Mermaid Hunter Films
Production Schedule for 2011

The Sea Siren
A multi-media presentation

Soon after moving to Key West, artist and diver Ed Papp discovered a sunken 24 foot cabin cruiser in a deep water canal. Immediately, he envisioned a photo essay combining the vessel with a graceful nude swimmer... a Sea Siren.

And so began a 4 year quest to bring his vision to reality. However, dangerous boat traffic, ever changing tides, currents and water visibility, thermo clines, razor sharp barnacles, and the CONSTANT dilemma of fine silt were just some of the problems that had to be overcome.

But, the first and most daunting obstacle that had to be solved was finding the model who would even attempt this assignment. Imagine, holding your breath at the surface, doing a surface dive and then swimming straight down into blackness... and continue to swim down as deep as a 3 story building! Then, once reaching the boat, still holding your breath, to enter it and even go deeper into the sleeping cabin. No dive mask, no gear - only wearing your birthday suit! Oh, and the model could not be Caucasian because fair skin tones would bleach out.

ALL the professionals I consulted on this project said it could not be done; that I was crazy to even try. The images above are testament to the strength of my commitment to this Sea Siren project. The final multi-media event will include 35 framed, black and white images; a 30 minute behind-the-scenes video documentary; special music and a small selection of merchandise made specifically for the show. And when possible, personal appearances by the model Ruby St. John, a St. Petersburg, Fl. resident.

The Swim
A 20 minute film

I have been visiting Key West regularly since 1964 and finally calling it home in 1999. The Swim is an art film I will enter into film festivals. The film's genesis springs from my love of Key West and my concerns for its future.

In late spring I will host a writing competition exclusively for Key West writers. The assignment will be write a 'personal and heartfelt' 2500 word essay on the present day condition of Key West; its politics, its environment, its residents, its past and its future. I will then choose the entry that I feel is most noteworthy and deserving to be heard. This essay will then be used as a narrative voice-over for an ocean swimmer as he/she completes his/her annual swim around the island.

The swim footage will be filmed this summer and if the process stays on schedule the final edited piece will be ready for release in late fall or early winter.

Casting is on-going so if you know of anyone who might be interested in this project... please write me at: epapp@bellsouth.net

thanks,
Mermaid Hunter