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MARQUETTE -- It's not somewhere you go everyday.

“You can't just go there,” said filmmaker John Major.  “It's not just a place that you can just decide, you know, we're going to go film at the South Pole.  The base is controlled by the National Science Foundation, and if you don't have an invite from them to get there, you're not going."

But for journalist Frida Waara and filmmaker John Major, both of Marquette, going to the South Pole is a trip intended to inspire.  The team will be shooting a feature length documentary, comparing and contrasting the harsh conditions of the South Pole to the harsh sociological and economic conditions in Detroit.

“You've got the worst real estate values, the worst unemployment, you've got...even if the kids make it to high school, less than 25 percent graduate from high school,” said Waara.  “That's the Condition One for the city."

They'll also be in contact with schools across the country, sharing their experience with students.

“If you're living at home, if you're living in a place, if you're surrounded by something that really doesn't feel good, you can still survive and even thrive,” Waara said.  “And that's what's happening at the South Pole."

Now they're in the process of packing for their six-week adventure that begins Sunday, November 14.  They'll bring filming equipment and a few extras to keep warm.  Most of their clothing items will be borrowed through the National Science Foundation.   

You can keep up with Frida and John by clicking here.