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EARTH FOCUS (2024)
Earth Focus is an award-winning documentary series exploring environmental issues in Southern California. This season explores the past and future of the Los Angeles River, the state’s last nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo, how increased tourism is threatening the community in Joshua Tree, and how the raven has become an invasive species in the Mojave desert. Featuring animation by Lucy Munger and a score by Elori Saxl.
Written, Directed & Edited by Matthew Crotty
Produced by Francesca Roth & Matthew Crotty
Cinematography: Corbett Jones
Original Score by: Elori Saxl
Animation by: Lucy Munger
Studio: PBS SoCal
Premiere date: April 2024
EPISODES
LA River 1
EARTH FOCUS: REIMAGINING THE LA RIVER (Part 1)
An exploration of the new LA County River Master Plan released in 2022. Featuring a helicopter tour of the river channel with Mark Pestrella (Director, Los Angeles County Public Works) and Marty Adams (General Manager & Chief Engineer, LADWP); an inside look at the projected projects in South LA designed by Gehry Partners and Olin Studio, including interviews with Frank Gehry and Tensho Takemori; and the community response including local resident Jose Calderon, Wilma Franco (Executive Director, Southeast Los Angeles Collaborative) and Laura Cortez (Organizer & Co-Executive Director, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice).
Watch the full episode here.
LA River 2
EARTH FOCUS: TRANSFORMING THE LA RIVER (Part 2)
An exploration of how revitalization has affected several river-adjacent communities in Los Angeles. Featuring a look at how new parks and a bike path have impacted the community in Elysian Valley with local resident Darío Herrera and Julia Meltzer (Clockshop); how projected revitalization will impact Chinatown and what role affordable housing can have in preventing displacement with local resident Mariela Cruz-Suarez and Sissy Trinh (Founder & Executive Director Southeast Asian Community Alliance); how the shifting conversation around the river has changed the work of Friends of the LA River with Candice Dickens-Russell (President & CEO); and how Indigenous voices have been included in shaping the future of the LA River for the first time with Kimberly Johnson (Tribal Secretary Gabrieleño/Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians) and Rudy Ortega Jr. (President, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians).
Watch the full episode here.
Animation
ANIMATION
Music
ORIGINAL SCORE
image: Western Vinyl
image: Marte for The Washington Post
EARTH FOCUS (ORIGINAL SCORE)
Written and Produced by Elori Saxl
Written, produced, recorded, and performed by Elori Saxl
Mixing by Zubin Hensler and Elori Saxl
Mastering by Stephan Mathieu
Flute, clarinet, and bass clarinet performed by Stuart Bogie
Design by Collin Fletcher
Stills by Francesca Roth and Matthew Crotty
Label: Western Vinyl
Released: November 2024
Buy the Earth Focus Original Score out now on Western Vinyl.
WASHINGTON POST (REVIEW BY CHRIS RICHARDS)
"The best albums of 2024"
10. Elori Saxl, ‘Earth Focus (Original Score)’
©2024 AHRA FILMS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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