THANK YOU!

The campaign for Project Wolf has now ended, after soaring past our first Funding Goal! 
Some select perks are still available, and contributions can still be made by selecting one of the 'Thank you!' perks!
This will show you support and allow us to put more in to post production so we can make the film even better.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far!

Project Wolf is a proposed short documentary about the research Trees for Life is conducting in Dundreggan, Scotland. It will use this as a window to explore the topic of rewilding in Scotland, both in terms of the debate surrounding species reintroduction and also the importance of our own relationship with our environment. The film will be composed of observational filming of what the 'wolf pack' get up to and interviews with key figures involved with the project, including Doug Gilbert (who is running the project) and Alan Watson Featherstone (a key name in rewilding and founder of Trees for Life). 

I am crowdfunding the project in order to offer it free on the internet upon completion, as well as submitting it to various film festivals and making it available to Trees for Life. This is a passion project for me, so while I will have to cover the production costs I will not be taking a fee. I feel this is a wonderful story on an important and topical matter, and I would love to be the one to tell it in my own way.

"These grass roots, real and reactive films come straight from the hearts of creatives who not only care but motivate their skills to take action; action at a time when we are desperate for people to stop musing and moaning and actually stand up and be counted. It's time to shout above the noise - Red Sky on the Black Isle did this - so please help Lisa turn her talents onto the exciting subject of rewilding." Chris Packham - Naturalist and presenter 

"I was impressed by 'Red Sky on the Black Isle' and this sounds like another interesting subject from a young gifted film-maker"  Mark Avery - writer, blogger and environmental campaigner

"Project Wolf is an innovative project being run by Trees for Life, using enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to patrol the edge of the native Caledonian Forest, to disturb deer that are grazing on native tree seedlings, preventing their growth. It seeks to mimic the natural disturbance effect of missing predators such as the wolf, and has the potential to be replicated in many parts of Scotland (and elsewhere), greatly assisting the process of forest restoration. This film will play a crucial role in communicating the value, importance and effectiveness of the project, so please support it with a donation - you will be directly helping the recovery of the Caledonian Forest!” Alan Watson Featherstone - Founder & Visionary, Trees for Life

Lisa Marley

My name is Lisa Marley and I will be self-shooting the project, with a little help from some friends. I am originally from Aberdeenshire but now live and work in Bristol where I am a videographer. I have an undergraduate MA in Anthropology and Film from the University of Aberdeen and a postgraduate MA in Documentary from UWE.

I am particularly interested in stories where the relationship between humans, animals and the natural world are in focus.

I developed, directed, filmed and edited the short film 'Red Sky on the Black Isle' about 22 raptors found poisoned in a small area of the Black Isle in 2014. The award-winning film has been screened in 3 languages across the world at various film festivals and scientific conferences. You can watch it below. 

Henry Mitton

This is a passion project for me, so I will be making the final film available online for free. Therefore I need to cover the production costs of the film, though I will not be taking a fee. 

For this reason, I have various funding goals starting from the bare minimum necessary to make the film happen right up to an optimistic amount that would allow me to create my dream version of this film. Anything between the two would be brilliant. 

If I reach the first goal, I will update this section to reflect my stretch goals, but they are in a nutshell:

Funding Level One: $1500 - COMPLETED!

By reaching this amount of money, we can make sure that the film can be made! I will be using a mid-level camera kit, courtesy of Empica PR, inhabiting a cottage in Dundreggan for the week, and hitching lifts whenever possible. I will have a basic food allowance for the week and 3 months of editing to edit around my full time work with a little money for post production.  Composer Henry Mitton, who wrote the original music for 'Red Sky on the Black Isle', is on board to write original music for the film. 

This is the very lowest amount for which I can make the film happen.

The restrictions of this level are that I will have limited time to film in Dundreggan, a limited amount to spend on original music, I will not be able to rent any additional kit and a large amount of the budget is going on travel and accommodation - so it would be great if we could smash this target and get to the next one!

