The Voice of the Hudson
Cinematographer Melanie Chaffey and Director John Barnhardt
During the last two weeks of July, 2023, I, along with a stellar crew, filmed the journey of eight high-school students from the start of the Hudson River, at Lake Tear of the Clouds, all the way to Jersey City, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This was an adventure of over 300 miles, completed by human power alone. Barnfly Productions was hired by outdoor adventure companies Mountain Goat Movement and Hamlets to Huts, who sponsored the entire expedition. The Voice of the Hudson, the feature-length documentary for which the crew was filming, will be finished in the spring of 2024.
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A heartwarming story of eight high school boys, strangers at first, building friendships and exploring the depths of their capabilities over the course of a human-powered expedition down the Hudson River. As they analyze the varying levels of pollution throughout their journey, this story highlights the urgent need to address the health of our rivers, weaving together human endeavor with science and environmental advocacy.
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The crew: John Barnhardt, Kevin Kirchner, Rachael Mild, and Melanie Chaffey
Though we were faced with steep challenges and continuously strenuous days, this experience was something I wouldn't hesitate to do again. The long days of filming and intense physical activity, alongside a crew I admire, brought me more fulfillment than almost anything else I've ever experienced.
Melanie trying to find the prime canoe-shooting position
The trailer for The Voice of the Hudson, edited and partially shot by me.
Part of the documentary crew's responsibilities were making short videos for brands that had donated funds to make the expedition possible. One of those brands was GRAYL, who wanted to promote their filtration water bottles. This video, part of GRAYL's advertising agreement, was shot by the entire crew and edited by me.
The crew was also asked to put together short vignettes for each of the students that had been on the trip. This one, featuring two twin brothers, was edited and partially shot by me.
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