LOBSTERMEN is an intimate portrait of Maine's lobstermen and women struggling to maintain their way of life in the face of unprecedented challenges.

This short documentary, an NYU Thesis film, follows present-day fishermen as they navigate declining catches, rising costs, regulatory battles, and climate change while fighting to preserve a centuries-old tradition.

Director Cameron Blaisdell, a senior Film and Television Production student at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, brings a personal perspective to the story through his family connection to Maine's lobster industry—his great-grandfather Carl Simmons invented the lobster roll at his Rockland restaurant, Sim's Lunch, in 1927.

LOBSTERMEN will capture the daily rhythms of life for lobstermen and women, from hauling traps to the camaraderie of the docks. The heart of the project, however, is the tension between Maine's romanticized coastal industry and the harsh economic realities facing the 5,000 independent fishermen and women who depend on it.

These aren't just economic or environmental issues—they are existential threats to a way of life that has sustained coastal Maine communities for generations. The film captures the daily reality of lobstering while examining the larger forces threatening to end this iconic American industry.

As both storylines converge, the film examines the complex relationship between tourism, tradition, and survival in coastal Maine, asking whether an industry built on legacy can endure the storms ahead.

At its heart, this film explores the tension between maintaining tradition and coping with change in American communities whose identities are inextricably linked to their work.

Through Maine's lobstermen, we witness the universal struggle of blue-collar families trying to preserve not just their livelihoods, but their sense of purpose and belonging in a rapidly changing world.

Ultimately, LOBSTERMEN is the American story of working people caught between honoring the past and surviving into the future—a deeply human struggle about resilience, generational responsibility, and what we are willing to sacrifice to adapt while refusing to let go of who we are.

Our team is seeking partners and supporters who understand the importance of preserving these stories and giving voice to communities whose experiences too often go unheard. With your backing, we can create a film that honors both the complexity of this moment and the resilience of the people living through it.

OUR TEAM:

Cameron Blaisdell, Director

Cameron Blaisdell is a senior filmmaker currently studying at New York University majoring in Film & Television at the Tisch School of Arts. Cameron combines documentary exploration with narrative techniques, skillfully navigating between factual documentation and compelling storytelling approaches. One of his recent short films, "the greenheights file," was selected for NYU's Winter Showcase. He has worked with creative minds such as Steven Fierberg from the American Society of Cinematographers (Emily in Paris, 2020-), Steven Ramsey (The Joker, 2019), and Brenden Uegama (Riverdale, 2017-2023). He currently resides in Los Angeles, but spends significant time in the New England area.

Luke Curnin, Producer

Luke Curnin is a writer and producer who recently graduated from the Dramatic Writing Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a focus in Television Writing. Luke grew up cracking claws in the small town of Topsham, Maine and is very excited to tell a story about his home. During his time at NYU, he co-created a web series, produced a live sketch comedy show, developed several original pilots and screenplays, and took the wrong train a lot. His work experience ranges from interning at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to an assistant at NBC Casting to scooping blizzards at Dairy Queen. He thinks lobster rolls are a dish best served cold and has devoured many of them.

Laine Betanzos, Producer

Laine Betanzos is a senior at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts studying Film & Television Production with a minor in Producing. She has copious experience working as a producer and 1st AD on independent shorts in LA and at Tisch, with credits on “Moderator” (NFFTY Official Selection & Audience Award 2025, LA Shorts 2024), “Shorthanded” (BHFF 2025, Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Fest 2025), and recent NYU Thesis “See Me.” She spent the summer of 2025 working in Development Programming at Sony Pictures Entertainment as a summer intern. A Dallas native, she now resides in Dana Point, CA.

Chris Sein, Cinematographer

Chris Sein is a cinematographer and content creator Growing up in Southeast Asia, before moving to the United States three years ago, Chris brings a unique perspective from his diverse cultural experiences across Southeast Asia, East Asia, India, Europe, and the U.S. His career began early. At sixteen, he won an award for a PSA film, followed by an award-winning travel documentary broadcasted through the Myanmar Tourism Board. Since then, Chris has collaborated with global brands and agencies including Coca-Cola, Meta, Heineken, CapCut, Virgin Voyages, and Volvo to name a few. Outside of cinematography, Chris considers himself a documentary filmmaker. Chris has always observed how light shapes the environment around us. Today, he resides in New York City.