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Portfolio - Rosalini Films - Dugan Rosalini

'Spirit of Carnaúba' - trailer

Feature-length docudrama depicts a son’s retracing of his long-deceased father’s most adventurous, life-altering achievement — a pioneering expedition in 1935 to explore by amphibious airplane the Amazon River basin and jungles of northeastern Brazil.

Over the course of the expedition's 15,000-mile cross-country and island-hopping re-creation, the son’s journey becomes as much a psychological one, enabling him to learn dimensions he had never known of both his father and himself — discoveries that, in turn, enable the son to understand his father’s quest for a ‘higher purpose,’ reconcile his past relationship with his father, and create for himself and his family a legacy beyond their material wealth, beyond the son’s addiction to alcohol.

Aired initially on The Hallmark Channel and repurposed thereafter by its sponsor, S.C. Johnson & Son, for a variety private and public screenings, including public tours of the company’s headquarters campus and Fortaleza Hall (here and here), and as video clips for daily exhibition in the EAA’s AirVenture Museum. 

Project researched and conceived, and the original, general-audience cinema and television version written and directed, by Dugan Rosalini. Produced by Rosalini Films in 16 countries on 3 continents over four years. Available for viewing on request. 

      "Mr. Rosalini brought great cinematic skill to a very challenging project…to create a memorable cinematic record of an important event in my family's and my company's history."  — Samuel C. Johnson, Chairman, S.C. Johnson & Son (full Letter of Recommendation here)

      "…delivered absolutely on budget and on time.  Even more significant, the film helped our former Chairman, Mr. Sam Johnson, say things that he had not had an earlier opportunity to articulate."                                      — James P. May, Director of Corporate Affairs Worldwide,       S.C. Johnson & Son (full Letter of Recommendation here)

  "…a personal epilogue to the importance of family…and a son’s reconciliation with the past." — The Washington Post

“ …an extraordinary exception in the annals of executive image-building.” — The Wall Street Journal

  "'Carnaùba' is one of the most beautiful and artistic documentaries to be produced in a long time."                             — The Tribune Review

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema/special event venues

SECONDARY: television

________________

PRODUCTION NOTES:

• 100% original, 1.85 live-action 35mm cinematography; i.e., no stock footage, no CGI/green-screen compositing of aircraft into background plates and no 4-ounce GoPros. Instead, 30-pound film cameras with 400’ loads.

• All B&W scenes lit for B&W cinematography and shot on Eastman Tri-X B&W negative; i.e., no dialed out color.

• Dual-camera aerial filming using a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter with a Tyler side mount and a special, Rosalini-designed and -STC’ed nose mount (no drones). The helicopter was also utilized to ferry into isolated and difficult locations the project’s two camera crews for the ground-to-air filming, as well as assist coordination between those crews and the S-38’s pilots for shots requiring blind-approach flybys.

• Logistical support aircraft included a Cessna Grand Caravan on floats, a Cessna Citation, and two Dassault Falcon 900’s with a rotating crew of 22 pilots and 4 maintenance technicians.

• Rosalini Films’ documenting of the underwater search for the original expedition’s aircraft took place in Western New Guinea (the Indonesian province of Papua, formerly Irian Jaya).

• The voice-over of Sam Johnson is performed by actor Danny Goldring, while an abbreviated, corporate version of the film — produced by the S.C. Johnson & Son company to memorialize its late chairmen, H.F. Johnson and Samuel C. Johnson — is of a more conventional documentary style and format, featuring mainly Sam Johnson on-camera and voiceover, but utilizing the original film’s location footage as B-roll and preserving nearly all of the original’s dimensions of personal discovery, reconciliation and redemption.

(This derivative version and the video clips for YouTube viewing, weekly public screenings in S.C. Johnson & Son’s Golden Rondelle Theater, and display daily in the EAA AirVenture Museum’s permanent ‘Carnaúba’ exhibit are located here.)

• Given the film’s ubiquitous aviation component and Mr. Johnson’s passion and acclaimed philanthropy in the field of aviation, ‘Carnaúba’ premiered at the EAA’s annual AirVenture event, “The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration” with attendance totaling more than a half-million from 80 countries.

