ABOUT
The deeper you venture into a coast redwood forest, the more your imagination runs wild. The tallest and some of the oldest living beings on Earth, these trees are a gateway to experiencing an unparalleled sense of awe and connection.
Spending time among these silent giants can change the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Living links to the past, redwoods also hold superpowers that may play a key role in our future – including their ability to withstand fire and capture carbon, to offer clues about resilience and longevity, and to enhance our physical and emotional well-being. How do they do it? And more importantly, how can we ensure that redwoods will keep working their magic as they continue to be pushed to their limits?
Through the stories of those on the frontlines of efforts to understand and safeguard redwoods, GIANTS RISING reveals the mysterious inner-workings of these majestic trees – celebrating the wonders of America's most iconic forests and underscoring all that’s at stake.
Prized for the quality of their wood, some 95% of the primeval redwoods have been logged since the 1800s. The losses were dramatic, but so too have been the battles to protect these trees, then and now.
In this film we meet passionate people dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the redwoods and protecting their future. This includes a scientific detective uncovering the secrets of redwood resilience, members of the Yurok Tribe fighting to restore their cultural connections to these forests, a park manager summoning new life from ravaged timberlands, and a modern-day Ansel Adams who's attempting to display a life-size photograph of a 310 foot redwood— a portrait she hopes will rekindle our connection to these ambassadors from another time.
Through the stories of these redwood devotees and others, we also delve into questions about why we evolved to experience such intense awe in the presence of redwoods, and how spending time in these forests also offers social benefits— like making us more compassionate, generous, and willing to cooperate with each other for the greater good. The goal of GIANTS RISING is not only to celebrate the marvels of redwoods and all they do for us, but to recognize what we can do for them to ensure they continue rising up for generations to come.
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FEATURING
Artist at UC Santa Cruz who creates portraits of redwoods and other trees using art forms such as photography, drawing, and sculpture.
Social psychologist from UC Irvine who examines the impacts of experiencing awe, and the origins of human kindness and cooperation.
UC Berkeley biologist focused on the interface between plants and the environment, including impacts of climate change on redwoods.
As a geneticist at UC Davis, Zane studies redwood longevity and resilience through the lens of genomics.
Yurok Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer and the first Native woman to be on the Board of Parks California.
President of Pacific Forest Trust, Laurie pioneers new economic models for forest conservation.
Scientist at CalPoly Humboldt who studies redwood tree rings to determine tree age, growth patterns, and past climate and fire events.
Forest ecologists & botanists from CalPoly Humboldt, these pioneers of redwood research climb and study the world’s largest trees.
Director of the Yurok Tribal Fisheries Department, Barry is a biologist and fisherman, committed to making sure his children experience a restored ecosystem.
Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council, Margo uses the indigenous practice of controlled burns to help heal and fortify north coast forests.
Park Interpreter who spent 16 years teaching people about redwoods at Big Basin Redwoods State Park, and sharing her deep love for these woods.
Deputy Superintendent of Redwood National & State Parks, Leonel has been working for four decades to reconnect and restore fragmented redwood landscapes.
Former Director of Science at Save the Redwoods League, Emily was responsible for developing cutting edge restoration projects, including mapping the redwood genome.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Michael Franti is a globally recognized musician, activist and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Throughout his multi-decade career, Franti has earned three Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You)” and “I Got You,” as well as six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. Spearhead’s 12th studio album Follow Your Heart was released in June 2022 and debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Chart behind Harry Styles. Franti & Spearhead are gearing up to release their 13th studio album with Big Big Love set for November 3, featuring 17 songs, including the title track and lead single currently climbing the Triple A Chart.
michaelfranti.com
For more than two decades, Lisa has been creating award-winning content for television networks and museums such as National Geographic, the Smithsonian Channel, PBS/KQED, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Building Museum, California State Parks, and Mexico City’s Papalote Museo del Niño. Covering a wide range of subjects, she's most passionate about sharing stories that change the way we see the world -- and ourselves.
tangentproductions.com
Wielding their full range of expertise, our camera crew has filmed everything from dazzling drone footage over majestic forests to macro cinematography of scientists extracting DNA from tiny redwood seeds.
An exceptionally creative editor with a keen sense of pacing and visual impact, for over 25 years Damon has been editing for clients including Warner Bros., DC, CW, HBO, Discovery, TLC, National Geographic, and Smithsonian Channel. He prefers Takis and peanut M&Ms in the edit bay, collects old VWs and 80s arcade games, and has a thing for Labrador Retrievers.
crunchymagic.com
A media producer and writer who crafts stories that explore the human experience and the natural world, Jen has written and produced documentaries for networks like National Geographic Television, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. She also develops content marketing materials to help companies and nonprofits propel their mission. Her insightfulness, organizational strategies, and forward thinking have been essential to driving this project forward.
The award-winning animation duo known as Little Fluffy Clouds (Betsy de Fries and Jerry van de Beek) brought the full force of their talent, imagination and story-telling sensibility to Giants Rising. Specializing in high-end motion graphics and animation, their diverse client roster ranges from Airbus and Toyota, to the River Ecology Project. Their 2022 independent short film, Yellowstone 88 - Song of Fire, has played in over 150 festivals across the globe and continues to garner wide acclaim.
littlefluffyclouds.com
Susan used her incredible eye for elegance to help convey essential parts of the narrative, and pull together a graphic look across the entire film and all supporting media. Fluent Studios is a multimedia design and production studio specializing in mission-oriented storytelling for content and community-focused organizations.
fluentstudios.com
Lindsay is an impact strategist who brings nearly 20 years of experience building impact strategies and campaigns for films, nonprofits, foundations and philanthropists that drive meaningful and measurable change. Her previous film projects include: An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for "Superman", ALL IN: The Fight for Democracy, He Named Me Malala, Extrapolations, Fauci, Inside My Heart, TEACH, A Place At The Table, Last Call at the Oasis, Misconception, Ivory Tower, Promised Land, Lincoln, Middle of Nowhere, and UNZIPPED: An Autopsy of American Inequality.
