(Missoula, MT) Award-winning Missoula-based filmmaker, Rob Whitehair, is known for his films that examine the relationship between humans and wildlife.

“Hollywood Fox” a film by Rob Whitehair will air on Montana PBS, March 20, 2013 at 7pm. Photo by Pam Voth

Missoulians may remember the huge crowd at the Wilma Theater for the Montana premiere of “True Wolf,” a film he directed about humanity’s relationship with the wolf. The Trail 103.3 sponsored the Montana launch of True Wolf, a film that is still in theatrical release throughout North America.

Another canid film Whitehair made back in 2005, “Hollywood Fox,” has been broadcast all around the world over the past few years and will air on Montana PBS this Wednesday, March 20 at 7pm.  Check local listings.

“Hollywood Fox” is about the endangered San Joaquin Kit Fox and how it manages to survive with help from its human neighbors in Bakersfield, CA. Whitehair, who stands over 6’4″ often muses about the irony of such a tall person tasked with filming the world’s second smallest fox. “I spent a lot of time crouched down in the desert with my tripod on its lowest setting,” he says. The small desert foxes were only active in the early morning and late evening, choosing to spend the hottest part of the day underground in their cool burrows.

Whitehair’s producing partner and wife, Pam Voth, recorded sound and shot still photographs for the production. Bozeman-based award-winning filmmaker, Justin Lubke shot additional footage and worked alongside Whitehair in the field during the 6 months it took to film the story.

UK-based Parthenon Entertainment commissioned the film and licensed it to broadcasters in over 60 countries including National Geographic International, NDR, and Animal Planet. The most recent licensee is American Public Television who is making it available to PBS stations across the country.

Synopsis from the American Public Television website:
‘In the spirit of Meerkat Manor, HOLLYWOOD FOX follows the trials and tribulations of a clan of kit foxes who make their home on the outskirts of Hollywood. Siblings Fred and Ginger are at the center of the action as their family struggles to adapt to the changing environment and encroaching human population. After multiple tragedies and deaths strike their close-knit group, young Fred and Ginger must quickly learn from grandma the techniques they need to survive. Ultimately, Fred decides to leave the pack for country living while Ginger and grandma — drawn in by the bright city lights — settle down in the old Hollywood Studios in Bakersfield.”

http://www.aptonline.org/catalog.nsf/vLinkTitle/HOLLYWOOD+FOX

Rob Whitehair is co-founder of the Missoula-based production company, Tree & Sky Media Arts.

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“Scientists tell us that we have enough technology to save our planet…Yet, we don’t take advantage of this new technology….The technological has to work hand-in-hand with the spiritual. Our spiritual life is the element that can bring about the energies of peace, calm, brotherhood, understanding and compassion. Without that, our planet doesn’t stand a chance.”

This quote is an apt way of summing up what we’ll be exploring in the film, The Book of Tree.

In the month since our Kickstarter campaign ended, we’re happy to announce that nearly a third of our Kickstarter backers have decided to stick with us and re-commit their support right here on the official film website. Thank you so much for that support!!

We’ve launched a secure plug-in that allows us to continue raising the budget we’ll need to produce The Book of Tree. While it looks a lot like Kickstarter, this funding method is not an all-or-nothing system, and the money you pledge helps us immediately. It is backed by PayPal and is 100% secure. You can even use a credit card if you don’t have a PayPal account.

Take a look at the Thank You reward levels and choose something for yourself. We offer digital downloads, DVDs, posters, tickets to the world premiere, even a trip into the field with us!  When you pledge your support, you’re not only helping to produce this important film, you are actually getting something back!

Thank You!
Rob Whitehair & Pam Voth
Tree & Sky Media Arts

Check out the great news about The Book of Tree and the special offer we have for our Backers from Kickstarter and any new supporters who join us by Dec 31, 2012.

We have 10 days to raise $70,000 more on Kickstarter so we can make “The Book of Tree” documentary and deliver all of the Thank You rewards as promised.

It has taken much less time to accomplish greater feats than this. Yes, Virginia, even in Kickstarter-land!

We still believe it’s possible.

But, it will require a concentrated effort. We are putting everything we have into this. Thank you for sticking with us in the mission to create a film with an important message for our time.

We especially want to give a huge Thank You to those Backers who have helped by telling others about “The Book of Tree” and suggesting they join you in supporting the film. We have numerous new Backers who let us know personally that they are here because of you. We thought you’d like to know that your efforts are paying off. The multiplier effect really does work. Please keep it up.