(The EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) is an international organization of nearly a quarter-million member individuals, associations and companies that “nurtures the spirit of flight through a worldwide network of chapters, outreach programs, and other events.”)

• Given the multi-year/multi-continent extent of the project; the cost of building the S-38 replica; the support aircraft and personnel committed to the project, including the full round-trip use of S.C. Johnson & Son’s helicopter (requiring two pilots and a rotation of several); both the behind-the-scenes and on-site participation of dozens of the company’s executives, including its chairman (Sam Johnson) and his two sons; the project’s public relations and advertising tab, etc., the ‘Spirit of Carnaúba’ is likely the most expensive film production outlay ever by a non-entertainment industry corporation.

THE PROJECT’S INCEPTION

Filmmaker Dugan Rosalini came upon the history of the 1935 Carnaúba expedition while doing research for a project that S.C. Johnson & Son had contracted his company to produce — a film promoting environmental sustainability, featuring a provocative conversation directed by Rosalini between the company’s then Chairman, the late Sam Johnson (1928 - 2004) and then World Wildlife Fund CEO, Kathryn Fuller.

During pre-production of the SCJ/WWF project, Rosalini advised ‘Sam’ (as he was affectionately addressed company-wide) that a filmed depiction of his father’s expedition would make not only an inspirational vehicle for the company’s employees, but also a colorful and moving program to be enjoyed by a general-public audience as well.

More than five years later the idea caught fire when one of Sam’s fellow EAA board directors (the late R.W. “Buzz” Kaplan) proclaimed the ability of his company (Owatonna Tool Works with the participation of Aviation Hall of Fame builder and pilot Gary Underland) to reverse engineer and then build for Sam — from archive photographs and the scant working drawings that could be found — a flying replica of the aircraft Sam’s father had seen in Chicago’s 1934 Century of Progress Exposition and later bought for the expedition he would lead: the S-38 Amphibian, designed by the great aeronautical engineer, Igor Sikorsky, as his first commercially-successful airplane.

On this offer, the project truly took wing for Sam — a pilot himself and now a successfully recovering alcoholic — when he realized the opportunity to retrace his father’s expedition in an identical airplane. In Sam’s words, “…to step back in time do it just like him.”

Sam invited his two sons (both pilots themselves) to join him and then coined the undertaking “The Spirit of Adventure” to be shared with and instilled in the hearts and minds of his company’s ‘family’ of 13,000 employees worldwide.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

To tell the essential psychological dimensions and revelations in the ‘Spirit of Carnaúba’ film, a close working and trust relationship existed between Sam Johnson and filmmaker Rosalini. This developed over the 4-year term of the project, including the multi-year construction of Sam’s airplane, during all stages of the film’s production, and even before production began in the course of the many trust-building recreational/ “extracurricular” activities the two spent together.

Among these were frequent lunches in the company’s cafeteria, attending several yearly AirVenture events, and sharing the cockpit in more than a dozen location scouting, training, and just plain recreational flights that Sam piloted in the Racine area and southeastern Wisconsin. Sam invited Rosalini for visits at his vacation homes in northwestern Wisconsin and the Bahamas — visits that included fun activities with Sam’s wife, “Gene” (the late Imogene Powers Johnson), other family members and friends, and another of Sam’s favorite pastimes: fishing. The two once spent an afternoon of deeply contemplative time together in Sam’s earliest childhood home (preserved by the company as a meeting facility and retreat) and visiting the Johnson family mausoleum.

Trust between the two men grew so strong that Sam suggested to Rosalini that he interview his personal therapist in order to gain a further-articulated understanding of Sam’s psyche. With Sam’s permission to breach patient/therapist confidentiality, Rosalini twice met with Sam’s therapist where they discussed a wide range of Sam’s life experiences and ambitions — those both of his childhood and as an adult.

