it's time
It's Time is a poetic 4-minute film born from a personal journey of discovery. Set in early spring, in our backyard on the banks of the Sangamon River in Illinois, this cinematic ode gives voice to nature through stunning visuals and lyrical narration.
Inspired by the ancient practice of maple syrup making, the film interweaves the rhythm of sap collection with the melody of a wooden flute, creating a symphony of human creativity and nature's wisdom. The tree's awakening becomes a powerful metaphor for environmental awareness, highlighting the delicate balance between abundance and responsibility.
This film is dedicated to Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wabanaki, who invented maple syrup and have harvested sap for centuries as an essential part of their physical and spiritual nourishment.
It's Time aspires to plant seeds of change, encouraging viewers to listen to nature's whispered warnings and become stewards of our shared environment.
Country of Origin: United States
JASON LINDSEY & SCOTT KRAHN, Director
Inspired by the ancient practice of maple syrup making, the film interweaves the rhythm of sap collection with the melody of a wooden flute, creating a symphony of human creativity and nature's wisdom. The tree's awakening becomes a powerful metaphor for environmental awareness, highlighting the delicate balance between abundance and responsibility.
This film is dedicated to Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wabanaki, who invented maple syrup and have harvested sap for centuries as an essential part of their physical and spiritual nourishment.
It's Time aspires to plant seeds of change, encouraging viewers to listen to nature's whispered warnings and become stewards of our shared environment.
Country of Origin: United States
JASON LINDSEY & SCOTT KRAHN, Director
JASON LINDSEY:
Jason Lindsey's journey as a director is rooted in a deep connection to the natural world, shaped by his upbringing among "salt of the earth" individuals. This background instilled a passion for capturing authentic stories that resonate, educate, and bridge human experiences with environmental narratives.
With a background in photojournalism, art direction, and commercial directing, he has honed his skills in visual storytelling, bringing a unique eye for composition and light to his documentary work. His approach blends observational techniques with visually striking cinematography, aiming to forge a deep connection between the audience and the natural world, to evoke emotions and inspire action.
As a volunteer, Jason was on the Board of Directors of Prairie Rivers Network for eleven years. His deeply held ideals are the driving force behind why he and his wife fulfilled a long-held ambition to purchase 27 acres of forest at the mouth of Jordan Creek. Ultimately, they worked with The Land Conservation Foundation to transfer the land to a land trust for permanent protection.
His films have been recognized at prestigious environmental film festivals, including the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Fresh Coast Film Festival, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, and 20 other festivals. He is honored to have received the Best Documentary award at the World Water Film Festival.
Jason's latest project, It's Time is a short documentary set in his backyard along the Sangamon River in Illinois. It gives a voice to nature and embodies his mission to create films that showcase our environment's beauty and inspire environmental stewardship.
SCOTT KRAHN:
For over 35 years, Scott Krahn created and produced award-winning television commercials and videos for advertising clients across a range of categories, including tourism, healthcare and higher education. He also provided photography services for ad agency clients. During this time, Scott developed an affinity for editorial-style storytelling that focused on the lives of everyday people.
As a volunteer, Scott coached youth basketball for 10 years, was a Big Brother for twelve years, served as publicity committee chair for his church for more than a decade, and was a member of the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation board for 18 years.
Since retiring, Scott has worked as a freelance photographer while pursuing his interest in filmmaking. He also produced and directed the short documentary Friday Night Blind, a short film that has garnered significant acclaim. The film has been featured in over 36 film festivals and secured more than a dozen awards. Friday Night Blind tells the warm, quirky, inspiring story of three visually impaired bowling friends and the way they roll.
With a deep appreciation of nature and a love of traveling, Scott and his wife, Sharon, enjoy hiking Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail and continue their mission to visit all 63 U.S. national parks.
