Presque Isle District Library leads Bradley documentary on path to production
by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor
It has been almost two years to the day since Presque Isle District Library program director Anne Belanger sent out her first email regarding a proposal to produce a full-length documentary about the sinking of the SS Carl D. Bradley. The planned release would coincide with the 50th anniversary of the ship?s sinking. Even when Presque Isle District Library (PIDL) officials were told the project was probably too ambitious for a rural library, there have been plenty of people, businesses, and organizations supportive of the film.
The high definition video, which is expected to be 90 minutes in length, will be called ?With Loss of Life: Surviving the Carl D. Bradley.? Belanger, who serves as producer and director, has 20 years of experience in video production.
?THIS, TO me, was a perfect avenue to use my skills to develop a project of this magnitude which involved video production of a documentary,? said Belanger. ?The library has been a phenomenal platform.? PIDL director Jan Stevenson told Belanger of a federal grant that was available through The Institute of Library and Museum Services (ILMS), a Community Collaboration grant called Partnership for a Nation of Learners for $250,000.
?We received high praise from reviewers across the country,? said Belanger Out of several hundred entries from across the country, only 14 would receive funding. One of the comments from a reviewer stated that they ?didn?t think a library in a rural community like ours could pull off a project of this magnitude.? Belanger said, ?They didn?t know us. They didn?t know our library and how resourceful we are. I am very committeed and passionate about this project.?
The Presque Isle District Library is the lead organization and fiscal agent with partnering organizations Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum, Presque Isle County Historical Museum, and WCMU Broadcasting Network of Mt. Pleasant. TWO YEARS ago, Belanger and Stevenson drove to Mt. Pleasant to meet with WCMU general manager Ed Grant, and director of television Rick Schudiske.
?They are behind the project 100 percent because of its unique approach,? said Belanger. ?It is the personal stories that are being told. It is not about the shipwreck. It?s about the lives of the men who sailed on the SS Carl Bradley, and about the lives of the survivors, family and friends who were left behind.? She added that the film is about honoring those who lost their lives; 23 of the 35 men from one community. ?It?s the fabric of our community as many continue to sail today,? said Belanger.
The project is full in scope which includes, along with the feature-length documentary an educational component for the schools so that future generations understand the heritage and the story of the Bradley, an author presentation by Frank Mays, the lone living survivor, and a book discussion of ?If We Make It ?til Daylight.? At the film premiere November 18, 2008, an onstage panel discussion will include Mays and the dive team from Inland Seas Corporation. The dive team has documented the shipwreck since 2004 at a depth of 360?.
?This year we filmed in high definition using multi cameras and were able to film rare footage that will be premiered at the Rogers City Theater in November 2008.? The dive team has given tens of thousands of dollars in in-kind services. ?They believe in the project so much, and that the story needs to be told, that they wanted to go forward with this,? said Belanger.
THIS WEEK, Belanger submitted another grant application with the Michigan Humanities Council under their Media and Exhibit Projects. In addition to funding support from the PIDL and its partners who have contributed extensive archival images and materials, the library is grateful for the support it has recei
?We are also requesting from family and friends, photos, letters, articles, and film footage that we may review and consider using in the documentary, as well as the potential for the traveling maritime exhibit,? said Belanger. Many of the interviews with family members will take place in October. All materials on loan will be returned.
Those who would like to share their stories are asked to contact Belanger at PIDL, at 989-734-2477 or visit the library in Rogers City at 181 East Erie Street, Rogers City.