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JUNE 11, 2018: ‘UNIVERSE’ MUSIC VIDEO BY MOODY X 2 RELEASE BY STARLAND STUDIOS!

Dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and supporting #strazstrong efforts for survivor Ryan Straschnitzki

PLEASE GO TO this Vimeo link view and share ‘UNIVERSE’ to the Universe! 

Drumheller, Alberta, Canada: President of Starland Studios Matthew Todd Paproski says “Universe is now being released on our facebook page, youtube and elsewhere on social media. We kicked it off by asking the audience to share it after getting a sneak preview at the #Starzstrong benefit concert held June 16 in Airdrie, Alberta headlined by rock band Monster Truck with other bands and guests Gilby Clark and Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal of Guns & Roses and Sean Kelly of Nelly Furtado and Lee Aaron bands”.

“Private and public premiere screenings will also be in the Town of Drumheller on Canada Day weekend. On Friday, June 29th it will be shown at a private premiere at the Newcastle Pub and will be accompanied by Moody x 2 and their band from the Drumheller valley. Over the weekend, it will also be screened in Town to the public in conjunction with Canada Day activities and the annual Pow Wow in the Park.”

‘Universe’ is a new love song by singers Moody x 2 inspired us to make a music video in memory of the tragic collisions suffered by the Humboldt Broncos and children of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

After recently making music video Mahekan with Moody x 2, we were honored singers Natashia and Alexandria Moodie asked us to make a music video for their new song Universe. First listening to it as a director I was struck with how it was a profound love song about loving someone so much you would not be able to go on without them in your life. It has a deep dark side to it that is not morbid but meaningful.

“I was not excited about my cheesy idea of showing loss by filming in a cemetery looking like a B movie. The Humboldt Broncos incident then occurred affecting me profoundly and many people around me. A few days later, three children were killed in a collision at Nelson House, Manitoba – home of Moody x 2. These tragedies evolved into a vision, we captured with many people helping, of both love and love lost.”
The video was filmed in Drumheller, Alberta at the Hoo Doos, Starmine Suspension Bridge, East Coulee School Museum, East Coulee Wood Bridge and Newcastle Pub. Top local musicians appear: on drums, Jerry Roberto; lead guitar, Layne Syvertsen; bass guitar, Chris Foesier; and on keyboards, Paul Rosgen. Actors were Caitlin O’Connor, Justin Lanouette and Lothar Malmberg from Rosebud Theatre community.

Ze Zefred, an expert cinematographer and specialty camera operator from Toronto, provided cameras, drone, Steadicam and gimbal equipment. Photographers included Athena Winchester and Terri Huxley. Olga Sem of Vizard International provided world-class wardrobe and masks adorned with LED lighting. Lance Ghostkeeper provided his light painting skills for night scenes. Many volunteers also helped.

Natashia and sister Alexandria are Wolf Clan from Nelson House (Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation) in northern Manitoba and public speakers on bullying, suicide prevention and missing & murdered women. Their influences are Shania Twain, Celine Dion and Buffy St. Marie. They work with writer Chris Burke-Gaffeny who helped launch Chantal Kreviazuk, McMaster& James, Sierra Noble and Mackenzie Porter.

Matthew Todd Paproski is a respected filmmaker of global TV specials Fire Attack with host William Shatner and Cougar Crossings with music by David Bowie; host of TV series Wildlife Wranglers in Canada, Europe, Russia, Africa, Israel and the Middle East; and founder of Starland Studios, a full service media production company, online distributor and animal sanctuary, based in Drumheller, Alberta.

