Wimberley photographer embarks on Antarctica documentary

Award-winning National Geographic photographer Rodney Bursiel is gearing up for a new expedition, this time to the world’s southernmost continent, Antarctica. He has teamed up with Australian Filmmaker James Douglas Cooper to begin production on a feature documentary to observe the continent’s ecosystem.

Production for the film “Frozen in Time” is slated to begin this month. Once both men make the challenging journey to the planet’s largest ice sheet, they will spend thirty days in a purpose-built sailing boat with six other people, filming its topography, deep blue waters and wildlife. To capture film and photographs of the wildlife, they will swim the freezing waters of the Antarctic ocean. Their boat, because of its size, will enable them to explore areas not open to most travelers.

“Rodney and I have been invited on an exclusive, one-of-a-kind, life-changing sailing expedition to the Antarctic. Sailing as two in a crew of eight people, our purpose is to make a cinematic feature-length film and photo series that shines a light on the Antarctic region,” wrote Cooper on a website dedicated to the journey.

“We want to document and preserve this important region before it’s lost,” Cooper continued, “. . . not with a corporate media or political agenda, [but]. . . as two imperfect humans . . . with a deep love for Earth, and as creatives determined to do something about our collective impact. Rodney’s world class photography and our filmmaking skills will be put to the test.”

For the website, Bursiel wrote, “We’re going to need to do a lot of research, homework, training for cold water conditions and underwater photography. We will have to be brave to cross Drake’s Passage, one of Earth’s most notoriously dangerous waterways.”

After viewing and logging everything they shoot on the journey, Cooper and Bursiel will begin the arduous task of putting together a feature film. They expect the process to take about six months and, once that’s complete, they’ll “shop a rough cut to viable distributors. After a sale or the right deal, we’ll promote and screen our film in film festivals, in cinemas, and then at home on streaming services and on in-flight programs with leading airlines,” continued Cooper.

Additional team members for the documentary include producer Carlia Simone Ashton who is defined as a passionate conservationist and producer. Ashton has managed creative teams in Australia and the Middle East and overseen operations for Chris Hemsworth, SWEAT, The University of Adelaide and, most recently, KOJO.

West Texas-born composer Harlan Hodges will create the musical soundtrack. A classically-trained and self-taught jazz musician, he brings an eclectic and versatile background to scoring for modern cinema.

To accomplish such an expensive undertaking, both men are asking for help from supporters. Bursiel is hosting a “Frozen in Time” fundraiser, February 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Montesino Ranch in Wimberley. The evening will feature food, drink and three musical guests. Three-time Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster will perform shortly after 7 p.m., followed by a special musical guest, yet to be publicly announced. For VIP ticket holders, an advance show with singer-songwriter, Doc Carter, begins at 5:30 p.m. For more about this event or ticket information go to https://www.tickettailor . com/events/ frozenintime/1122676. Montesino Ranch is located at 300 Little Arkansas Rd. in Wimberley.