Wild Confluence Media

Looking back on 2025, it was an honor to be selected for the @vimeo “Best of the Year” awards in the branded category. From the @vimeostaffpicks curation team: We selected “Arctic Alchemy” for best “Branded Video of the Year” because it’s an epically affecting documentary. It interweaves the story of a man saving his family and saving the planet with emotive storytelling. Its cinematography, intimate archival photos, and killer soundtrack leave a mark” - Vimeo’s Staff Picks team Co-Directors - @ColinArisman & @ZeppelinZeerip A film by - @FieldWorkCreative & @WildConfluence Presented by - @LATimesShortDocs Executive Producer - @krakauernotwriting Supported by - @Kahtoola @AlpackaRaft & SierraClub Editor - @ChrisCresci Principal Cinematography - @ColinArisman & @ZeppelinZeerip Aerial Cinematography - @zatzworks Archival photography- Roman Dial & Bill Hatcher Additional camera - Ryan Peterson Expedition photographer & field support - @JaymeDittmar Story advising - @elsa_sea_bass Colorist -@pintocolor Sound design - @keithwhiteaudio Animation - @barrythompsonartist Graphic Design - @lawrencebroadband LA Times Producer @karenfoshay LA Times team Executive Producers - Terry Tang, Anna Magzanyan, Jason Spingarn-Koff Senior Producer - Karen Foshay Director of Post Production - Patrick Steward Series Producer - Michael Ray

“Arctic Alchemy” by @colin_arisman and @zeppelinzeerip tells the intimate story of Roman Dial, a father and climate scientist who has spent a lifetime finding meaning in the wild ⛰️. The film follows two intertwined stories: Roman’s search for his son who disappeared in the Costa Rican wilderness, and his long-running investigation into a mysterious poisoning of Arctic watersheds. We saw “Arctic Alchemy” at @mountainfilm ‘25, where it was unsurprisingly a big hit with audiences. Watch this #vimeostaffpick now at the link in bio.

@arcticalchemyfilm is now eligible for the Academy Awards in the Short Documentary Film category. It is now in consideration and available for voters to watch in the Academy Screening Room. Renowned adventurer and climate scientist, Roman Dial embarks on a research expedition in the Alaskan Arctic where he reckons with the power of wilderness to both break us and bring us alive. Co-Directors - @Colin_Arisman & @ZeppelinZeerip A film by - @FieldWorkCreative & @WildConfluence Presented by - @LATimesShortDocs Executive Producer - @krakauernotwriting Supported by - @Kahtoola @AlpackaRaft & SierraClub Editor - @ChrisCresci Principal Cinematography - @ColinArisman & @ZeppelinZeerip Aerial Cinematography - @zatzworks Archival photography- Roman Dial & Bill Hatcher Additional camera - Ryan Peterson Expedition photographer & field support - @JaymeDittmar Story advising - @elsa_sea_bass Colorist -@pintocolor Sound design - @keithwhiteaudio Animation - barrythompsonartist Graphic Design - @lawrencebroadband LA Times Producer @karenfoshay

“I like having the barrier to access not being who you know but how hard you’re willing to work.” - Woody Cyr @cyrwoody lives on a float house in Sitka. Out his front door you can see the rugged peaks, old growth forest and open ocean of the Gulf of Alaska. Here, the best places aren’t reached by road — they’re reached by boat or float plane. Miles of coastline, shifting weather, long hikes after landfall. The Tongass doesn’t give much away. But for those with the grit to go deep, it’s their own Valhalla. Watch our latest @sitkagear Beyond the Layers film, “A Town Called Sitka,” at the link in our bio. A huge thanks to the whole team: Featuring @cyrwoody & @sitkabenji Directed & filmed by @colin_arisman Edit & color @theo__muse Brand EP @morgan_debrincat @engelltrampe Production company @wildconfluence Still photographer @bentommat

Watch our latest Beyond the Layers film for @sitkagear at the link in our bio. Sitka local Woody Cyr put down his roots where the mountains fall into the Pacific. This landscape lets him live a life that’s anchored to wild food. When the seasons shift, so does he—blacktails in the dark timber, salmon in the rivers, halibut in the ocean. His pursuit never ends. A huge thanks to the whole team: Featuring @cyrwoody & @sitkabenji Directed & filmed by @colin_arisman Edit & color @theo__muse Brand EP @morgan_debrincat @engelltrampe Production company @wildconfluence Still photographer @bentommat

Last spring @sitkagear reached out to us about creating a film for the launch of their new wader and sport fishing line. The result is the short “A Town Called Sitka”. Video and stills from the a 10 day Steelhead expedition with Sitka local @cyrwoody are a core part of Sitka’s launch for their new product line. It was an exciting opportunity to celebrate everything we love about the Tongass and connect Sitka’s brand for the first time to their namesake town in Southeast Alaska. A huge thanks to the whole team: Featuring @cyrwoody & @sitkabenji Directed & filmed by @colin_arisman Edit & color @theo__muse Brand EP @morgan_debrincat @engelltrampe Production company @wildconfluence Still photographer @bentommat

Episode 3 of the “Hard Way” Series for @sitkagear follows traditional bow hunter Paul Forward on a 30 day sheep hunt in the Chugach Mountains “There is tremendous value in today’s world in doing things the hard way.” @paulforward takes on that challenge every time he steps into the wild. With stick-bow in hand, targeting game with thousands of years of advantage over him in this environment, he never questions ‘if’, only ‘how.’ Directed by @colin_arisman Client @sitkagear Production @wildconfluence Cinematography @colin_arisman , @sturgegram , @stevendrakephoto and @firstcast Edit @chriscresci Post audio @ridgelinesound Color @pinto_color Sitka producer @haydenghyde Thanks @chugachpowderguides @hyperlite_mountain_gear @swarovskioptik_hunting @renfroski @dandanstarr @erinleighak @gavin_duecker @elliotgaddy #dallsheep #sheephunting #sitkagear #archeryhunting #tradbow

