WORLD PREMIERE of “All Too Clear”
All Too Clear to world premiere on August 10 in Parry Sound, Ontario
Documentary uses underwater robots to explore life beneath the surface of the Great Lakes
First-of-its-kind documentary All Too Clear: Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes will mark its world premiere at the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound on August 10, 2024. The screening will be presented by Georgian Bay Forever and co-hosted by Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB). Tickets are now available for purchase for the 7:00PM screening at https://stockeycentre.com/event/all-too-clear/
Directed by the husband-and-wife filmmaking team, Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert, the immersive film uses cutting-edge underwater drones to explore how quadrillions of tiny invasive mussels, known as quaggas, are re-engineering the ecosystem of the Great Lakes at a scale not seen since the glaciers. To capture this epic change, the pair spent more than 150 days filming underwater, making it the most ambitious underwater film ever made about the Great Lakes. Part scientific exploration, part natural history adventure – the film showcases freshwater wildlife and environments like never before.
Attendees will be treated to a 90-minute theatrical version of the production. Following the screening, attendees will participate in a Q&A with the filmmakers, several of the scientists featured in the film, David Sweetnam, Executive Director of Georgian Bay Forever, and Katrina Krievins, Aquatic Conservation Programs Manager of the Georgian Bay Biosphere and editor of the 2023 State of the Bay ecosystem health magazine.
With 150 underwater filming days, the huge archive of wildlife footage captured by the filmmakers has had the added benefit of providing scientists with new insights into the spawning, feeding, and schooling behaviours of fish in the Great Lakes, including the first known recording of lake whitefish spawning in the wild.
“All Too Clear is providing an unprecedented peek into the Great Lakes and revealing important and never-before-seen information on the behaviour of fish in their highly dynamic and rapidly changing environments,” says Dr. Andrew Muir, science director at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. “The incredible footage captured by Melnick and Drebert will help scientists communicate the issues associated with the reengineering of our aquatic ecosystems that has unfolded over the past several decades as a result of invasive mussels,” continued Muir.
But it’s not just fish on the team’s radar. In June 2023, Melnick and Drebert discovered the wreck of the steamer Africa, lost to the depths in 1895, and now encrusted in quagga mussels. The discovery received coverage from international media. “Finding the Africa really helped further our main goal as filmmakers – to bring freshwater species and ecosystems into the spotlight usually reserved for ocean environments,” says Drebert. “If we want people to care about the future of the lakes, we need to show them what’s down there. That’s why we’re so excited to share All Too Clear in Parry Sound.”
The theatrical version of All Too Clear is just the tip of the iceberg. Starting in October, the full All Too Clear story will be available across Canada for free in a three-part series broadcast on TVO. The full series will be available starting Saturday, October 26, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on TVO.org, TVO Docs YouTube channel, Smart TV apps and broadcast channel. Additionally, starting this summer, as part of admission, all visitors to Science North in Sudbury will be able to see a special cinematic 20-minute version of All Too Clear that is now part of their permanent exhibits.
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Watch the All Too Clear Trailer here.
Find press materials here.
Download the press release here.
About the Filmmakers:
Filmmakers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick are the founders of Inspired Planet Productions. From their home on the beautiful Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, the husband-and-wife team have created more than 40 hours of nature and history documentary spanning two decades, including the 2021 Canadian Screen Award nominated series, Striking Balance about Canada’s 19 UNESCO Biosphere regions. Driven by a profound concern for the global decline of freshwater ecosystems, Drebert and Melnick have embarked on a dedicated mission into the underwater world. Using cutting-edge ROVs (remotely operated underwater vehicles), they immerse themselves in rarely seen aquatic environments, capturing extraordinary wildlife behaviours, and even discovering the occasional shipwreck. Their mission is threefold: to inspire the public, deepen scientific understanding, and enlighten decision-makers about the freshwater ecosystems we all depend on.
About GBF:
Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) is an environmental charity and the sole water-focused organisation in the Georgian Bay area, with a mission to protect, enhance, and restore the aquatic ecosystem. Since 1995, GBF’s mandate has been to develop and expand upon scientific study, public education, and progressive action by funding accredited research for public awareness, and involving the communities we serve in practical, solutions-based programming. www.gbf.org
About GBB:
The Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB) was designated in 2004 by UNESCO as a region of global ecological significance that makes an ongoing commitment to strive for biodiversity conservation and education within a sustainable region. Along eastern Georgian Bay and inland, from the French River to the Severn River, people are inspired to work together to care for people and place. The GBB is a non-profit charity that coordinates dozens of partnership projects on species at risk, and habitat stewardship, ‘State of the Bay’ ecosystem health reporting, regional energy management and climate action, and promotion of Indigenous cultures and youth-led initiatives. The Georgian Bay Biosphere is situated within Anishinaabek territory, and respects the First Nations and Indigenous people that continue to care for land, air, and water of Mnidoo-gamii, Spirit of the Great Lake. Learn more at georgianbaybiosphere.com
ABOUT TVO MEDIA EDUCATION GROUP:
TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organisation that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through video, audio, games, courses, newsletters and articles, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. Funded primarily by the Province of Ontario, TVO is a registered charity supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. Visit TVO.me for more information. Stream TVO on your favourite device.
Socials:
Media Contacts:
Ally LaMere-Shedden
Route 504 PR
ally@route504pr.com
Yvonne & Zach talk Underwater Drones
Our friends at Boxfish Research in New Zealand have made a video about how we are using their new underwater cinematography drone, the Luna, on our upcoming documentary about the Great Lakes, All Too Clear. If you are interested in
Launch of “All Too Clear” Doc
Inspired Planet is proud to announce production of its most ambitious documentary yet - an epic journey beneath the surface of the Great Lakes. Read the Press Release!