A Multitude of Drops - Environmental Sports Doc

Four women in the marine sciences, risk everything in a 3000 mile row across the Atlantic to make a stand for ocean conservation.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO SAVE AN ENTIRE BIOME?

Chronicling the incredible story of Salty Science , a multi-generational group of four female marine biologists, as they risk everything for the WORLDS TOUGHEST ROW ; an unassisted 3000 mile trek across the Atlantic Ocean to raise $500,000 for ocean conservation.

As a team of four, rowing in shifts of two and sleeping for only 2 hours at a time, they have to adapt to their lives on the open ocean. Collectively accumulating 1.5 million oar strokes while facing injury, infection, waves up to 20 feet high, and force-feeding themselves as they burn in excess of 5000 calories a day.

Follow Isabelle Côté (over 200 scientific publications), Chantale Bégin (Educator & National Geographic Explorer), Lauren Shea (Sailor & Diving Instructor), and Noelle Helder (Marine Ecologist) as they make the daring journey from the coast of Africa to the shores of the Caribbean and demonstrate why the Oceans are worth every effort possible.

This is a ‘Sports Doc’ which highlights the incredible feats of these courageous women, as well as an ‘Environmental Doc’ that illuminates the ways we can fight for the oceans and inspire future generations to work in Marine-based sciences. It’s NETFLIX’s “Seaspiracy” meets “The Alpinist”.

With members of the rowing team being from Fairbanks, Alaska, Tampa Bay, Florida, and Vancouver, Canada, it is a film that celebrates the spirit of adventure and exploration that is so deeply ingrained in the human condition.

Through its multifaceted approach and powerful message, “A Multitude of Drops” offers excitement for the action sport genre, as well as a hope for a sustainable future and a reminder that every drop counts in the fight to save our planet -- What would you do to save an entire biome?

EXPLORING INTERCONNECTEDNESS & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The title of the film underscores the idea that even small, individual actions can have a significant impact when combined with others. Through its exploration of themes like interconnectedness, personal growth, and the power of collective action, the film inspires viewers to embrace environmental responsibility and that the power we each hold through collaboration can create change.

The film also touches on the idea “as above, so below”. It explores this relationship by highlighting the complex parallel between humans and the oceans, and the impact of our actions on the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. The connection can be seen in Salty Science’s shared experiences, personal relationships, and teaching about the importance of our oceans.

CAPTURING AUTHENTICITY

The film will be shot in the Cinema Verite style, allowing the audience to experience the raw and unfiltered journey and share the events as they unfold. By avoiding any staging or scripting of scenes, the film will capture the genuine reactions of the crew as they navigate the challenges of their mission. Archival footage from 'Salty' during their crossing will be a crucial element of the film, providing a visceral look into the women's journey and the challenges they faced.

To further enhance the viewer's understanding of the complexities of the oceans talked about by experts, we will incorporate Animation to explain hard-to-reach areas. This animation style will help to illustrate the vital role that these ecosystems have and demonstrate the importance of preserving them.

BUDGET & LOGISTICS

As our documentary is broken into multiple segments to each leg of the journey, we are pushing to finance the TRAINING in Florida, RACE START/END - beginning in La Gomera and ending in Antigua, and additional RESEARCH segments covering the women's field of work in Alaska, Grenadines, and Vancouver Island.

This means we will take this time to track the team training while following Florida Resident, Chantale Bégin (founder of Shellback Non-Profit), and her individual involvement with the marine sciences a little more closely - this is so we can include her research and development, and any personal storylines that come up during the documentary.

Additionally, we are asking to meet our Race-Start budget, happening in La Gomera on December 12th, 2023 (weather dependent). This will allow us to document the days leading up to the row, capture the moments as they depart, and send Salty Science with the appropriate equipment to archive their Atlantic crossing.

To finish the rowing segment, we plan to witness the Race-Finish in Antigua occurring between January 22nd - February 5th, 2024. This will help complete the journey that the women face and capture the celebration of their crossing.

Lastly, as a vital aspect of the documentary is Ocean Conservation, our hopes are to follow the inner workings of each members lives in their respective fields of work. From charting coastlines in the Alaskan waters, to nearshore marine ecology work using scuba diving to collect data, we aim to shed light of the depths of marine science.

GoFundMe backers will contribute to expense including travel, accommodation, gear costs/rentals, contingency, and insurance.

We, as the documentary team, are setting aside a percentage of funding raised to go toward the necessary expenses for Salty Science to reach their goals. Any funds accumulated above our GoFundMe goal will be dedicated to completing later segments of the documentary during 2024, including Post-Production costs.

