BEST PICTURE WINNER! INTERVIEW WITH “INTO THE FIRE: A UTAH BOY’S LIFE IN THE BLUES” creator ISAAC ERICKSEN
ZFA was honored to receive a submission that was the perfect combo of music and intriguing storytelling. “Into the Fire; A Utah Boy’s Life in the Blues” stunned us from the very beginning with its superb cinematography, authentic heart-felt documentary storytelling, and enthralling music and sound design. This is the kind of documentary that is worthy of viewing on major platforms, so it will be a pleasure to showcase Isaac Ericksen’s work as part of our ZFA spring screening. The movie also took home Best First-Time Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Documentary in our September edition. Congratulations to all involved!
ZFA: What got your started in documentary filmmaking?
Isaac: I love telling stories. As a musician, I’ve had the opportunity to travel throughout the country and meet people from around the world. Their stories and the story of the blues are very important to me, and I felt the need to share those with others. When I originally had the idea to make a documentary, I had no clue where to start. A mentor and good friend of mine, Dr. Glenn Webb of UTU, noticed my passion for this project and encouraged me to go talk to documentary filmmaker Phil Tuckett. Phil saw the potential in the film, helped organize a team, and the rest is history!
ZFA: Who/what was your biggest influence?
Isaac: A huge influence for me while making this film was the work of Alan Lomax. His documentation and preservation of the history of American music was so important. He understood that importance even when others may not have seen it. My goal was to present a story that gives an update on the blues in its current, global state.
ZFA: Where did you film your project? How long did it take?
Isaac: We filmed in a few different locations. Our road trip from Utah to Memphis, Beale Street, Moroni Utah, and even a stop in Clarksdale, MS. The whole trip to Memphis and back took about only two weeks. However, because we started filming in January of 2020, we didn’t get to film on site in Moroni for several months after that. The film premiered almost two years after we started.
ZFA: What was your biggest challenge?
Isaac: One of biggest challenges for me during filming was coordinating interviews with all the different artists competing in the International Blues Challenge. Making sure we made the most of every hour throughout that week was tricky at times because it was a huge event and people were constantly moving from venue to venue. So any time we got to lock in a secure time with someone during such a fluid event was a major victory.
ZFA: What was the most memorable moment on set?
Isaac: While interviewing my father, I asked him what his overall goal as a musician was. He shared a very emotional story about how he wanted to touch the hearts of everyone that heard him perform. It was a special moment for me because I felt like I learned how urgent his craft is to him. He really cares about every detail, and it made me want to care even more about what I create.
ZFA: What would you like your message to accomplish?
Isaac: The worldwide Blues community is made up of many different kinds of people from all nationalities and cultures. Despite these differences, they all contribute in their own ways to keep the fire of this art form burning. In a way this is my contribution to the fire, and I hope that viewers can find ways to do the same for whatever their passions are.
ZFA: Where can we find you? How can we follow your work?
Isaac: I currently live in St. George, UT working as a barber, and performing both locally and around the country. You can follow me on Instagram at @isaacjericksen, and check out electricwitness.com for updates on Blues performances.