@sitkagear Episode 2, “For The Love of Sheep” - Paul and biologist Roman Dial contemplate the necessity of imperfect advocacy; discussing how hunters can have a critical role as conservationists. “I feel obligated to do something, however small or insignificant, to follow in the legacy of hunters who work to protect things we hold dear. For me, so far, that has been joining the board of directors of several conservation organizations, attending meetings, getting to know local biologists and spreading awareness through podcasts and articles. It’s not much but I’m learning to find my voice and I’ll keep doing the best I can. I know that my advocacy is imperfect but I also know that imperfect advocacy is the only kind I have and that if we all can accept that and make our voices heard, we might make a difference.” - @paulforward Directed by @colin_arisman Client @sitkagear Production @wildconfluence Cinematography @colin_arisman , @sturgegram , @stevendrakephoto and @firstcast Edit @chriscresci Post audio @ridgelinesound Color @pinto_color Sitka producer @haydenghyde Thanks @chugachpowderguides @hyperlite_mountain_gear @swarovskioptik_hunting @renfroski @dandanstarr @erinleighak @gavin_duecker @elliotgaddy #dallsheep #sheephunting #sitkagear #archeryhunting #tradbow

Our new 3 episode film series for @sitkagear “The Hard Way”, follows Alaskan and traditional bow hunter Paul Forward. Episode 1 “No Offseason - For physician, husband, and father @paulforward , time spent in the mountains is routine. Whether he is guiding backcountry skiers, heading out with kayak in tow to find whitewater, or simply going on a run, Paul is always in the mountains. “There is a lot of emphasis in our society on doing things quickly and efficiently—even to do things the easiest way possible. But, I think there is a lot of value in doing things that are hard. I think traditional archery encapsulates that. It’s the most primordial connection you can have with an animal.” Directed by myself Client @sitkagear Production @wildconfluence Cinematography myself, @sturgegram , @stevendrakephoto and @firstcast Edit @chriscresci Post audio @ridgelinesound Color @pinto_color Sitka producer @haydenghyde Thanks @chugachpowderguides @hyperlite_mountain_gear @swarovskioptik_hunting @renfroski @dandanstarr @erinleighak @gavin_duecker @elliotgaddy #dallsheep #sheephunting #sitkagear #archeryhunting #tradbow

Reflections on creating Range Rider from director @colin_arisman : “Looking in the rear view mirror on Range Rider… I want to share something about what it means to pursue a passion project but I’m struggling to fit all those years of hope, doubt and work into a neat package. I know it took a lot of generosity from friends like @elsa_sea_bass @oliversutro and @natalie_rhea to help me believe in the project and endure some frigid days and flee-bag motels. I know it took a lot of trust from @thedanimalmanimal for him to let me help tell his story. I know it took months on the edit for Elsa and I to get to the point where we were satisfied with every word, transition and micro second. I know it took a lot of faith from @annie.nyborg and @peakdesign to believe in this story from the start and help fund our time in the field and work in post with @kepa.music , @pinto_color and @ridgelinesound . I know it took a lot of luck for Malinda Chouinard to be in the audience at our premier at Santa Barbara Film Festival and for her championing the film and getting @patagonia to pick it up for distribution. It’s been almost 10 years of making the exact films I want to make. They’re weird, unique and niche. I know I’ve gotten better at what I do and that in equal measure that’s thanks to the folks I’ve gotten to collaborate with. If you know what you want to create, go for it. At first you’ll believe in the potential of your vision and by the middle of the process you’ll be convinced that you’ve wasted the last of your life force. By the end, hopefully you will again believe that maybe, just maybe the world will see what you do in the story. It’s a process that’s repeated itself again and again.” Photos by @natalie_rhea and @colin_arisman

Watch Range Rider at the link in our bio! Range Rider is a 29 minute short doc from Wild Confluence Media. As wolves repopulate Washington State, can a range rider keep the peace between predators, cattle and ranchers? director | @colin_arisman presenting sponsors | @patagonia @peakdesign production company |@wildconfluence cinematographers | @colin_arisman & @oliversutro editors | @elsa_sea_bass & @colin_arisman additional editing | @oliversutro & @moretti.media music composer | @kepa.music post audio production | @ridgelinesound colorist | @pinto_color story advising | @elsa_sea_bass & @natalie_rhea #film #documentaryfilm #documentary #sbiff #wolves #wolf #rangerider #conservation #wildlife #publicland

RANGE RIDER is launching online today with @patagonia and @peakdesign Range Rider is a 29 minute short doc from Wild Confluence, produced over the last 3 years. // As wolves repopulate Washington State, can a range rider keep the peace between predators, cattle and ranchers? director | @colin_arisman presenting sponsors | @patagonia @peakdesign production company |@wildconfluence cinematographers | @colin_arisman & @oliversutro editors | @elsa_sea_bass & @colin_arisman additional editing | @oliversutro & @moretti.media music composer | @kepa.music post audio production | @ridgelinesound colorist | @pinto_color story advising | @elsa_sea_bass & @natalie_rhea #film #documentaryfilm #documentary #sbiff #wolves #wolf #rangerider #conservation #wildlife #publicland