 From Alaska to Africa or Asia—and many places in between—Severna Park filmmakers Bob and Daphne Ferrier have produced programs for National Geographic, the Smithsonian, the Discovery and Learning Channel, and more. But nothing has stirred their passions like the part-time film project they’ve been putting together for the last two years—without the help of any network.
“We wanted to do something that was our way of giving back,” said Bob about the two decidedly upbeat half-hour “Seize the Bay” documentaries that will bookend Maryland Public Television’s Chesapeake Bay Week April 18-25. “But it had to be fun; it had to be a celebration.”
Bob and Daphne contacted the Annapolis Visitors Bureau, looking for ideas on who could host the show. Before they even finished a sentence, the Bureau was mentioning Kevin Brooks and Jeff Holland, a.k.a. Them Eastport Oyster Boys, a witty musical duo that has earned national and international acclaim for songs slyly encouraging Bay stewardship. “They’ve been wonderful. I could not think of anyone that would fit this more perfectly,” said Ferrier.
Home is Where the Heart Is
Having both grown up in “The Land of Pleasant Living” enjoying numerous water-related activities, Brooks and Holland are all about Bay education and appreciation. They heard each other play in the early nineties and by 1995 had formed their lasting partnership. Brooks is the Director of the Maryland Rural Development Corporation, and Holland is the director of the Annapolis Maritime Museum. The museum incorporates the Chesapeake Music Institute, which researches traditional music and supports contemporary artists writing about the Bay.
Neither educator/entertainer would quite call himself an environmentalist. “There’s a difference between what we’re trying to do and that. We’re not trying to beat heads with the message. We approach it [the same goal] from celebration,” said Holland. “The reason we work so well together is our viewpoint matches their [the Ferrier’s] viewpoint.”
That viewpoint is based on the premise that the best way to educate and motivate is to pique interest and entertain. For locals, it’s eliciting an “Oh yeah, I was there,” and for visitors, an “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“We share insider tricks for people in the area to truly enjoy the Bay to its fullest,” says Brooks. “Like shucking an oyster without severing an artery or picking crabs with maximum velocity.”
The group traveled much of the Chesapeake’s 11,000 miles of shoreline, capturing the charm of numerous people, places, and events. The spectacular St. Mary’s Oyster Festival in Leonardtown (Holland’s favorite). The beautiful, rugged history of Calvert Cliffs. The timeless National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield. The quirky Burning of the Socks in Eastport. The inspiring Kent Island beach cleanup.
Oh, and who could forget crackin’ crabs with the legendary Whitey Schmidt—or asking a chief Smithsonian scientist about peeing on sea nettle stings?
“Nobody’s going to save the Bay unless they truly appreciate all it has to offer, the wonder of it, and what makes it special,” says Holland, who notes thousands of kids come through the museum each year and most grown up within a stone’s throw from water, but few have been on it.
“Re-establishing that connectivity is the real mission,” says Brooks. “From that, comes appreciation, understanding, and stewardship.”
Just Do It
Bob and Daphne decided to start their own production company five years ago over crabs and beer, knowing that the average cost to make a documentary is $300,000 and it takes 5 to 6 months to make. Backfin Media was born, and “Seize the Bay” began.
“We know what the problems are and how to fix them,” says Ferrier. “No one wants to make policy changes that will affect a lot of people, but we need a more productive, leaner body of water.”
After five weeks of research, the couple utilized available weekends and the generosity of a number of industry friends over a two-year period, for about a month’s worth of shooting and a couple months editing footage from all over the Chesapeake. While filming went well, fundraising didn’t.
“We realized it wasn’t happening, but everyone said, ‘Let’s do it anyway,’” said Ferrier. “All these people came together with a common goal.”
Their efforts will be rewarded by a larger-than-usual MPT audience, as millions will tune it to the shows aired throughout the entire Chesapeake watershed, as far away as New York. It is also expected to be available on DVD. Perhaps it will catch the eye of a network executive and more shows will be made, but if not, the panoramic postcards are still sure to please.
“It’s really rewarding when you can produce a project that you believe in,” says Ferrier.
To find out more, visit www.SeizeTheBayNow.com or www.BackFinMedia.com.
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