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FrackNation is a feature documentary created by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney, the directors of Not Evil Just Wrong and Mine Your Own Business, and Magdalena Segieda, that aims to address what the filmmakers say is misinformation about the process of hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking.
| FrackNation | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ann McElhinney, Phelim McAleer and Magdalena Segieda |
| Countries | United States, United Kingdom and Poland |
| Language | English |
The film looks at the process of fracking for natural gas and seeks to address the concerns surrounding the process that were highlighted in the anti-fracking Gasland. The film interviews many individuals directly affected by fracking, most of whom support the process.[1]
Inspiration
FrackNation was inspired by a confrontation between Josh Fox, the director of the 2010 documentary Gasland, and documentary filmmaker Phelim McAleer. While Fox was promoting his film project McAleer confronted him about the historical records of people being able to ignite natural gas in water long before fracking started. McAleer told the LA Times that Fox did not include that information in his film because he did not think it was relevant towards the current drilling impacts of certain areas[2], since the people interviewed in the film claimed that the contamination was caused by the drilling[3].
After a video of the confrontation [4] was made public on various websites, Fox and his lawyers got the video removed from YouTube and Vimeo. However, FrackNation's filmmakers managed to fight the removal and restore access to the video.
McAleer told Politico he was motivated to make the film by what he saw as the "one-sided approach taken by the media, 'outsiders' and 'urban elites'" on the fracking process. McAleer said there has been no real debate on the issue, with the environmental lobby relying on emotion and scare tactics to condemn fracking. [5]
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette McAleer stressed the film is trying to show both sides of the fracking discussion. "We're definitely covering the contamination" in the film, Mr. McAleer said. "We feature both sides." [6]
The film is expected to be completed in June 2012. [7]
Synopsis
The most impoverished communities across the United States have seen an unexpected revival. Shale gas, produced through a controversial method of hydraulic fracturing has created an economic boom, touching everyone, from farmers to small business owners to workers to ordinary residents. But when several of the landowners who leased their land for drilling sue [8] a gas company for making their water flammable, a movement of anti-fracking activists creates a political pressure that results in a series of bans and moratoriums on fracking that put the development on hold.
In the film, farmers point out that without being able to lease a portion of their land for fracking, they would be forced to sell off the land to housing developers. [9]
Funding
A public crowdfunding campaign was launched on Kickstarter on Feb. 6, 2012. FrackNation was featured as the most popular project in Kickstarters film section. It reached the fundraising target of $150,000 within three weeks of launching.[10]
The filmmakers offered an executive producer credit to anyone who supports the project. Currently FrackNation has 2,405 executive producers. More than 2,000 contributors helped the filmmakers reach their target fundraising. [11] The average individual donation to the film was $60.
In order to maintain full transparency and keep the film free from special interests, McAleer and McElhinney have returned all donations from companies or senior executives in the gas industry.[1] [12]
Release status
Theatrical
FrackNation had a theatrical premiere in New York on January 7 and in Los Angeles on January 11, 2013.
Televison
On December 17, 2012 Mark Cuban's AXS.tv announced that they had acquired the television rights to FrackNation, and the documentary will have its television premiere on January. 22, 2013 at 9 p.m. EDT. AXS.tv is timing the the debut to coincide with the theatrical release of Promised Land, Matt Damon and John Krasinski's feature film about how the fracking debate affects a rural town.[13]
Cuban says he welcomes the controversy and discussion, and the release of FrackNation should only fuel the fracking debate. “Of course the timing is relevant,” Cuban told The Hollywood Reporter. “We want people talking and using #AXSTV when they watch and discuss it.” [14]
See also
References
- ^ a b Sacramento Bee, Controversial "Pro-Fracking" Documentary Reaches Primary Fundraising Goal in Record Time on Crowdfunding Website, Feb. 8, 2012
- ^ LA Times, Pro-fracking movie gets $22K in two days on Kickstarter, Feb. 8, 2012
- ^ GasLand movie at 0:11:30, interview with Ron and Jean Carter
- ^ McAleer confronts Gasland Director
- ^ Politico, New film in defense of fracking, Feb. 2, 2012
- ^ Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Industry gets cast in 'FrackNation,' the latest documentary on the drilling debate, March 4, 2012
- ^ Ithaca Journal, New 'FrackNation' film challenges 'Gasland' science in fracking debate, Feb. 23. 2012
- ^ NY Post, Frack Nation, March 2, 2012
- ^ NY Post, Frack Nation, March 2, 2012
- ^ Kickstarter, FrackNation Funding
- ^ Olean Times Herald, First 'Gasland', now comes 'FrackNation', March 9, 2012
- ^ Colorado Observer, March 6, 2012
- ^ Hollywood Reporter, Mark Cuban's AXS TV Picks Up Pro-Fracking Documentary 'FrackNation', Dec. 17, 2012
- ^ Hollywood Reporter, Mark Cuban's AXS TV Picks Up Pro-Fracking Documentary 'FrackNation', Dec. 17, 2012