ORIGIN STORY BEHIND 'IT'S TIME:
In 2019, my wife and I embarked on a journey of discovery, learning to make maple syrup from the sugar maples in our backyard. Little did we know, this simple decision would lead to the creation of It's Time, a short film that would enlighten us and our audience about the power of nature's bounty and generational wisdom in fostering climate awareness.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, we found ourselves in a unique situation. Confined to our property, we discovered a sense of unity and shared experience in the rhythmic drip of sap and the billowing steam of the evaporator. It was during these quiet moments that the seed of an idea began to germinate, connecting us to the world outside.
A pivotal moment occurred one March morning as I practiced my wooden flute beneath the trees. The flute's melody intertwined with the steady plink of sap falling into buckets, creating a natural symphony of cycles and interconnectedness. This experience became a cornerstone of the film, representing the delicate balance between human creativity and nature's wisdom.
Then, the spring of 2023 brought an unexpected challenge. Unusual weather patterns disrupted the sap flow, rendering our trees silent. This absence underscored the urgency and responsibility we all share in the face of climate change. What was once taken for granted now felt precious and precarious, adding a sense of motivation to the film's message.
Robin Wall Kimmerer's book Braiding Sweetgrass profoundly influenced the project during this time. The book's exploration of indigenous wisdom and our relationship with the natural world resonated deeply. The Anishinaabe story of Nanabozho and the maple trees struck a chord, illuminating the delicate balance between abundance and responsibility and shaping the film's narrative and visual style.
In the winter of 2023, It's Time officially took shape. I contacted my longtime collaborator, Scott Krahn, whose creative directing skills and writing prowess elevated the project. Embracing the challenge of being a one-person crew, I took on the roles of cinematographer and editor. My wife, who had been an integral part of our maple syrup making and our journey of creativity and climate awareness, became the main subject of the film's visuals. Her involvement allowed for a rare combination of authentic storytelling and personal insight, elevating the project's emotional core.
From its inception in 2019 to its completion in the late summer of 2024, It's Time evolved from a simple documentation of maple syrup making into a unique and poignant exploration of climate change, indigenous wisdom, and our intricate relationship with nature. This short film, with its focus on personal connection and quiet moments spent in harmony with the natural world, stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in inspiring broader awareness.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We respectfully acknowledge that It's Time was filmed on the ancestral lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe peoples. These nations have been stewards of the land along the Sangamon River for countless generations.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Indigenous peoples who first discovered the gift of maple sap and developed the art of syrup-making. In particular, we honor the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wabanaki nations, whose ancestral wisdom and practices have inspired this film and continue to teach us about living in harmony with the natural world.
As we present this story of awakening and environmental awareness, we recognize the ongoing connection between Indigenous communities and these lands. We acknowledge the history of displacement and broken treaties that have impacted these nations, and we commit to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and environmental stewardship.
May this film not only serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to listen to the land and respect Indigenous knowledge, but also inspire us to work towards a more sustainable and just future for all.
Jason Lindsey's journey as a director is rooted in a deep connection to the natural world, shaped by his upbringing among "salt of the earth" individuals. This background instilled a passion for capturing authentic stories that resonate, educate, and bridge human experiences with environmental narratives.
With a background in photojournalism, art direction, and commercial directing, he has honed his skills in visual storytelling, bringing a unique eye for composition and light to his documentary work. His approach blends observational techniques with visually striking cinematography, aiming to forge a deep connection between the audience and the natural world, to evoke emotions and inspire action.
As a volunteer, Jason was on the Board of Directors of Prairie Rivers Network for eleven years. His deeply held ideals are the driving force behind why he and his wife fulfilled a long-held ambition to purchase 27 acres of forest at the mouth of Jordan Creek. Ultimately, they worked with The Land Conservation Foundation to transfer the land to a land trust for permanent protection.
His films have been recognized at prestigious environmental film festivals, including the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Fresh Coast Film Festival, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, and 20 other festivals. He is honored to have received the Best Documentary award at the World Water Film Festival.
Jason's latest project, It's Time is a short documentary set in his backyard along the Sangamon River in Illinois. It gives a voice to nature and embodies his mission to create films that showcase our environment's beauty and inspire environmental stewardship.
SCOTT KRAHN:
For over 35 years, Scott Krahn created and produced award-winning television commercials and videos for advertising clients across a range of categories, including tourism, healthcare and higher education. He also provided photography services for ad agency clients. During this time, Scott developed an affinity for editorial-style storytelling that focused on the lives of everyday people.
As a volunteer, Scott coached youth basketball for 10 years, was a Big Brother for twelve years, served as publicity committee chair for his church for more than a decade, and was a member of the Wauwatosa Public Library Foundation board for 18 years.
Since retiring, Scott has worked as a freelance photographer while pursuing his interest in filmmaking. He also produced and directed the short documentary Friday Night Blind, a short film that has garnered significant acclaim. The film has been featured in over 36 film festivals and secured more than a dozen awards. Friday Night Blind tells the warm, quirky, inspiring story of three visually impaired bowling friends and the way they roll.
With a deep appreciation of nature and a love of traveling, Scott and his wife, Sharon, enjoy hiking Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail and continue their mission to visit all 63 U.S. national parks.
ORIGIN STORY BEHIND 'IT'S TIME:
In 2019, my wife and I embarked on a journey of discovery, learning to make maple syrup from the sugar maples in our backyard. Little did we know, this simple decision would lead to the creation of It's Time, a short film that would enlighten us and our audience about the power of nature's bounty and generational wisdom in fostering climate awareness.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, we found ourselves in a unique situation. Confined to our property, we discovered a sense of unity and shared experience in the rhythmic drip of sap and the billowing steam of the evaporator. It was during these quiet moments that the seed of an idea began to germinate, connecting us to the world outside.
A pivotal moment occurred one March morning as I practiced my wooden flute beneath the trees. The flute's melody intertwined with the steady plink of sap falling into buckets, creating a natural symphony of cycles and interconnectedness. This experience became a cornerstone of the film, representing the delicate balance between human creativity and nature's wisdom.
Then, the spring of 2023 brought an unexpected challenge. Unusual weather patterns disrupted the sap flow, rendering our trees silent. This absence underscored the urgency and responsibility we all share in the face of climate change. What was once taken for granted now felt precious and precarious, adding a sense of motivation to the film's message.
Robin Wall Kimmerer's book Braiding Sweetgrass profoundly influenced the project during this time. The book's exploration of indigenous wisdom and our relationship with the natural world resonated deeply. The Anishinaabe story of Nanabozho and the maple trees struck a chord, illuminating the delicate balance between abundance and responsibility and shaping the film's narrative and visual style.
In the winter of 2023, It's Time officially took shape. I contacted my longtime collaborator, Scott Krahn, whose creative directing skills and writing prowess elevated the project. Embracing the challenge of being a one-person crew, I took on the roles of cinematographer and editor. My wife, who had been an integral part of our maple syrup making and our journey of creativity and climate awareness, became the main subject of the film's visuals. Her involvement allowed for a rare combination of authentic storytelling and personal insight, elevating the project's emotional core.
From its inception in 2019 to its completion in the late summer of 2024, It's Time evolved from a simple documentation of maple syrup making into a unique and poignant exploration of climate change, indigenous wisdom, and our intricate relationship with nature. This short film, with its focus on personal connection and quiet moments spent in harmony with the natural world, stands as a testament to the power of storytelling in inspiring broader awareness.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We respectfully acknowledge that It's Time was filmed on the ancestral lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and Ojibwe peoples. These nations have been stewards of the land along the Sangamon River for countless generations.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Indigenous peoples who first discovered the gift of maple sap and developed the art of syrup-making. In particular, we honor the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wabanaki nations, whose ancestral wisdom and practices have inspired this film and continue to teach us about living in harmony with the natural world.
As we present this story of awakening and environmental awareness, we recognize the ongoing connection between Indigenous communities and these lands. We acknowledge the history of displacement and broken treaties that have impacted these nations, and we commit to supporting Indigenous sovereignty and environmental stewardship.
May this film not only serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility to listen to the land and respect Indigenous knowledge, but also inspire us to work towards a more sustainable and just future for all.