Between Dog & Wolf
2020 Local Heroes Documentary Edition
Funded

Between Dog & Wolf

A 19 year old makes the mistake of a lifetime, taking a wolf-dog for a pet. Then dedicates her life to saving them all.

Length24:00
GenreDocumentary

Pitch video

Synopsis

At the age of 19, Georgina adopted a high content wolf-dog as a pet, naming her Kuna. Little did she know Kuna would change her life forever. Disaster ensued, and Georgina soon questioned whether wolf-dogs belong anywhere, but in the wild. It is her story, but she came to learn that it’s being repeated across North America. Wolf-dogs adopted, then abandoned. Faced with a difficult choice, Georgina left school to care for her new best friend, and to save others like her. She started a wolf-dog sanctuary near Cochrane, AB, forming a rescue group that is attempting to rehabilitate and re-home displaced wolf-dogs. As the sale of wolfdog pups continues, and wild feral wolfdogs keep coming into the sanctuary, space is running out, and no one knows if the new adoption program will really work.


Production

Interview Roster

Blair Fyten
Blair Fyten

Human Wildlife Coexistence Specialist - Blair has observed wild Wolf behavior on many occasions in Banff National park. We learn through Blair, about normal Wolf behaviour in the Parks, and how conflict situations can arise. Blair recounts recent incidents, sharing his evolving perspective, that is informed by a lifetime of experience, as well as new information from ongoing studies in the field.

Alyx
Alyx

Alyx has always had a passion for animals. After high school, she took an apprenticeship program, becoming a certified dog trainer. She started her own dog training business. But after volunteering at the sanctuary for quite some time, Alyx was offered a full time position as Sanctuary Manager. She now works at the sanctuary furthering her knowledge in animal behavior. She is a key principal in helping educate new wolf-dog owners, while rehabilitating their rescued wolf-dogs.

Joel
Joel

Observing wolves in the wild at a young age changed Joel. He quickly developed a lifelong passion for them. Moving to Alberta in 2013, he naturally visited the wolf-dog sanctuary to learn more about this species. But after his first visit he was completely hooked. He had begun volunteering and quickly became an invaluable member of the rescue team. Although he preaches the negatives of wolf-dog ownership, he also has adopted his own wolfdog, that has helped shape his understanding of how to own one, and how to go about caring for them. He believes that displaced wolf-dogs can be rehabilitated

Wolfdog Breeder - Hidden Identity
Wolfdog Breeder - Hidden Identity

By interviewing both active, and past Wolf-Dog Breeders, we hope to gain insight on the perspective, interest and reasoning of wolf-dog breeders.

Georgina
Georgina

Georgina - Wolf / Dog /Girl - and her wolf-dog "Kuna" pictured here, are the beginning and heart of our story, two solitary and independent figures, that have a found a unique bond that goes beyond a traditional pet/owner relationship. A relationship that has helped Georgina form new understanding about this cross species, as well as their uniqueness in terms of their behavior, temperament, and requirements. They have both grown and developed in multiple ways from this bond, that helps inform our story.

Production Design

These high content wolf-dogs genetics are so close to the wild, that they could pass for real wolves from the area. Filming them on location in their sanctuary, will create powerful emotive imagery that will help drive the interview narrative.
These wolf dogs are truly a cinematic subject matter,  full of solitary beauty. Wild and absolutely intriguing. Shot in natural habitats, and utilizing slow motion we will illustrate not only the allure of these animals, but the problem that they may represent.
Location takes place on the eastern slopes of Canadian Rockies. Wolves natural habitat. A beautifully location which we will shoot in dramatic light. Utilizing the natural beauty drive drama, and hold visual interest.
Subtle muted tones, powerfully contrasted with brightly colored highlights, help polarize and direct narrative, and the project.
A heroic portrait, both rustic and rich, naturally lit, with stoic tones, a distinct color pallet, reflecting the difference between these animals natural wilderness, and society that has spawned them.
Sanctuary location near Cochrane, AB. Seeing theses animals in context with their traditional and natural setting powerfully drives the interview narrative.