openlands

The Openlands Annual Luncheon draws over 1,000 people in the largest gathering of the regional conservation community while also serving as a significant organizational fundraiser. I produced two films for the 2020 luncheon in the height of Covid. Themes revolved around large landscape preservation - celebrating the keynote speaker, Dr. Avecita Chicchón, and the conservation leadership awardee, Debra Moskovits - as well as the vital role the protection of green spaces of all size plays in conservation today.

producer, creative director

ROLE

Film production oversight including pre and post, concepting, client management, location scouting, scheduling and budget, remote production for shoot days due to pandemic restrictions, subject interview prep and copywriting/edit of interview questions and talking points, contracts and permitting negotiations with client and locations.

DIRECTOR

DP/EDITOR

meg halski

mark halski

  • While a highly respected conservation organization, Openlands faced limited brand recognition and inconsistent messaging.  The films sought to capture the broad scope of their programmatic work in a clear, definitive way without losing sight of the larger brand narrative.  This involved connecting the core values of members, funders, volunteers, conservationists and “climate consumers”:  building a more environmentally just future, emphasizing the bond between people and nature, collaboration and program innovation, action-based education, training and volunteer programs.

  • Kickstart and grow the brand in a new messaging direction centered around land preservation, forestry and green solutions. Inspire donors and volunteers to make an actionable impact, help audiences connect to the Amazon and Chicago’s green vision, celebrate the leadership of women scientists and the vital role of landscape preservation on conservation and on people.  

of people and place

weaving a tapestry of green and blue

This 25-minute short-documentary piece captured the accomplishments and impact of Openlands in preserving and shaping landscapes, both large and small, throughout Illinois and the Chicago metro area. We wanted to convey the importance of these landscapes and how they connect to one another and feed into the larger mission and model of Openlands while also capturing the stories of people directly impacted by the work – whether students, conservation easement owners, or volunteers. The film inspired audiences to get outside with a renewed appreciation for green spaces of all sizes and knowledge of what it takes to preserve these landscapes. 

conservation leadership award

celebrating the life and work of debra moskovits

A 15-minute tribute film celebrates the life and work of Debby Moskovits, recipient of the 2020 Conservation Leadership Award.The film incorporates testimonials from colleagues at the Field Museum’s Action Science Center, Openlands leadership, and archival footage.The piece explored Debby’s work in the Andes-Amazon region; highlighting her incredible role transforming how the Field Museum views and treats conservation as a strategic priority. 

  • Josie and her team were such a pleasure to work with. Everyone they interviewed shared the same positive comments. Most importantly, the pieces they produced were beautiful, powerful and moving - first rate in every way. I can't thank them enough for generating such wonderful films and for being a delightful team to work with. We look forward to collaborating with Josie again in the future!

    Jerry Adelmann, Executive Director

  • The pieces truly convey the “heart and soul” of the stories we seek to tell about conservation, its leaders and its impact. We received nothing but rave reviews from viewers. Josie is a creative doer, a brilliant storyteller, and always has a top notch team with her every step of the way. I highly recommend her!

    Nora Hennessey, VP External Relations

  • Josie and her team were all wonderful to work with! They did a beautiful job conveying the essence of collaboration. Thank you so, so much for the work you did pulling everything together into a gorgeous story. I cannot tell you the number of people who've said they were crying at the end. However you did it, it was magic.

    Debby Moskovits, Vice President, The Field Museum