Ric Burn's Into the Deep:
America, Whaling and the World
On May 2, 2010, WGBH Boston and Steeplechase Films generously granted Mystic Seaport the privilege of presenting the Connecticut Premiere of this new film by documentary filmmaker, Ric Burns.
The premiere was held in the Palmer Auditorium at Connecticut College. After the film, Mr. Burns, author Eric Jay Dolin, Mystic Seaport employees Matthew Stackpole and Mary K. Bercaw Edwards, Ph.D. answered questions from the audience. Mr. Dolin, Mr. Stackpole and Dr. Edwards were among many experts interviewed by Ric for this documentary. They also served as consultants in the production process.
Our own Charles W. Morgan and Mystic Seaport staff appear in the film.
Behind the Scenes
In September 2009, members of Mystic Seaport's staff and volunteers, along with two whaleboats, sailing rigs and whaling gear, traveled to Erie, PA, to participate in a film shoot with award-winning documentary filmmaker and writer, Ric Burns, and his production company, Steeplechase Films, Inc. Ric's most recent project, tentatively entitled: Into the Deep: America, Whaling and the World, builds on filming that took place on grounds during September, 2007, while the Morgan was still in the water. This documentary is being prepared for PBS/WGBH Televisions' prestigious "American Experience" series. The production is currently on schedule to air on May 10, 2010.
Many Mystic Seaport staff and volunteers were involved in the production of the film including:
Behind the Scenes They all worked tirelessly to assemble and provide props, ensure that the whaleboats were ready for travel and sailing under regular sail rig and Essex jury-rig, as well as loading and unloading the boats.
| On-Screen Talent They joined the crew of Erie's flagship Niagara for one day of filming aboard the brig - with set dressing that turned her into a whaling ship, with davits, hoops and tryworks! The second day was spent filming "at sea" in both whaleboats on Lake Erie.
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For more information about Into the Deep: America, Whaling, and the World, please visit www.wgbhinternational.org or click here to visit the American Experience.