Short Summary:
Fossilist: Who Owns the Dinosaurs? is a groundbreaking documentary by Traverse Cinema Studio, directed by Abby Pellien, that celebrates our shared, universal awe over dinosaurs. The film takes us beyond the fossils to explore the lives of those dedicated to uncovering them. We’ve dug into some controversial clashes between different groups of paleontologists, generally growing from their affiliations with for-profit and not-for-profit institutions. We’ve found that despite their perceived differences, these groups share a profound curiosity. Now, we stand at a crossroads—and they face a crucial reality: The future of paleontology depends on their ability to collaborate.
As filmmakers, our love for dinosaurs started just like yours—with wide-eyed wonder at these incredible, gigantic, and unique specimens that once roamed our earth. For almost two years, we've chased that feeling across the country, from sun-baked dig sites to museum halls and collection shelves. We've met passionate business owners, meticulous researchers, and starry-eyed enthusiasts, all united by an insatiable curiosity about the dinosaurs who once walked where we stand.
This film is our way of sharing the spirit we’ve captured in the paleontologists we've met along the way. We're so close to bringing this vision to life, but we need your help to get through post-production. Join us in our mission to answer the question: Who owns the dinosaurs? After all—they belong to our collective imagination. Let's honor that legacy together.
By contributing to this campaign, you'll help us complete this fascinating story and bring it to screens worldwide. You're becoming part of a movement to keep the spirit of discovery alive.
Why is the film called "Fossilist"? -
Fossilist pays homage to the legendary 19th-century paleontologist Mary Anning. Anning was a self-taught fossil collector and dealer from England, who made groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of prehistoric life. Anning's relentless passion for unearthing and studying fossils laid the foundation for modern paleontology. The term "Fossilist" encapsulates the spirit of those who, like Anning, dedicate their lives to the pursuit of prehistoric knowledge. It represents the shared passion, curiosity, and determination that drives humans to uncover the secrets of our planet's ancient past.
What We Need & What You Get:
We need your help to bring this story to life. Our initial goal is $20,000 to begin the crucial post-production phase of our film. While our complete vision requires $50,000 to fully realize the project's potential, every contribution brings us closer to making the best film possible.
With your support, we can dive deeper into the heart of paleontology - capturing additional perspectives from key voices in the field and weaving together the theme of collaboration. We have compelling stories yet to be told and passionate voices waiting to be heard. With your support and engagement, we can make it happen.
How Your Contribution Will Help:
Initial Goal: $20,000 This critical funding will allow us to:
- Secure essential data storage:
- Acquire approximately 100TB of hard drive space
- Safely backup our extensive footage
- Enable remote collaboration with our post-production team
Engage professional editing services:
- Hire an experienced editor for several months
- Transform our rough cut into a polished final product
- Elevate the storytelling to its full potential
Extended Goal:
Additional $30,000 With extra funding, we can enhance the film's overall quality:
Sound Design:
- Professional audio mixing and mastering
- Creation of immersive soundscapes
Visual Enhancements:
- Color correction to perfect the film's look
- Visual effects to bring prehistoric elements to life
Music Licensing:
- Secure rights for a compelling soundtrack crucial to the emotional tone of the film
Marketing and Promotion:
- Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy
- Create printed and digital promotional materials
- Commission additional artwork for marketing assets
Your support at any level brings us closer to sharing this fascinating journey into the world of paleontology. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us unearth the story of our shared passion for dinosaurs and the future of this incredible field.
The Impact:
"Fossilist" isn't just a film; it's a celebration of the wonder that dinosaurs inspire in all of us. By supporting this project, you're:
- Reimagining scientific collaboration across an entire industry
- Fostering a shared love for paleontology across diverse groups
- Inspiring curiosity about our planet's prehistoric past in viewers of all ages
Our team has a track record of successful documentaries, with previous work featured on major streaming platforms. Your contribution will help us continue this tradition of impactful storytelling that bridges entertainment and education.
Risks & Challenges:
As with any independent film, we face challenges such as potential delays in post-production and securing final distribution deals. However, our experienced team is well-equipped to handle these challenges. We have contingency plans for timeline shifts, strong relationships with distributors, and a commitment to delivering a high-quality film that does justice to a subject audiences want to learn more about.
Other Ways You Can Help:
Can't contribute financially? You can still be a crucial part of our journey:
- Share our campaign on social media using Indiegogo's share tools
- Follow us on Instagram @FossilistFilm for updates
- Spread the word about the importance of paleontology in your community
Every share, like, and conversation helps us bring "Fossilist" to the screen. Thank you for your support in sharing this important story and celebrating paleontology!
Crew Bios
Abby Pellien - Director
Abby Pellien directs her first feature documentary, Fossilist, bringing her childhood fascination with dinosaurs full circle. Growing up in Black Forest, Colorado, and studying film at the University of Colorado Denver, she discovered documentary storytelling during her junior year. What started as an exploratory project has grown into a feature film that will introduce audiences to some of the country's most dedicated paleontologists.
Thomas Kolicko - Executive Producer
Thomas Kolicko is a Documentary Filmmaker, Adventurer, Photographer, Film Professor, and Founder of Traverse based out of the Colorado Eastern Rockies. With a professional career spanning more than 18 years, Kolicko has directed, shot, and produced non-fiction films and episodic shows that have been shown around the world on Netflix, National Geographic, Amazon, Alamo Drafthouse, and Outdoor Channel.
Margaret Anne Camp - Producer
Margaret Anne Camp is a documentary producer, a dancer, and a master of organizing chaos. Her film career spans from Denver to Seattle, where she has created compelling documentaries, short films, and commercial productions- all driven by her passion to make a difference in the world through intimate storytelling. Margaret is dedicated to bridging creative communication gaps and encouraging creative development, while fostering space for other developing producers.
Kristin Donnan - Co-Producer
Kristin Donnan has owned and operated an independent media-production company since 1987, through which she produces original works in several genres. She is known for her long-standing research in paleontology, along with her participation in Todd Douglas Miller’s 2014 feature-length documentary, Dinosaur 13—which was based on Rex Appeal, a book co-authored by Kristin and paleontologist Peter Larson. She also writes for MacGillivray Freeman Films, the world’s largest producer of giant-screen documentary films, and provides consulting services for other creatives.
Director’s Statement
Getting to experience the world of paleontology up close—through quite a few different lenses—has been a childhood dream of mine realized in unexpected ways. It is a dream that reminds me how beautiful human curiosity is.
My filmmaking journey began with the endless replays of Pirates of the Caribbean behind-the-scenes features I watched as a kid. That innate curiosity led me to eventually study film at the University of Colorado Denver, where I discovered a natural love for lighting and camera movement. While set on becoming a cinematographer, an assignment in my second year quickly opened a door to the documentary genre.
When Tom Kolicko, our Executive Producer, invited me to join his advanced documentary class, a story I read about Colorado paleontology caught my attention. At the time, I had no clue that story would become Fossilist. Through this project, I've grown in ways I never imagined, alongside a crew that has supported me every step of the way — plus the countless road trips. They believed in this story when I was just finding my footing as a filmmaker, and I'm grateful they’ve trusted me to keep writing it.
Currently, I balance my work as a freelance grip and electrician in Denver with directing Fossilist. Both paths let me capture something real—whether it's playing with lights to tell a story or documenting the quiet moments that make us human.
