The natural gas movie "FrackNation" has generated online buzz and $48,090 in production pledges since release plans were announced last week, according to the Los Angeles Times. Film creators Ann McElhinney and Phelim McAleer stated on Kickstarter the project is designed to "give a voice" to residents living in longtime natural gas drilling areas. The investigative journalists got the idea after attending a presentation organized by anti-fracking "Gasland" producer Josh Fox, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Here are some facts about "FrackNation" and the producers.
* The Los Angeles Times reports the co-creators previously filmed "Mine Your Own Business," a production focusing on the obstacles the producers feel the environmental community places in the way of jobs for working class individuals.
* According to McAleer, he and Fox had a discussion about the most talked about aspect of the movie, the flaming tap water scene. McAleer posted a YouTube video of the exchange discussing Fox's alleged knowledge the water was flammable for years before fracking began in the region. McAleer was forced to remove the video after Fox claimed copyright infringement because it contained footage of "Gasland."
* RedState reports "Gasland II" by Fox will air this fall on HBO. The premium cable company and PBS have provided the $750,000 deemed necessary to produce the sequel.
* The "FrackNation" project page on Kickstarter details the scope of the project. Filmmaker interviews illustrate the notion people are concerned about one-sided media coverage of hydraulic fracturing and the financial damage caused by drilling moratoriums.
* "FrackNation" interview excerpts on Kickstarter include meetings with residents living in the same Pennsylvania region as those focused upon in the "Gasland" movie. An interview featuring a woman identified as Martha, a senior citizen and co-founder of the group "Enough Already," sheds light on the fracking support movement. According to Martha's statements, methane has always been present in the town's water. Her group investigates claims of water pollution allegedly caused by natural gas drilling.
* A Dairy farmer identified as Bill from Calicoon, N.Y., is also featured the film preview. The farmer is fighting to lift the state's ban on fracking. If the moratorium is lifted, Bill feels his son could quit the job he had to take in the city and return to a life of farming with his father. The farmer states his concerns relating to a continued ban, fearing he would be forced to sell part of his land for development. According to the documentary excerpt, Hollywood actor and fracking opponent Mark Ruffalo purchased land across the street from Bill's dairy farm to prevent fracking.
* An America's Natural Gas Alliance report addressed the allegations raised in "Gasland" and shared information about the process used when unearthing natural gas. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission tested the flaming sink faucet of Mike Markham in 2008, after water quality concerns on his land were raised in "Gasland." The testing did not reveal any findings of oil or gas particles as indicated in the film, according to the ANGA report. The study states biogenic methane is present in the well water because it was drilled into a natural gas pocket.
