Film One.
Whooping Crane
The whooping crane is the subject of this first film in the Mates for Life series. These birds, one of the largest in North America and one of 15 species of crane in the world, are a rare thing of beauty. They are considered endangered with a population of a little over 800. While this number is small, they have come a long way. In the 1940’s the population was around 20 birds total. With the help of some major conservation efforts in habitat conservation, captive breeding and reintroduction, the population is currently increasing by around 3% annually which means more of this beautiful species in the wild.
Art Inspired
By Nature
As humans, nature has inspired our arts and culture, since the beginning of time. Humans often attribute human behavior to cranes, after all they mate for life, stand nearly the same height as us and of course, they DANCE. Their courting rituals and other movements helped inspire choreography by Xavier Núñez. These two dancers (Olivia Duryea, Dylan Gutierrez), set in midwest tallgrass prairie aim to portray the beauty of the whooping crane in their natural habitat and inspire new audiences to observe the habitat of the whooping crane with the same urgency as a conservationist.
Film Release
The film, Mates for Life | Whooping Crane will release online on Whooping Crane day 2025. With a Chicago Screening to follow in June. More details to come on social and through our newsletter. Until then, check out the trailer and behind the scenes doc below!
Official Trailer
Behind the Scenes
A behind the scenes look at the process from early concepts and choreography to the planning and production to the final project with voices from key contributors to this one-of-a-kind project.
Storylinking Podcast
Director Tim Whalen chats with Tom Lietz of the Storylinking Podcast about how collaborating across boundries can access reach to new audiences. Listen on where ever you get your podcasts or here on the Storylinking website
Creative Team
Production Crew
Big Foot Media | Production Co. | @big_foot_media
Tim Whalen | Director | @timjwhalen
Michael Kettenbeil | DP | @ketsydop
John Shaw | AD/Producer | @juanjohn
Emily Cameron | AC | emily3jean
Ted Holmwood | Gaffer | @anti_data
Dom Todero | Key Grip | @domtordero
Chris Zuker | B-Cam Op | @zukenukem
Rob Sumbler | PA+Stage+Asst.| @hi_death
Ryan Frederick | BTS Photos + Grip Asst. | @hike.fly.film.repeat
Peyton Johnson | F27 Crane Operator | @peytonbjohnson
Michael Monar | Ronin 2 Tech | @mmonar
Jason Whalen | BTS Photos | @jwhalenphoto
Jayce Konopka | Production Assistant
Post-Production
Nicolas Rojas | Editor/VFX | @lucificador
Devin Delaney | Original Score | @devindelaney
Adam Carl | Sound Design/Mix | @adamlorencarl
Matthew Phillips | Colorist @matt.phillips.color
Artistic Crew
Xavi Núñez | Choreographer | @xavinunezv
Olivia Duryea | Dancer | @oliviaduryea
Dylan Mendoza-Gutierrez | Dancer | @dylangutierrez
Jerica Hucke | Costumes | @jjcostumes
Jeraldine Mendoza-Gutierrez | Hair+Makeup | @jeraldm
Special Thanks
Panavision | Camera, Lens, Monitor Package | @panavisionofficial
Midwest Camera Car | Technocrane | @midwestcameracar
Michael Monar | Gimbal
Atlas Lighting Chicago | Lighting + Grip | @atlaslightingchicago
Core Batteries | Power | @coreswx
MessageMakers | Stage | @messagemakers
Why it's Important.
The species declined to around 20 birds in the 1940’s, but through captive breeding, habitat management and restoration the population is around 800 today (Source: American Bird Conservancy). We hope to bring awareness to habitat loss that results in species decline or even extinction and inspire a new audience to donate to help fund conservation efforts that will help the whooping crane and other species.
The goal of Mates for Life is for people to connect, learn, grow and give what they can to both the arts and environmental communities. This project is poised to be a catalyst to motivate a new generation of conservationists and theater goers and support these important efforts long into the future.
Future of the Project
The whooping cranes project served as a proof of concept for more species of birds that mate for life. The whooping cranes project was self funded by the director and his production company, Big Foot Media. This project paved the way for the next in the series Barn Owl and is currently in the fundraising stage. We hope to attract a conservation-minded donors and sponsor(s) to help fund future projects to pay for crew and filming expenses. Each project will align with a conservation organization and arts organization to push a call to action at the end so viewers make a difference.