I am sadened to relay this email that I recieved today to everyone else in the sf.com community:

quote:

>>HELLO EVERYBODY,
>>
>>WE ARE VERY SORRY THERE IS NOT A BETTER OPPORTUNITY TO SEND
>>YOU THIS EMAIL, BUT WE THOUGHT YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW THE TRAGIC
>>NEWS WE HAVE JUST GOTTEN TO KNOW FROM RALPH JONGENEEL'S
>>PARENTS. RALPH DIED TRAGICALLY FEW DAYS AGO WHILE TAKING
>>PICTURES IN THE SWISS ALPS. WE BELIEVE WE ALL WILL REMEMBER
>>RALPH AS A GOOD AND SHY YOUNG MAN WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY
>>PASSIONATE ABOUT FILMMAKING.
>>IN SPITE OF THIS VERY SAD NEWS WE BELIEVE YOU ARE ALL WELL
>>AND YOU HAVE A NICE SPRING TIME.
>>
>>REGARDS,

As some of you know, Ralph Jongeneel, better known as ralphnj, frequented this site for about a year or so and has three films currently online. He was always a very positive member of this community often looking for feedback on his scripts, ideas, and his films, bumping them up from time to time. He was also interested in discussing all film and filmmaking in general (his like of Oliver Stone comes to mind) and enjoyed openly discussing and debating these various subjects with everyone on the board, always being kind and courteous. He seemed to have great passion and interest in film, and always looked to further it by sharing his ideas and feelings with others here at sf.com. While I didn't get as much of an oppourtunity to know him as I would have liked, I feel fortunate to have taken advantage of the great gift he brought to this site while he was here, and it serves as a great reminder of the kind of friendships that we are able to have with others all over the world, as well as the impact of the work and films we make that continue after we leave this earth. It really makes this site relevant. I feel like this site has lost an important member who brought out the best in it. Someone who came here interested in film, writing scripts, to shooting/editing films and furthered his passion in this medium by submiting them and getting feedback, thereby supporting this site and the future of film. I only wish I had known him better, and well enough to find the proper words that I lack here to sum up the kind of person he was. I think he sumed it up best himself with his last post in the forums:

quote:

No problem, still was a pleasure arguing with you as expert critics of the same film.

Nothing personal by the way, I just like to write. That's what forums are for.

Nice knowing you,

Ralph N.J

:-/ That's really sad.

He was a nice guy. I never dealt with him directly, but he was never a **** slinger, always kept a good attitude about things. It's a shame to see him go.

- Paul

Sad to hear. I definetly remember having some good conversations with him around the forums. He seemed really enthusiastic about filmmaking. My best to his family and his friends.

He just posted a film to the site too and I only just recently had e-mail contact with him.

We send his family our best. I'm really sad to hear that. This news really makes you think - we all have such a short time here.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Oh that's terrible! RIP

Wow...this is incredibly sad. We'll all be missing out on a great young guy's opinions from here on...tragic

Damn that does suck

But you know, of all the ways to go in this world, Taking pictures in the Alps seems like a pretty good way to do it.

Still sad though.

Man that's horrible. Who would have thought that a death of someone none of us really knew could have such an impact? RIP.

Wow, that's just so tragic. I feel kind of privileged to have had the last conversation on the boards with him. Even though I only conversed with him that once, he seemed to really love movies. RIP

Everything just kind of froze when I read that. AT the least, he died doing something he loved.
And to all you folks, I know I can be kind of a dickhead about stuff sometimes, but over all I really enjoy coming on this site and talking with people who share the same passion. This really is a filmmaking community, and we all know each other to some degree.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention HDK.

RIP. Go with God Ralph.

Wow, I only just found this post. That's realy sad though. How exactly did he die?
One of the great things about being a filmmaker is that you live on through your films. I'm going to go watch all three of his some time soon.
R.I.P. Ralph.

Thanks for bumping this up. This happened while I was gone so I also didn't see it until now. I know it's now a few months old but I still send my best to his friends and family. I remember him as a passionate and thoughtful member of the forum who always contributed positively and constructively. He will be missed.

It`s very sad. I got the picture he was a good guy.

I never had a chance to post along side Ralph however the death of any person is a tragic event as is the lose a creative mind before it can express it views.

I just finished watching all three of his films. He definitely had a very distinct style. Thanks for posting those links HDK.