For information, please contact: Laura Dougan
 Email: office@starlandstudios.com Phone: 403-334-1450
27 Aug, 2020
Unveiling is at socially distanced special event 8pm, Wednesday, September 2, 2020- at the Royal Canadian Legion in Drumheller…
By Brian Yanish 12 Sep, 2018
Of the thousands of minutes of film judged, ‘Universe’ to be featured in 90 Minutes “selected” to be screened at Red-Carpet Gala on October 13.   ‘Universe’ was made in tribute to the Humboldt Broncos hockey team.
By Brian Yanish 23 Apr, 2018
Appear 8pm, May 4 at Newcastle Pub in Drumheller and 3pm, May 5 at SpringFest in East Coulee. Launch of 6th album, Only Up From Here by singers Natashia and Alexandria Moodie (with writer Chris Burke-Gafney) being independently distributed by producer Starland Studios via CDbaby to Spotify, Itunes, Amazon…
By Brian Yanish 16 Nov, 2017
Please watch: Mahekan available on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/477262990 It shares we are “stronger together than apart” and could not come at a better time in our divisive society. Manitoba Grand Chief Arlen Dumas and real timber wolves make cameo appearances.
By Brian Yanish 06 Oct, 2017
Huge success filming ‘How Will Wolves Survive?’ as wolves Timber and Aurora sell out tours, help smash Guinness Record for ‘Most People Wolf Howling’ and appear in ‘Mahekan’ music video with Moody x 2.
By Brian Yanish 13 Sep, 2017
Animal actors Timber and Aurora filming ‘How Will Wolves Survive?’ in western Canada with wildlife filmmaker Matthew Todd Paproski.  It documents the journey of two rescued wolves going to Aurorafest & being ambassadors for The World Wolf Capital - Thompson, Manitoba.
By Brian Yanish 10 Jun, 2017
For Canada’s 150th anniversary, wildlife filmmaker Matt Paproski is appearing with wolves: ‘Timber’ as mascot of Thompson, Manitoba, “Wolf Capital of the World”; and ‘Aurora’, as guest of honor at their “Aurorafest: Celebrating Canada’s Wilderness and Wildlife”.
By Brian Yanish 07 Feb, 2017
For those interested in being an actor or performer, working behind the scenes or providing services for the film industry.  ‘Making Drumheller film friendly!’ free all-ages speaker panel.   7 pm, Thur., Feb. 16th, Canadian Legion, 295 Centre st., Drumheller.   Speakers: Jolayne Motiuk (Calgary Film Commission), Tina Alford (ACTRA/CSIF), Damian Petti (IATSE INT’L) and other special guests…  Drumheller, Alberta, Canada: Matthew Todd Paproski, the President of Starland Studios, says “we are happy to present a free initial public information session oriented to educating residents on ‘Making Drumheller Film Friendly’ and work opportunities in the booming media industries.    We based Starland Studios in Drumheller because it is one of the top film locations in Canada and to provide infrastructure, technical expertise and a pool of talent for producers coming here. To get things rolling, we have invited high-level contacts to speak to the Badlands community”.   Jolayne Motiuk (Calgary Film Commission Representative), will discuss how the building of a new state-of-the-art Calgary Film Centre and advent of new government initiatives geared for the digital media and tourism industries make it good timing for Drumheller to position itself in the market. Drumheller has unique world-class topography and may also double for many places.  Tina Alford (Branch Representative, ACTRA Alberta; President, Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers) will share information on how to be a professional actor, stunt person or filmmaker. Keeping in mind the levels range from no and low budget to medium and big budget, she assists talent in getting jobs, training, agents and casting, as well as filmmakers seeking qualified talent.  Damian Petti (President IATSE Local 212 Calgary; Int’l Vice-President IATSE Canada) will reveal that it looks like an exciting year for communities with good highways near Calgary as union studio zones were recently extended further from city limits. It now makes more economic sense and is safer to go to locations like Drumheller, by commuting or staying at local lodgings. (IATSE is huge global union representing large percentage of vital technical jobs on and off set)  Paproski says “With the ongoing volatility of our resource-based economy, it is more important than ever to now learn new vocations and work with businesses in entertainment and technology, whether performing, doing work behind camera ranging from artist or technician to carpenter or truck driver, or off set providing services related to locations, accommodations or restaurants.”  “Not only may film production result in millions for a community like the Town of Beiseker now hosting the filming of Fargo, Season Three, starring Ewan McGregor, it also has a direct positive effect on tourism. It lures visitors to locations like the Badlands and provides even more jobs. The Lord of the Rings increased visitors to New Zealand by 50% and triggered a multi-billion-dollar economy and now growth in the British Columbia film industry is reflecting a similar situation.”  Paproski has been a military officer, firefighter, actor, journalist, filmmaker and entrepreneur. Now based in Drumheller, Alberta, he operates Starland Studios, producing its own projects and providing media services for clients, and Construction Productions, a commercial contractor.  For Info: Phone: (403)334-2530, Email: office@starlandstudios.com , Facebook page: Starland Studios
By Brian Yanish 14 Dec, 2016
WOW! A deer stuck in ice. Was trying to have a rare nap on a weekend afternoon and a facebook post I was following was bothering me. I kept checking my phone. Before resting I saw a post by a neighbor about a deer that was stuck in ice on the Red Deer River we live on. Being an ex-firefighter and feeling empathetic to a living-being suffering and near death and knowing I could do something about it made me respond instinctively. I filled my truck with canoe, sled, ropes, harnesses, hip waders and a life jacket. I asked Laura to come for safety and as an after-thought she brought her camera. For bread and butter we are construction contractors but are also passionate wildlife filmmakers that have been saving animals. We want to inspire others to care for animals in distress. While helping out, Laura managed to get footage of the deer rescue. It was scary but the right thing to do. We never would have attempted this if we did not have the training and abilities to succeed and do not encourage those that do not have experience. Upon arrival at the scene anonymous neighbors helped us as I went down a steep bank. I had to go on thin ice to try and get close to the old doe but she tried to get away. I had to circle around behind her and get in the river myself to coax her toward shore. I tried lifting her out but she was weak and heavy. I wrapped a rope around her and with help from the shore pulling and me pushing at the same time, we got her out of the ice. It was an incredibly rewarding feeling to work with our neighbors to save the life of this animal. In a world where wildlife is being eradicated at an unprecedented and apocalyptic rate, we are motivated to use social media to increase our awareness of this environmental crisis. We need all species to survive! To this end we have produced a TV series called Wildlife Wranglers and short films about animals, please check out the videos on this page or on our website www.starlandstudios.com and support our work. Please Like, Comment and Share this Page to inspire other people to care about wildlife and each other…
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