Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by jffree1 on January 4, 2010 at 17:14

I don't know what the sequel will be like but Les B wants a part in it!

Reply by Les B on December 22, 2009 at 10:30pm
Keith, this was my Christmas present to myself. Maybe I can land a part in the sequel "Bossierville" - "It's bigger than we ever dreamed!!!".

http://www.gohaynesvilleshale.com/forum/topics/haynesville-the-movi...

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Permalink Reply by Chris Lyon on January 5, 2010 at 6:19

The current film discusses this lightly. It could certainly be an interesting topic to expound on. The trouble with making "Haynesville" was trying to decide what we could discuss in the time frame without going off on a "wild tangent." These things included how natural gas can be used to power cars, etc. The time just didn't allow us to go down those roads without derailing the flow of the film. A sequel to Haynesville could certainly concentrate on further impact and possibilities stemming from the shale.

-Chris Lyon, editor of Haynesville

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Permalink Reply by LP on January 5, 2010 at 2:08

What I would like to see is something that will generate interest and excitement in people who have no direct interest in the play but who will benefit from the ripple effects. No matter how I try to explain what a life raft these discoveries are to the entire United States, people seem to miss the importance of it in their own lives.
Many politicians fail to realize the impact as well.
I'm not sure how to make the subject of natural gas sexy but that's what it will take to grab the attention of the general public. (and the media) (especially the media)
Most people think of natural gas as that smelly stuff that leaks out now and then and is explosive so they don't want to fuel their cars with it.
So many movies have been made about crude oil and they are romantic drama or light humor.
To mention a few:
Tulsa
Giant
Oklahoma Crude
The Beverly Hillbillies
Wildcat
Hellfighters
I realize that Haynesville is a documentary, as the sequel would be but there must be a way to interest people outside of the core. And a little less emphasis on the stereotype of southern life with such graphic images as squirrel skinning.
I sure do hope the sequel will have good news for Kassie and the folks in her sections. That part of the Haynesville made me cry. That's drama.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Lyon on January 5, 2010 at 6:25

We have received a lot of positive feedback about the film in other markets besides Shreveport/Bossier. Everyone connects with the characters and comes away discussing the possibilities of the shale discoveries here and elsewhere.

I think it would be very difficult to make a film about the Haynesville Shale that connects with the outside world more than it does here in the same way it would be difficult to make a film about New York connect with those who don't live there. Unless you've been there, it's difficult to understand the emotional attachment people have with that city and the lifestyle of always moving.

However, making the next film more relevant to the world's stage of gas could be an interesting idea.

-Chris Lyon, editor of Haynesville

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Permalink Reply by JHH on January 5, 2010 at 2:21

I'd like to see a deeper look at the economic impact in communities. E&P Companies have been paying huge sums to individuals and governments for about two years now. Royalties are pouring in. But i see firefighters and police being laid off... big companies are closing down or moving away... roads are in terrible shape... charities are suffering... states are begging for new or higher taxes. Where is all of the money going. Has this just been a hoax? I know a lot of money is flowing. And lets not forget the taxes on minerals received by state and local governments and school boards! There should be some accountability! thanks, jhh

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Permalink Reply by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher) on January 5, 2010 at 3:24

That's good JHH...

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Permalink Reply by Chris Lyon on January 5, 2010 at 6:35

Something interesting that I found was that there are reports that both Shreveport and Bossier overestimated the amount of money they would get and perhaps spent money before they had it. Sound familiar? Of course that's just a rumor and there's no solid evidence in my back pocket about that, but it is an interesting thought with the economic downturn, et al.

The other thing to remember is that royalties aren't pouring in. Gas is still less than half the price it was when the Haynesville was discovered. Even if it were pouring in, the state is majorly in debt (highways), as is the Fed (interstates).

