Green Salem - Riverfront Carousel

PRODUCTION NOTES

I originally wrote a script for a “what-if mermaids were real” story called the Silent Depths—a pitch poised to explore the mystery of mermaid existence in a National Geographic–style documentary. With high hopes, I reached out for interviews to illuminate this fantastical narrative, but those conversations never materialized. The seed of this project was planted when I wrote a script envisioning a world where mermaids might truly exist—Silent Depths. I imagined a National Geographic–style documentary that would investigate the mystery behind these underwater legends, using firsthand interviews and captivating locations to build an aura of wonder. I reached out via email, hoping to secure experts and enthusiasts for interviews. Unfortunately, the envisioned voices remained silent. With interview responses falling short, I found myself at a crossroads. Undeterred by the setback, I explored other creative avenues.  

Instead, inspired by the spirit of experimentation and the creative push from my technologies teacher in Chemeketa, Bret Malley, I pivoted to a more local focus. Amid brainstorming sessions and on-the-fly ideas, our team turned our lens to something closer to home: a quirky look at the magic of a local carousel. 

Creating the Local Documentary Filming the carousel became our practical solution. Unlike the grand, elusive narrative of mermaids, the carousel was right in our backyard: a fixture of local culture and nostalgia. The production was experimental in nature—an energetic mix of local interviews, dynamic visuals, and spontaneous creative choices that reflected our determination to move forward. Even though the original mermaid pitch wasn’t realized, the process taught me a great deal about flexibility in storytelling and the value of a community’s stories.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

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