Under Review

Environmental Dance Film series that bring attention to our threatened public, wild lands.

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UR: Conservation Phase 1

Phase One of Under Review: Conservation - an environmental dance film that changes how we relate to the wilderness

United States

$10,859 raised of $15,600 goal
95 donations
-893547 minutes left

Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas

One night in 2017, I was standing backstage, ready to perform as a cast member for the award-winning immersive theater production of Sleep No More. Suddenly, I received a news alert on my phone: “27 National Monuments are under review by Trump and Zinke”. I spent the next 3 hours of the show on autopilot (don’t tell my bosses), daydreaming how I could intertwine storytelling, movement, and environmental activism into film. A combination of that night’s frustration, creativity, and passion completely transformed my life for the next 5 years.

My name is Kelly Ashton Todd and I am the creator and director of the Under Review series. Under Review: Conservation is the third film in the Under Review series, a three-part, award-winning environmental, experimental dance drama that has appeared at over 20 film festivals and was the New Vision Winner at the International Wildlife Film Festival. The series explores how we as humans have an evolving relationship to nature, centering endangered national monuments at the forefront of each story. Each film stands on its own as an independent film, while all carry the same theme of the exploitation of land and exploitation of the femme.

Kelly Ashton Todd setting up the shot for Under Review: Katahdin

Over the past five years, Under Review transformed into several different creations and learnings. Under Review: Gold Butte and Under Review: Katahdin both toured internationally in over 20 film festivals, were developed into site-specific installations, and went on to receive numerous accolades that continue to leave me speechless.

However, during those years, there was also a good deal of learning and unlearning that needed to happen on my end in order to continue to tell stories that marry advocacy with art. This led to pursuing my Master’s in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University (2021). Through my learnings I have met countless inspirational people who are affected by land ownership. I have also discovered that the root of wilderness protection problems are complex, entangled with social injustices and government corruption, and require a massive systematic change.

Which brings me to the present day

Under Review: Conservation (URC) is the third film in the Under Review series and it is gargantuan. This will be a feature length film (between 65-80 minutes) that has been in development since 2017.

The recruitment and hiring of our team has been mindful and intentional. After several years of site visits and independent research, we began recruiting some key talent nine months ago. It is important that we build honest and trusting relationships to empower a full and complex story of destruction and restoration.

learning about camas from Jeanine Moy of Vesper Meadow

Our creative team features award-winning Screenwriter, Chris Neighbors (Kia Over There, Samuel Project), award-winning Director, Kelly Ashton Todd (New Vision Award, Jerome Hill Foundation Finalist), and an all-women’s production team, Shanthi Blanchard (Social Justice Producer) & Lauren Flack (The Smack-Dab Show, Like Glass).

I want you to be involved too!

As we continue development and enter pre-production, my team and I currently need the important chance to experience time for listening, learning, and relationship building with the community our project serves. I am raising $15,600 to allow for the evolution of Under Review to continue. With your help, we can deliver the fullest, intentional, and heart-wrenching story to further protect our disappearing wilderness and endangered species.

Inspirational Images for Under Review: Conservation

Where are the funds going?

Your donation will go towards Phase One of pre-production which involves time for these pivotal conversations along with visiting locations to understand the history, future, ecology, and biodiversity of the land. There are several phases of pre-production, however, this one is crucial to the heart of the story.

Creative Session Calls ($5,600)

These calls consist of Chris Neighbors, Kelly Ashton Todd, Shanthi Blanchard, and land activists of varying backgrounds.
Everyone will receive an hourly compensation of $70/hr.
These calls are for our team to listen - hear about areas that need protection, species that are endangered, and how human experiences are intertwined.
Estimated 20 hours of call time.

Scouting for Under Review: Conservation (2021)

Site visits for scouting, learning, relationship building, and B-Roll. Partaking in these visits are Chris Neighbors (Screenwriter), Tyler Sparks (Director of Photography) and Kelly Ashton Todd (Director) ($10,000).

Car Rental ($500)
Flights + Bag Check ($1500)
Airbnb ($2100)
Food ($400)
Compensation for partner organizations ($2500)
Compensation for crew ($3000)

Tyler Sparks experimenting with looks while scouting for Under Review: Conservation (2020)

I am beyond excited to invite you along to begin this chapter of Under Review: Conservation! Any additional funds that are raised will go directly to the production of Under Review: Conservation. With your support, we can make this a magnificent film.