Beloit Daily News reports: BELOIT — The life and adventures of one of Beloit’s favorite sons will be the subject of a new film currently in the works.“Chasing Dragons: The Roy Chapman Andrews Story,” is in production. The project, which is hoped to be ready for its premiere in early 2028, is planned to be a “feature-length, PBS-ready documentary exploring the life, legacy and enduring global influence of one of the 20th century’s most celebrated explorers,” a news release from the Roy Chapman Andrews Society stated.Roy Chapman Andrews, born in Beloit in 1884, was director of the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
He headed up several expeditions to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia where he made some important discoveries, including the first known fossilized dinosaur eggs. He also is believed to be the model for the movie character Indiana Jones.Greg Gerard, who is co-producer for the film project along with Ruth Carlson, said the film is being produced with the idea of showing it on Wisconsin Public Television or a PBS platform. Gerard, who formerly was executive director of the Beloit International Film Festival (BIFF), added plans also are to present the film at film festivals.“BIFF already has shown an interest in featuring the film,” Gerard said.The film will explore Andrews’ childhood in Beloit and his college years at Beloit College, as well as his time at the American Museum of Natural History.
Background
Of course his expeditions seeking dinosaur remains and his study of whales also will be featured. It will include interviews with historians and with Andrews’ granddaughter, Sara Andrews Appelbee.“It’s not just an academic, historical stroll through Roy Chapman Andrews’ life,” Gerard said. “We want a film that has heart and soul.
Key facts
- He headed up several expeditions to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia where he made some important discoveries, including the first known fossilized dinosaur eggs.
- Of course his expeditions seeking dinosaur remains and his study of whales also will be featured.
- “We want a film that has heart and soul.
What this means
We want Beloit to shine and we want Beloit College to shine.” freestar.config.enabledslots.push({ placementName: "beloitdailynews-combloxfixed-middle-article", slotId: "beloitdailynews-combloxfixed-middle-article", targeting: { "pos": "fixed-middle-article" } }); “Through Andrews’ story, the film speaks to enduring American values — imagination, perseverance, and the transformative power of education,” said Ruth Carlson, co-producer. “It’s not just history — it’s a call to invest in future generations of explorers.”Working behind the camera will be Greg Taylor, who went on a legacy expedition to the Gobi Desert in observance of the 100th anniversary of the Roy Chapman Andrews expeditions.Gerard said he may even approach the people representing George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford to see if they would want to talk about the similarities between Andrews and the Indiana Jones character.
He said he is exploring all options.“If it’s a no, it’s a no,” he said.Gerard noted he and the Roy Chapman Andrews Society have plenty of local resources and experienced individuals to draw on as they make the film. Gerard has had contact with many independent film makers through his association with BIFF. Joe Bookman, associate professor in the department of media studies is experience in film making and showed his short documentary at BIFF.
Originally reported by Beloit Daily News. This story has been edited and re-presented by BRIC Team.
