ATHA GAMMA

Atha Gamma is more than a documentary about the science behind mindfulness. It is a transformational journey that will awaken and inspire. The word "atha" is Sanskrit, one of the world's oldest languages, and it conveys that any auspicious undertaking first starts with the word atha, which can be translated to "now begins”. Gamma brain waves are considered to be the brain’s optimal frequency for functioning and associated with greater feelings of happiness, compassion and relaxation. Science states that Gamma waves are activated by activities such as mindfulness meditation, brainwave entrainment through sound and yoga.

In a world focused on wasteful activities and materialism, more and more people are looking for a healthier path to take, one that can benefit them physically, emotionally and spiritually. For many, yoga and mindfulness meditation has been the answer, with more than 300 million practicing yogis worldwide, and even more growing mindful through regular meditation. With deep roots in Indian culture, filmmakers Scott Weatherall and L. Farrah Furtado travelled to the source, filming in Mysore, India to document yoga masters and meditation gurus and learn more.

Armed with a skeleton crew, in a location they had never visited before, they quickly built a film network, conducting interviews, acquiring equipment and assembling a varied cast of characters - in less than 20 days.

The film carries an important message that will resonate with many, and one that is backed by science: you can be happy and at peace by practicing daily mindful breathing and meditation. Atha Gamma will explore just how, through first-hand experiences, conversations with neuroscience experts, and the unique music of sound healer/musician Jeremy Clubb, who produced original specialized sound techniques for the film using binaural/ isochronic tones and brainwave entrainment technology which is scientifically proven to increase Gamma brain waves in the brain.

  • L. Farrah Furtado
    Writer
    The Journey...Metamorphosis (book)
  • Scott Weatherall
    Director
    Formosa Boulevard IMDB
  • L. Farrah Furtado
    Director
    Atha Gamma is her first film
  • L. Farrah Furtado
    Producer
  • L. Farrah Furtado
    Key Cast
  • Swami Armajnananda
    Key Cast
  • Dr. Usha Vasthare
    Key Cast
  • Jeremy Clubb
    Original Score
    Lion's OM
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    32 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 27, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    19,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    35mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • N/A
Distribution Information
  • N/A
Director Biography - Scott Weatherall, L. Farrah Furtado

Producer L. Farrah Furtado, also known as Lisa, is a Canadian-Portuguese filmmaker, writer and yoga teacher. She is the Creative Director and lead instructor of Bend It Like Buddha Yoga in the Algarve, Portugal and Director of Kaohsiung Yoga School in Taiwan. She studies traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa in Mysore, India with Guruji BNS Iyengar at the Krishnamacharya Shala each year. She studied meditation with Venerable Monks for five years at the Buddhist monastery Fo Guan Shan in Taiwan, received advanced certification in Vinyasa Flow Yoga in Goa, India, and has her third degree in Usui Reiki. She also has a BA degree in Psychology from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada.

Furtado is the best-selling author of The Journey...Metamorphosis, Pop Rock Cop, Her Apparitions and Euphoria. She was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada to an artistic family of Azorean immigrants from the island of São Miguel. Her sister is the Grammy award-winning singer Nelly Furtado and her brother is a noted artist.

Atha Gamma is her first film.

Director Scott Christopher Lloyd Weatherall was born in a fierce snowstorm on December 6, 1982. As the adopted son of Sandy and Eric Weatherall, he grew up in a small town in Ontario, Canada. At an early age, he began making short films with friends and classmates. Later this hobby would become his passion. After his education, Scott immersed himself in the Toronto Film Industry. Working in a variety of jobs, including PA, grip, cameraman, assistant director, editor and director, Scott was able to learn a multiplicity of skills that would help him refine his craft as a filmmaker.

He moved to Taiwan in 2009, and continued to pursue his passion by producing and directing commercials and a variety comedy show entitled, "The Republic of Comedy" (R.O.C). In 2012, Scott, along with his business partners Jesse and Daniel, formed Stone Soup Production Company. The first movie they produced, which was written and directed by Scott, is Formosa Boulevard (2015).

Scott's goals are to collaborate with great artists to tell great stories and inspire the next generation of talented people.

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