Recent advances in DNA sequencing have unlocked a treasure trove of secrets that have been hiding in plain sight, insect collections! With the new methods for using fragmented DNA, insects collected decades ago are now time capsules for a whole new field of research.
Beyond Human Vision
In the world of tiny insects, taking photos becomes impossible as the depth of field blurs most of the insect. How do scientist explore the microscopic corners of the world and what technological tricks make it possible?
All Life is Connected
Systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time.
Insecta
PROJECT
Insecta
A short documentary explores the beauty and wonder of entomology during a journey alongside leading insect scientists to explore the most painful stings and fascinating science of the unseen lives that surround you.
In a 2014 Science article, lead author Rodolfo Dirzo of Stanford, combined data from several studies and found a 45 percent decline for a wide range of studied populations in the last forty years.
We made this film to bring awareness to the scary reality that insects around the world are vanishing before our very eyes. Together with the University of Arizona, we are promoting science literacy and raising awareness about the importance of insects as pollinators, natural agents of pest control, disease carriers, and decomposers.
IMPACT
INSPIRED KIDS
Inspired 20,000 children to get curious about strange and beautiful insects.
NOTICED EXCELLENCE
Nominated for a regional emmy award.
BROAD REACH
Reached nation-wide audience in theaters and at home.
The decline is dramatic and depressing and it affects all kinds of insects, including butterflies, wild bees, and hoverflies.
Dr. Martin Sorg Yale Environment 360
FILMING HIGHLIGHTS
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FILM TEAM
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SUPPORT
AG Motion
Sci Art Center
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Beyond The Mirage
PROJECT
Beyond The Mirage
Full feature documentary about the future of water in the Western United States paired with an app that empowers audiences to make their own film.
Water shortage is gripping the West with a growing gap in our supply. So we dove into the murky waters of western water policy to examine what leaders are doing about it. We explored how other nations like China and Israel are solving water shortages with innovative solutions.
Key takeaway: the Western United States are bound together by water, and the states all have to work together to secure future supplies for all of them. It’s become apparent that for this region, solutions will only come if individual states give up long entrenched defensive positions and even give back some ground on long-held water rights.
Our solution was to educate the public so we can hold our leaders accountable and demand solutions that work for us and our communities. Goal is to make everyone a water expert through meaningful engagement of both watching this film and making a short film from segments, or clips, of the footage.
IMPACT
BROAD AWARENESS
Raised awareness of water issues to more than a million Americans.
POLICY REFORM
Shaped water policy conversations at the state level.
AWARDS
Rocky Mountain Emmy
$100,000 New Arizona Prize
Concordia Award
Environmental Education/Communication Award
Craig Miller, KQED
FILMING HIGHLIGHTS
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FILM TEAM
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SUPPORT
Netafim
Weintraub Israel Center
Wholesum Harvest
The University of Arizona
Arizona Public Media
Host a screening
If you’ve never hosted a film screening event before, don’t worry. All you need to do is follow a few simple steps and you’ll become even more popular!
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