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Continued ... Once we rolled that snowball down the hill, there was no looking back. We were officially committed and completely obsessed with making this happen. But it would be no easy task or one without major sacrifice and risk. In January of 2007, the project took on an entirely new meaning when Frank called from Hawaii to let us know he would, indeed, come back for one, last great adventure in Montauk. The finality was bittersweet, but the historical significance of the news further tightened our pact and raised the bar for everything we were doing. Later in the month, Frank called to share another bombshell. 'Boys, he said, I think we're going to get the boat back.' We were stunned. After all, this was not just any 'boat'. It was the Cricket II -- the REAL Jaws boat. With the summer shark fishing season fast-approaching, we started chipping away at the mountain of logistical and financial hurdles in front of us. None of us realized it at the time, but we were redifining the term 'against-all-odds'. |
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Brooks
(right) & Sean in North Carolina February, 2007 |
In early 2007 an odyssey of planes, trains, automobiles AND boats was underway. Brooks and I left Florida for Beaufort, North Carolina in February where we were joined by Captain John Freda & Stanley Orkasinski (from Long Island). After locating, securing, and beginning restorations on the Cricket II, we headed back home to Florida. In April, we went back to NC, lanched the Cricket II and ultimately delivered her 500 nautical miles to Montauk, NY on May 18th. Enroute, Brooks and I spent three and a half weeks in New York City meeting with Bert Pence and a major television production and distribution company while living on the Cricket II across the Hudson in Liberty Landing Marina, Jersey City. After delivering the boat, we went back home to Florida where we refinanced a home to continue developing and fliming the series. A few weeks later, we flew back to New York City, visited with Co-Executive Producer, Bert Pence at his apartment in Mahatten before picking up Frank at LaGaurdia Airport on June 11. Finally, the gang was officially together and on their way to Montauk, NY. We spent two more weeks there working on necessary vessel restorations while handling press obligations, promotions and more meetings with New Line Cinema to discuss the series. We would fly back to Florida one more time to see our families and make final preparations to spend the summer filming in Montauk. The SeaMonster Circus was finally coming to town. |
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One
of many flights |
Now that we're here, the production schedule and day-to-day routine is non-stop, but we're committed to bringing you exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes access right here on FishingGoneWild.com. You can follow from the beginning or jump in anywhere along the way by following the Episode Links at the top and bottom of every page OR jump right into the center ring of the SeaMonster Circus by clicking on the banners below. You'll also find links to a press release and important Thank You message. There are still challenges ahead including a decision about which of the interested production and distribution companies will ultimately take the series. And since we're currently producing on our own time and dime, until that deal is sealed, the clock is a worthy opponent. But you can rest assured, we haven't come this far to quit, and are catching awesome footage every day. Update:
09.18.07: Part of that will be dealing with the necessary evils that reside on the entertainment business side of things while editing highlight reels to aid in our distribution negotiations, and picking up where we left off with the filming of segments here in Florida. All the while, we'll be picking up the pieces of what's left after being away for so long. It's funny -- even in that circus clown kind of way -- that you oftentimes need to live through an experience, in order to find out why you made certain choices in the first place. If there was a textbook on the subject, this would have to be case #1. Looking back on the day in 2006 when we decided to set aside the original series concept we were actively developing and filming to include the historically significant aspect of Frank Mundus, the Cricket II and the last great adventures in Montauk, we really had no idea of the kind of no-net, high wire balancing act we were embarking on. Even as these words are typed, the experience continues while those choices remain unjustified to the many who said it just can't be done. So far we've proven them wrong on many fronts, but we can't hang our hats -- just yet, that is. It's no exaggeration an entirely separate episode or even a documentary could be done about what transpired behind-the-scenes -- just during our time in Montauk. You know, one of those 'The Making Of' pieces. But you can rest assured it won't be any less interesting now that we're all home and you'll see some of this stuff in the final product anyway. It's just too damn funny and unbelievable all at the same time. To
sum it up for now, the end zone is still a few, long inches away
with very little time left on the clock. But that reminds us of
an old saying in the entertainment business that states, 'It's best
to leave the audience wanting more.' So as the tension builds and
the plot thickens, we'll be pushing for the victory and sharing
with you as much as we can. All we can say is stay tuned because
the Circus just hit the road. |
Link
to Thanks |
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