Who is Tim Moen?

I am a filmmaker and proud resident of Fort McMurray, Alberta in the heart of the Canadian Oil Sands. Over the past decade, I've filmed around the world in places such as Africa and Japan and worked locally with environmentalists and celebrities such as Neil Young. I've been deeply troubled by the biased narrative that many of my clients have when they come here to film, Because of that, I have defended my community and the oil sands industry in the media, including: Sun News Network, the CBC, and the Huffington Post.

• This film will be part light-hearted satire and part inspirational documentary. It will document my mission, as an environmentalist from the heart of the oil sands, to turn Los Angeles from its evil polluting ways and bring them the clean technologies of my people. I expect I will learn some lessons along the way that will leave audiences laughing and inspired.
• This film will give Fort McMurray a chance to tell our story our way, highlight the hypocrisy and condescension of Hollywood that actually contributes to the degradation of environmental standards and human rights, and model a way forward that focuses on solutions and what is alive in the communities of Fort McMurray and Los Angeles.

It's time that Fort McMurray gave Hollywood a taste of its own medicine and showed the world how we are going to create solutions together instead of tearing one another apart!

What We Need & What You Get

Here is a breakdown:

• $63,000 is the projected minimum needed to cover production costs. We are able to keep costs low because we have passionate and talented  people (i.e., Fort McMurray Filmmakers Association members) volunteering their time with this project. The majority of costs will be covering travel and accommodation expenses, renting production equipment in LA, hiring production personnel for short stints, and covering permitting and location costs in LA.
• Donate to this project and you can get awesome perks like a signed DVD, a t-shirt, a helicopter tour of the oil sands, an appearance in the film, or a credit as an assistant producer!
• If we exceed our goal it will enable us to do more entertaining bits. For example if we double our goal we can take a semi-truck and caravan down through the US heartland and film interactions with US residents as we truck an important piece of environmental technology (imagine a Smart Car crossed with a dog sled...okay it's basically a child's sled and my lap dog Sylvester) down to Los Angeles to help them kick their addiction to the internal combustion engine. Sometimes you have to burn a lot of diesel to get important clean tech to people who need it- just ask Neil Young.
• If we don't achieve our goal, the project will be scaled back to tell Fort McMurray's story to the world without taking it to LA.

The Impact

This film is important to residents of Fort McMurray and to everyone whose lives are positively impacted by the oil sands:

• It pushes back against the paranoia and hyperbole manufactured in the mainstream media, it models the way forward, and gives people who have solutions a voice. 
• This isn't a film by oil companies for oil companies but a film by the people for the people and we expect it'll be a popular and refreshing message throughout North America and the world. 
• On top of owning Epic Productions, a video production company, I have filmed countless projects and worked with organizations such as the National Film Board, Shakey Productions, Achimok Productions and Heavy Crude Films. We have multiple experienced talents involved in production and promotion of this film to make it successful. This is a very capable team.
• Not only will this impact audiences with an important message for the world but it will have a huge impact on film participants as well. Giving residents in Fort McMurray a voice is at the heart of this project. In the interviews we have already conducted, people begin to walk a bit taller, with a sense of pride, power and gratitude after being given a voice. 

Risks & Challenges

There are a number of risks and challenges that we may face as we film. The biggest challenge is the bureaucracy of filming in Los Angeles. For example many businesses charge exorbitant rates to film on or near their premises. 

• Our team consists of legal counsel volunteering to help us wade through the red tape and boots on the ground in Los Angeles in terms of LA residents and filmmakers who will help us navigate these waters. 
• This film can be shot mostly in public spaces and this will help minimize risks associated with getting permissions.
• I have successfully navigated the very bureaucratic waters of filming in Japan and parts of Africa and the key to success is to have multiple back up plans. Luckily this type of film, without a regimented script, lends itself to adapting to adverse conditions we may face.

Other Ways You Can Help

Just because you can't donate, doesn't mean you cant help:

• Please get the word out and make some noise.
• If you want to be a part of the film contact us with a brief synopsis of what you want to contribute to the story. We are looking for inspirational stories in both Fort McMurray and LA that have to do with environmental tech solutions, community spirit, and the benefit that industry (whether its oil or film) has in the world.
• Indiegogo has icons that allow you to easily share this campaign with others on social media, please help spread the love!