Documentary Production and Distribution News

Boneyard Expedition Set for September 2012: Filmmakers Use Innovative Crowdsourced Funding to Document Legendary Marine Treasure Hunters

By StudentFilmmakers.com
posted Aug 28, 2012, 16:47

Documentary filmmaker Karuna Eberl to preserve treasure hunters' legacy through "Boneyard" Expedition - an 1800s shipwreck lying amid a field of rare fossils, a monumental find lying in 60 feet of water off of Florida's Gulf Coast.

(Miami, FL) Imagine navigating the Caribbean, scuba diving on lush coral reefs and picking up treasure that no one has touched for hundreds of years. Capt. Carl "Fizz" Fismer doesn't have to imagine. As one of the last independent marine treasure hunters, this larger-than-life idealist and his dwindling posse of adventurers lead lives filled with mystique, intrigue and high-seas thrills. But it's a lifestyle and passion that may soon disappear, relegated only to folk tales and legend as these champions of the sea find themselves increasingly mired in government regulations and the ever-present race against Time.

"These salty dogs are the last of their kind, and they are quickly disappearing," notes Director Karuna Eberl of Wandering Dog Films who has preserved many of their stories and adventures on tape. Eberl is in the final stages of a crowdfunding campaign to finish the documentary with a bang – a final expedition to a mysterious shipwreck known as "The Boneyard."

"Crowdfunding brings together enthusiasts from around the world to be a part of this important documentary project with appeal to history buffs, scientists, adventurers and dreamers alike," notes Eberl. Supporters can fund the project with contributions between $1.00 to $20,000.00 with associated premium perks at each of the different funding levels, and additional incentives for businesses. The campaign is hosted at indieagogo.com and can be accessed by searching "The Boneyard" or directly at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/189696?a=95372, where prospective contributors can view the documentary's trailer. In addition, the number of visitors/hits on the Boneyard campaign helps to move it up in the site's rankings, increasing its visibility to all site visitors.

The choice of the Boneyard Expedition is not by chance - it is a profoundly important archeological and historical site, lying in 60 feet of water off of Florida's Gulf Coast. The site holds two great mysteries: a ship dating back to the 1800s and which is lying amidst a field of rare fossils. Using video footage, historical research and archaeological data, Captain Fismer has narrowed the find to a small area and plans to launch an expedition this fall. Fismer believes the sunken ship could be a slave ship, and if so, would be only the second one to be discovered near U.S. waters. His instinct and solid research indicates there might also be a Spanish galleon nearby filled with untold riches...gold, silver, emeralds and priceless artifacts. One thing Fizz knows for sure is that samples from the massive underwater fossil "Boneyard" have already yielded a significant paleontological find -- the remains of a large marine mammal previously unknown in the Northern Hemisphere.

For the past ten years, Karuna and her team have been filming the lives of the Keys' treasure hunters and sharing their story in this beautiful haven with the world. With this unique crowdsourcing effort individuals and businesses are invited to join in the action which is so deeply entwined with life in the Keys. Businesses can take advantage of a perpetual marketing campaign opportunity which will be cross-promoted with credits in the documentary, online and through social media.

Eberl plans to donate the documentary to museums and libraries, and to also widely show it through film festivals, national and international television networks and other distribution avenues to ensure that the adventurous legacy of these marine treasure hunters is preserved for all time. The campaign runs through September 9, 2012. Join us in making history and celebrating the essence of the Keys. Be a part of history and join the adventure!

Resources:

http://wanderingdogfilms.com
http://igg.me/p/189696