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The Melt – There and Back Again
A word from the creator of the film, Alex Rupp:
In the Spring of 2022, Brian and I spent a couple of weeks in the remote Olympic Mountain Range, located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. We had the opportunity to follow the annual migration of water that starts at Mt Olympus, flows down the Hoh River, and leads out to the Pacific Ocean. We were fortunate enough to work with the Chala’at Nation (Hoh Tribe) and other talented individuals. They helped bring our journey through their sacred land to fruition. This is our story.
Edited by Alex Rupp
Filmed and Produced by Alex Rupp and Brian Zigulich
Additional filming by Grady Haskell and Jake Little
Title Poster by Brodie Hall
Photography by Grady Haskell
This project would not have happened without hands helping us along the way First and foremost, the Chala’at Nation (Hoh Tribe) and all of its people. Brian Cole was instrumental in his involvement directly in the film, but also in the background helping coordinate and communicate with the tribe. He made us feel welcome on tribal lands and made sure he did everything he could do to help make this trip special and happen. Chief Howeeshata and the stories he provided made the whole journey on their land that much more impactful and meaningful.
John Hagan (The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission) and Kim Bray and Julie Ann Koehlinger (Hoh Tribe Natural Resources Department) approached us with the idea to help collect EDNA to help their research. To add that to the story of melting water was important to telling the story of natural organisms that call this place home.
Jake Little and Grady Haskell – how did we convince them to bring up their own 100 lb inflatable paddleboard bags and gear 10 miles up a trail? I have no idea, but they were stoked! And, they helped reignite the energy for the water portion. They too, were instrumental in making this happen, through filming, participation and good company.
Jere Burrell was due to join the Melt film project, but a nagging injury, made him pull out. Nonetheless, his support and help in the planning stages were massively helpful.
And too many more!