Brand new film just launched!
From a first-time Northern Lights viewer to a boat full of fresh-caught trout and a truck with two sets of bull elk antlers on the trailer for the drive home, this past year filming the Fargone original Subsistence has been one for the books.
Nic (co-owner of Fargone) and I came up with the storyline for this film a bit differently than the average hunting or fishing production that we have been a part of. Typically, we have a hunter or objective already in mind and are approached to create something with it. But this time, we almost had the story all written out in our heads, but we were missing one thing—the character who authentically lives it.
We at Fargone are not in the business of acting but rather pride ourselves on the fact that we try to bring a genuine storytelling approach to all our productions, especially in the hunting space; I don't know if you could ask the mule deer to “cut” and “do it again”. In this film's case, when we had the idea already laid out, which was to showcase the Subsistence lifestyle in a modern world context, we had a challenge ahead of us, to find the right person to fit the mold. Luckily with Instagram, we didn't have to search too long, and after a couple of DM’s and some in-person beers, we found the star, Griz Balzer.
Talking about authenticity, Griz is an individual who works more than ten hours a day doing concrete leveling. At home, he is a father and partner. He lives within city limits but has not purchased a piece of meat in well over ten years. Something in contrast with his neighbors he shares a fence with. He is often booking jobs close to the river, so as soon as the work day is done, he’s able to grab his rod out of the back of the truck and throw a fly in hopes of catching a meal. His weekends are filled with pursuit and creating family memories as the family of three will either be found chasing big game in the fall or runs of fish in the latter seasons. Griz is the perfect character for this film as this is his true way of living, and his passion runs deep. He carries with him an understanding of conservation and a personal importance to pass these lessons onto the next generation. Mostly through to his daughter, Fraser Jade.
Now with the story and character locked into place, Fargone was ready for the official pre-production stage of this film. We created a treatment outlining everything about the story and Griz. We laid out how we plan to execute the year-long production and how we will market the film afterward. The real selling feature, though was the multitude of trips and harvests we hoped to accomplish. Nothing different than the average year for Griz but for us as the production company was something definitely daunting. Savage Arms and Leupold Optics were the first to catch the vision and sign onto the film. Later, GOHUNT and Kawasaki Motors did as well. Now with the sponsors locked into place, we transitioned into production of the film.
Although we did gather funding for this project we knew the scope of work was vastly beyond the funds gathered. We were able to cover expenses such as gas and the occasional Tim Hortons run on the way to and from our hunting spots. But we knew from the beginning of production Subsistence would realistically be a passion project. Something that we knew as a company would require a lot of our time but would be worth it in the end. We were ecstatic to have a film captured over a year, with our company behind it, to create
something long enough to eat a bowl of popcorn, but short enough to come back to over the years for inspiration. Production of this film was special because of these reasons and something I will never forget.
Our first trip was ice-off fishing. Although this trip turned out to be a huge success, we as a production crew went into it thinking this could be the make or break for the film. Being in a truck for the six-hour drive to the lake, a crew meeting up really for the first time all together, this was the test to see how the rest of the year would go. After leaving that first trip with a cooler full of freshly caught trout and memories for a lifetime. I would say the boys left with the mindset that this production was going to be something special. Not only for the images captured, but for the friendships and bonds that we could all feel were going to be established over the next year.
Our production trips took us all across the province of British Columbia, doing everything from chasing bull elk in the September birch trees to, still hunting for blacktail deer in the dense rainforest. Fishing was a consistent form of getting outside and often was day missions after everyone's work day. Foraging for wild asparagus, ginger, rattlesnake plantain, mushrooms, and more filled the gaps, and throughout it all, friendships were formed and deepened, with memories made both on and off camera.
Post-production was finalizing marketing plans for myself and for Nic, months of editing a year's worth of footage and adventures, and condensing it into a forty-five minute, palatable package. Once the film was finished, the crew shared a glass of whiskey and watched it all together for the first time. It was amazing to see Griz’s reactions to watching his last year on the screen. After Griz gave the thumbs up of approval, it was time to premiere the film to the masses, first with an in-person premiere in our town of Chilliwack, where we saw a sold-out venue filled with local hunters, fishers, and even people who don't partake in wild harvest. Definitely a diverse crowd, but that's who we made the film for, everyone. The premiere night was special; beyond seeing everyone's reactions, it also offered a platform for local conservation organizations such as The Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia and the Pacific Salmon Foundation to raise funds and awareness for conservation in British Columbia.
With funds raised and a great evening that we get to relive in our minds, the next step for the film is where we find it today. Live on the Fargone YouTube channel for all to enjoy. This production is one that all those involved will truthfully never forget. A special year for us at Fargone and, really, a normal one for Griz. Friendships were built, new hunting and fishing techniques and tactics were learned, and at the end of it all, freezers were filled. We at Fargone could not be more thankful for Griz entrusting us to tell his authentic story. Our hope is that all would feel inspired by this film to get outside and partake in the many offerings that the outdoors has to offer.
Nolan Schneider