We know everyone is busy this time of year, so to make it as easy as possible, we offer the following easy cut and paste ways to get the word out, we only ask that you do it as soon as possible because time is running out for us to reach our goal.
For those who Facebook:

1) “Like” The Book of Tree on Facebook

2) Click on the pasted link below, click “SHARE” and add a message to your friends

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=457308647640411&set=pb.434602836577659.-2207520000.1355257926&type=3&theater
For those who Tweet:

1) Follow and re-tweet @thebookoftree

2) Suggested tweet:

the #environmental crisis is not going away. be part of the #solution. #support @thebookoftree on #Kickstarter http://kck.st/WzpNPC
For those who e-mail:

Please send the following message to your like-minded contacts:

“Please join me in supporting a new documentary film, “The Book of Tree” by making a pledge on Kickstarter. This important film will present will present a hopeful, inspirational, encouraging way to look at the difficult questions we face about our relationship to the planet and offer intelligent, thoughtful solutions to consider.”

A Quick Recap – Why are we doing this?

We are in the midst of a huge, human-caused environmental crisis that is not going away. Whether we choose to deal with it or just turn our cheek and hope for a miracle is the big question. We all need to dig deep into our own belief systems to deal with how we feel about and connect with the natural world. When we realize that all life is interconnected and that destroying the planet is, in fact, destroying our chance to survive here, we move toward healing our inner landscape and creating a sustainable planet.

“The Book of Tree” documentary will present a hopeful, inspirational, encouraging way to look at the difficult questions we face about our relationship to the planet and offer intelligent, thoughtful solutions to consider.

With gratitude and love,

Rob Whitehair & Pam Voth
“The Book of Tree”
A Tree & Sky Media Arts Production
www.thebookoftree.com

“The Book of Tree,” a new feature documentary film will explore the realm of spiritual ecology, where the bounds of science and spirituality intersect and reveal their inextricable link to the health of our planet and our very own survival. The film will feature interviews with visionaries in the fields of science, spirituality, art, and activism to uncover why there is a disconnect between what science tells us we should do to save our environment and what we as people actually do to make a positive change.  Woven throughout will be director Rob Whitehair’s personal story of transformation that began on an afternoon 25 years ago when he participated in a nuclear missile launch drill as a submariner for the US Navy. That fateful afternoon changed him to the core.

We are growing the list of an all-star cast, experts and visionaries for the film: Satish Kumar, Dr. Leslie Sponsel, Fr. Richard Rohr, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Jane Goodall, David Suzuki, Michael Franti and Mary Oliver, the Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi, Thich Nhat Hanh and Vandana Shiva.

We’ve launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the production budget to make The Book of Tree. This is an all-or-nothing fundraising platform…but it’s not something for nothing!!  Not at all…we’ve actually put together some cool rewards to thank you for your contribution. Think of it as a way to “pre-order” your own copy of The Book of Tree.  (Makes a great gift, too!)

Please visit The Book of Tree on Kickstarter, watch the video, choose a pledge level that works for you and enjoy being part of making this important film a reality.
We must reach our goal of $75,000 by Dec 21 or we don’t get any of the money and your credit card will not be charged.

We’ll continue to share stories and updates throughout the process.  In fact, here’s an update we just posted yesterday on our Kickstarter campaign:

I remember 12 years ago when Rob interviewed me to see if I would make a suitable field partner. He asked me, “What would you say if I asked you to carry 95 pounds 13 miles uphill?” After thinking a moment, I answered, “Give me enough time, water and Clif bars and I’ll do it!” I’ve been carrying cameras, tripods, and gear up hills ever since. And, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Hills are great, don’t get me wrong! But, this one – Mount Kickstarter – is getting steeper by the day. (Yes, that’s me with the tripod….Clif bars are in lumbar pack). Please help us smooth out this slope and reach our goal of $75,000 by Dec 21 without having to pull out climbing harnesses and ropes.

Here are the easiest ways you can help make The Book of Tree a reality:

1) If you haven’t done so already, click the green “Back This Project” button and become a Backer. If you are already a Backer – thank you so much!

2) Spread the word! Share the link to The Book of Tree on Kickstarter with people via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, blog about it, bring it up in forums, or whatever creative way you can think of to let more people learn about why you think this important film should be made. This really does work to help get more Backers!

3) Watch, share and comment on The Book of Tree videos on YouTube.

4) Socialize!  “Like” our Fan Page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @thebookoftree

We’ll do the same!

Cheers,
- Pam Voth