From these invaluable interviews and the time Sam and Rosalini spent together, Rosalini learned much of Sam’s relationships with his father, mother, other family members, close friends and employees; of his commitment to maintain his sobriety in overcoming his addiction to alcohol; of his heartfelt motivations for retracing his father’s expedition; and of Sam's genuine enthusiasm for instilling among his family members and employees his own ‘spirit of adventure.’ Ultimately, this perspective helped shape not only the content and tone of the film, but the foundation of a meaningful friendship, as well.

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'Welcome to the MAX' - in 70mm IMAX® & IMAX®Dome (short version)

In a whimsical parody of the adventure sci-fi genre, an intrepid space explorer earns his stripes by journeying to the far side of the universe and a planet known as "Eart." His mission: to learn all he can about "…this mysterious thing, this device called 'Omnimax'." Along the way he discovers the iconic sights, sounds and bigger-than-life spectacle of New York City and the Tri-state region, learns the meaning of freedom, and makes a novel new friend for life.

'Welcome to the Max' is a destination signature film, produced in the Large-Format/Giant-Screen medium and exhibited primarily to lead off a twin-bill show in the world's largest, 400-seat IMAXDome® cinema, the Eastman Kodak OMNIMAX® Theater. Used to attract family visitors to the then new, $50-million science and technology museum, Liberty Science Center—located adjacent to the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island—and to introduce the Giant-Screen medium to the New York/New Jersey/ Connecticut market, the film enjoyed an hourly, continuous run of 4+ years. 

Conceived and designed from the ground up to be exhibited equally well in both dome and flat-screen theaters — creating an awesome movie-going experience of sight and sound unsurpassed in lifelike quality and epic scale — ‘Welcome to the Max’ was also used by the IMAX Corporation for sales presentations of its projection equipment and giant-screen cinemas.

Moreover, in an industry sector that at the time was dominated by air and space films and natural history documentaries relying on voice-over narration, ‘Welcome to the Max’ broke new ground as a successful experiment in combining the spectacle of the giant IMAX® screen with engaging humor and a warm heart to provide a human-scaled, emotional connection between the audience and what appears before them on screen. By employing firsts in the medium — such as a theatrically-staged, character-driven plot, professional actors, dialogue, a giant set and startling stunts to tell an off-beat, fictional tale — ’Welcome to the Max’ is one of the early films that showed the way to today’s wider use of the IMAX® brand and technology by the Hollywood entertainment industry.

     "Without reservation, one of the most innovative, entertaining, and effective films in the medium today."  (more)   — Max Ary, former President & CEO, ISTC, now the GSCA (Giant Screen Theater Association)

  "…[I]gnites exactly the reactions we sought to spark, and more…screams, laughs and gasps…an entertaining embodiment of LSC's most fundamental mission — to give people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to experience science in exciting and novel ways.  In surveys we conducted, nine out of 10 viewers said they would recommend 'Welcome to the Max' to a friend."  (more)   — John Marchiony, former Director of Public Affairs and Marketing, Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ 

     "Rosalini was able to make New York City a glorious 'sight to behold' and translated in the language of film the marketing objectives of their client and sponsors."   — Ken Howarth, Executive Vice President Worldwide Sales & Marketing, IMAX Corporation  

    "Exhilarating…with refreshing humour and emotion that I thank you for personally." — Susan Contos, Theatre & Marketing Manager, Omni Theatre - City West, Perth, Australia

Produced by Rosalini Films. Conceived, directed and co-written by Dugan Rosalini. Full credits and technical here.

RECOGNITION: Screen Magazine’s ‘Director of the Year,’ with specific mention of Rosalini’s innovative work in the giant-screen (IMAX® and OMNIMAX®) medium.

Invited to the Euromax Film Conference conducted at the National Science and Media Museum (formerly the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television), Bradford, England.

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema

NOTES: The video clip herein crops the top and sides of the full-frame, 70mm/15-perf theater presentation.  'Marto' falling to Earth is a live-action stunt, staged at 10,000 feet over Lower Manhattan. 'Max' and all other special visual effects are practical ones; i.e., none are CG, which at the time was economically impractical in the giant-screen/IMAX® medium.