Anything above this amount towards but under the next funding goal next will be spent on more music for the film, spending more time on the shoot in Scotland and on specialist filming equipment to get more shots of wolves (or wolfdog, as the case may be).

This is the amount necessary to make the film happen, cutting every unnecessary cost.  

Thank you everyone for helping us reach this goal! Now onto...

Funding Level Two: $3000

This is where things get really fun! 

This would allow me to rent professional kit, spend a longer time on the shoot, have more original music and put a lot more into post production, creating a much more professional finished film. Not only will this make the film more enjoyable to watch, but it may also help get it into festivals and reach a wider audience, spreading the message of the film further. 

II will be able to rent a big bad camera to go with my kit, the rest of which will still be provided courtesy of Empica PR. This will bring a higher production value to the project, with more impressive imagery of the beautiful landscape where I will be filming. I will also be able to use specialist equipment to get more shots of captive wolves in the UK and be able to spend longer both at Dundreggan and with my interviewees.

In a nutshell, this will help me create a better quality film, rather than compromising on equipment and time. 

Funding Level Three

This is us reaching for the sky! This would allow me to get my good friend and fellow camera person, Adrian Vilas, on board for us to film wild wolves in Poland.

It doesn't feel quite right talking about rewilding only to film domestic wolf dogs or captive wolves, so I have set this as my top stretch goal. We would also be able to use some great kit and have more original music. 

More details will be released if/when we reach Funding Level Two! 

I have teamed up with Trees for Life to offer perks that not only contribute to my project but also contribute to their rewilding efforts. Please note, while your Trees for Life rewards will make their way to you ASAP some items can obviously only be delivered once the film has been completed later this year. Items that require posting will have postage and packaging charges. 

Here's a breakdown of the perks on offer for your contribution:

Caledonian Forest Guide 

This guidebook is a little helping hand at getting yourself back to nature. 

A guidebook to some of the trees, plants & wildlife of the Caledonian Forest. Featuring 38 species in a handy A5 format, it is ideal for taking on a walk to help ID forest flora and fauna, or for reading from the comfort of your home to learn more about some of Scotland's iconic species.

Poster Digital Download 

Terry Cook is an Aberdonian artist who is well known for hiding his work in places around the city for fans to find. Terry designed the beautiful poster for 'Red Sky on the Black Isle' and will be designing an original poster for Project Wolf. This perk offers a digital download of both posters for you to print out to your own specifications, or to use digitally as you please. 
Terry's other work can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/TerryCookPaintings/?fr...

Plant a Tree 

This beautiful Plant a Tree card makes a unique and meaningful gift for yourself or someone else. The inside of the card is blank so that you can write your own message. The front face of the card measures 12cm x 12cm. 

It contains fascinating information about the tree that Trees for Life will plant on your behalf and the Caledonian Forest wildlife that will benefit.

Scots Pine, Rowan and Oak are available.

 EXCLUSIVE copy of Project Wolf on DVD 

While the film will eventually be available online, you will receive an EXCLUSIVE copy of the Project Wolf DVD along with my previous work, ‘Red Sky on the Black Isle’.

The DVD will be professionally printed and delivered to you. It will not be Region specific so should work on all devices.

 Plant A Tree + DVD 

You will receive a Plant A Tree Gift Card containing fascinating information about the tree that Trees For Life will plant on your behalf and the Caledonian Forest wildlife that will benefit. Scots Pine, Rowan and Oak are available.

You will also receive an EXCLUSIVE copy of the Project Wolf DVD along with my previous work, ‘Red Sky on the Black Isle’.

 Howling Your Name! 

In addition to a Plant A Tree Gift Card and an EXCLUSIVE copy of the film along with ‘Red Sky on the Black Isle’ on DVD, you will also receive your name in the credits of Project Wolf! 

Good thing you have the DVD copy to show your name on the big screen to all your friends and family!

Poster Print  

Terry Cook is an Aberdonian artist who is well known for hiding his work in places around the city for fans to find. Terry designed the beautiful poster for 'Red Sky on the Black Isle' and will be designing an original poster for Project Wolf. This perk offers a digital download of both posters for you to print out to your own specifications, or to use digitally as you please. You will also get a DVD of both films!

