T0 47 ‘iin1 at4 · Video: DSLR, digital shots of stills, archival footage Edited: Final Cut Pro/ ADOBE CS6. Music: BC Campbell Script: Final Draft AV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ARTISTIC

T0 47 ‘iin1 at4 Water is life Feature Documentary Treatment. Paper Rocket Productions L.L.C.

Page 1 of 7 ©2013 Paper Rocket Productions L.L.C.

T0 47 ‘iin1 at4 (Water is Life)

Contact Information: Paper Rocket Productions L.L.C PO BOX 144 Flagstaff AZ 86002 928-221-0596 [email protected]



LOGLINE: Left with the consequences of industrialization within their reservation, a

pair of young Navajo filmmakers embark on a quest to reconnect with the past in efforts to

save their cultures future.

SYNOPSIS: “Water is Life” explores inner struggles of the films’

documentarians: Jake Hoyungowa (Main Character) and Deidra Peaches (Main

Character). In search of evidence, Deidra and Jake travels down the Little Colorado River

regarding Uranium contamination from an abandoned mine pit. Upon discovery they realize

the local livestock and vegetation are also contaminated.

From Box Springs, Jake and Deidra travel further east to the area of Church Rock, New

Mexico, where back in 1979, the area suffered form a the collapse of a earth made dam.

Thus releasing more than 90 million gallons of radioactive contaminated waste down an

unnamed wash, through the Puerco River, eventually intermitting with the Little Colorado

River. They interview people in the community, all-suffering from cancer caused by the

nearby uranium mill.

Eager to change the problems they witness, the Documentarians travels with a local

conservationist organization to Washington, DC to question state representatives about the

ongoing Navajo issues. Realizing after the trip, they begin to see how the US Government

and the Navajo Government are neglecting Navajo citizens by introducing a water rights

bill.

The documentarians recount their personal feelings regarding uranium contamination,

political strife and the outlook of a suffering nation. They see a correlation of their journey to

that of cultural myths and though things seem grim amongst the Navajo Nation, one thing is

certain… their past and ancestors are the connection to the land and its stories. They

themselves have the responsibility to ensure the continuation of their culture and way of

life.

Rights Holder: SELF/Paper Rocket Productions, LLC.

Website: www.paperrocketproductions.com



Original Language: English and Navajo

Length: 52 Minutes

FILM COMPONENT: Water is Life will begin its distribution through

traditional film festival screening, as well as partnered screenings with Black Mesa Water

Coalition. As a grantee, Water is Life is confirmed to be present in the National Geographic

All Roads Film Festival. Paper Rocket Productions acknowledges the imperative follow-up

after the documentary has reached its overall outreach goal. Paper Rocket Productions is

dedicated to produce smaller documentaries detailing environmental and social issues on

the Navajo and Hopi Nations.

TALENT:

• Lou Karsen –Associate Producer: Lou is a documentary filmmaker and youth

educator living in Seattle. He currently is the program coordinator at Longhouse

Media, a Native-owned non-profit that serves indigenous communities throughout

the country. Lou has produced two feature documentaries and countless shorts. His

work has screened on National Geographic, History Channel, PBS and at many film

festivals.

• BC Campbell is a Seattle based composer, songwriter and producer. He grew up

playing jazz in big bands with old timers who played with Billy Holiday; spent years

touring and recording as a songwriter and playing in bands; currently composes

music for Contemporary Dance, Theater and Film. His work has been presented at

the Seattle International Film Festival, Big Sky Film Festival, The Smithsonian,

Cornish College for the Arts, Velocity Dance Center, Intiman Theater and On The

Boards. He currently plays piano with Shannon Stephens (Asthmatic Kitty

Records). http://bccampbell.bandcamp.com/



TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Target length: 52:00

Camera: Canon T2i, Canon 60D, JVC-‐GY-‐110U

Distribution: Undecided

Video: DSLR, digital shots of stills, archival footage

Edited: Final Cut Pro/ ADOBE CS6.

Music: BC Campbell

Script: Final Draft AV.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

ARTISTIC STATEMENT:

Our documentary explores the sacredness of water and how the industrialization of the

Navajo Nation continues to disrupt our traditional way of life. We feel it is important for our

audience to visually experience a piece of the Navajo Way of Life. It is vital to the

documentary to include the connection between Navajo Mythology and the importance of

the lands that have been desecrated by industrial development. We are making this film so

the next generation of Navajo Youth will know our history and preserve the culture our

ancestors kept so holy and dear to them.

KEY CREATIVE PERSONNEL:

• Mr. Jake Hoyungowa Role(s): Director, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Editor

Gender: M

Age: 23



Ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native

Address: 3639 B N. Alta Vista Dr. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 United States of America

Daytime Phone: 928-380-5944

Email: [email protected]

Bio: Jake Hoyungowa (Navajo/ Hopi) his directing debut film (In German) "Die

Bullen", receive the Best Short Film in High School Category at the Arizona Student

Film Festival. Jake devotes much of his time to creating mini-documentaries;

volunteer mentoring and exploring numerous fields of visual arts media on and off

the Navajo Reservation. Jake began his filmmaking career in the 6th grade with his

childhood friend Donavan Seschillie. Jake was born in Tuba City, Arizona and

currently resides in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Company: Paper Rocket Productions

Title / Position: Co-Founder

Professional Background: Film

• Ms. Deidra Peaches (Primary Contact) Role(s): Director, Producer, Screenwriter, and Editor

Gender: F

Age: 24

Ethnicity: American Indian or Alaska Native

Address: 2926 N. Steves Blvd. Flagstaff, AZ 86004 United States of America

Daytime Phone: 928-221-2432

Email: [email protected]

Bio: Deidra Lynn Peaches (Navajo) began her directorial debut career, when she

made Imagine for the National Museum of the American Indian's showcase

"Thanksgiving Revisited: New Views by Young Filmmakers." In the summer of 2009

she mentored in the Superfly Filmmaking Experience in Seattle. Peaches frequently

collaborates with childhood friend Donavan Seschillie and Jake Hoyungowa. In

2009 her documentary Shimasani debut at the Imaginative Film Festival in Toronto,

Canada. Along with her colleagues they have entered a number of short films in

multiple festivals including: NAFVF (New York City, NY), and Native Cinema



Showcase (Santa Fe, NM). In 2011, Peaches produced a film entitled “The Rocket

Boy,” which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

Company: Paper Rocket Production

Title / Position: Co-Founder

Professional Background: Film

PRODUCTION STILLS:



CONTACT INFORMATION: DEIDRA PEACHES

PO BOX 144

FLAGSTAFF AZ

86002

EMAIL: DEIDRA@PAPERROCKETPRODUCTIONS

PHONE: 928-221-0596

GRANTS:

Documents

T0 47 ‘iin1 at4 · Video: DSLR, digital shots of stills, archival footage Edited: Final Cut Pro/ ADOBE CS6. Music: BC Campbell Script: Final Draft AV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: ARTISTIC