We are thrilled to announce that Season 1 of "The Whiskey Film" is just the beginning of a grand adventure into the captivating world of whiskey. This inaugural season serves as an extended play (EP) for the greater project, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the art, science, and passion behind this beloved spirit.
Read MoreTHE ROOTS OF THE WHISKEY FILM
Exploring the Agricultural Heartbeat of American Whiskey.
In the vast tapestry of American culture, few symbols resonate as deeply as whiskey. It's not merely a beverage but a narrative woven with the threads of history, tradition, and, perhaps most significantly, agriculture. As we prepare to unveil our upcoming documentary series, we delve into the intricate relationship between agriculture and the art of making American whiskey.
At its core, whiskey is an alchemical blend of grain, water, and time. But what sets American whiskey apart is the meticulous attention paid to each ingredient's origin and quality. The Whiskey Film Season 1 sheds light on the farmers who toil the soil, nurturing the grains that form the backbone of this cherished spirit. From the amber waves of grain in the heartland to the rugged terrains of the Appalachians, we traverse the diverse landscapes where the story of American whiskey begins.
Corn, rye, barley, and wheat—the building blocks of whiskey—bear the fingerprints of their terroir, reflecting the nuances of soil, climate, and cultivation practices. Through intimate portraits of farmers and distillers, we uncover the age-old wisdom passed down through generations, blending tradition with innovation to produce grains of unparalleled character.
But agriculture's influence extends beyond the fields to the very process of whiskey-making itself. Distilleries are not mere factories but extensions of the land, where farmers and artisans converge to transform raw ingredients into liquid gold. From the slow fermentation of mash to the patient aging in charred oak barrels, every step bears the imprint of agricultural heritage.
Moreover, our series confronts the challenges facing modern agriculture and its implications for the future of American whiskey. Climate change, sustainability, and conservation loom large on the horizon, prompting distillers to reevaluate their practices and forge a more symbiotic relationship with the land. Ideas that will explored more in future seasons.
Yet, amidst these challenges, there is hope. Their stories inspire not only a deeper appreciation for the craft but also a renewed commitment to stewardship and resilience.
As we raise a glass to toast the release of The Whiskey Film, and the characters featured in this first season. We invite viewers to embark on a journey with us. Join us as we celebrate the enduring bond between agriculture and American whiskey—a bond as timeless as the spirit itself. Cheers to the land, the grain, and the legacy they imbue in every drop.
The Whiskey Film Season One
Now Live on YouTube and Amazon Prime
ON STRANGE SOIL IS NOW MIDNIGHT MONUMENT // APRIL 2023 UPDATE
For the last 5 years, we’ve been working on this film under the working title “On Strange Soil”. Now that the project is set to be released later in the summer of 2023, the film will be titled, “Midnight Monument”
Midnight Monument refers to the conservative-rooted nickname provided to both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, that each national monument was dubiously declared at “midnight” with little to no prior knowledge provided to Utah’s elected leadership. Utah’s state leadership maintains this narrative to this day, that both national monuments came as a surprise, and the governors’ at the time, both “read about it in the newspaper” in regard to their respective presidential national monument proclamations. With the title of Midnight Monument, the film aims to tell the inside, never before the told story, about how each national monument was established. And why they were almost erased from the map entirely, as though they never existed at all. Learn more about Midnight Monument nickname here - LINK
It is standard practice for most films while in development and production to go under a “working title”. As the story evolves through production and post-production, along with conversations with marketing and distribution partners, the title often changes to become more authentic to the story in the final film.
We are truly proud to announce the official title of Midnight Monument. We also collaborated with Mtn Creative Studio to create the brand identity and original poster artwork that will be released closer to the film’s completion.
While Midnight Monument is currently in the final production stage of coloring, graphics, and mastering, we are aiming and preparing for a mid-summer 2023 digital streaming release of the film.
On Strange Soil // Film Production Update - April 11th, 2022
The edit moves forward. The footage from Utah 13 is about to be completed in the pre-edit phase. The next step is going to bring the footage into the rough cut phase, to edit the visual storyline together, that brings the character of this remote and sacred land to life.
Read MoreOn Strange Soil // Utah Shoot 13 - March 28th, 2022
The Traverse Cinema Studio crew returns from 5-day off-grid shoot in remote southern Utah to complete On Strange Soil, a public lands documentary film.
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