Terry's other work can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/TerryCookPaintings/?fr... 

 Little Wolf Pack 

You will receive:

Your name in the credits of Project Wolf!

An EXCLUSIVE copy of the film on DVD, with my previous work 'Red Sky on the Black Isle'

A digital download of the ORIGINAL Terry Cook posters for 'Project Wolf' and 'Red Sky on the Black Isle'

A Trees For Life Linen Bag containing a Plant a Tree Gift Card, Caledonian Forest Guide and Bookmark 

Medium Wolf Pack 

You will receive:

Your name in the credits of Project Wolf

Squirrel Sponsorship Pack

A Trees For Life Linen Bag

A digital download of the ORIGINAL Terry Cook posters for 'Project Wolf' and 'Red Sky on the Black Isle'

An EXCLUSIVE copy of the film on DVD, with my previous work 'Red Sky on the Black Isle'

Big Wolf Pack 

You will receive:

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Credit on Project Wolf 

1 Year of Trees For Life Membership

Squirrel Sponsorship Pack

Tree Dedication Pack

Rewilding Coaster Set

A Trees For Life Linen Bag

A3 sized prints of the ORIGINAL Terry Cook posters for 'Project Wolf' and 'Red Sky on the Black Isle'

An EXCLUSIVE copy of the film on DVD, with my previous work 'Red Sky on the Black Isle’ 

Super Wolf Pack 

You will receive:

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Credit on Project Wolf

Invitations to screenings

Sponsor an ACRE of Caledonian Woodland

1 Year of Trees For Life Membership

Squirrel Sponsorship Pack

Tree Dedication Pack

Rewilding Coaster Set

Trees For Life T-shirt

A Trees For Life Linen Bag full of other goodies

A3 sized prints of the ORIGINAL Terry Cook posters for 'Project Wolf' and 'Red Sky on the Black Isle'

An EXCLUSIVE copy of the film on DVD, with my previous work 'Red Sky on the Black Isle’ with my personal thanks

My previous film 'Red Sky on the Black Isle' was another passion project of mine made on next to no budget. The award-winning short documentary has been shown around the world, been translated into Spanish and French, received thousands of views online and has attracted widespread news coverage. 

The most rewarding thing about this film for me was helping keep the story alive for the community that had already been fighting for it. Just like Project Wolf, it is a testament not only to the reintroduction of species that we have wiped out in Scotland, but also to the people that make that happen. Each person I spoke to had made great contributions in their own ways to that cause, and in return it had changed their lives for the better. 

Since 'Red Sky on the Black Isle' was made and released online, a full time wildlife officer has been appointed in the Ross-shire area and the local MSP announced the case would be reviewed.

The weather is an unpredictable thing in Scotland, and while I am more than used to it, the camera is not. I can bring protective gear but consistently bad weather will likely slow down shooting or shoot more indoors. This would be unfortunate, but not something that can't be worked around.

Technical problems are also a risk, but, "luckily" I have gone through severe camera issues when filming in the North of Scotland before so I am now a bit wiser on where to go for some emergency support, though this may still mean losing a day or two of shooting. 

I will post updates on here as well as social media platforms as I go along.

A BIG thank you to everyone who has landed on this page!

I do understand that not everyone will be able to contribute, or contribute a great deal, towards a project like this, but you can always click DONATE and give a particular amount that is in your price range. Every contribution helps!

It would be a BIG help to me, whether you have contributed or whether you couldn't, if you could share this page and Project Wolf on social media, tell you friends about it, generally shout it from the rooftops and spread the word! There are quick links at the top of the page for you to share :) 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me through this page or on social media. 

(Thanks from Flint the wolf dog too!) 

Video Credits

Camera: Lisa Marley 

Camera Assistant: Tom Baker

Music: Henry Mitton 

Thanks to:

Trees for Life
Eoin Smith
Empica PR 
Chris Gilse
Ben Gilson
Flint the wolf dog 

More information on Trees for Life:

www.treesforlife.org.uk