Filmmaker Q&A: Bob Slusarczyk on The Rising Tide
October 10th, 2008
Tell us about your film. Why should people see it?
“The Rising Tide” traces the 3 year struggle the US boat Building industry went through when the 1990 Luxury Tax was passed. The Healey Brothers of Viking Yachts lead the fight for the repeal as they sought to save their company. In so doing, they helped save the industry. The story highlights a unique sense hard work and determination. Its a story for families and workers that shows how people can make a difference.
What led you to make this film?
The current political climate and economic strains on the business community.
What were some of the greatest challenges you faced in making this film?
My eyes were opened by the number of people who liked the story and told me they could help, “make it happen”. When it comes to the financing you learn who the stand up people are and who the talkers are. Fortunately, after a rough start I found a small group of people that share the vision and worked extremely hard to make this happen.
What impact do you hope this film will have?
I hope this film motivates people that are faced with what seems to be insurmountable odds. I hope people find a true understanding of the role small businesses play in the economy and how governmental regulations ripped through the work force unbeknownst to the lawmakers.
What are you working on now, or next, and how do you find documentary projects?
We are currently working on a music video for the new title song. We have a young talented artist who saw our documentary and was inspired to write a song based on the piece. We are helping him produce the song and shoot a video.
What are your three favorite films?
Today, last year, ever, wow that is too hard for me say. I am a big fan of comedy and can watched all the Marx brother films when I was a kid. I appreciate the technology that Pixar studios brought to the industry and if I am with my kids it would be films like We Are Marshall or Remember The Titans. So I could not just give you three.
Many of our users are just starting out; what advice do you have for aspiring filmmakers?
If you want to make a small fortune in films, start with a very large fortune. Find something that you are passionate about, that sounds cliché but without it the obstacles will get the best of you. Eliminate the distractions as much as possible and do it for the reasons that advance the audience from their position prior to seeing your work.
Have you placed your films online and do you think it’s a good outlet for young filmmakers to get exposure?
We haven’t gone on line yet. I see it as a large part of distribution. Look at the music industry and how web has rewritten the music industry. We currently are reviewing a contract for VOD.
Did you go to film school? If yes, where and what did you think of the experience?
No, I did this later in my life and found the right people to work with/hire. Those people went to film school.
What are the other films you have made?
We shot a show called UnCorked- A Slightly Irreverent Look at Wine. It was a blast, we wanted to poke fun at the stoic, pedantic wine snobs that most wine TV shows were at that point. We did it with a great group of people who worked for dinner and wine and we were in two film festivals. The problem was that when audiences heard it was about wine, they thought they couldn’t laugh.
What’s you motto?
One never knows what lies just over the horizon. Sorry, I don’t really have a motto, I wanted to sound like I thought that out. I try to tell my kids to do what’s right even if it’s not popular and remember to have fun since we don’t know when it will end.
What do you think film festivals like We the People offer to the dialogue about issues facing our society?
We are excited to participate and look forward to venues that look to the ingenuity, the integrity, the hope and dreams of ordinary people who at any given time can do extraordinary things. I selected the title for our project from a speech John F. Kennedy gave while running for the Presidency. He was talking about our economy and said that A Rising Tide Lifts All of the Boats. When you think about it, it can relate to so many things. I hope years from now we have other uplifting documentaries to enter into this festival.
What other festivals is your film appearing in?
We were in the Montclair Film Festival and living 2 miles from there it was great to have family and friends see our first real project.
We won honorable mention at the Accolades Competition.
We won Best Documentary at The Pocono Mountains Film Festival.
We currently are in or will be at:
Independents Film Festival Tampa Bay Fla
Wildwood By The Sea in NJ
Orlando Hispanic Film Festival
Trade & Row
What was your goal when you decided to make the film?
To let people see the unique deeds of the Healey Brothers. They were at the point in their lives where they could have walked away when things go tough, but instead fought for their workers and did the right thing in a crippling three year battle.
How much did it cost to make the film?
That keeps going up even today. But we have over $50,000.00 into it so far.
The Rising Tide will be playing at We the People: A Documentary Film Festival on Saturday, October 18th at Self Help Graphics in Los Angeles, CA.
For more info on We the People, visit:
http://www.tradeandrow.org/wethepeople/index.html
For more info on The Rising Tide, visit: