LIVING BY THE LAKE, 31min., USA
Directed by Jonathan E Jackson
Beverly Shores, IN, a small waterfront community is hit hard by the rising water of Lake Michigan. As it’s sandy shoreline erodes into the Lake, the homes along the lakeshore become endangered, and after a series of storms the dunes eventually collapse into the Lake and with it part of the main road. As the town comes together to finance a construction protect to protect the dunes, and their road, and as the Lake continues to rise to record highs we find this is a case of history repeating itself. Carol Ruzic has been photographing the destructive nature of the Lakes and its cycles since she moved to Beverly Shores, IN in 1951.

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the%20erosion%20project

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

The true motivation was the drone footage I used in the films intro. I first saw it on-line (timeless aerial photography) and as I know the area so well, I was shocked to see the place so devastated. I literally pickup up a camera and drove across country to start filming the aftermath.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Way too long, but I had no deadline. I wanted to film for least a year and get a seasonal change and see what happened to the lake. It took another year to edit, so about 2 years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Honest, and uncommercial.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Me, and figuring out what the film should be about. I had a clear idea of the film before I started filming but after a year of filming I had all this footage that I truly wanted to use. The first assembly edit was 40 minutes long, and the original idea was a 20 minutes and that included naturalistic shots, and a slower pace. It took a lot of time to circle back to the original idea and still maintain the elements of time and space. Thats why it is 30 minutes long, and not 20. Also, access to editing equipment.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

"They got it." And "Thank you" For a first time filmmaker like myself having your film be understood from a media, and film perspective is truly a big step.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Quiet recently. I have been a film technician for 20 year, doing sound for documentary and narrative fiction, but I never had the calling or anything like that. I said to myself if this film turns out ok I will make another, which I still hope to do... just not on my own, as a solo project. Ask i have become an environmentalist I don't just want to make films, but sharing stories of our environment that affect us all. We all have an environmental story, that is not just about climate change.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Woodstock, the movie. My fiends and I edited down a version of the movie with just the live music and would watch that religiously at the weekend.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Not much, I think you have it covered. As a category winner I would liked to have seen the other movies in the category, or some clips, or meet the film makers. Maybe I just want to see the competition but also to build the community, and tighten the bonds between the film makers.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Superb.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Nebeyaki, no chicken.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Finding a group/collective to make another film with. A more commercial film.