When Dana Austin, a film producer from New York City, came to Kansas last week to film prairie fires, she got a lot more than she had anticipated as stories of the prairie unfolded all around her.
Austin was in Kansas with Bizz Decrenza, director of photography for the film they hope to make next year about Kansas life during the burning season. While in the area, Austin and Becrenza teamed up with Emporia State University photography professor Larry Schwarm to make a one- to five-minute movie trailer hoping to generate enough funds to bring a film crew back to Kansas for a month next spring to film the prairie burning process.
Austin, who works for HBO, said the film is an independent film and has no affiliation with HBO. The film will be marketed to networks such as the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.
“Those are good outlets that we could potentially use,” she said, adding that HBO could be another outlet for the film. “Right now it’s an independent documentary film.”
As a part of the trailer, the crew interviewed Schwarm, who was the reason why Austin and Becrenza came to the area. Schwarm photographs prairie fires and has done so for about 19 years.
Schwarm said he started out photographing landscapes and then fell in love with fires.
“Fire is a part of the ecosystem and part of the ranching experience,” he said. “It touches a place in people’s souls.”
It touched Austin’s, too.
“I came across his photos in a book,” Austin said. “We teamed up to shoot a documentary and along the way we have been in touch with some ranchers about the prairie fires and have been learning about the entire process.”
From there the stories started unfolding. What started out as one idea quickly expanded.
“Right now we’re in the process of setting up a company for the film,” Austin said. “We need to raise money for next year to spend a month here.”
Austin said she had never even heard of prairie burning until she ran into the photos.
“I think it’s pretty incredible,” she said. “The whole process is definitely interesting to watch.”
For more information on the documentary film contact Austin at dvdaustin1@yahoo.com.
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I hope they can scrape up the $ to make a film. It would be nice for Kansas to be known for something other than the Phelps cult and Wizard of Oz. Bowyer helps but a film would have wider appeal.
April 6, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
I'm sure it would make a beautiful film & I would certainly record it. I think Kansas, and the prairie fires, are a beautiful sight. I wish them success.
April 6, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
By next year smoke from the prairie burn may be illegal. Health hazzard.
April 6, 2009 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
77flint (anonymous) says...
"SO TRUE" admireed because that's so logical.
April 6, 2009 at 10:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )