About this project
I am an adventure filmmaker who’s developed programming for National Geographic and PBS—including NATURE, Dangerous Encounters, and the upcoming Wild Americas. I have logged thousands of hours tracking and filming the region’s magnificent and often deadly wildlife. I am also one of the few to maintain personal contact with Ecuador’s indigenous and warring Waorani people.
A crew and I will film on location in Yasuni Man Biosphere Reserve, Earth’s most remote and mega-diverse wilderness. Its jungle landscapes are unrivaled in beauty. UNESCO declares it a World Heritage Site.
It spans vast fields of oil.
Energy companies have begun drilling in Yasuni, decimating its wildlife and threatening the existence of the people who live there—the Waorani, plus two rival tribes who have no peaceful contact with the outside world. The Waorani are fighting back—but are they powerful enough?
Conceptually, Yasuni Man resembles a true-to-life cross between immensely successful films Crude and Avatar. Audiences will experience close interactions with the embattled Waorani—and heart-stopping encounters with endangered and deadly animals. They will learn how energy corporations are laying waste at the edges of Earth’s unknown—unfit politicians failing to stop it.
I am uniquely positioned to produce and direct this pressing story—but I need your help!
I need funding to purchase specialized HD equipment, assemble a crew, and get to the field to begin shooting (scroll down to see full equipment list).
When the film is completed, Renacuajo Productions will pursue nationwide promotion and theatrical release.
MY REQUEST
1. SUPPORT Yasuni Man by clicking "Back This Project." Contributions of any size will help me raise the financing I need to complete both filming and post-production. Receive Yasuni Man gifts in return for your support—from copies of my films to a guided tour of the Amazon.
2. SHARE this Facebook message with your contacts and family. The more people watch the promo and become a financial backer, the faster and better I can tell this story.
3. FOLLOW our progress and build support by becoming a Yasuni Man Facebook fan or Tweeting about it. You’ll receive exclusive updates on the film as we make it, as well as access information about upcoming Yasuni Man events and media.
Thank you for your support, and please spread the word about Yasuni Man: The Film!
Ryan Killacky, Founder, Cinematographer and Director
Renacuajo Productions
To become a financial backer click "BACK THIS PROJECT" above and to learn more, visit my web-site at www.renacuajoproductions.com
FILM SYNOPSIS
After living in isolation for 6,000 years, the Waorani were contacted by rubber barons and the Shell Petroleum Company near the turn of the 20th century. Invaded by outsiders seeking natural resources, with spears and blowguns the Waorani defended their land and drove out the intruders.
In the 1950's, Christian missionaries moved in to tame the Waorani, known as the Auca, a Kichwa word for “savage.” Though five Americans were speared to death at first encounter, in time they established friendly contact. Having never been exposed to western diseases, a series of epidemics drove the Waorani to near extinction. The sudden, unexplained deaths led to brutal internal warring among the tribe, with homicides reaching 42 percent of deaths—the highest homicide rate known to man.
The tribes split and weakened, petroleum companies seized the chance to exploit the region’s oil wealth—and have been ever since. But the Waorani and neighboring tribes continue to fight against outside interference. Most recently, an illegal logger was speared to death in 2008.
As years passed, human rights were abused and oil spills fragmented the terrain, the region’s importance as a treasure of biodiversity grew. The sheer density of species here is greater than anywhere else known to man.
In an effort to preserve the region’s people, its resources and astonishing array of wildlife, in 1989 the United Nations declared this swath of Amazon a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renaming it Yasuni Man Biosphere Reserve. This designation has done little, however, to protect Yasuni Man from the heavy hand of the industrialized world.
But there is hope. The government of Ecuador recently declared that it would leave untouched one of Yasuni Man’s largest oil fields, as long as the international community compensates Ecuador for the revenue it will lose by preserving it. This novel approach is gaining momentum. On August 3, the UN announced the Yasuni-ITT non-drilling initiative, a new fund through which wealthy countries can both offset their carbon emissions while compensating Ecuador for preserving the Ishpingo Tambococha Tiputini (ITT) oil field. But there’s fine print: Countries have to provide the money, and any agreements will eventually expire.
What comes next for the Yasuni Man preserve—its people, its wildlife, the land and its oil? For how long can the Woarani defend themselves with spears and blowguns and political protest, while tenuous international agreements keep the oil industry at bay?
The financing we’re raising through Kickstarter will help to purchase the following equipment and services needed to film Yasuni Man:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II w/ 24-105mm f/4L USM AF Lens
SanDisk 8GB Compact Flash Cards
Canon MR-14EX TTL Macro Ring Lite Flash
Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Ringlite Flash
Canon 17mm f/4 lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Canon Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM AF
Sigma Zoom Super Telephoto 300-800mm f/5.6 EX
Sony PMW-EX3
SONY BPU-60 Battery
SONY SPB-32 32 GB SxS Cards
Equinox HD Pro Underwater Housing
Birns and Sawyer Shoulder Mount
Fujinon XS8X4AS-XB8 8x Lens
Sony HXR-MC1 HD Camera
Sony NP-FH70 Battery for HXR-MC1
Impact DVS-WA45-30M 30mm .45x Wide Angle Lens
Sony Memory Stick Duo 8GB Card
Bogen Tripod w/ Fluid Head
Indy Dolly
Back up Drives
Sony Port A Brace RS-EX3 Mini-DV Rain Slicker
Sony PMW-EX3 HD Camera Body Armor Mini Kit 2
Cartoni Mini Jib
Wendt Four Channel Field Mixer
Lectrosonic Wireless Transmitters
Lectrosonic Wireless Receivers
Tram Mics
K-Tek Boom Pole
Sennheiser Shock Mount, Shotgun Mic and Windscreen Kit
XLR Cable
Marantz Digital Recorder
Lowel DV Creator 55 Kit
LitePanel Two Light Combo
DVLPKIRS Single LitePanels DV Infrared Kit
Round-trip flight from Washington, DC to Quito, Ecuador
Flights from Quito to Coca, Ecuador for the director, second camera person and sound technician
21 nights in Yasuni filming indigenous communities and dazzling wildlife
Carnet
Filming permits
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
244
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$22,303
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Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on October 9, 2010.
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A personal Thank You letter from the director Ryan Killackey.
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A personal Thank You letter from the director Ryan Killackey, and a Yasuni Man sticker.
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A personal Thank You letter from the director Ryan Killackey, Yasuni Man sticker, and a Yasuni Man Button!
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1 DVD copy of Yasuni Man upon completion. Your choice of 1 DVD of - Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) OR Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min)
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1 DVD of Yasuni Man upon completion of film. 1 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White)
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Box set of Renacuajo Production Films - Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately)
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Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 1 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White)
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1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection from my photo library, signed.
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Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 1 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of your selection from my photo library, signed
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1 framed 11" x 18" print of you selection from my photo library, signed.
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1 unframed 17" x 28" print of you selection from my photo library, signed.
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Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 1 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 unframed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed
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WOOLLY MONKEY (Lagothrix lagotricha) - Sponsorship Level!! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 1 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed. Your name in the credits of Yasuni Man!
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GIANT ARMADILLO (Priodontes maximus) - Sponsorship Level! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 2 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection. 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed. Your name in the credits of Yasuni Man!
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SURINAME HORNED FROG (Ceratophrys cornuta) - Sponsorshipo Level! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 2 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection. 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed Your name in the credits of Yasuni Man! Invitation plus 2 tickets to the film premiere in DC and after Party!
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PIRANHA (Pygocentris nattereri) - Sponsorship Level! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 2 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White). 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection. 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed Your name in the credits of Yasuni Man! Invitation plus 2 tickets to the film premiere in DC and after Party! Dinner in Washington, DC with Filmmaker Ryan Killackey (all expenses paid)!
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HARPY EAGLE (Harpia harpyja) - Sponsorship Level! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 2 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White). 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection. 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed Invitation plus 2 tickets to the film premiere in DC and after Party! Dinner in Washington, DC with Filmmaker Ryan Killackey! Your name in end credits as Funder of Yasuni Man as well as 1 weekend stay in mountain cabin with filmmaker in Shenandoah National Park Virginia (all expenses paid)!
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BLACK CAIMAN (Melanosuchus niger) - Sponsorship Level! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 2 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection. 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed Invitation plus 2 tickets to the film premiere in DC and after Party! Dinner in Washington, DC with Filmmaker Ryan Killackey! 1 weekend stay in mountain cabin with filmmaker in Shenandoah National Park Virginia (all expenses paid)! Your name as sponsor of film in Intro Credits!
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JAGUAR (Panthera onca) - Sponsorship Level! Box set of Renacuajo Production Films Life in Peril: Montana's Amphibians and Reptiles (36 min) Looking into the Eye of Extinction : The Amazon, The Galapagos, The Andes (70 min) Yasuni Man (1hour 45 min approximately) 2 Renacuajo Productions Organic Cotton T-shirt (Black or White) 1 unframed 11" x 18" print of you selection. 1 framed 17" x 28" print of your selection from my photo library, signed Invitation plus 2 tickets to the film premiere in DC and after Party! 1 week all expense paid trip for 4 (except airfare) to visit the Ecuadorian Amazon with filmmaker and your Naturalist/Guide Ryan Killackey! Come explore with me at the end of the EARTH! THIS TRIP ALONE COSTS OVER $10,000 for 2, and you get to bring 4! Also, your name as sponsor of film in the Credits!
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Connected as Ryan Killackey (522 friends)
I was born and raised in a South suburb of Chicago in 1978. My love of the natural world at a very young age blossomed into an intimate relationship with nature. I was accepted into the University of Montana in 1997 and received a bachelors degree in Terrestrial Wildlife Biology with a focus in Photo Journalism, receiving a B.S. degree in 2000.
After graduating, I worked on several high profile biological research projects on wolverines, Alaskan brown bears, bobcats, pine marten, fisher, snowshoe hare, snails and slugs, but my passion lies with amphibians and reptiles. For 6 years, I helped run the state of Montana's lentic breeding amphibian and reptile monitoring project. Over that time, I helped create the largest and most comprehensive database aimed at protecting amphibians and reptiles in the nation.
After many years of wildlife conservation work, I opted to focus on my film and photography because I grew weary of the excessive handling of animals, and preferred observation.
In 2005, I decided to pack my bags and moved to Ecuador, a small country in South America known for its extreme biodiversity. I volunteered as a guide at one of Ecuador's first fully native run eco-tourism lodges, Sani Lodge, in the western edge of the Amazon basin. It was here that I learned of the plight of it indigenous people and the extirpation of wildlife species in what is now know as the single most biologically diverse region in the western hemisphere and possibly the world. Over the past several years, I have filmed hundreds of hours of footage and thousands of photos of wildlife and indigenous people.
Most recently, I have been given access to the most remote regions of the Yasuni Man and the Biosphere Reserve. A region that has hardly been explored because of the the ferocity of the indigenous people who dwell within this territory.
Over the past several years, I have also worked on several film and wildlife conservation projects for National Geographic Televison, PBS's NATURE and Wildlife Conservation Society.
I am the Executive Producer, Director, Cinematographer and Writer of Yasuni Man.