The budgets are made public for the governments, so one could easily acquire a copy and do the research to see if something was going on. But just remember that we are in the biggest economic downturn since the Depression- Shreveport (and Louisiana in general) isn't hurting as badly as everyone else is. Our unemployment rate is 3% lower than the national average (7% as opposed to 10%). Not to mention that just because the state and local governments got money from the shale doesn't mean that the businesses doing the laying off got anything. We are hurting, but we should certainly look at the larger picture and realize a few things:

1) Royalties are down less than half
2) Gas companies aren't drilling as fervently as they were
3) The state and local governments came up short this year even after shale money
4) We're still in a better economic position than the nation at large.

That said, I'm all for transparency, but becoming "Obama-transparent" means hiring a marketing team to make all the information known (not just available), building a website to easily distribute this information, a marketing campaign, etc, etc. Taking more money away from more beneficial tasks.

Just my thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by JHH on January 5, 2010 at 9:54

If government "over-misunderestimated" (HA!) revenues... then they were foolish and not very responsible. Voters need to know that and given the state of journalism... it might never happen.

Your are correct when you say:
1) Royalties are down less than half
2) Gas companies aren't drilling as fervently as they were
3) The state and local governments came up short this year even after shale money
4) We're still in a better economic position than the nation at large.

But E&P companies are still making a ton of money. Don't ever think they aren't... and that's a good thing.

For local governments... It's all "found money"! Or... if you want to say... New Money! Huge lease bonus $$$ going to local and state governments... and royalties the state is collecting on each well each month... plus taxes mineral owners are paying... plus taxes E&P companies are paying. It's all new money. Plus think of the billions Louisiana got and is still getting from Hurricane Katrina. How is it possible that public agencies are hurting for money...? Don't get me wrong... wealth is growing in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana and that's a good thing! Sorry, but it is so frustrating when you hear about people losing their jobs and government cutting back on essential services. Someone ought to look into it. Someone ought to lay it out for taxpayers. This should be the BEST of TIMES for this region. At least the roads ought to be better... but no word on any infrastructure upgrades or improvements out in the boonies. As they say at a school i once attended... "Maybe Next Year". sorry for the rant... jhh

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Permalink Reply by GregoryK on January 5, 2010 at 10:18

This is some great thinking! As usual, you guys have some amazing ideas.

While I'm interested in the local flow of capital and where it goes, I feel like we've done the local story. I'm more interested in what happens in Washington with the impending energy bill. I'm interested in the mechanics of a bill and how it gets implemented. I'm also interested in how powerful lobbies like the coal lobby strong arm in order to get what they want.

To me, the time for natural gas is now, and the time for coal is quickly passing. There's part of me that wants to document that change of energy sources or document how we missed an amazing opportunity to have a cleaner energy future.

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Permalink Reply by JHH on January 5, 2010 at 11:03

I'm hopeful about the impending energy legislation as well. But only the part of me that hasn't been demoralized by the past attempts at energy legislation and the current health care reform-pay-off debacle. By the way your documentary was well done. Now it is time to make the politicians act like citizens and not the corrupt Roman senators they seem to be. Please turn up the heat a little! I'm sure the next installment will be excellent. thanks, jhh

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Permalink Reply by Rosebud on January 5, 2010 at 12:04

I've had this thread on my mind all afternoon. It seems to me like "shale" news in general is gaining more attention on TV recently and I was thinking/wondering why on earth does a city like Boston worry about shiploads of natural gas coming into their harbor from somewhere like Yemen when at least some people in the U.S. know how much natural gas is located here? How many average citizens have any knowledge whatsoever about natural gas possibilities in the U.S.? Is there an organized effort to keep U.S. natural gas the best kept secret in the country?

I think you're on the right track - how to get the ball going is beyond me though. You're so talented and you've already proven your skill with the documentary. I believe once you zero-in on exactly how to proceed, the rest will be relatively easy for you. Natural gas/shale exploration, as FOX is reporting today, is now America's "gold rush" - once the possibilities are more widely known and understood, I believe we'll see a much more widespread rush to be a part of it all than anything we've previously witnessed.

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by GregoryK on January 7, 2010 at 18:48

Thanks.

There is great thinking in this -- especially the part about my skill ; ).

I think the bigger picture is where I want to go with this.

That said, I have a film to show and message to spread. Hopefully, we're all behind "Haynesville" and we can all help move it forward into the public spotlight.

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