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ADDITIONAL WORK IN GIANT-SCREEN: Rosalini followed this project with ‘Implacable,’ another Large-Format production, but this time utilizing an entirely different artistic approach: real-life, ‘run-and-gun’ documentary filming of a catastrophic, 100-year flood of the Upper Mississippi River and the impact this had on the lives of the people living in its valley and along the river’s tributaries. In keeping up with and recording real-time National Guard airborne and ground-based rescue operations, the film broke new ground in employing a spontaneous, cinéma-vérité approach to filmmaking in the IMAX® medium.

During the production of ‘Implacable',’ Rosalini field-tested the final prototype of the MSM 9802 camera system, since acquired by IMAX Corp. and continuing in use today for films such as Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Night’ and ‘Dunkirk,’ and more recently, Daniel Craig’s final appearance as Jame Bond in ‘No Time to Die.’

Rosalini also conceived, wrote and produced the Large-Format show opener, ‘Amalgam,’ for the Audubon Nature Institute’s Entergy IMAX Theater located in New Orleans. The main visual component of the film was a one-take, sweeping aerial shot filmed at sundown and requiring complex, split-second coordination of riverbank extras and the navigation of several vessels. Enjoyed alike by tourists and residents of the region, the words of praise by Audubon’s President and CEO, Ron Forman, sums up the spectacle:

“I am impressed by its beauty and message. You have captured the rare patina of our very special city in a way that allows the audience to celebrate New Orleans on a very personal level. Thank you for helping us welcome our guests so warmly.”

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'Sea Trial' - opening segment

Documentary exploring the integrated and critical national defense roles of the U.S. Navy, American Merchant Marine, and the nation's shipbuilding industry.  

Aired nationally, exhibited in several strategic public-policy events and hearings, and ultimately instrumental to its presenting sponsor, Bath Iron Works, securing new contracts valued at several billion dollars, including construction of the USS Arleigh Burke — lead ship of the DDG-51 class guided missile destroyers.  Since then, BIW has delivered dozens of these destroyers, each built at a cost of more than $1B.

Filmed aboard warships of the U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet, in offices and hearing rooms of the U.S. Senate, and at 22 other locations along the Eastern seaboard from Maine to Mayport, Florida.

Features former Chiefs of Naval Operations, Admirals James Holloway III and Thomas Hayward; senators and cabinet members William Cohen and the late John Tower and John Glenn; American Enterprise Institute and Brookings Institution scholar and faculty member, Sidney L. Jones; and former Under Secretary of the Navy and eventual CIA Director, R. James Woolsey.  Actor Robert Lansing is host. Interviews conducted by the film’s director, Dugan Rosalini.

Portions of the film were used years later during Congressional base consolidation and closures to assist the successful efforts of the governor of Illinois and mayor of Chicago to preserve Naval Station Great Lakes as the U.S. Navy's sole Basic Training facility. 

     "The most effective media piece promoting our efforts to build a 600-ship Navy."                                                          — Hon. John Lehman, former Secretary of the Navy

Bronze Anvil award — Public Relations Society of America

Gold Camera — U.S. Industrial Film Festival

In Memoriam: The film is dedicated to the officers and crew of the American merchant vessel, S.S. Marine Electric, who appear in the film and were subsequently lost at sea when their ship sunk in a winter blizzard off the coast of Virginia. 

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema/special event venues

SECONDARY: television

• Request viewing the entire film here.

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'The Power, the Glory' - TV ad

Promotes the International Festival of Racing and its 'Arlington Million' — the world's first million-dollar thoroughbred horse race — by highlighting the beauty and grace of the horses, jockeys, and the festive celebration that surrounds the spectator.  

Client: Arlington Park Racetrack. Agency: Keroff-Rosenberg. Production Company: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.

Chicago ADDY® Award — Chicago Ad Club

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

'Grandpa' - TV ad

Corporate image spot celebrates the bonds of three generations by reaffirming the loving role of a grandfather as mentor.  

Client: American Bank of Michigan.  Agency: Keller-Moleski. Production company: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.

Gold ADDY® — American Advertising Federation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

'The Crossing' - excerpt

A mid-century rendezvous leads inexorably to a time-travel destination unnamed, unimagined. 

