It takes more than good intentions to film a groundbreaking documentary, a trio of Heritage Woods secondary graduates have learned as they embark on the next round of fundraising for their film about B.C.'s receding glaciers.
After touring B.C. this summer shooting film for their climate change documentary, Melt, Kyler Dickey, Pierce Kinch and Ethan Volberg are back to do more research and raise funds before heading out on the next leg of their trip in January.
Volberg, who spoke with The Tri-City News to promote a Nov. 17 fundraising event for the film, said the 43-day summer road trip took the trio to remote parts of B.C. to view the startling reduction in the province's active glaciers and to speak to experts.
"You are struck by the beauty," Volberg said of visits to Glacier National Park and other notable glaciers.
But there was also evidence proving why the documentary needed to be made when a team of scientists showed how melting had exposed a set of poles that had been planted in the ice only two months prior.
"Even the scientists were shocked [by the change in the glacier], literally we don't have to make it up," he said, noting the road trip resulted in a clearer vision for the project.
Now, the team needs a funding boost to complete the next phase of the work.
"We knew we needed to get out and see the places before committing to our ideas," said Volberg, who said the fundraiser next Thursday evening at Heritage Woods secondary will be an opportunity for the filmmakers to show supporters what has been accomplished so far and what will be done next.
In addition to food by Pasta Polo, the event will feature a silent auction and a presentation of some of the footage completed to date.
Volberg said most of the funds raised so far — including $16,000 collected on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo — went to equipment. The new phase of funding will go towards expenses when the film makers head to the east Kootenays to document the economic downside of melting glaciers.
The trio will interview skiers and industry veterans who are affected by a reduced snowpack before moving on to how salmon are affected by reduced glaciers and low river flows.
Volberg says Melt will be different from many documentaries because it will focus on people's stories and experiences, in addition to information about the impact of climate change on B.C.'s glaciers.
"We're trying to get people who are connected to the land and their issues so [the audience] can see what scientists are saying means to us."
• Tickets for the Melt documentary fundraising dinner at Heritage Woods secondary school on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. are $30 for adults and $15 for those under 19 or with student ID, and can be purchased online.
