Team
Filmmakers
Jessica Plumb, Director
jessica (at) plumbproductions (dot) com
(360) 821-9665
PlumbProductions.com
Jessica Plumb is an award-winning filmmaker and writer known for exploring the relationship between people, and the land and waters that sustain us. She is the Producer and Co-Director of the feature documentary Return of the River, chronicling Elwha River restoration, a film recognized with multiple awards including “Best Storytelling” by the International Wildlife Film Festival, and “Best Writing” in science media. Collectively her films have appeared in over 50 film festivals and garnered 20 awards.
Plumb’s video production company produces short films on environmental topics. Her recent work includes a trilogy of films addressing the shared extinction threat facing Southern Resident Killer Whales and Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea.
She holds a B.A. from Yale University, an interdisciplinary MFA from Goddard College, and is currently a Fellow of the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University. Jessica lives on the Olympic Peninsula, close to land and waters she loves.
Ann Wilkinson Ellis, Executive Producer
annproducer (at) gmail (dot) com
(206) 697-2722
Ann Wilkinson Ellis is a lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest who grew up digging clams and swimming in the Salish waters surrounding Bainbridge Island. In 2000, Ann co-produced the award-winning independent feature film, Farewell to Harry.
Ann’s a dramaturg and consultant on numerous shorts and features including A Relative Thing and Meltdown by Garrett Bennett and documentary film It Takes a Village by filmmaker, Julianne Reynolds.
The Roots of Resilience film’s dedication to the restoration and defense of temperate rainforests resonates with Ann, for its relevance in highlighting our biophilic connection with nature. Ann also shares Northwest roots and Scottish ancestry.
Creative Team
Eilidh Munro, Director of Photography—Scotland
EilidhMunroFilm.com
Eilidh Munro is a BAFTA Scotland winning self-shooting documentary director who specializes in observational creative documentaries. Her films have been screened across the world in film festivals and broadcast, and have been used to influence policy and decision making both the UK and internationally. Eilidh one of two cinematographers for the Northern UK/Europe unit.
Rachel Ross, Director of Photography—Scotland
RachelSarahMedia.com
“I am an adventure and environmental filmmaker, with a love for tying together human stories with our landscapes and wildlife. As a multi-skilled shooting producer-director, I thrive on narrative-lead documentary work, and commercial campaigns centred on stories with real meaning – focusing in on our connections with nature, landscapes and wildlife. I seek exploration and adventure, but I also look for purpose and creating things that drive others to act positively, whether for the environment, for others, or for themselves.”
Nicolai Crane, Co-Producer & Director of Photography—Pacific Northwest
CraneVisionary.com
Nicolai Crane is a documentary filmmaker, producer, cinematographer and editor. He has worked on many award-winning films ranging from Netflix to Sundance, including the Academy Award winning film, Mighty Times: The Children’s March. With over 20 years in the industry, he uses the ancient art of storytelling to change hearts and minds. Nico will be a lead director of photography for the Pacific Coast unit.
Production Assistants
Zia Magill, Production Assistant, legal Drone Pilot, on-set Still Photographer
Zia Magill (on right) is a passionate photographer of the natural world, an FAA certified drone pilot, and an on-set still photographer. When not assisting this project in many capacities, she is pursuing honors level Environmental Studies at University of Vermont. She is the only member of the crew working in both locations, as Jessica and Zia are a mother daughter filmmaking team.
Panya Cao, Production Assistant
Supported by the Reed Environmental Studies Summer Fellowship, Panya Cao (on left) worked as a production assistant for the film, Roots of Resilience, currently in production. Panya is currently a biology major at Reed College with interests in soil microbiology, environmental documentary filmmaking, and circular/sustainable innovation.