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Project Four Degrees

Follow a recent college graduate set out to debunk the well-known “6 degrees of separation theory” in an attempt to hitchhike from LA to NYC in under 30 days using only social media.

  • Ari Gootnick
    Director
  • Ari Gootnick
    Executive Producer
  • Joseph Derose
    Editor
  • Oliver Shahery
    Cinematographer
  • Tiffany Lin
    Animators
  • Aodhan Burns
    Animators
  • Caden Kraus
    Animators
  • Daniel Gootnick
    Post Producer
  • Chris Morocco
    Post Sound Supervisor
  • Ian Dalton
    Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer
  • Amaya Cranston
    Sound Editor
  • Ben Grant
    Color
  • Jeff Wooley
    Visual Effects
  • Jamie Eblen
    Music
  • Michael Harlen
    Music
  • Erick Del Aguila
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 2, 2021
    Best Documentary
  • Culver City Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 3, 2021
    Official Selection
  • The Santa Clarita International Film Festival
    Santa Clarita
    United States
    December 9, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 10, 2021
    Official Selection
  • California International Shorts Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 19, 2021
    Official Selection
  • FLICKFAIR Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    January 1, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Ari Gootnick

Born in Los Angeles, Ari graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in advertising. Storytelling has always been a passion since Ari was young, who took up photography at an early age. Ari is an entrepreneur, breathwork facilitator, and multi-disciplinary artist living in Venice, CA. He finds inspiration from innovators and forward thinkers, leaders who are pushing boundaries in their respective fields.

In 2017, Ari traveled from LA to NY relying solely on social media. It wasn’t until 4 years later, Ari decided to use the footage of his adventure to direct and produce a documentary titled Project Four Degrees that takes viewers on the road with him for a fascinating ride about social media, human connection, and self-growth.

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Director Statement

This film is not only about my adventure traveling across America but also about the power of social media — how we're using it today, and how we should continue using it in the future. While silent family dinners and quiet car rides become the new norm, the availability of instant communication online seems to distract us from the communication opportunities in front of us. This film explores how social media can be used the way it was intended to be used — creating relationships and building community. By the end, I hope to make people think about their personal relationship with technology and social media — tools that will only become more relevant and impactful in our lives.