Coal River Pictures , located in New York City, is an independent film production company specializing in thought-provoking documentaries and creatively dynamic fiction.The name comes from a small, yet powerful, river in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Many days as a child, founder Lynn Lane sat beside this river while visiting his grandparents at their home. The beauty and simplicity of this river never left his heart and from this beauty and force comes Coal River Pictures.
Currently, I am in Post-Production on "Ring Days", a boxing documentary. "Ring Days" is both heartening and heart-wrenching as the fighters such as Joe Frazier, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Tony Danza, Jackie Mason and many others share their happiest and saddest moments with Producers and Directors: Lynn Lane and Mario Mercado. This new documentary starts out with the initial inspirations and drives that took led these greats to their first stepping into a gym and overcoming all odds against them getting to the top. Each tells of their experiences with their early trainers and how they pressed on to climb the ladder to the Olympics and on to the tops of their professional careers. Every fighter's story is not always a happy one that ends filled with wealth and fame. Some share their stories of the hardships faced after their boxing career is over, whether by their own choice or the decision of others. They must try to answer the question where do the go now that they have no pensions or retirement from a career where they were surrounded by others making riches off of their struggles.
I also maintain a blog, Docmaker on the Go , that has been featured in various festivals and will soon be launching Vlogumentarian.com, an ongoing project that I'm extremely excited about.
The Devestation of Mountaintop Removal Mining in Southern West Virginia (photo: Vivian Stockman)
Lynn Lane and Coal River Pictures are moving into production in June 2006 on his new documentary: Coal River: Where Have the Mountains Gone (working title). This documentary has been in pre-production for a couple of years and now the shooting will begin. In Southern West Virginia we are seeing the devestation of mountains that have stood the test of time for millions of years only to be reduced to rubble by the latest mining techniques known as Mountaintop Removal Mining. Along with these majestic peaks we are losing a culture and people who helped build this land through their blood and sweat. This documentary captures those people's lives and helps tell the story about what is happening to their land and their fight to preserve it.
If you are unfamiliar with what Mountaintop Removal Mining is, this will give you a good idea as to what is happening thoughout the Appalachian Region."
This Image Shows What is Happening to Mountains All Across the Appalachians
Lynn Lane Shooting Larry Gibson on top of Kayford Mountain Overlooking a Massive Mountaintop Removal Mine in West Virginia for "Coal River" (documentary)
A Great Billboard Designed by OVEC
Lynn Lane talking with Legendary Graffiti Writer: BURN-1
Sugar Ray Leonard being Interviewed for "Ring Days" (documentary).
George Foreman being Interviewed for "Ring Days".
Joe Frazier being Interviewed for "Ring Days".
Tony Danza being Interviewed for "Ring Days".
Lynn Lane shoots MERES1 at 5 Pointz Graffiti Museum
Interviewing JACK1, STAN1 and PRIZ1 during shooting of ""Bombing the IRT", a documentary on the legendary "The Spanish 5" Crew
Interviewing Retired Boxer: Henny Wallitch during shooting of "Ring Days".
