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Canto De Dios: The Song of God

In the Peruvian Amazon, one unlikely researcher and his team attempt to uncover the devastating effects of deforestation by using groundbreaking technology coupled with the ancient craft of falconry.

  • Ricky Gottschalk
    Director
  • Ricky Gottschalk
    Writer
  • Eliseo Parra
    Writer
  • Ricky Gottschalk
    Producer
  • Eliseo Parra
    Producer
  • Eliseo Parra
    Key Cast
  • Jorge Noboa
    Key Cast
  • Edwin Velasquez
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Science, Adventure, educational
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 5 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 24, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Peru
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 4K, 30 fps
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Michigan State University
Director Biography - Ricky Gottschalk

Ricky Gottschalk always wanted to be a filmmaker - though, until this point, he thought it was impossible. Ricky is currently finishing his last year of college at Michigan State University. He studies Environmental Studies and Sustainability & Media and Information, and minors in Documentary Production. Last year, Ricky spent significant time in the field learning how to create films and science media. While he's only had a few different experiences in the world of science communication, the time he spent in Peru was a long and difficult learning opportunity that shaped his future goals and ambitions. Ricky is excited to create his first documentary with the help of a great cast of people.

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Director Statement

I’m a novice filmmaker, and to be honest, I consider myself to be an aspiring multi-media-journalist more than anything. I’m not trying to undersell myself – in fact, I’m proud to say that this is my first project of this scale. I think it gives me a perspective that is uncommon in films that are at the same scope we intend this project to be. My experience is limited, but I’m fortunate to say I’m just a few months away from graduating college from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Studies and Sustainability and Media and Information (minor in Documentary Filmmaking). While I’ve learned some of the aspects of filmmaking, I’m very aware that real-life experience is more important than classes covering the rule-of-thirds and proper exposure. This project has been the greatest lesson I could ever have as a person starting out – and I’m incredible lucky to have gotten this opportunity. My biggest regret would be to not have any of my work and experiences bear fruit, and to let down the people involved in this incredibly important work. One of the biggest challenges I’ve had that makes me worry about that, has been allocating time to editing and storyboarding while also making time for my degrees. However, with graduation just around the corner, I’m excited for this project to become my main muse and priority. As an artist and a journalist, the biggest success I could imagine would be to adequately capture the beauty of the stories the people in my projects have kindly invited me to capture. By doing that, viewers would be able to see the same significance I've seen in the subjects – making a piece that can inspire viewers in the same way these people have inspired me