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(American University, Washington, DC, 2006, 40 minutes)
Directed and co-produced by Katie Gerringer. Edited and co-produced by Ken Cornwell.
It’s a classic American road trip…with a twist.
Concerned with the effect cars have on the environment and on people’s health, as well as climate change and the oil crisis, filmmaker Katie Gerringer sets out on a road trip from Los Angeles to Detroit in a hybrid-electric to see if this kind of car is a possible solution.
Following Route 66, the classic road symbolizing car culture, Katie talks to all kinds of people to find out what they think about hybrid-electric technology and the future of transportation. She speaks with kids in an SUV on the Las Vegas strip, a truck driver in Amarillo, TX, car company executives in Los Angeles, and a conservationist at the Grand Canyon.
Katie has only eight days to drive the entire 2,300 mile distance: she has to get to Motor City on time for the Dream Cruise—a parade of over 40,000 gas-powered cars and trucks. There she is meeting up with a school bus running on clean-burning biodiesel, driving the parade route to spread a vision of a cleaner, greener America. It’s a clash of old versus new ideas in the car capitol of the world.
Are hybrid-electric cars a realistic option for reducing personal vehicle emissions and reversing the effects of climate change? What do Americans really think about the future of cars and how are car manufacturers preparing to handle it? Watch Feeling Fuelish for the ultimate test drive… and get some answers to these important questions.
Filmmaker Bios
Ken Cornwell: Co-Producer/Camera/Editor
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Ken has directed and produced two short
documentaries, one of which is being adapted as a radio piece for WAMU’s
Metro Connection. Ken is currently working for Screenscope, Inc., a Washington,
DC, production company
Katie Gerringer: Co-Producer/Director
A Virginia native, Katie spent nine years in publishing before moving to
film. She has directed and produced a short documentary about artist Sheryl
Oring and freedom of expression. Katie currently works for Beyond Productions
in Washington, DC.