Filmed in multiple California locations, Chicago, and rural Wisconsin. 

Sponsor: General Motors/Cadillac. Production company: Rosalini Films. Conceived and directed by Dugan Rosalini.

 PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema/public event venues

'One Fine Day' - TV ad

Introduces a free, energy evaluation program, with the strategy objective of overcoming predictable customer resistance to in-home inspection by way of depicting a fun, helpful interaction between utility inspector and homeowner — in this case a clean-cut, straight-laced 'Joe' and the universally endearing Charlie Chaplin character, 'The Little Tramp.'

Client: Consumers Energy.  Agency: Gilmore Advertising. Production company: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.

Recognition: 1st-place in category, Chicago International Film Festival

Outstanding Creativity award — American TV and Radio Commercials Festival (now the Clios)

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

'A Special Place' - opening & closing segments

Television documentary about maintaining a community's historic values and traditions through conservation of its open space and native landscape.  

Also used by its sponsor, Lake Forest Open Lands Association, for fund-raising and volunteer recruitment. 

Produced by Rosalini Films. Conceived, directed and co-written by Dugan Rosalini.

Outstanding Merit Award — International Wildlife Film Festival.

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema/special event venues

SECONDARY: television

• Request viewing the entire film here.

'Zookeepers' - opening segment & excerpts

Prime-time National Public Television special exploring the behind-the-scenes work, science — and fun — in caring for the animals at one of America's most visited and highly-accredited zoos.

Two dozen vignettes take viewers to places every zoo visitor would like to go — nonchalantly hand-feeding grapes to a gorilla, wading into the alligators' habitat, cautiously peering into the access hatch of a terrarium full of poisonous snakes, bottle-feeding a baby orangutan — and each captures the personalities and enthusiasm of the zookeepers who, in their own words, illuminate their interactions with living creatures from the far corners of the world.

Brief chats with the zoo's curators, veterinarian, and director offer additional insight into the mission and goals of the zoo, and though facilities and animal welfare techniques have evolved vastly in recently years, the film's studies of the caring relationships between the animals and the men and women who feed, watch over, and clean up after them haven’t. They steal the show.  

As Rosalini's second nationally broadcast portrayal of an inner city haven for exotic animals and their all-ages admirers, 'Zookeepers' also served to strategically reinforce among the public, patrons and sponsors alike the well-regarded reputation of the program's presenting sponsor, Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo — one of the nation's finest, most widely-utilized educational and conservation organizations of its kind. Narrated by the late stage actor, Byrne Piven. 

"A unique perspective…an enthralling production and an exceptional program."                                                                 — Booklist, American Library Association

Emmy® award — 'Outstanding Achievement for a Special Event Program'

Blue Ribbon Award — American Film Festival (Educational Film Library Association)

Funding sponsor: Dr. Scholl Foundation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

SECONDARY: cinema/special event venues

• Request viewing the entire film here.

 

'Day Flight' - TV ad

Strategic corporate image for American National Bank. Agency: Marsteller. Producer: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.   

Animated matte composited over live-action and aerials filmed by helicopter, including a turning descent through two streets to a 4-foot elevation in Chicago's financial district. Street lamp posts were removed to accommodate the aircraft's rotor.

Gold ADDY® — American Advertising Federation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

'The Check-Up' - TV ad

Promotes brand identity for its sponsor, HMO West, by depicting the warmth and old-fashioned care a young boy receives in a routine checkup by the family physician.

Agency: Keller-Moleski. Producer: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

'Curtain Call, The Musical' - movie theater ad

Promotes the live, youth stage show, 'Curtain Call, The Musical.'   

Ad conceived and produced by Rosalini Films specifically for advertising in movie theaters across northern Michigan and concurrent to the company's back-stage, 'making of' documentary filming.  Post-production and motion graphics by the company's collaborator/co-producer Highway M. 

Silhouetted performers and simple revisions in graphics and V.O. enabled use in multiple markets.

