Adam Powell
Ka3powell@yahoo.com

Aaron Garrish
agarrish@hotmail.com

1. How did you come up with the idea for the film?

The original idea came from Aaron, who was reading a book about Portsmouth Island during the summer of 2000. Aaron is a native of Ocracoke Island, which is a short boat ride across the sound from Portsmouth. On a return trip to Chapel Hill from the beach, Aaron mentioned the book to me, and we began discussing it. Like Aaron, I was captivated by the idea of an uninhabited island on the North Carolina coast. We agreed that it would be an excellent project to work on, due to Aaron's familiarity with the area and the adventure that it would provide us. Once the fall semester began, we researched the island in greater detail and decided that we would indeed focus our attention on Portsmouth.

2. How long did the production process take?

Approximately three months. We formally proposed the project to our class in September, and added Kelli to the group. Soon after, we began writing the script. We did the majority of our filming over a weekend in October, and edited throughout the month of November. The completed work was viewed for the first time on December 11th, 2000 in the auditorium at Swain Hall, on the UNC campus.

3. What challenges did you experience in the creation of the film?

We faced a number of challenges, which made the final results that much more satisfying. First and foremost, we had to learn how to use the editing software. It took several weeks before the three of us felt truly comfortable with Final Cut Pro, the digital editing system we used in post-production. When we arrived on Portsmouth to film, we were faced with a challenge none of us were prepared for. The majority of Portsmouth is marshy wetland, a habitat that has virtually infested the island with mosquitoes. Some of our footage was useless in post-production, due to mosquitoes flying in and out of the frame. We included a shot in the film of one swarm we encountered, in order to give the viewer some idea about their presence on the island. We felt that we could not accurately portray Portsmouth without somehow including the mosquitoes.

4. What is your favorite memory from creating the film?

Our afternoon spent in Portsmouth's village. The village has all the charm of an early-20th Century town, complete with a church, post office, winding dirt roads, and small homes. It was very easy to lose all sense of time on Portsmouth. For the briefest of moments, I felt like I was walking in the footsteps of my grandparents, who grew up in similar coastal North Carolina towns. It was equally pleasant knowing that I was one of only six people on the entire island that day. It was truly one of the most relaxing and peaceful days of my life.

5. When someone has finished watching the film, what do you hope they take away from the experience?

After watching the film, I hope the viewer feels educated about Portsmouth Island. Our main objective with the film was to portray the history of Portsmouth, in order to enlighten viewers about the island's presence. I personally had no idea that Portsmouth Island even existed before working on this project. In addition, we hope the viewer sees Portsmouth as a precious relic that must be preserved for generations to come.

6. What type of reaction has your film received from viewers?

We usually receive two types of responses. Most people, when they watch "Portsmouth" for the first time, express their desire to someday visit the island. We strongly suggest this to anyone, provided they take plenty of insect repellant! We also tend to receive praise from our viewers for the quality and beauty of the work. The sunrise shot, in addition to the transition from sepia to color of the seagulls, usually recootage seen throughout the film. Our interviewees were great as well. It would have been difficult if not impossible for us to complete "Portsmouth" without the help of these people. Any young filmmaker without the financial means to complete a project independently must rely on the help of others. Before taking the time to work on a project, make sure it can be rationally and feasibly completed. Otherwise, you are wasting your time. That is the best advice I can give.

8. Please tell us about the next film you plan to work on?

As a sports junkie, I would love to work on a documentary about the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s, who won four Super Bowls in a six-year span. I would like to get the full story of those great teams by talking to former players, coaches, and some of their dedicated fans. Aaron has mentioned working on a film about the hog industry in North Carolina. He would like to address the problems that have arose in the handling of waste on hog farms, particularly following Hurricane Floyd in 1999.

9. What are your thoughts on the film industry in NC?

Judging by the number of applicants for the Visions telecasts, I must say that the industry appears strong. In addition to the number of independant filmmakers in this state, there are several Universities, like UNC, with excellent opportunities and resources for young filmmakers. In the last ten years, Wilmington has exploded into one of the centers of filmmaking on the east coast. The state itself is any filmmaker's dream. What other state can boast beautiful beaches AND mountains that are within a day's drive from one another? I think the industry is only going to get bigger over time.