On
Location with "Storm
Warriors", by Tom Garber
From
"Wreck and Rescue", Summer 2000
The production of my 55 minute documentary film. "Storm Warriors," over the past year and a half has taken me on a wonderful journey into the center of the historic life-saving community. I met people filled with a passion for the subject, viewed substantial archival material in museums and private collections, interviewed a variety of experts, and re-created a shipwreck rescue. The events of collecting and filming the material for "storm Warriors" was a fascinating experience.
With a list of locations and potential interviewees in hand, my camerman and myself set out on a ten day, eight state filming trip. We conducted archival research at Ocean City Maryland and the Long Island Maritime Museum; filmed interviews at the Indian River Station in Delaware, the Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, the Nantucket Life-Saving Museum in Massachusetts, and a TV studio in Berkeley, California. At each location it was refreshing to meet so many people enthusiastic about the Life Saving-Service. If not large, the devotees to this subject are passionate. Everybody had a unique story to tell, or object of interest to show.
Of particular note was the filming done at the Coast Guard Museum in New London, Connecticut. After shooting volumes of paintings, photographs, and printed material, Cindee Herrick, the Museum's curator, brought out the most prized artifacts, Joshua James's Gold and Silver Medals. I had seen these Medals countless times in the famous photographic portrait of Joshua James, but to hold them in my hands (with white gloves, of course) linked me with my subject in a very real way. Artifacts such as these truly bring history to life. I couldn't help but think how Joshua James would feel, knowing I was using his medals in my movie.
Besides the important factual information in the film, I wanted the audience to experience the type of conditions a life-saving crew had to endure in storm conditions. For this I needed images of rough seas. Living on Eastern Long Island, New York, I chose to get this footage on the ferry that crosses the mouth of Long Island Sound, from Orient Point, New York to New London, Connecticut. During the months of February and March I monitored the marine weather radio, and whenever a small craft advisory, or even better , a gale warning was issued, I grabbed my 16mm camera and headed to the ferry. We had some wild rides across Long Island Sound. My method of shooting was to hang onto the ship's railing and lean my camera overboard with one hand, shooting into the spray and surf. The ferry's crew thought this strange of me, until I explained the project to them.
Another portion of the film utilized actors in the roles of surfmen. Instead of getting professionals, I decided to use local men and women who looked the part. I felt these people, who fished the local waters, and had ancestry in the area, would understand the role better. For casting, I went to Fisherman's Quarters, a local bar/hotel, and explained the film to the biggest, burliest men I could find. All I spoke to were interested, so we did a screen test. They all worked well together, and a cohesive team, with a Keeper, was formed. We filmed on weekends, at night, on the beach, in storm conditions. I had some initial fears about their acting abilities, but when we go down to it, with the wind in their faces, hauling the beach cart, and me yelling "Come on, there's people dying out there!", they became Storm Warriors. Each night of filming was followed by bowls of hot chili, with Dark and Stormy rum drinks.
The final scene to be filmed, which is actually the opening of the movie, was of now abandoned Galloo Island Coast Guard Lifeboat Station, on Lake Ontario. I had arranged with the Coast Guard at Sackets Harbor, New York to take me to the desolated Island in December. The morning we left, the air temperature was a bone chilling 12 degrees, and the sun shone bright. We donned our survival suits, and boarded the 22-foot outboard. Luckily, the wind was calm, and we make the trip in 45 minutes. I had heard stories about the need to save this abandoned station, but had never seen any pictures. As the island came into view, I saw it was exactly what I had hoped for. The boathouse and residence were overgrown with shrubs and weeds, windows were broken, timbers fallen down, and most paint was peeling. It was the perfect metaphor for how our nation has forgotten the story of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. I got the shots I needed, despite the short life of my camera batteries due to the extreme cold, and boarded for the return trip. A great sense of relief came over me as we motored back. Filming for Storm Warriors was finished.