     "…produced on a tiny budget, but the way it's made creates an amazing 3D effect.  Movie audiences think the live show is beginning in their own theater!"    — Theresa Gibson, Assistant Director, 'Curtain Call, The Musical' (Rogers City, MI)

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema

SECONDARY: television

'Curtain Call, The Musical' lyrics, music, book and all associated imagery ©2014 Margaret T. Gautier.

Demo Montage

Planes, trains, automobiles, and an occasional pony — a variety of scenes from a few of our films and TV spots.

Producer: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: mixed

'Arctic Window' - opening segment & excerpts

One-hour primetime National Public Television special about Iceland, North Atlantic puffins, and the efforts of a team of zoologists to create a unique seabird exhibit — taking another step forward in the evolving face and function of zoos worldwide.

Filmed in the heart of Chicago, across the uninhabited interior of Iceland, and on the sea cliffs of volcanic Heimaey Island, the program provides a ‘window’ to two lands and its people — one urban and American; the other, wild, wondrous, and inhabited by modern-day descendants of ancient Vikings — and to a delightful little bird that most of us would never get a chance to see.

For its presenting sponsor, Lincoln Park Zoological Society, the program served as a 'corporate image' vehicle by maintaining and enlarging its brand awareness in the national realm — an important factor to the organization's funding and fulfillment of its role in operating the zoo as both a conservator of animal species and public educator.  

Written and directed by Dugan Rosalini. Narrated by Herschel Bernardi.

"Entertaining, provocative insight…a fascinating production."    — Booklist, American Library Association

"…a tremendous success…well above our prime-time average rating and an indication of the quality of the program."  — Richard Bowman, Vice President for Broadcasting, WTTW Chicago

Two Emmy® awards — 'Special Achievement: Documentary of Current Importance' and 'Special Achievement in Photography'

Funding sponsor: Dr. Scholl Foundation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

SECONDARY: cinema/special event venues

Request viewing the entire film here.

 

 

'Behind That Quiet Facade' - opening segment

A symbolic journey through a snowy landscape of the distant past and into the future begins this corporate image film, celebrating the 125-year anniversary of one of America's largest commercial banks (Continental Illinois, now Bank of America) and its role in world markets.  

The film profiles employees in New York, London and Chicago, and of several of the bank's most important industrial customers such as Proctor & Gamble, Chicago Board of Trade, General Dynamics subsidiary, Freeman-United Mining, and Molem Construction (UK).

Produced by Rosalini Films. Conceived, written and directed by Dugan Rosalini.

Gold Camera award — U.S. Industrial Film Festival

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema/special event venues

'If It Takes a Lifetime' - TV ad

Corporate image spot, depicting a father who is inspired by his love for his young daughter, dreams of owning a farm of his own, and is determined to realize that dream for himself and his family.  

Client: American Bank of Michigan. Agency: Keller-Moleski. Production company: Rosalini Films. Director: Dugan Rosalini.

Recognition: Gold ADDY® — American Advertising Federation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

'Heart of the Zoo' - fund-raising film

Conceived and produced by Rosalini Films to make the emotional pitch for a $125-million capital campaign, with the strategy of reminding donors of their own childhood experiences at the nation's oldest and most visited zoo.  First used as the media centerpiece for the 'Heart of the Zoo' campaign's kickoff gala and in special honor of long-time benefactor, Joseph Regenstein. 

Upon successful completion of the campaign, the film was re-purposed to promote the institution via television broadcast and special events exhibition, and for on-site volunteer and visitor orientation.

Client: Lincoln Park Zoo. Produced by Rosalini Films. Conceived, written and directed by Dugan Rosalini.

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: cinema/event venues

SECONDARY: television

'Otto: Zoo Gorilla' - excerpt

The story of a 400-pound, lowland gorilla named 'Otto' who for more than 10 years of his life lived in a small cage with his mate, ‘Mumbi’, and then one day is moved to a spacious new home.  The one-hour television documentary follows Otto’s daily routine and playful interaction with his caretakers and explores how his life is changed by his new surroundings. 

