AFTER YOU’VE GONE
CASE STUDY / ORIGINAL FILM PRODUCTION
BRAND
FISKA Media
INDUSTRY
Documentary
Concept Brainstorming | Production | Filmmaking | Script Writing | Location Scouting | Editing | Directing
SERVICES
A moment where you’re tuned to the present
Starting from her home mountains in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid, New York, Rachel Finn embarked on a journey that spanned from the Adirondacks to the deep fjords of Patagonia. Her pursuit was fueled by a shared passion for exploration and fly fishing, honoring the memory of her late husband, Jeff Kirschman.
With the help of Spring Creek Lodge, Itati Lodge, and the Set Fly Fishing Crew Rachel embarks on an adventure through Argentina unlike any other.
CHALLENGE
This was a story we’ve wanted to tell for years, and 2022 we found a window to finally hit record. Rachel is a larger than life character who carries an inspiring outlook on life. She’s the no BS kind of woman who makes you fall in love with her the moment you see her laugh.
LIFE AFTER LOSS
We sought to take a dive into her outlook on life after the loss of her husband Jeff and follow her to Argentina where she pursues culture, friendship, and exceptional fishing opportunities.
WHAT’S NEXT
PATAGONIA.
Our very own Jared Zissu and Max Erickson are here to shed further light on this incredible story of life, fishing, & passion. When we were brainstorming the concept for the film we wanted to accomplish two things: Develop her backstory, and showcase her exuberance.
Rachel had been to Argentina with the Set Fly Fishing crew before, so it was a natural fit to bring her back.
FILMING
MOUNTAINS OF FOOTAGE
We started with 3 shoot days in Rachel’s hometown in the Adirondacks then two full weeks in Argentina with Set Fly Fishing. The idea was clear from the beginning, however, as with any documentary, the story took shape as we shot and the post was a marriage between the initial conception, points we wanted to hit, and unexpected moments and story points we found along the way.
We shot over 20tb during the roughly 3 weeks of principal photography. That mapped out to upwards of 40hrs of footage. Post was a heavy lift on this film and we spent two months straight cutting and recutting the film.
“Our favorite scene in the film is the buildup to Rachel’s big dorado. From dawn to dusk showing tired hands and hours of casting, built with the song “deep river” behind it. Catching a large dorado was a spiritual and meaningful experience. We didn’t want to make this sequence feel ‘cool’ or ‘epic’ because that’s not what you feel when you’re hunting for these fish. It’s meditative and quiet, a moment where you’re tuned to the present.”
AWARDS
FISH OF A LIFETIME
The film gained recognition in four distinct film festivals and tours. Its debut took place at the 5Point Adventure Film Festival, a key event in Carbondale, Colorado, with Rachel in attendance. Following numerous screenings across the United States, “After You’ve Gone” premiered at each Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) event.
In October, the film earned accolades by winning both the “Best Story of 2023” and “Best Movie of the Year” categories at the Drake Magazine’s awards ceremony during the AFFTA Confluence Trade show in Salt Lake City. The film also took home the “Jury Award: Best Adventure Short” in the Bentonville Film Festival. Flylords, filled with gratitude, graciously accepted both awards. Subsequently, the film was chosen to premiere on the Banff Mountain Film Festival tour, reaching around 80 live events across Canada.
FISKA, filled with gratitude, graciously accepted both awards. Subsequently, the film was chosen to premiere on the Banff Mountain Film Festival tour, reaching around 80 live events across Canada.
Rachel Finn grapples with life after loss. Showcasing an inspiring outlook on moving forward through trauma in an unapologetically true-to-herself way that brings a smile to everyone who crosses her path. Oh, and she catches some big F&#@ING fish.
