Recent Projects . . . "Apalachicola River: An American Treasure"

	Jane peers thru the lens. She is scripting the PBS documentary "Apalachicola River: An American Treasure" for Florida filmmaker Elam Stoltzfus.
	Buddy meets Cabeza de Vaca in the swamps... a scene from "Apalachicola River."   Previews Link from documentary

For more about this Elam Stoltzfus Nature Documentary Project,
visit www.apalachicolaamericantreasure.com

Independent Film Quarterly - 2007 Cannes Special Edition
"Big River" makes Creativity Flow

By Briege McGarrity

Apalachicola River: An American Treasure is an exquisitely shot film
by award-winning Floridian filmmaker and cinematographer, Elam
Stoltzfus, who specializes in nature documentaries. Viewers take a
unique and breathtaking journey down the Apalachicola River, which
meanders through 107 miles in the panhandle of Florida to the port
town of Apalachicola on the Gulf of Mexico. Fittingly even the name
Apalachicola River is every bit as fascinating and complex as the river
itself and its very existence will completely alter your perception of
Florida and its hard-working, ethereal inhabitants.

As with most high quality docs, the film contains plenty of stunning
visuals as well as compelling discussions about controversial issues
that threaten the river and its estuaries such as dredging, water wars
between the states of Florida, Alabama and Georgia as well as in-
creasing gas prices, governmental restrictions, lack of funding, the
disastrous effects of Hurricane Dennis and "explosive growth" along
coastal areas. We also encounter at least 30 dynamic characters and
personalities, including scientists, botanists, bee keepers, ecologists,
environmentalists, bird watchers, boat builders, photographers, artists,
commercial fishermen, shrimpers, politicians, activists and locals who
make their livelihood on the Apalachicola Bay, all of whom desper-
ately want to preserve the river. The characters all have passion and
a deep-rooted love and respect for nature and the "Big River," the
vernacular term for the Apalachicola River. The most amazing accom-
plishment of this film is the wide variety of filmmaking techniques used
to tell this special but rather complicated story. In less than an hour,
we are treated to a rich history of the river and the region, historical
reenactments, still photographs, insightful interviews and expert nar-
ration. Special segments are cleverly interweaved that tap into the
social and cultural fabric of the region, art, nature, spirituality, politics
and science.

Mastered on HDcam 1080i, the film also boasts an atmospheric
soundtrack by accomplished musician Sammy Tedder. The music, which
is at times haunting, is a perfect match for the amazing cinematogra-
phy that really captures the scenic beauty of the river. Other market-
able elements include guest appearances by photojournalist Richard
Bickel and world-renowned fine-art landscape photographer Clyde
Butcher. The river that "belongs to everyone" is sure to peak the inter-
est of buyers and film distributors worldwide.

Such a unique and ambitious film necessitated a deeper understand-
ing of its elements and the catalyst for making the film in the first
place. IFQ had the pleasure of interviewing acclaimed filmmaker
Elam Stoltzfus.

IFQ; Tell me why you chose to make a film about the Apalachicola
River?

Elam Stoltzfus: There are many spectacular places to film in Florida,
but the Apalachicola River and its tributaries are elusive and not well
understood. There is a quiet serenity on the river, but an untamed and
mysterious side in the back-waters of the river. The abundance of
textures and shapes, spectrums of light, change of seasons, levels of
water, combined with the collection of species that are unique to this
area creates a filmmakers delight. Having the opportunity to capture
images of nature in the region I call home, and to share those images
with others has put a smile on my face and satisfaction in my soul.

Additionally, during my last PBS special, Living Wafers: Aquatic Pre-
serves of Florida, I traveled across Florida to film stories about 12
aquatic preserves. During my travels, I realized there was an untold
story in my own backyard: a story about the "big river and the idea
just grew from there."

IFQ: Can you explain a bit more about the film?

ES: My film is a memoir of sorts; it is the photographic story of the
history of Native Americans and other settlers whose descendants still
live in northwest Florida; it is the story of people who make their liv-
ing from the river; it is the story of politics and waterwars between 
Georgia/Alabama and Florida. If showcases the “haunting beauty* of
rareiy seen places like the River Styx, Dead Lakes, Kennedy Creek,
Chipola River and Tale's Hell.


IFQ: I am sure you had an enormous amount of footage.  What was 
the scale of the crew for this film?

ES: I hired several native Floridians to help me flesh out the film.
Scriptwriter, Jane Atkins is a direct descendent of early settlers and
Native Americans has has 30 years experience as a Hollywood script
writer. Sammy Tedder is the composer of original music scored for
this film. River cane reeds from the banks of the Apalachicola River
were handcrafted into musical instruments by Tedder to create ethe-
real harmonies that accompany the stunning cinematography. Guest
artists include photojournalist Richard Bickel of Apalachicola, FL and
fine art landscape photographer Clyde Butcher of Ochopee, FL along
with special appearances by other local artists and personalities.

IFQ: Tell me about your career as a documentarian.

ES: For the past 15 years, I have documented diverse aspects of
Florida's natural resources that include estuaries, rivers, swamps and
aquatic preserves. I graduated from Florida State University with
a degree in Communications and then formed Live Oak Production
Group. We have produced several award-winning films that show-
case nature and the great outdoors. I have experience as a writer,
cinematographer, editor, producer and director.

IFQ: What were some of the highs and low of shooting the film, as it
must have been amazing but time consuming?

ES: During the first few months of production it rained and rained. The
river was dangerously high and in flood stage. So high, that we could
not access the river. Doing nature photography takes patience and
endurance. I'd come home wet, sweaty, dirty and tired. This was a
new experience for many local people featured in the film. Some of
these areas here in North Florida are very remote and people live a
life of self-sufficiency. They still make a living off the water and land.
They are great people and have a wonderful quality of life.

On a more positive note, it was a great feeling to finally tell this story
after trying get this together for about 6 years. Of course, almost all
the people in the film were folks that I knew or knew of. The greatest
pleasure is that people tell me, "thanks for telling our story, thank you
for doing this." This is a reward that is priceless. It also was a thrill
to work with the crew and my family who assisted with filming, audio,
travel and worked around the long and demanding hours of post-
production of the film.

IFQ: How has the film been received on the festival circuit? Has it won
any awards?

ES: It has been received well and has won several awards includ-
ing The Houston International Film Festival (Bronze Remi Award) for
Ecology/Environment/Conservation, Florida Choice Award - Tampa
Independent Film Festival, Napa-Sonamo Wine Country Film Festival
Award for Best Documentary - Eco Cinema GAIA Award, 2006 Auro-
ra Award Film and Video Award in Gold for Original Music and Gold
for Cinematography, 2006 Emmy-Nominee at the Suncoast Regional
Emmy Awards for Composition/Arrangement of music.

IFQ: Congratulations. You are incredibly talented and no doubt we
will see more breathtaking nature odysseys for many years to come.

For more information, visit the documentary's
website: www.apalachicolaamericantreasure.com.

IFQ - Independent Film Quarterly / Issue 13