Unused footage of a teenage friend’s project led to the creation of an aptly named documentary. Its award-winning filmmaker, Steve Yeager, visits Elizabethtown College’s Bowers Writers House Friday, Sept. 26.
Yeager, who won a Filmmakers Trophy for best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, will discuss the making of “Divine Trash” and examine his career with fellow filmmaker, John Waters. John Waters is known for directing movies such as “Female Trouble,” “Hairspray” and “Cry-Baby”. Yeager and Waters, both Baltimore natives, first met as teenagers. 
“At that time we were the only ones in Baltimore trying to make longer films so we helped each other out,” said Yeager. The making of “Divine Trash,” a documentary about Waters’ early career, began as footage for a potential television series. Yeager shot around six hours of the making of Waters’ film “Pink Flamingos,” however, it was never used.
“It was kind of a running joke for me and John,” said Yeager. “He kept saying, you’ll never use that film.’”
It wasn’t until 23 years later Yeager realized a purpose for the unused footage. He contacted Waters to get permission to make a documentary for the 25th anniversary of “Pink Flamingos”. Yeager then submitted the documentary to Sundance with little confidence.
At that time we were the only ones in Baltimore trying to make longer films so we helped each other out.”
“I thought it didn’t have a chance,” said Yeager. Though he was doubtful, the film was Yeager’s claim to fame and, it won him an award for best documentary.
Since then, Yeager has made other films including “Beyond the Bridge the Howard Rollins Story,” “The Connection” and “On the Block.” He was involved in production of “If the Bough Breaks,” a television documentary concerning medical malpractice; “In Bad Taste”, a sequel to his film Divine Trash; and “America’s Most Wanted”.
Yeager studied theater at Towson University in Baltimore and received his Master of Fine Arts in film from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He was the founder and artistic director of the Baltimore Theatre Company at Christ’s Church, where he directed more than two dozen theatrical productions.
This event begins at 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Contact: Jesse Waters (no relation to John!) at watersj@etown.edu, writershouse@etown.edu or 717-689-3945.