Director Dan Fowlks Recreates Michael Carbis’s Tragic Tale

In Silver Reef Utah, the tale of Michael Carbis, a mine foreman whose life took a tragic turn in 1880, comes to life through the lens of director Dan Fowlks. Commissioned by the Silver Reef Historical Society and Arts to Zion in 2020, the film aims to revive interest in local history amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fowlks shares his journey into the project, revealing, “The Story of Michael Carbis was commissioned by the Silver Reef Historical Society in 2020. They were seeing a decrease in numbers to the museum due to Covid restrictions. This was a story they wanted to tell because of how crazy and intriguing it was.” The project, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the American Rescue Plan, became a crucial initiative in sustaining the humanities during challenging times.

The director’s favorite aspect of the production was the authenticity achieved by shooting in the very locations where the historical events transpired. “Being able to shoot in the same locations as the story happened was a thrill,” Fowlks recounts. He emphasizes the significance of working with actors to portray real-life scenes and the eerie experience of visiting Michael Carbis’s gravesite. Unlike fictional characters, Carbis was a person who had once lived, adding a unique dimension to the storytelling process.

As with any production, not everything is easy. “When the project first started, I wrote a feature-length script out of the story in hopes that is what funding we could have raised to produce. Due to budget constraints, the story was modified into a mini-doc with a storyteller so that we could get across the story under 15 minutes,” he explains.

Looking back, Fowlks expresses satisfaction with the outcome of the film. When asked if he would do anything differently if given the chance to go back in time, he replies, “Not necessarily. Other than looking forward to the future in how we can produce the feature-length dramatic piece.”

For aspiring filmmakers, Fowlks shares valuable advice: “The industry is everything but what you think it is.” He encourages budding talents not to underestimate the collaborative nature of the industry. “Never assume people don’t want to create and work with you to tell stories. Be courageous, work hard and smart,” he advises.

If you are eager to explore more of Fowlks’s work and upcoming projects, the film was created under his production company, @desertvibemedia, which can be found on Instagram and Facebook. He hints at more historical pieces in the pipeline, and interested audiences can stay updated at www.desertvibemedia.com.

“The Story of Michael Carbis” has been selected for screening at the Utah International Film Festival, scheduled to take place from February 12-17.