CALL FOR DOCUMENTARY FUNDING
The above trailer for the documentary showcases a ten minute (00:10:00) trailer of a targeted forty minute documentary on the life, career and vision of Orange County, California premier aerial photographer Fred Emmert. His life spans over forty years of capturing the landscapes, mountains, developments, residential projects, historical locations, beaches, airports, drive in theaters and much more. He often worked for property developers of commercial and residential real estate.
This documentary includes Fred telling his story from a ninety minute interview done on November 27, 2021, one week before he passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer. The trailer focuses on his childhood and family connecting with slices of his aerial business located in Santa Ana, California.
“Aerial Slide Show”
Charles Michael Murray of CMM Studio, Laguna Beach, California has worked closely with Fred Emmert and his studio director Mark Settles and his images for years, directly and through clients. Charles’ is the director, producer, videographer and photographer including pre and post production of this documentary.
The documentary is well underway. Besides the capture and images of Fred, his business and family, Currently, Charles has interviewed Fred’s director Mark Settles at John Wayne Airport at the Control Tower, his sister Patsy Emmert at Huntington Beach High School, California where Fred, Patsy (business assistant) and brother Mike Emmert (business consultant) all attended. Other video interviews have included brother Mike Emmert and Brian Duffield – a pilot who worked closely with Fred through the years and purchased Fred’s Cesena plane; both at the Flabob Airport Riverside. Another individual captured is golfing close friend Murry at the Mesa Verde Country Club (Fred was an avid golfer).
“Aerial Slide Show”
The fascinating story of Fred, an Air Force Veteran and how he built a life around flying single engine planes and capturing the landscapes below for clients, friends, art, collections and books.
Planned video interviews will include clients through the years, the archivist that manages the files, his Orange and Los Angeles collections of over 200,000 images from film to digital.
His story is historical — covering the growth of Orange Country California from the ’60s; the story is educational — explaining how aerial photography work is done; the story is inspirational to be all you can be by drive and reaching for your dreams.
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FUNDING:
The scope of the project has been self funded with a recent donation to help cover the initial trailer. The scope of video shooting, people, places and things, editing have hundreds of hours ahead to complete the project.
Donations can be fully acknowledged in the film credits. Since this is an independent film not funded by a foundation, donations are not tax deductible.
“In the Eyes of My Youth”
documentary trailer
Charles Michael Murray
Director | Producer
Videographer | Photographer
Pre/Post Production
Funding and Donation Center
“Watching the documentary, I really felt I knew Fred, especially seeing his family photos and school pictures combined with passion for his work. It captured his essence.”
Robert Borthwick ASLA
Senior Principal
BGB | DESIGN GROUP
Friend
$25
Film Fan
$100
Film Critic
$250
Director Member
$500
Director Club
$1000
Executive Director
$ 5000