

I had already been shooting with video and still cameras as a spectator before the quake rocked the stadium. I ended up chronicling the entire experience, from the pre-game excitement in the parking lot, the quake and it's aftermath, the intervening ten days, and the return to Game 3 on October 27, 1989. I had hung on to all the original material and produced this documentary as a special remembrance of that fateful day 20 years ago.

There will be special screenings in California as follows:
9/14/09 - Burbank Central Library, 7pm
10/9/09 - Pasadena Central Library, 9pm
10/14/09 - Koret Auditorium, San Francisco, 630pm

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 1989
• World
• Series
• Loma
• Prieta
• Earthquake
• San
• Francisco
• 5:04
• p.m.:
• First
• Person
• Account
• of
• the
• 5:

[PittNick95]

were u scared?

[jongreek]

Definitely.  One of the scariest situations I've ever been in my 51 years.

[PittNick95]

they say that chunks of concrete were falling from the upper deck. lucky that place stayed in one piece. dont the 49ers still use it?

[jongreek]

Yes, the 49ers still use it. Chunks of concrete fell in the upper deck around sec. 51, 53. The stadium was retrofitted with expansion joints a few years before the quake struck. I shudder to think what could have happened had they not done the retrofit work.

[PittNick95]

i can only imagine. god surely blessed you that u werent injured

[jongreek]

Agree! I see you are a PIttsburgh resident/fan. Even though I grew up in San Francisco, Roberto Clemente was right up there with Willie Mays. I saw him play around 1972 at Candlestick Park, and saw him make an amazing throw to nail Bobby (not Barry!) Bonds at 3rd base.

[nblackford1412]

Hopefully I can see the film soon.

[Buckeyecat2002]

The scariest moments in my 53 years.

[jonnythegreek1]

@sfgiantsballin ...yes, copy is now available. Are you still intersted?

[jonnythegreek1]

@sfgiantsballin --now for sale...let me know if u r interested and will send details.

[jongreek]

I wish I could make it available for home video purchase, but it was made for non-profit, educational purposes. The documentary is available for viewing or borrowing at the SF Main Public Library, as well as the Oakland public library. It has also been entered in a couple of SF bay area film festivals in 2010. Thanks for your note and interest!