Private Project

Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee

Explore the powerful and emotional journey of a working-class man forced to choose between his love for the environment and his need to provide for his family, as 'Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee' sheds light on themes of corporate greed, environmental exploitation, job loss, financial insecurity, and mental health issues. Through the character of Ripley, the film highlights the difficult decisions that many workers face when forced to choose between their love for the environment and their need to provide for their families. The film's poignant opening scene sets the stage for an inspiring and thought-provoking journey through the gritty industrial world, where we witness the toll of job loss and financial insecurity on mental health and relationships and are reminded to fight for a fairer and more sustainable future. With its well-crafted storytelling, dynamic characters, and social relevance, "Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee" is a film that will resonate with audiences worldwide. It provides a unique perspective on the struggles of working-class people, and its themes are more relevant now than ever before.

  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Director
    Working For The Man, Grassetto, Triumph, Craving Yellow
  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Writer
  • Scott Gemmell
    Additional Dialogue
  • Andre Kelly
    Additional Dialogue
  • Emary Menery
    Additional Dialogue
  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Director of Cinematography
    Working for the Man, Grassetto, Triumph, Craving Yellow
  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Producer
    Working for the Man, Grassetto, Triumph, Craving Yellow
  • Wendy Paleczny
    Line Producer
  • Scott Gemmell
    Key Cast
    "Ripley"
    Murdoch Mysteries, Working for The Man
  • Audrey Mcaree
    Key Cast
    "Martha"
  • Andre Kelly
    Key Cast
    "Marshall"
    The Runaway
  • Cameron Gibbs
    Key Cast
    "Jerry"
  • Emary Meneray
    Key Cast
    "Dalton"
  • Melanie Hiscock
    Key Cast
    "Selena"
  • Iris Harris
    Key Cast
    "Ripley & Martha's daughter"
  • Adam Juliian
    Key Cast
    "carjacker"
  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Key Cast
    "fisherman"
  • Mya
    Key Cast
    "Jerry's Cat"
  • Tucker
    Key Cast
    "Ripley's Dog"
  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Camera Operator
    Working for the Man, Grassetto, Triumph, Craving Yellow
  • Frank Woolridge
    Gaffer
  • Hawkin Paleczny
    Sound Design
    Working for the Man, Grassetto, Triumph, Craving Yellow
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    31 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 3, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Sony FX3 Pro Res Raw
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Canadian Cinematography Awards
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    Best Editing, Best Cinematography - Hawkin Paleczny
Director Biography - Hawkin Paleczny

Hawkin Paleczny is a dynamic and passionate filmmaker who creates socially conscious art to inspire change and raise awareness about critical societal issues. His short film "Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee" provides a voice for those affected by the "profit over people" mentality and aims to spark conversations that lead to a fairer and more sustainable future. With his unique perspective and cast and crew of young people from diverse backgrounds and identities, he sheds light on critical themes such as corporate greed, environmental exploitation, job loss, financial insecurity, and mental health issues.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Creating 'Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee' has been a profoundly transformative and deeply personal journey for me as a filmmaker. From the very inception of the film, my heart was set on illuminating the profound struggles endured by working-class individuals in the unforgiving industrial world. I yearned to capture the breathtaking beauty of the untamed wilderness in Florida, USA, and intertwine it with the gritty realities of the industrial landscape filmed in Ontario, Canada. To breathe life into my vision, I meticulously handpicked an anamorphic lens that bestowed an ethereal bokeh and an all-encompassing immersive quality to the film. Simultaneously, the masterful touch of DaVinci, my faithful ally in the editing room, bestowed an unparalleled visual resonance upon the project. These technical choices enabled me to create a distinctive and captivating visual aesthetic, crafting a truly cinematic experience that would envelop and enthrall the audience. Throughout the arduous yet rewarding filmmaking process, I diligently curated shot compositions and camera angles that served as conduits of intimacy, forging a profound connection between the audience and our characters. Each frame, meticulously framed and meticulously composed, became a portal into a visually arresting and emotionally charged narrative that seizes the senses and resonates long after the credits roll. 'Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee' transcends the realm of mere visual spectacle; it emerges as a profound vessel of transformative storytelling. This film aspires to stir conversations, awaken dormant empathy, and cultivate heightened awareness surrounding the myriad challenges confronting working-class individuals and families. Themes of corporate greed, environmental exploitation, job loss, financial insecurity, and mental health serve as the pillars of this narrative, allowing audiences to vicariously immerse themselves in the agonizing dilemmas faced by our resilient protagonist, Ripley. With unwavering commitment, I sought to ignite the flame of compassion and understanding within each viewer, inspiring them to rally behind a brighter future and advocate for equitable and sustainable progress. 'Gone Fishing Along the Okefenokee' beckons its audience to take action, whether it be championing environmental causes, fostering fair employment practices, or initiating dialogues on mental health and its profound impact on individuals and communities.