3RD PLACE - Latest Generation Film Contest

3RD PLACE

The Story of Mesa Verde

Ryan Schuckman

Hays, Kansas

Director's Statement:

"The cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde represent one of the most remarkable achievements in North American history. Generations of Pueblo people refined and passed down their architectural knowledge, eventually culminating in the construction of these incredible structures. We often think of progress as a rapid and modern development, yet Mesa Verde reminds us that every aspect of our lives rests upon millennia of accumulated human knowledge. By telling this story, I hope to show how the cliff dwellings are not simply remnants of the past, but evidence of humanity’s enduring ability to learn, adapt, and build forward."

Quotes from Reviewers:

"I was legitimately blown away by this project. I think it excelled in every category. The originality and storytelling were superb, the historical accuracy, depth of research and clarity were superb, for me also. I think in terms of production quality, the project was very strong - specifically re: the cinematography and editing." 

"The entire ending montage that took us through, briefly, how different cultures passed down their oral traditions and then leading us to a kind of call-to-action re: how we see and interpret history, for me, fit nicely into the "Think Anew, Act Anew" ethos. It gave us a new, innovate set of data points and encouraged us to bring that knowledge into the future. Very well done."

"Fantastic, visually stunning, strong voiceover, well written, good pacing, interesting content and well executed!"