Logging is a difficult topic; we live in a society built on wood and paper. But you can't help but be devastated to see ancient forests cut down. I want to make a film that takes you through remote, heavily logged areas of BC and compare it with old-growth forests. The message of the film is to stop the logging of old-growth forests.
My perspective on logging
Being someone who loves bikepacking, I benefit from logging. Most of the gravel roads I ride in BC and Washington exist because of logging.
I am however against the cutting of old-growth forests and clearcutting. So this leaves me in a bit of an awkward position. Occasionally I stray from logging roads and bushwack to climb mountains or connect two roads together. This is when you really see the effects of logging…
Bushwhacking through a forest that has been clear-cut and replanted is a nightmare. Thick vines and thorny bushes thrive in these deforested areas. The trees are planted as densely as possible, and the ecosystems are disrupted. I am bushwacking for fun, but animals have to live with these hard-to-travel-through forests.
Land Defenders perspective
Indigenous people are at the forefront of the battle to protect old-growth forests. They were the first humans to experience the land, so their input is vital to the film. While bikepacking, I pass through many first nations communities. I would like to hear their opinion on the impacts of clear-cutting on the ecosystem and their livelihoods.
I plan on doing lots of research before filming to find the best voices to talk to about this topic. I don’t plan on interviewing them while bikepacking.
Wildlife’s perspective
For this film, I would like to capture genuine animal behavior in old-growth forests and compare it to how challenging it is to survive in a dense re-planted forest. The subject that I would ideally like to capture is a black bear, but I will stay flexible with what animals I see in the forest.
I will film this segment separately from my bikepacking trip, but I hope to see wildlife while out there.
The message of the film
I want to drive home the idea that logging old-growth forests is no longer an acceptable practice. We can’t ban logging altogether but it can be managed in a more sustainable way. My call to action would be to use less paper and recycle/reuse wood products. That is one of the biggest things most of us can do to lessen our impact on forests.
The Bikerafting trip
I want to do a bikepacking trip that goes through remote areas of BC that are heavily logged. I designed a route that has never been done before and involves pack-rafting with my bike to get to hard-to-reach areas. It starts in the heart of Vancouver where you can see endless houses built by forests.
There are 3 segments of bushwhacking, and I am confident that it is passable. The first segment is in a remote area that connects 2 logging roads. This segment will be challenging as it has been heavily logged. The second segment is in a conservancy area, and I will have a long stretch of old-growth forest. The only challenges I anticipate there are blueberry bushes and bears. The third segment goes near Tantalus provincial park, and I will have to bushwack through some heavily logged areas that are right on the edge of a protected area.
At the end of the trip, I will pass by the Port Mellon pulp plant. This is where the logs are processed into paper or other wood products. After passing through all the logged areas, this will be a powerful way of wrapping up the trip.
Timeline
Bikepacking: June 10th - June 20th
Wildlife filming: May 1st - August 1st
Additional B-roll and interviews: May 1st - July 15th
Editing: June 26th - July 15th
Film finalized: ~ August 15th
Distribution
Whichever brand contributes the most funding will have the first pick of putting the film on their Youtube. I don’t plan on putting these films on my Youtube. I want to help build the supporting brand’s identity on Youtube.
I want to make this a piece that can go to film festivals such as MountainFilm, Banff, 5Point, Kendal Mtn, VIMFF, and European outdoor film tour. I have received 2 Staff Picks from Vimeo in the past, and I will try to get this film selected with my connection to Vimeo.
Deliverables for supporting brand(s)
Full 20-25 minute film
30 photos
2x 30s edits for highlighting gear used in the film
5x 15s short social clips (loops, beautiful scenes, etc.)
30s teaser
x3 15s teasers
