IN STRAWS Director Linda Booker interviews Jackie Nunez, founder of The Last Plastic Straw, restaurant owners with "Straws by Request Only" policies, renown marine biologist and author Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, researcher Dr. Jenna Jambeck and Drifters Project artist Pam Longobardi. In Costa Rica we meet Turtle researchers Nathan Robinson and Christine Figgener, PhD student, Texas A&M University, who rescued and filmed the removal of a plastic straw in a sea turtle's nose that went viral in 2015. That story inspired middle school age student Max Machum to start #NoStrawChallenge #SinPajillaPorFavor and join a movement around the world that's making a sea of change, one plastic straw at a time.
Director/Producer Linda Booker
LINDA ROYAL (fka Booker)
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/EDITOR/WRITER STRAWS is the 2nd award-winning documentary from Filmmaker Linda Royal who also produced and directed the feature documentary films LOVE LIVED ON DEATH ROW and BRINGING IT HOME about the history and uses of hemp. Her films have reached audiences worldwide, been seen in corporate offices, in-flight entertainment and 1000’s of schools. With her documentaries, Linda has successfully partnered with numerous organizations to use her film work for impact campaigns and policy change. She has been interviewed by numerous radio programs, TV News and a keynote speaker at events, schools and universities. Linda completed the Certificate in Documentary Film Arts from The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University in 2005.
BLAIRE JOHNSON
Blaire Johnson, Director of Photography is based out of Carolina Beach, NC. Blaire brings 14 years of cinematic experience to her projects and is a FAA PART 107 licensed Drone Pilot. Her films include BRINGING IT HOME, where she was Co-Director and Cinematographer and MARY'S GONE WILD, a short film she filmed, edited and produced about NC Visionary Folk Artist Mary Paulsen, which screened at the Full Frame and Cucalorus Film Festival. In 2015, she received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her Cinematography on the Emmy & Peabody Award Winning PBS documentary food series “A Chef’s Life”. She graduated from Duke’s Center for Documentary Studies in 2004.
PHILIP POWELL
Philip Powell, Animation Director is based in the Piedmont/Triad NC as principal of Leading Edge Video and has been producing and directing commercials and corporate videos for over 20 years. Philip is also an actor, a theater director a huge techno geek who specializes in creating comedy. Check out his podcast Two Moderately Entertaining Nerds (M.E.N.)
DANIEL SPILLER
Daniel Spiller, Assistant Editor is a recent graduate of Elon University with a double major in Cinema and TV Arts and Economics. Daniel has interned or worked at a variety of management and media companies including, Smuggler, Wild Child + Bonch, The Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Park Inn by Radison, and Trailblazer Studios. Daniel has used his skills as a director, editor, producer, cinematographer, storyteller, and filmmaker.
STEVE SHOR
Steve Shor, Associate Producer for STRAWS has worked in a variety of positions in Hollywood including Columbia Pictures Features and TriStar Pictures Business Affairs Administration, he is currently an independent producer and Senior Programmer for Sonoma International Film Festival. Steve was a founding board member of ECO (the Earth Communications Office); board of Friends of the River; advisory board American Oceans Campaign (which merged into Oceana) and an advisory panel for Heal the Bay. The City of San Francisco honored Steve for developing an environmental event that benefited Earthjustice.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS:
Narrator Tim Robbins
Featuring (in order of appearance) Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, Jackie Nunez, Sarah Mae Nelson, Feletia Lee, Max Machum, Kim Solano, Christine Figgener, Nathan Robinson, Pam Longobardi, Dr. Jenna Jambeck, Dr. Erik Zettler, Steve Elb
Post Production Services Philip Powell, Edward Holm
Additional Camera Christine Figgener, Steve Michelson
Sound Recording Samir Arora, Fred Royal
Animators and Artists David Rawlins, Philip Powell, Keith Hobgood, Danny Oakley, Derek Cernak
Additional Photography Linda Booker, Eva Holman, Blaire Johnson, Pam Longobardi, Jackie Nunez, David Rothstein, Daniel Spiller and many STRAWS film supporters!
Location Filming Special Thanks
California Monterey Bay Aquarium, Richard Dash, The Haute Enchilada, Olitas Cantina & Grille, The Bagelry Café
Costa Rica Karalee & Don Machum, Christian Díaz Chuquisengo, The Leatherback Trust, Marianela Pastor, Serendipity Charters, RipJack Inn
Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington The Blockade Runner Resort, Expo 216, Bonnie Monteleone, Ginger Taylor, Kim Beller, Lacie Beller
“Say Goodbye to a Plastic Straw” Lyrics & Music by Ben Brown (Creative Commons)
Music and Vocals “Say Goodbye to a Plastic Straw” performed by UNIONTOWN Eddie Holm, Chris Long, Fred Royal. Recorded at Nightsound Studios, Carrboro NC
Mr. Voice and the Cloudtop Glide Along by The M Machine