This charismatic documentary follows explorer Todd Carmichael as he attempts to be the first American in history to trek solo and unaided, seven hundred miles across Antarctica to the South Pole. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and harshest environment on earth. It is an almost impossible journey made even tougher because Todd wanted to break the land speed record for achieving such a feat. This is an adventure that turns into a struggle for survival and a true test of a man's inner strength.
Ninety-five percent of the footage comes from the film diaries shot by Todd and his fellow explorer, Teemu, who was racing against him.
Todd Carmichael, CEO & Co-Founder of La Colombe Torrefaction, has spent the past 18 years advancing the way the nation experiences its coffee. In pressing the limits of taste, service, and most notably coffee sourcing- venturing into the world’s developing countries to responsibly and sustainably gather the planet’s best coffee no matter the origins- Todd has converted the nation’s culinary elite into La Colombe drinkers. Along the way he has made his company the country’s leading coffee roaster while managing it philanthropically. Yet Todd can hardly be summed up as coffee magnate alone.
A passionate crusader for social and ecological causes, Carmichael has a decade-long history of undertaking self-supported treks into challenging environments. He’s visited nearly half the world’s countries, crossed large parts of the Sahara on foot, and was the first American to solo trek across Antarctica from coast to the South Pole. The Antarctic trek also earned Todd the world speed record for crossing the continent by foot – 39 days, 7 hours and 49 minutes.
He’s been an attaché to the Saudi Royal Family, is married to singer songwriter Lauren Hart, and has recently expanded his family exponentially by adopting three beautiful girls from Ethiopia. He is also an author and contributor to the Huffington Post and Esquire Magazines, and is currently working on becoming the first man to traverse Death Valley, North to South, unsupported and unaided.
"This music feels truest for me," says Lauren of her fourth CD, Good Things. "I grew up in New Jersey listening to Motown – Aretha Franklin, the Jackson 5, and Gladys Knight; and the grooves of Philly Soul – Gamble and Huff, Hall & Oates, and the Hooters. That sound helped stylize how I sing and write today."
Always known for her introspective lyrics and soaring vocals, Lauren’s songs have been heard on television series and soap operas including "Joan of Arcadia," "Party of Five," "All My Children" and "One Life to Live," and her critically acclaimed National Anthem is featured in the Disney feature film "Miracle." Lauren sings the National Anthem before every Philadelphia Flyers home game, a tribute to her late father, legendary National Hockey League Hall of Fame announcer Gene Hart, known for 30 years as "The Voice of the Flyers."
She has performed at the Presidential Inauguration, where she shared the stage with Bill Clinton, and on the French Riviera, where she lived for several years, performing for such artists as Stan Getz, the Gipsy Kings, Harry Belafonte and Frank Sinatra. In the U.S., she has appeared on the CBS Morning Show from New York City, and opened for Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Train and 10,000 Maniacs.
In addition to her music, Lauren has enjoyed a successful career in broadcast television, serving as co-host of Philadelphia’s NBC 10! Show, and appearing regularly on the Comcast Sports Network for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Her latest venture is in the world of documentary filmmaking. Most recently, Lauren scored and executive-produced Race to the Bottom of the Earth, chronicling her husband Todd Carmichael’s record-setting solo trek across Antarctica.
Lauren’s passion for music is matched only by her passion for the charitable organizations she is committed to – the Gene Hart Memorial Fund, ONE, The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and water.org.
Lauren sits on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards), the Advisory Board of the Pennsylvania Hospital Cancer Center, and is an honorary Board member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Southern New Jersey Chapter. In 2007, Lauren was honored by the Society with its prestigious "Person of the Year" Award. She was named "Humanitarian of the Year" by the Friends of the American Cancer Society in 2010.
Nancy Glass is a six-time Emmy-award-winning writer and producer. Her company, Nancy Glass Productions, was established in 2000. Since that time, NGP has produced over 2000 hours of prime time cable programming for various networks including: E!, TLC, Nat Geo Wild, A&E, DIY, HGTV, PBS & Ovation. She has also produced programming for XM Sirius Radio and created TheGilliganFactor.com where she proves that logic ruins everything.
Prior to producing full time, she was an on-air personality who anchored several syndicated newsmagazines including: American Journal, Inside Edition, and This Evening. She was the first person in syndication to be nominated for a National News Emmy. As the host of Attitudes on Lifetime she was nominated for an Emmy as Best Daytime Talk Show Host. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The CBS Morning News, The Daily Show and has been written about in The New York Times, Time Magazine and Entertainment Weekly to name (drop) a few.
Race To The Bottom of The Earth came about after meeting Todd Carmichael, who she maintains is one of the most impressive people she has ever met. She is grateful to Todd and his wife Lauren, who contributed so much to the film. This is her first feature documentary and she is very proud to premiere it at the Newport Beach Film Festival. She is also grateful for the support of the talented gang at Nancy Glass Productions who work hard and inspire her every day.
Michele Loschiavo, Executive Producer at Nancy Glass Productions, began documentary film making by chance, and the experience has changed the direction of her career. After studying at Philadelphia University of the Arts she earned a position at QVC as a producer. She capitalized on her time at QVC by going above and beyond her day-to-day activities. She and a co-worker were approached to produce and direct a short film, documenting the program that helps raise money for women’s cancer. “Cure by the Shore” told the story of a woman’s fight with breast cancer and her hope for survival. Michele made a point to convey her story in a personal and poignant way so that the audience could experience something genuine. Michele carries her story of hope in her heart to this day.
After leaving QVC she began working as a freelance producer for various production companies in Philadelphia. She approached her new career choice like she always does, with drive and determination. She spent two years as co-executive producer of "Spice up my Kitchen" and "Save my Bath" which were seen on HGTV. She then went on to executive produce DIY’s "Kitchen Impossible" for 5 seasons. Her narrative film credits include two short films that she made with her twin sister Jennifer, "Change" and “My Own Confession." But it was a phone call from a friend and former collaborator that brought Michele to her next project, "3:15". Michele signed on as Producer, Director, and Editor. The documentary follows a runner’s rigorous path to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Only one year later while working at Nancy Glass Productions she was asked to co-produce, co- direct, and edit "Race to the Bottom of the Earth." She was honored to take on the challenge, and felt that her previous experiences were true preparation for this documentary. Todd Carmichael’s passion for his trek fueled Michele’s creativity and her collaboration with Nancy Glass helped her to grow even more as a film maker.
Michele is currently working as executive producer on "Staten Island Cakes," which is currently in production on We TV. Her experience has taught her not to limit herself to one form of directing, whether it is narratives, documentaries, or TV reality shows. She pursues all areas in an effort to grow in the field that she loves, and hopes to continue the journey as a cinematic storyteller.
Director: Michele Loschiavo, Nancy Glass
Producer: Nancy Glass, Todd Carmichael, Michele Loschiavo, Lauren Hart
Cinematographer: Todd Carmichael, Bud McHugh, Teemu Lakkasuo
Editor: Michele Loschiavo
Music Director: Lauren Hart
Cast: Todd Carmichael, Lauren Hart, Teemu Lakkasuo
Premiere Status: World
Running Time: 84:39 min
Country of Production: U.S.A.
Year of Completion: 2010
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