"Live the Stream," a documentary about Joe Humphreys, will screen Jan. 18 at The State Theatre. Credit: Submitted. All Rights Reserved.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An award-winning documentary about a legendary Penn Stater is set to screen in State College next week and it’s sure to reel in a crowd.
“Live the Stream,” a 93-minute film that focuses on fly-fishing legend Joe Humphreys, will screen at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Jan. 18 at The State Theatre. The theatre, which seats more than 550 people, is almost sold out for the 6:30 p.m. screening. For tickets and more info, click here.
Film-video alumnus Lucas Bell and his company Nomadic, which he co-founded with his wife, Meigan, produced the film.
“If students want to see and hear a great story about someone who has spent a lifetime loving Penn State and is part of Penn State, I think that they need to see this. I think Joe’s story is a great Penn State story,” Bell said.
“For people who have seen the film, they always say, ‘Wow, this is way more than fly-fishing.’ It’s a great life story, it’s touching, it’s about family, friendships and nature. It’s a lot more than people expect it to be. Yes, it’s inspiring to fly-fishing enthusiasts, but it’s also relatable to everyone else.”
Humphreys, a member of the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame, has been a staple in the University community as he graduated from Penn State in 1957 and spent 19 years as an instructor for Penn State’s angling program. The documentary, which earned awards at multiple film festivals in the fall, took three years to film and wrapped early in 2018. The film captures Humphreys locally (showcasing the beauty of State College streams), across the country and even internationally.
“I’d say the first six or seven months of filming, they were great, but the longer we filmed the better the content got because Joe really opened up and took us to his favorite places. The film became far more than we ever envisioned,” Bell said.
The screenings on Jan. 18 will mark the first time the film will be shown in Humphreys’ hometown of State College and he will be in attendance. There will be merchandise available, including pieces signed by Humphrey, as well as a silent auction. Funds raised will go toward finishing funds for the film, which Bell will release to the public in the future through places like iTunes and Netflix.
The event will coincide with Humphreys’ 90th birthday, which is Jan. 19.
“What better 90th birthday present than celebrating with fans and seeing your life story unfold at your hometown theatre?” Bell said.
If you can’t make either screening, you can sign up for the film release at www.livethestreamfilm.com, where you can also check out the trailer and more.