‘Felt Essence Of’ will be premiering at Salida Film Festival May 11th. An environmental dance art film part of a @movetoprotect Svalbard short film series. This film exhibits my exploration of embodying, conversing with, and learning from the essence of this remarkably special place through movement, while honing in on the theme of impermanence.
With the deepest ‘thank you’ to collaborator and fellow shipmate Hannah Larrabee, whose written words so potently and beautifully depict experience amongst the Arctic. An experience I have yet to find words for myself. @hannah.larrabee
Thank you Nathan Wheeler whose sound compositions always fuel and ground me. @noathoan
Thank you Alison Bagli for bringing the written words to sound. @alibagss
For breen, you disrupted my soul🤍
Created as part of an arts and science sailing expedition in Svalbard, Norway.
Part 3 of Follow the Flow, an environmental dance film dedicated to the Colorado River - Yuma Valley. Located at the Laguna Diversion Dam, the first dam built on the river in 1903. Affliction and a dry riverbed.
Director: @aelock12
Producer: @movetoprotect
DP: @itsasouki
Editor: @itsasouki
Drone Pilot, Gimbal Op: Ryan Brooks @flyinggiant
Music Composition Lead: @noathoan
Music Composer: @pauldehavenmusic
Sound Design, Mix, Master: @noathoan
Instrumentals: Emily Holden, @chazprymek , John Gunther, @pauldehavenmusic
Electronics: @noathoan
Dancer/Choreographer: @aelock12
Colorist: @jonniesirotek
Narrative script: @sammyc151
Voice Actor: Devon Kasper
Part 2/3 - Section two sneak peek of Follow the Flow. Welcome to the high desert in Utah, an incredibly magical and astounding place where the river exudes intensity, patience, grace, and everything in-between.
By utilizing movement to rawly respond to and converse with the environment, this film aims to illustrate a symbiotic and intimate relationship.
Director, Producer: @aelock12
DP: @itsasouki
Editor: @itsasouki
Drone Pilot, Gimbal Op: Ryan Brooks @flyinggiant
Music Composition Lead: @noathoan
Music Composer: @pauldehavenmusic
Sound Design, Mix, Master: @noathoan
Instrumentals: Emily Holden, @chazprymek , John Gunther, @pauldehavenmusic
Electronics: @noathoan
Colorist: @jonniesirotek
Dancer & Choreographer: @aelock12
Narrative script: @sammyc151
Voice Actor: Devon Kasper
Part 1/3 - A sneak peek into section one of my short film Follow the Flow, ode to the Colorado River and the water crisis. A project very near and dear to me. Move with me at the headwaters, where the journey begins.
By utilizing movement to rawly respond to and converse with the environment, this film aims to illustrate a symbiotic and intimate relationship.
Director, Producer: @aelock12
DP: @itsasouki
Editor: @itsasouki
Drone Pilot, Gimbal Op: Ryan Brooks @flyinggiant
Music Composition Lead: @noathoan
Music Composer: @pauldehavenmusic
Sound Design, Mix, Master: @noathoan
Instrumentals: Emily Holden, @chaz.prymek , John Gunther, @pauldehavenmusic
Electronics: @noathoan
Colorist: @jonniesirotek
Dancer & Choreographer: @aelock12
Narrative script: @sammyc151
Voice Actor: Devon Kasper
I’ve always felt propelled, and excited, to move with various places around the world. This adventure was something wildly special, and one I will be unwrapping, cherishing, and processing for a long long time.
Coming back from sailing off-grid around Svalbard for a few weeks, where I danced and filmed for my environmental dance short film series, focusing on the climate crisis. I’m still understanding just how extraordinary and knowledge filled the various landscapes and environments we experienced are.
What an amazing group of people it was onboard- forever inspiring artists and guides and an awesome adventure seeking crew.
For now- some photos from this (as captain Jonathan put it) ‘bonkers’ trip we had.
I am absolutely elated to say that Move To Protect’s first film, is complete! Introducing: Follow the Flow, an environmental dance film dedicated to the Colorado River.
Building this film was an adventure for the books. Grueling at times, intimidating as heck, yet continuously exciting, eye-opening, and more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. This certainly would not have been possible without the epic and awe-inspiring team of unique artists that came on board.
DP: @itsasouki
Editor: @itsasouki
Drone Pilot, Gimbal Op: Ryan Brooks @flyinggiant
Music Composition Lead: @sylvanite.humyn
Music Composition: @pauldehavenmusic
Sound Design, Mix, Master: @sylvanite.humyn
Instrumentals: Emily Holden, Chaz Prymek, John Gunther, @pauldehavenmusic
Electronics: @sylvanite.humyn
Narrative script: @sammyc151
Voice Actor: Devon Kasper
Colorist: @jonniesirotek
Director, Producer: @aelock12
To everyone that has supported Move To Protect this past year - Thank you for contributing to making this vision a reality. I’m excited and eager to share Follow the Flow with you all!
Thank you @patagoniaboulder for the support and ability to connect to the community, spread the word, and advocate for the river while in creation of this film!
It feels mighty important to me to continue learning more about this ever evolving water crisis, and bring awareness to the necessity of supporting and protecting the Colorado River.
STAY TUNED for more updates!
Well folks, I’m incredibly excited to say we have successfully completed all of our filming for the Colorado River film project!
Film locations included:
Yuma, AZ + Castle Valley, UT + Grand Lake, CO.
This would not have been possible without the exquisite DREAM TEAM of @itsasouki , @flyinggiant & @sylvanite.humyn .
The filming process was wildly special. We immersed ourselves in and around the river in the high alpine, forests, valleys and deserts.
Thank you Souki, Ryan and Nate for being so open and creative within this, for waking up at 4am, for backpacking gear into location, and for dedicating your time and energy during this filming process.
To all that have supported Move To Protect so far, I am beyond grateful. I can’t wait to continue sharing this journey with you.
Of course, thank you to the Colorado River.
NOW, WE EDIT!!! 😃
📷: Souki Mehdaoui, Nathan Wheeler
THANK YOU @patagoniaboulder for hosting MTP for a tabling! It was an awesome day hanging on Pearl St Mall with the community talking about dance, film and the COLORADO RIVER!
Stay tuned for more exciting updates to come!
😃
Swipe for stark contrast. 🐄
While driving along the Gila River, a tributary of the Colorado River, we were jarred to see such green lush fields after enjoying the dry vast beauty of the desert drive. These two areas were across the street from each other and clearly one does not belong, naturally. We learned that this field was alfalfa, for feeding the dairy cows. Water conservation methods for dairy farms and agriculture are crucial in these arid regions and need to be adopted quickly.
Meet SOUKI, the Director of Photography for the Colorado River film project. This woman is a wildly creative force herself. MTP is incredibly fortunate she is a part of this collaboration!
Souki Mehdaoui is a director, cinematographer and writer based in Denver, CO. Her work can be seen on Netflix, HBO, Showtime (soon), the New York Times, Yahoo, Refinery29, TED, Art21, the Sundance-premiering documentaries “The Great Hack” and “Mucho Mucho Amor,” and in collaboration with award-winning directors around the world. Raised in Morocco, France, and a smattering of states across America, her work comes from a third culture— a few steps to the left, lots of accents, and a pot of spices on the back burner. She sees every story as an entry-point into ourselves and a way to find hope in the dark.
SNOWMELT. The beginning.
The high alpine lakes are magical. Fed by the tiny beginning streams which continue to venture to the grand rivers that branch out and come together in a whole web-like system.
