{"id":17901,"date":"2019-01-10T11:38:35","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T19:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/independentlens\/?post_type=blog&p=17901"},"modified":"2023-09-29T10:00:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T17:00:18","slug":"11-questions-for-3-filmmakers-about-million-swamp-rats-rodents-of-unusual-size-interview","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/independentlens\/blog\/11-questions-for-3-filmmakers-about-million-swamp-rats-rodents-of-unusual-size-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Questions for 3 Filmmakers About a Million Swamp Rats"},"content":{"rendered":"

The trio of filmmakers behind the Independent Lens<\/em> film Rodents of Unusual Size<\/strong><\/a> —\u00a0<\/em>Jeff Springer, Chris Metzler and Quinn Costello — have previously captured unique environmental stories with a very human element to them, as Jeff and Chris made the award-winning cult favorite Plagues and Pleasures of the Salton Sea<\/strong><\/em> (since Jeff was born in an abandoned desert town he knows that surreal landscape well), while Quinn edited documentaries on subjects ranging from environmental justice, sacred islands and dancing spiders. So they were naturals for making a quirky film about how Louisianans coped and adapted to being overrun by voracious rodents. Even if nothing before quite prepared them for this bayou tale.<\/p>\n

“The film demonstrates a surprising–and commendable–frankness, especially as its creators interview those working to stay afloat amid hurricanes and nutria-accelerated coastal erosion,” wrote Karen Han in the Village Voice<\/em> of Rodents of Unusual Size<\/em>. Adds Ben Sachs in the Chicago Reader<\/em>, “Directors Costello, Metzler, and Springer emphasize their subjects’ creativity and camaraderie, resulting in a upbeat, flavorful community portrait.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The trio (who are based in California and New York) chatted with us about the unusual making of Rodents of Unusual Size<\/em>, including on that title, the use of animation, whether or not they’d have a nutria as a pet (they might!), and updates on both man and beast.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was the ickiest moment for you filming this movie?<\/b><\/p>\n

Jeff Springer<\/strong>: Watching people count nutria tails at the collection sites has to be up there. There is just something about looking at a bucket full of severed rodent tails that doesn\u2019t make you feel like going and grabbing lunch. There was also the time we watched the furrier Tab Pitre skin nutrias, which was pretty gruesome. But since I was looking through the camera, I was able to disconnect from the reality a little bit, so it really didn\u2019t bother me much. I really can\u2019t say the same for Quinn and Chris. <\/span><\/p>\n

Chris Metzler:<\/strong> \u00a0I second the tail collection sites. But I also bashfully admit to having to step away for a few minutes once Tab was in the middle of disemboweling his umpteenth nutria. Not so much the blood and guts, as I am all for gross, but the smell kind of gets to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quinn Costello:<\/strong> We filmed at a country Mardi Gras way out in Eunice, Louisiana. However, in order to get permission to film we were thoroughly hazed which entailed rolling around in the mud while they whipped us and poured whiskey on our heads. That was pretty icky, yet exhilarating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Was it challenging filming in so many swampy areas and what adjustments did you have to make? Or what was the most surprising thing you learned while making the film?<\/b><\/p>\n

CM:<\/strong> \u00a0A lot of production involved heading out onto the water before dawn and spending a lot of time filming on boats. \u00a0Mud boats, airboats, shrimp boats, lots of boats. So no matter what time of year it was always wet.<\/span><\/p>\n

JS:<\/strong> You are so much at mercy of the elements. The weather changes, it rains, and the high humidity and winds in the winter time makes it brutally cold out on the water. We would often carry a waterproof case to hide the camera in if we got hit by a storm. It was also very cold and muddy in these wetlands, so rubber shrimping boots (known as “Cajun Reeboks”) where critical to our survival. Once you got your feet wet, it made everything so much more uncomfortable and difficult. <\/span><\/p>\n

QC:<\/strong> I was surprised at how rapidly the area is eroding. We saw so much of it change just over the period we were filming.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did making Rodents of Unusual Size<\/em> change the way you thought about things like hunting, food and sustainability? <\/b><\/p>\n

CM:<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span>It was definitely a new experience, as none of us are hunters. But with that said, putting ourselves in new situations is one of the things we really enjoy about making documentaries. At first, we were just really curious and open to the experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

QC:<\/strong> I grew up in Idaho where everybody hunted except me. I had always thought of it as kind of a lonely sport and I was never interested. However, working on this film definitely gave me an appreciation for how much hunting brings families together and bridges generations. I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll start hunting regularly but I certainly have a newfound appreciation for it. <\/span><\/p>\n

JS:<\/strong> I was never exposed to hunting. I had never shot a gun in my life. I always saw it as brutal and unnecessary, especially if it was just for sport. But having lived with these hunters and trappers in Louisiana, you really begin to see it as a way-of-life and a means for survival. I would still never have a gun, but I now see how they are necessary in these situations\u2026 especially when you are trying to protect your homeland from hordes of invading rodents. <\/span><\/p>\n