Bumpkin Island Preparations

Tomorrow I embark to Bumpkin Island for five days to shoot my documentary on the artist project taking place. Sixteen artists are marooning themselves on the island (which has no electricity, running water or food) for five days to temporarily homestead the island and create art. It's a great project and almost tailor made for a short documentary.

It's been a challenge to think of all the potential pitfalls that could occur in a location with no power, food or running water. However, I'm feeling pretty confident about my preparations. Here's almost everything laid out for final packing. I hope I can carry it all!

Am I missing anything?

Upcoming Project - Bumpkin Island Documentary

(I just finished my "official statement" for my upcoming documentary project. If interested, take a look. Thanks to Lena Koster for telling me about the project!)

On July 30th, sixteen artists will maroon themselves on Bumpkin Island (a Boston harbor island with no running water, food or electricity). For five days these artists will create art and survive on only that which they can carry onto the island. I will be joining these artists as a documentary filmmaker; documenting their experience, their art, and their survival for their five days on the island. It’s Survivor meets art school.

The film will be roughly 10-15 minutes in length, shot in high definition on the Canon 5d Mark II. The visual component of the film will focus primarily on the process of the artists; planning, gathering materials, cooking, constructing/implementing their projects, breaking down, etc. In addition, the visuals will feature the unique landscape of Bumpkin Island (I’m a big fan of nature photography). Interviews with the artists will be strictly audio-only (to avoid “talking-head” syndrome) and will explore the underlying ideas behind their work, motivations and background.

I am a firm believer that artistic restrictions can facilitate the production of better work. The concept of artists living within the confined space of the island and producing work in relationship with that space is a recipe for both great work and great drama. But really, the Bumpkin Island Art Project is just an awesome idea that is perfect for a documentary. It takes place within a locked time frame, involves surviving on a deserted island and has a natural narrative arc; art is conceptualized, constructed, admired, and then disassembled.

Logistically, I would act as a one man crew (both filming and recording audio). Once shooting has been completed, I hope to edit and finish the film within 1-2 months and freely distribute it online. I also plan to open source all my raw footage, so the artists, organizers and general public can utilize it for their own projects.