EXPANDING OUR NETWORKS

To build partnerships with organizations in the issue area, we have collaborated with marine conservation organizations such as ‘Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre’ (a world-class teaching and research facility located on the outer west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada), ‘Green Wave’ (training and supporting regenerative ocean farmers in the era of climate change), and ‘Shellback’ (to support marine research, conservation and education, with a special focus on the Eastern Caribbean). These partnerships will help to amplify the film's message and extend its impact beyond the screen.

FILMMAKERS

Director/Writer/Producer: James R. Cowley is a LEO-nominated actor (Patter, 2022) and Co-Founder of DAMCOVE Films who has a series of film, TV, and stage credits as a performer, creator, producer, and technician. His sci-fi script "Enigma" was a TV pilot SEMI-FINALIST in the Atlanta Film Festival's Screenplay competition and a QUARTER FINALIST in the Screen Crafts Sci-Fi/Fantasy Screenwriting competition. His comedy "Pests" was a QUARTERFINALIST in the Filmatics Comedy Screenplay Awards. In 2019, he wrote and directed the award-winning, OSCAR QUALIFYING short film "God of Insects."

Cinematographer: Katie Grabauskas has a passion for documentary film and telling stories that audiences might never hear otherwise. After graduating from the University of Windsor with a double major in Communication, Media & Film and Visual Arts, she attended Sheridan College for Advanced TV and Film specializing in Cinematography and Editing. Her experience shooting documentaries includes award winning documentary, "The 'S' Word", "A Long way to Kansas" and CBC's "Family Affair". She has been immersed in sports culture her whole life as an athlete herself and working for the Windsor Spitfires OHL Hockey Team as their Videographer. In addition, between documentaries Katie works as A-Camera Operator on feature films produced by Lionsgate, Buzzfeed, Vortex Media and other independent production companies. Finally, she has an extreme passion for environmentalism and hopes her work in documentaries will help in the journey towards halting climate change.

Associate Producer: Ethan Attrell is an Indigenous writer/producer of award winning films and founder of Birdstone Pictures, a Vancouver based Indigenous production company. Since joining the film and television industry in 2018 he has amassed credits on over 60 productions. He has produced a number of independent projects, with his first project being feature film “River Road” at the age of 20. “River Road” went on to receive 7 nominations and 3 wins at the 2021 Leo Awards along with several international awards.

PRODUCTION COMPANY

Crawford Filmworks Inc is renowned for crafting precise, impactful, and distinctive content. With a wealth of experience collaborating alongside leading streaming platforms and studios, our expertise shines in the realm of motion picture production and global marketing for the film and television sector. Our reputation is founded on pushing boundaries within the confines of timeframes and financial considerations. We cultivate an environment that fosters creativity, offering a secure and open space from concept inception to project execution, even when dealing with substantial crews and budgets. Our recent achievements include notable endeavours such as global marketing for Apple TV+s, SEE, CODA, and Swan Song, Warner Brothers, The Suicide Squad, and DUNE. Feature Documentary for Telus Originals, Canadian Adobo, and Treasure of the Rice Terraces produced in collaboration with Knowledge Network. This particular documentary spotlights the world's oldest Tattoo Artist, Apo Whang Od, a feature that graced Vogue's cover in April. At Crawford, our commitment lies in presenting a range of diverse narratives to a worldwide audience, all while advocating for a more sustainable industry landscape.

SALTY SCIENCE is: Chantale Bégin, Lauren Shea, Noelle Helder, and Isabelle Côté.

RISKS & CHALLENGES

There are a number of risks with a feat such as this. Yet, documenting the team as being apart of a larger event through "Worlds Toughest Row", the safety measures have been taken into account. There are numerous medical staff and access to appropriate needs leading up until the row, and should Salty Science need any aid at sea, a distress signal can safeguard them.

To prepare for any unexpected events during production, the crew has developed a contingency plan. This includes having backup equipment, such as cameras and drones, in case of technical difficulties, having extra crew members available in case someone becomes ill or injured, and ensuring that there are safety protocols in place for the crew and participants during the row.

Production Insurance will include general liability insurance general liability insurance which will cover any damages or injuries that may occur during filming, such as property damage, bodily injury, or personal injury.

Investing in this project means investing in these astonishing women and a team of passionate and dedicated professionals who are committed to telling this important story.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

We urge you to join us in this endeavor and help us create a better future for our oceans. Together, we can make a difference.