PITCH DECK
take root
Working Title
TAKe ROOT explores how connecting to nature is key to personal and planetary well being and our collective survival.
“The welfare of the Earth is our welfare. The harm we do to the Earth is harm we do to ourselves.”
Today...
we face a growing sense of urgency as global challenges intensify. Extreme weather events, rising rates of teenage suicide, and mass species extinction are undeniable. Social divisions deepen as inequality and political polarization rise, creating fractures in communities, friends and even family members. There’s a pressing need to rethink our values and challenge the dominant narrative of limitless economic growth.
The question of our time must be
What does the earth ask of us?
The Mission
We are creating a documentary that reimagines our relationship with the Earth. By listening to the land and honoring the knowledge passed down through generations, we seek to share the wisdom the Earth has always offered.
The goal of the film is to inspire viewers to deepen their connection with nature and take meaningful action in their own communities.
“As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.”
the structure
Inspired by The Work That Reconnects by Joanna Macy, the film follows a four-part spiral structure:
Gratitude
Element: Earth
Focus: Recognizing the gifts of the natural world + grounding, belonging, connection, abundance
We begin with gratitude. In an increasingly disconnected world, we pause to honor the beauty and abundance of nature. Our storyteller reflects on how the natural world has shaped their lives and perspectives.
honoring our pain
Element: Water
Focus: The emotional impact of our times, acknowledging grief and loss
It’s essential to acknowledge what has been lost and what is at risk. We explore the grief, fear, and sadness of a world in crisis. Through storyteller’s reflections, we witness the strength found in facing personal and planetary suffering.
Seeing with New Eyes
Element: Air
Focus: Fresh perspectives and ideas, learning from nature
Nature teaches us resilience, harmony, and interconnection. We’ll explore the moments that shaped our storytellers’ relationship with the natural world. To see with new eyes is not just to notice nature, but to truly understand our interconnectedness in it all.
going forth
Element: Fire
Focus: Meaningful steps toward positive change. action, transformation, passion
Going Forth calls us to action. Fire represents transformation, courage, and passion. The time has come to turn our unique gifts into meaningful change to protect the Earth.
The Storyteller
Proposal
We believe the perfect storyteller for this film is Robin Wall Kimmerer. As a scientist, author, professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation , Robin bridges the worlds of Indigenous knowledge and Western science, offering a profound perspective on our relationship with the Earth. Through her voice, we will explore how nature itself holds the wisdom we need to heal and find balance.
Robin speaks of the 7th fire, a time when those with courage, creativity, and wisdom must carry forward the stories that will guide us toward renewal. She reminds us that the plants are our oldest teachers, offering lessons in reciprocity, resilience, and generosity. By filming Robin at home and in work settings, we will share her story as she lives it: immersed in the land, listening deeply, and showing us how to walk a different path.
our ask
We’d like to film Robin at the following, subject to her collaboration:
A speaking event
A sit-down interview in her home or in nature
Visiting a place(s) in nature that Robin has a deep connection to
Relaxed time at home, morning routine, writing, reading, gardening, etc.
At SUNY, in the lab, engaging with students, etc.
Style & Tone
Through an unintrusive lens, we aim to share Robin’s story with a personal, communal, and planetary lens. Through a combination of intimate moments in Robin’s home, exploring places in nature, and engaging with her community, juxtaposed with images of the global human experience, we will create a collage of powerful imagery that brings the film’s message, nature’s message, to life.
Cinéma vérite | authentic, immersive storytelling
Raw & intimate: Long takes, handheld camera work
Aesthetic: Thoughtful framing, deep contrast, earthy tones
Contrast: From quiet forests to cozy kitchens, community gatherings to oil refineries, high contrast and powerful imagery
Clay doc (Sample work)
This is a sizzle for another documentary that Sam is a Producer and Cinematographer on, alongside Benito (Director) and Panther (Cinematographer), two Native American brothers from the Southwest.
A note to Robin
Growing up in Mississippi, I found my first sense of freedom on the back of my pony, Angel. I would ride through the fields, noticing the vibrancy and interconnectedness of life around me. Before I had words for it, I knew that nature was always ready to teach me, if I took the time to listen.
Now, as an eco-chaplain, my calling is to listen, to be a chaplain for the Mother Earth, to honor her wisdom and protect her from harm. Storytelling, as you’ve so beautifully expressed, is one of the most powerful tools we have to guide others. In this film, we hope to offer a space for that guidance, and we can think of no one more fitting to lead the way than you.
We’d be honored for you to be the primary storyteller for our film, to be a voice for nature. In a time when this message feels more urgent than ever, let’s change more than just lightbulbs. Let’s change people’s minds!
meet the team
JAMIE Shimizu-Jones
CO-DIRECTOR, PRODUCER,
Jamie Shimizu-Jones is a Buddhist eco-chaplain, writer, and the founder of Lotus Compass, where she develops transformative pilgrimage retreats that integrate nature, mindfulness, and personal growth. Jamie is committed to finding ways to shift the dominant extraction-based narrative into one that protects nature and all beings, drawing on her skills in program design, production, and community building to inspire lasting change.
Sam Shimizu-Jones
CO-DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, CINEMATOGRAPHER
Sam Shimizu-Jones is a Japanese-American filmmaker and storyteller with a focus on exploring cultural, environmental, and human narratives. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, Sam brings a unique vision to his projects, blending visual artistry with social and environmental impact. He is passionate about working collaboratively with diverse communities, utilizing film as a powerful tool for connection. Sam's documentaries have been featured in various international festivals and screenings.
WILL CALL MEDIA
MEDIA PRODUCTION COMPANY
Will Call is a creative production studio dedicated to the art of storytelling. With a deep passion for crafting compelling narratives, the studio specializes in original content that inspires action and connection. Will Call believes that the way a story is told is just as important as the story itself—balancing cinematic visuals with authenticity to create meaningful impact. Whether working with brands, organizations, or individuals, Will Call transforms ideas into powerful visual experiences that engage and resonate.
Get in touch
If you’re interested in connecting about the film, don't hesitate to contact us at jamie@willcall.media