STONINGTON – Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House (OHA) will host a sneak preview screening of "Life by Lobster," with discussion, Saturday, January 3 at 4 p.m. "Life by Lobster," an hour–long documentary by Iain McCray Martin, a 2005 Deer Isle–Stonington high school graduate, explores, in their own voices, the choices and experiences of a generation of young lobster fishermen. Martin and several of the film's subjects will be in attendance at the screening and will participate in a post–show discussion. "Life by Lobster" is the newest project from OHA's community–access digital media studio, the Imagination Project.
" "Our community" is full of great stories, and sharing these is even more meaningful in difficult times," said Linda Nelson, OHA's Executive Director and the project's sponsor. "Iain's film is another great example of the importance of creativity and storytelling to the daily life of our community ."
"Life by Lobster" examines the continuation of and barriers to commercial lobster fishing as a vocational option for current and future generations. Martin, an independent filmmaker pursing an undergraduate degree as a film major at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, was inspired by his home town and the lives of his high school classmates to document their choices and challenges. He has shot compelling footage with his friends, both on and off the water, as they discuss the shifting economics, tightening regulations and environmental realities of their profession–as well as their love for it.
Martin also serves as an officer with EmoryVision, the university's student–run television and film production network. A member of the Student Program Council, Martin assists in bringing big–name musical acts to Emory alongside several events meant to enrich and improve the experience of Emory's student body. Martin is a contributing writer and photographer for the Emory Wheel, Emory's student–run news publication; and a member of the Emory Police Cadets, a student division of the Emory Police Department. His film projects, in addition to Life by Lobster, include Sean Costello – On the Road, a documentary that followed award winning blues musician Sean Costello as he recorded tracks for his last album prior to his untimely and unexpected death in spring 2008.
OHA commissioned "Life by Lobster" with partial funding from the Maine Community Foundation's Hancock County Fund; the Perfect Storm Foundation; and Jack Shaw and Ellen Shockro.
Opera House Arts' Imagination Project Public Access Digital Media Studio, which was originally established by Lois and Jerry Kirschenbaum of Little Deer Isle in memory of Jerry's mother, Leah Kirschenbaum, provides free access to digital video and still cameras; on location lighting and sound equipment; and digital editing, animation, graphics, website production, and media conversion hardware and software in a two–person studio in the Stonington Opera House's Main Street office. The Imagination Project offers the public the ability to borrow professional level equipment; book studio time; and participate in ongoing training opportunities in interviewing, reporting, and documentary technique; camera work; and recording and editing techniques with iMovie and FinalCut Pro.