Alex provided essential support for every aspect of our post production process, from start to finish. He’s worked in the entertainment business for almost 20 years, gaining insights and experience that enables him to tackle anything that arises. He is continually grateful to collaborate with team members whose passions bring out the best in people. All he needs is coffee and a tub of chocolate biscuits to keep him going.
Cody has scored nearly 50 features and over a hundred hours of television, including many nature-focused documentaries. From soaring IMAX symphonies to his iconic Tour de France theme song (NBC), Cody’s passion and emotional sensibility come through in every composition.
When you enter a redwood forest, there is a soft but heavy silence that envelopes you. Like after a fresh snowfall. Subtle movements sound surreal, amplified in a way that lets you know you have wandered into another realm. Through the wizardry of Skywalker Sound designers and editors Kent Sparling (Minari, Pete's Dragon, An Inconvenient Sequel) and Bjørn Schroeder (Top Gun: Maverick, The Witches, Harry Potter) the redwood forests' unique sound is brought to life -- from the crackle of redwood duff below slowly moving feet, to the melodic call of distant owls, to the burst of flames ripping through the forest canopy.
Kent Sparling, Bjørn Schroeder, skysound.com
Michael Franti is a globally recognized musician, activist and award-winning filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, worldwide philanthropic efforts and the power of optimism. Throughout his multi-decade career, Franti has earned three Billboard No. 1’s with triumphantly hopeful hits “Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You)” and “I Got You,” as well as six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA Singles and three Billboard Top 5 Rock Albums. Spearhead’s 12th studio album Follow Your Heart was released in June 2022 and debuted at No. 2 on the iTunes Pop Chart behind Harry Styles. Franti & Spearhead are gearing up to release their 13th studio album with Big Big Love set for November 3, featuring 17 songs, including the title track and lead single currently climbing the Triple A Chart.
michaelfranti.com
For more than two decades, Lisa has been creating award-winning content for television networks and museums such as National Geographic, the Smithsonian Channel, PBS/KQED, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Building Museum, California State Parks, and Mexico City’s Papalote Museo del Niño. Covering a wide range of subjects, she's most passionate about sharing stories that change the way we see the world -- and ourselves.
tangentproductions.com
Wielding their full range of expertise, our camera crew has filmed everything from dazzling drone footage over majestic forests to macro cinematography of scientists extracting DNA from tiny redwood seeds.
An exceptionally creative editor with a keen sense of pacing and visual impact, for over 25 years Damon has been editing for clients including Warner Bros., DC, CW, HBO, Discovery, TLC, National Geographic, and Smithsonian Channel. He prefers Takis and peanut M&Ms in the edit bay, collects old VWs and 80s arcade games, and has a thing for Labrador Retrievers.
crunchymagic.com
A media producer and writer who crafts stories that explore the human experience and the natural world, Jen has written and produced documentaries for networks like National Geographic Television, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. She also develops content marketing materials to help companies and nonprofits propel their mission. Her insightfulness, organizational strategies, and forward thinking have been essential to driving this project forward.
The award-winning animation duo known as Little Fluffy Clouds (Betsy de Fries and Jerry van de Beek) brought the full force of their talent, imagination and story-telling sensibility to Giants Rising. Specializing in high-end motion graphics and animation, their diverse client roster ranges from Airbus and Toyota, to the River Ecology Project. Their 2022 independent short film, Yellowstone 88 - Song of Fire, has played in over 150 festivals across the globe and continues to garner wide acclaim.
littlefluffyclouds.com
Susan used her incredible eye for elegance to help convey essential parts of the narrative, and pull together a graphic look across the entire film and all supporting media. Fluent Studios is a multimedia design and production studio specializing in mission-oriented storytelling for content and community-focused organizations.
fluentstudios.com
Lindsay is an impact strategist who brings nearly 20 years of experience building impact strategies and campaigns for films, nonprofits, foundations and philanthropists that drive meaningful and measurable change. Her previous film projects include: An Inconvenient Truth, Waiting for "Superman", ALL IN: The Fight for Democracy, He Named Me Malala, Extrapolations, Fauci, Inside My Heart, TEACH, A Place At The Table, Last Call at the Oasis, Misconception, Ivory Tower, Promised Land, Lincoln, Middle of Nowhere, and UNZIPPED: An Autopsy of American Inequality.
Alex provided essential support for every aspect of our post production process, from start to finish. He’s worked in the entertainment business for almost 20 years, gaining insights and experience that enables him to tackle anything that arises. He is continually grateful to collaborate with team members whose passions bring out the best in people. All he needs is coffee and a tub of chocolate biscuits to keep him going.
Cody has scored nearly 50 features and over a hundred hours of television, including many nature-focused documentaries. From soaring IMAX symphonies to his iconic Tour de France theme song (NBC), Cody’s passion and emotional sensibility come through in every composition.
When you enter a redwood forest, there is a soft but heavy silence that envelopes you. Like after a fresh snowfall. Subtle movements sound surreal, amplified in a way that lets you know you have wandered into another realm. Through the wizardry of Skywalker Sound designers and editors Kent Sparling (Minari, Pete's Dragon, An Inconvenient Sequel) and Bjørn Schroeder (Top Gun: Maverick, The Witches, Harry Potter) the redwood forests' unique sound is brought to life -- from the crackle of redwood duff below slowly moving feet, to the melodic call of distant owls, to the burst of flames ripping through the forest canopy.
Kent Sparling, Bjørn Schroeder, skysound.com