I just looked out my window and got a little stressed out. There is still so much I need to do before summer is over! I want to canoe or kayak one of the river branches to get scenic shots of the river, woods and any camps along the river corridor. Plus more camp interviews. Plus the Ottawa National Forest sign along the highway. Plus aerial footage. Plus, plus, plus. I can’t panic yet. I’ve got through December to get a lot more done. I can’t canoe in December though. According to the Farmer’s Almanac it’s going to be a cold one (again).
To calm my nerves, let me recap some of the film’s accomplishments over the summer I haven’t had time to blog about because I’ve been so busy gathering great interviews and video.
I interviewed a gentleman by the name of Joseph Damrell, a professor at Northland College. One of the best things about this documentary is the people I get to meet. It’s surprising how many people I don’t know that live within 20 miles. Joe’s camp, aka Camp David, is a mile or so past the end of Polvi Road in Ewen, off the same trail that goes to the 30-06 Camp. We hiked out to his camp on the hottest day of the year. I hadn’t talked to Joe much prior to our interview so I assumed when he said we had to hike, there was no ATV trail. There was but I didn’t bring an ATV. That’s where better pre-shoot planning and meeting in advance comes in handy. Doing this on my own, in my spare time, doesn’t grant me that luxury. So I’ll just continue to do this flying by the seat of my pants.
Damrell’s camp is 2 old WPA warming shacks that were hooked together by his uncle. It’s not along a river but still on Ottawa National Forest land and therefore needs to be removed. It was a little hard to find as it’s not used frequently. There is no beat down path off the ATV trail. Since he doesn’t use the camp much anymore, Damrell’s biggest concern is removing the camp and how much damage will be done to the forest. A forest that inspires him. He found inspiration for his first novel while standing on the camp’s porch listening to a tree fall in the woods.
To calm my nerves, let me recap some of the film’s accomplishments over the summer I haven’t had time to blog about because I’ve been so busy gathering great interviews and video.
I interviewed a gentleman by the name of Joseph Damrell, a professor at Northland College. One of the best things about this documentary is the people I get to meet. It’s surprising how many people I don’t know that live within 20 miles. Joe’s camp, aka Camp David, is a mile or so past the end of Polvi Road in Ewen, off the same trail that goes to the 30-06 Camp. We hiked out to his camp on the hottest day of the year. I hadn’t talked to Joe much prior to our interview so I assumed when he said we had to hike, there was no ATV trail. There was but I didn’t bring an ATV. That’s where better pre-shoot planning and meeting in advance comes in handy. Doing this on my own, in my spare time, doesn’t grant me that luxury. So I’ll just continue to do this flying by the seat of my pants.
Damrell’s camp is 2 old WPA warming shacks that were hooked together by his uncle. It’s not along a river but still on Ottawa National Forest land and therefore needs to be removed. It was a little hard to find as it’s not used frequently. There is no beat down path off the ATV trail. Since he doesn’t use the camp much anymore, Damrell’s biggest concern is removing the camp and how much damage will be done to the forest. A forest that inspires him. He found inspiration for his first novel while standing on the camp’s porch listening to a tree fall in the woods.
A few weeks ago I gave a presentation to the Ontonagon Valley Sportsmen’s Club. In a prior meeting they had discussed helping fund this film and the Club President, Pete Heidemann, invited me to their next meeting to show them the progress of the film and give a breakdown of my expenses. Pete told me only 7 or 8 members would probably be present. I think there were almost 20 members and other guest speakers. I was nervous but I must have given a good presentation because the Club donated $1,000 to the film. They said they were impressed by the quality of my work and the enthusiasm and dedication I had to the film. The donation will come in especially handy when I get into post-production and need help with music and sound editing. Plus I will need to hire a talented voice to narrate the film. I’ve already purchased most of the equipment I need, however I still need to buy a waterproof case for that canoe trip I need to take while the leaves are still green.
Congressman Dan Benishek’s D.C. office called me last week. Michelle, the woman I spoke to said they have been following my website and have been talking with the Forest Service. She didn’t give any details but said she would keep in touch with more information as it became available. She also mentioned camp leaseholders have been working with Congressman Benishek’s Iron Mountain office. I would like to know who those leaseholders are. If you are one of those leaseholders please message me! I asked if I could get an interview with the Congressman the next time he is in the U.P. Michelle said that could be arranged. I see on his Facebook page that he is in Traverse City right now. Hopefully they contact me when he travels across the bridge. Maybe he’d like to go for a canoe trip to a camp.
Congressman Dan Benishek’s D.C. office called me last week. Michelle, the woman I spoke to said they have been following my website and have been talking with the Forest Service. She didn’t give any details but said she would keep in touch with more information as it became available. She also mentioned camp leaseholders have been working with Congressman Benishek’s Iron Mountain office. I would like to know who those leaseholders are. If you are one of those leaseholders please message me! I asked if I could get an interview with the Congressman the next time he is in the U.P. Michelle said that could be arranged. I see on his Facebook page that he is in Traverse City right now. Hopefully they contact me when he travels across the bridge. Maybe he’d like to go for a canoe trip to a camp.
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