Despite its minuscule advertising budget, the film's prime-time PBS broadcast was widely viewed and surpassed the average audience numbers of National Geographic specials, which at that time (pre-cable) were aired by the commercial networks.  Subsequently, ‘Otto' was re-broadcast annually for more than 10 years (includ­ing numerous airings on the then newly-launched Discovery Channel), distributed internationally, and pointed the way for the massive commitments to wildlife and animal behavior programming by PBS and several cable networks that continue today.

In addition to underscoring the modern, vital roles of zoos in animal husbandry research, providing field efforts to protect species endangered in the wild, and, as importantly, engendering public enthusiasm in these roles, the film also served to re-establish for its already highly-accredited presenting sponsor, Lincoln Park Zoo, a national television presence before a new generation of viewers — first brought to network TV by the weekly, 1950's show, ’Zoo Parade,’ starring Marlin Perkins (eventually of ‘Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom’ fame) and broadcast live from Lincoln Park Zoo.  This renewed stature for the Zoo became of particular benefit to its fund-raising, both among local philanthropists as well as national corporate sponsors.  

The video clip herein presents the middle portion of Otto's three-part story: his transfer from his antiquated, iron-barred cage to spacious new quarters — a delicate and highly time-sensitive process that afforded a team of veterinarians, physicians and scientists an opportunity to gather important data for use by zoos worldwide and zoologists in the field.  

    “Insightful comments supplementing the illuminating narration…fine camera work and thoughtful editing allow viewers to savor the distinctive attractions of the featured star and to pleasurably share the moments of meaningful interaction between humans and beasts…an enjoyable tribute to zoos."  — Booklist

Emmy® award nomination; First Place in category, Festival of the Americas (Virgin Islands) and Chicago International Film Festival; Red Ribbon, American Film Festival; invitation to Robert Flaherty Film Seminar'; inclusion in the American Library Association's 'Selected Films for Young Adults' (since 2009, 'Fabulous Films for Young Adults'); named to film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum's "List of Outstanding American Feature Films."

PRODUCTION NOTES:

• In order to research Otto’s daily routine — literally learn the ropes of Otto’s interaction with his keepers — and be able to rely on the natural behavior of Otto and the zoo’s other apes during filming, Rosalini suited up and worked for several days as a zookeeper to acclimate them to his presence. (Rosalini even learned from Otto how to hold and peel a banana with one hand, and then down it in a single bite!)

• The film was shot entirely with a single camera and a crew of four. Care in moving about in the tight quarters of the old Ape House was especially heightened as the apes were capable of reaching crew members through the cage bars.

• Produced by Rosalini Films. Conceived, directed and edited by Dugan Rosalini, co-written by Dugan Rosalini and Richard Vohs, camera by Robert Seaman, and narrated by film, television, stage and voice-over artist Hershel Bernardi.

• 'Otto: Zoo Gorilla' was Dugan Rosalini's first independent film and the project upon which he founded his company.  

Funding sponsor: Sears, Roebuck & Co. Foundation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

SECONDARY: cinema/event venues 

• Request viewing the entire program here. 

• Full poster here.

         ‘Otto’ begins his day in his former cage

‘Otto’ begins his day in his former cage

         Keeper Higgins offers a treat of grapes to Otto’s mate ‘Mumbi’

Keeper Higgins offers a treat of grapes to Otto’s mate ‘Mumbi’

         Otto in his new habitat

Otto in his new habitat

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Back to Portfolio - Rosalini Films - Dugan Rosalini
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'Spirit of Carnaúba' - trailer
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'Welcome to the MAX' - in 70mm IMAX® & IMAX®Dome (short version)
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'Sea Trial' - opening segment
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'The Power, the Glory' - TV ad
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'Grandpa' - TV ad
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'The Crossing' - excerpt
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'One Fine Day' - TV ad
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'A Special Place' - opening & closing segments
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'Zookeepers' - opening segment & excerpts
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'Day Flight' - TV ad
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'The Check-Up' - TV ad
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'Curtain Call, The Musical' - movie theater ad
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Demo Montage
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'Arctic Window' - opening segment & excerpts
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'Behind That Quiet Facade' - opening segment
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'If It Takes a Lifetime' - TV ad
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'Heart of the Zoo' - fund-raising film
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'Otto: Zoo Gorilla' - excerpt

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