Writer / Director
Client: The Nature Conservancy
Logline: A multi-season documentary utilizing parasocial framing to demystify complex fire ecology through the lived experience of a master burn boss.
Production Strategy & Logic
To show a year's worth of habitat management in a single, cohesive narrative. The story focus was the relationship between the landscape and the people who manage it.
Humanizing Complex Science: Rather than producing a scientific overview of fire ecology, the narrative is anchored to burn master Bobby Clontz who acts as the story teller. This approach leverages Parasocial Interaction (Horton & Wohl, 1956). By centering the film on an authentic personality, the audience develops a sense of familiarity and trust with the subject, making the complex and potentially intimidating concept of prescribed burns accessible and relatable.
Low-Impact Production: Filming in an habitat restoration area takes working with partners to ensure safety and wellbeing for crew and residents. The field interview with Bobby required bringing lighting and power on-location while keep a minimal footprint.
Impact & ROI
The final film successfully brought visibility to an often unseen, misunderstood conservation process, transforming land management into an engaging, educational narrative.
Demystifying Prescribed Fire: By pairing scientific necessity with Bobby's lived experience, the film educates the public on the critical role of fire in habitat maintenance, building community appreciation and support for a high-stakes conservation tool.
Multiple Stakeholders: Developed in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the asset provided valuable public-facing visibility for a multi-agency effort involving the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and US Fish and Wildlife& Wildlife.
Evergreen Educational Asset: By capturing a comprehensive, multi-season look at the preserve's lifecycle, the film serves as a long-term educational and fundraising asset that remains relevant for many years.
