Rob Lewis: A Natural Filmmaker
“I love the concept of introducing kids to filmmaking.”
Many children know their life’s ambition at an early age, but for Rob Lewis the answer would not be apparent until college. Born and raised in the sultry city of Charleston, South Carolina, Rob had no idea the scenery of his childhood would someday set the stage for his future career. However, one of the catalysts for his occupational pursuits would be the 1984 film, Amadeus directed by Milos Forman. “It was a great movie and got me interested in classical music as well as movies.”
His collegiate aspirations began at the College of Charleston where he would eventually earn his degree in the field of Communication. Although enjoying his studies, Rob still felt something was missing. Enrolling in a film class at Trident Technical College, also located in Charleston, his occupational role came into focus. Gaining most of his technical experience from classes at Trident Tech, his transition to film production was natural. “It was wonderful. I learned so much about animation, lighting, and
cinematography. You would swipe your student ID card and have access to all kinds of high tech equipment.” It was at this point Rob started making movies with friends. “We’d take a weekend and make a short movie. It was fun working with people who held similar interests.” Guided by John Barnhardt, Rob’s abilities flourished. “He was my professional mentor. He shared techniques and helped me when I was starting in the field.”
Shortly after graduating from college, Rob was hired as a news photographer at WCIV-ABC Channel 4 News in Charleston. From there he would go on to work at ETV station WRET in Spartanburg before transferring to an affiliate station in Beaufort, SC. Returning to the coastal roots of his childhood, Rob’s twelve years’ of experience landed him the job of Broadcast Specialist/Producer/Director at The County Channel, Hargray channel 9.
The County Channel, a branch of Beaufort County Government, televises local government sessions providing access to those unable to attend in person. But the station offers more than just governmental meetings. “The County Channel provides TV programming worth watching, it’s educational and serves a purpose.” Broadcast Manager Scott Grooms is very supportive allowing the station to “extend its purpose to entertainment with a benefit.”
Rob’s love of nature would take the spotlight in his main project, Coastal Kingdom. “It’s a great opportunity to do what I love. I grew up watching Nature Scene with Rudy Mancke. I actually got to meet him when I was younger and he had a great impact on me. I always wanted to do a nature show.” When Rob presented the idea to The County Channel the response was favorable, planting the seed for success. “And it’s grown from there.”
Tony Mills and Dr. Chris Marsh, Naturalists for the Lowcountry Institute on Spring Island, partner with Rob in the production of the show. They provide support in obtaining grants, assisting with information, supplying equipment, and Tony hosts each episode. Rob takes part in all aspects of production such as editing, filming, and shooting. With fifteen episodes already created he looks forward to future productions. Although pleased with each one, his favorite was a recent segment, Backyard Wildlife. “I like it because it’s got lots of macro stuff like snails, snakes, butterflies, and other things that make nature work.” Coastal Kingdom airs Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM on channel 9 and has been syndicated, airing on ETV every Friday at 7:30 PM. The show’s aim is not only entertainment but education as well. Clips from the show are available online, providing pertinent information for classroom Science lessons.
Rob’s introduction to Tony Mills was serendipitous. Years ago, Rob and his wife donated an aquarium to a school science teacher, Kathryn (now Tony’s wife). Tony helped Rob situate the aquarium in the classroom when they struck up a conversation about their personal ideas for a local nature program and thus Coastal Kingdom was born. “I admire Tony. He is an amazing naturalist with a wealth of knowledge, and a natural on camera.”
The abundant wildlife and ecological treasures of the Lowcountry allow the entire show to be filmed and produced locally. “All of the work is done here, from the Ace Basin to Savannah.” Thus far Coastal Kingdom has been nominated for two Emmys and has won several Telly awards.
But not everything behind the scenes goes as smoothly as the finished product appears. “I was filming a night episode of Coastal Kingdom with Tony. The segment was about snakes so we drove up and down a dirt road looking for them. Once a snake was spotted, the plan was for Tony to hop out of the truck, I would toss him the flashlight so he could illuminate the snake, and then I’d begin filming. It was all supposed to happen in one smooth motion. When a snake finally appeared, he jumped from the truck and I tossed the light, which hurled end over end. Unfortunately he didn’t catch it and it smacked him right in the face. We had to stop everything to tend to his bloody nose before resuming filming.”
Another production employing Rob’s talents is the web series, Night Skies Over Beaufort County. An Interstitial (small clips shown between programming in place of commercials), which can also be viewed online, the series presents sessions on all aspects of astronomy. Every detail was meticulously addressed, right down to the music. “I always remembered a tune that my band director in high school had composed. When I needed music for the series I contacted him and got permission to use it. It provided the perfect background music for the show.”
Each year, Rob takes part in the ‘48 Hour Film Project’ in Savannah. “You participate in groups and start by drawing a genre from a hat. Everyone gets the same elements to work with. We have forty-eight hours to write, film and edit. The first year we drew Fantasy and last year was Creature Feature. It’s hard work but a lot of fun.” The event inspired Rob to develop a similar formula for a kid’s summer camp hosted last summer by the Sea Island School for Arts and Academics. The weeklong camp began much like the 48 Hour Film Project. Students drew a genre from a hat and had a set of elements with which to work. They developed a script and filmed it. At the end of the week, the finished project was shared with fellow attendees and their families. “I love the concept of introducing kids to filmmaking. It’s wonderful when they put it all together and learn why we do things in a particular order. They don’t understand the reasons behind the methods or the order in which scenes are shot until they view the finished product and you see the ‘aha’ moment as it clicks with them.”
Sitting upon a shelf in Rob’s office is his favorite book Camera Man’s Journey; Julian Dimock’s South. The pictorial tome hosts an array of early twentieth century photographs taken at a time when photographic equipment was in its fledgling state. “I often look through the book for inspiration.” When asked about his favorite movies, he smiled and pointed to a series of movie posters on his office wall. “I enjoy movies directed by Wes Anderson, my favorite is Rushmore (1998). Another favorite of mine is There Will Be Blood directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (2007).”
Rob lives with his wife of six years, Beth, and their son, Benjamin, and have another child on the way. On the rare occasion when Rob is not trudging through the Lowcountry landscape in search of nature’s treasures or mentoring kids in film
production, he enjoys reading a favorite book, The Very Clumsy Clickbeetle by Eric Carle, to his son. Rob’s passion for filmmaking is evident in his work as well as his community involvement as he shares his film expertise with burgeoning film protégés. Without a doubt, Rob Lewis is a natural filmmaker whose cinematic talents will be an inspiration for generations to come.
For more information or to view episodes of Coastal Kingdom and Night Skies Over Beaufort, visit coastalkingdom.com or http://www.bcgov.net/County-Projects/night-skies/index.php
Story by Kim Poovey
Photography by PAUL NURNBERG
