Whaling in Hudson? What!? for the Hudson Area Library
542films and the Hudson Area Library History Room presents Whaling in Hudson? What!?, a short film that offers a compelling glimpse into the themes and stories of Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce, a 3-site exhibition focusing on the era of whaling and maritime commerce that created Hudson and built its wealth as well as its reputation as a whaling town.
The Hudson Area Library site exhibition is on view in the Hudson Area Library Community Room through June 30, 2025. In addition to the library, this project partners with the Columbia County Historical Society and the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution.
Cast & Crew
Directed & Edited by / Karl Frederick Mattson
Written by / Brenda Shufelt
Created by / Brenda Shufelt & Gary Sheffer
Produced by / The Hudson Area Library History Room & Brenda Shufelt
Cinematography, Color & Sound by / Karl Frederick Mattson
Starring (as themselves) / Kim Bach, Richard Bazelow, Allan Melville Chapin, John Craig, Kelley Drahushuk, Elaine Eichelberger, John Eichelberger, Lisa Fludd-Smith, Selha Graham, Vicki Jimpson-Fludd, Kamal Johnson, Virginia Martin, Sam Merrett, Gary Sheffer, Brenda Shufelt, Lisa Weilbacker, Carl Whitbeck, and the Children of Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood
Music by / Epidemic Sound
Tech Specs
Premiered / March 6th, 2025, at the opening reception of Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce
Runtime / 17 min 52 sec
Aspect Ratio / 1.90:1
Format / Digital, ephemera, & historical documents
Camera / Sony FX6, Sony a7S III
Lens / Carl Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.4 lens, Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 35mm f/2 lens, Nikon Nikkor Ai 135mm f/2.8 lens, Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G lens, Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM lens
Thanks
Lesley Herzberg
Adolfo Lopez
Justin Weaver
Tia Williams
Columbia County Historical Society
Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Hudson Area Library History Room
A Very Special Thanks
The genesis of this exhibition came from the work and vision of Richard Bazelow, a local history researcher. For the past five years, Richard's been searching special collections at museums, libraries, the National Archives, and historical societies for Hudson's artifacts and whaling past.
This film, "Whaling in Hudson? What!?," is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.