We were lucky to catch up with Caroline Tetschner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Caroline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I came up with “Beer, Beards and Broads: Admiral Zumwalt’s Legacy” from my own time in the Navy. When I joined in the mid-80s, the old salts spoke about “Z-grams” and Admiral Elmo “Buzz” Zumwalt with almost mythic awe. The former CNO (Chief of Naval Operations) had served as the Navy’s top leader from 1970-1974. Although he’d already retired by the time I started, his impact—fighting for equal rights, pushing women onto ships, dragging the Navy into the modern era—was evident everywhere.

I never expected to make a film about that revolution until years after I served, when I truly understood both the human turbulence of the 1970s and the courage of the people who pushed the Navy forward. But in 2024, as civil rights progress started sliding backwards—the recent fall of Roe v. Wade, political attacks on DEI, threats to LGBTQ+ protections—I realized this story suddenly wasn’t history. It was a warning.

With the 2024 election and fresh assaults on military equality, the timing became almost eerie. To understand where we’re going, we have to remember where we came from —and how hard the military fought to change. We all love “Top Gun”, but the stories in “Beer, Beards and Broads” are soulful and real. Admiral Zumwalt, Seaman Pettus, Donna—these are the people who shaped the Navy for every sailor and “ansister” who followed. Their courage didn’t just make history; it made today’s Navy possible, while advancing human equality for all Americans. With the current Administration and attacks on civil and human rights progress, the timing and relevance of this story could not be more prescient.

Caroline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I fell into filmmaking almost by accident. Over a decade ago, my daughter—Abigail Fedorowicz—dove headfirst into acting and theater, eventually graduating with a Musical Theatre degree and signing on as a professional vocalist with the U.S. military (yes, I’m a very proud mom). Through her work, I befriended filmmakers and performers across the 757’s thriving creative scene and even dabbled in acting myself for a little “beer money.” As I watched friends bring their stories to life, it hit me: now that I’m semi-retired, why not finally tell the Navy/Zumwalt story that’s been tugging at me for years? I’m a history nerd, I believe great non-fiction beats fiction any day, and after 27 years in the Navy, this story is both personal and overdue. I may be as “unqualified” as anyone else who decides to make a film—but that’s exactly why I should.

How’d you meet your business partner?

As Executive Producer, I know a film lives or dies by its producer–director team—and I hit the jackpot with mine. I met these three powerhouses, Jen and Erin Pyle (producer team) and Porsha Brown (director) at a Christmas party a few years back, hosted by a mutual actress friend. It was instantly clear they were the kind of people you *want* leading a creative mission. Someone once told me, “If you’re hiring people smarter than you, you’re doing it right.” Absolutely true. Surrounding myself with sharp, capable subject-matter experts didn’t just elevate this project—it made the entire experience a joy. And big bonus — both Erin and Porsha are military veterans!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The real thrill of being a creative is watching your vision leap off the page and into reality. Sure, there’s plenty of unglamorous grunt work—endless drafts, logistics, budgets, and builds—but then 28 talented people assemble to act, shoot, edit, and breathe life into something that once lived only in your head. That moment is electric! And when the story is real, urgent, and woven into the fabric of American history, the rush is even greater.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beerbeardsandbroads.com
• Instagram: beerbeardsandbroads

Image Credits
credits to Kelvin Sealy, Jackson Begley (film stills), Ethan Marley (film poster) and U.S. Naval Institute (B & W photo)