Private Project

The Stan Project

In order to escape a life of crime and drug abuse, Stan Zuray decided to leave his life in Boston behind and found his way to the remote interior of Alaska. This documentary follows the Discovery Channel star's life that he’s built for the last 40+ years, while processing the trauma that brought him to homestead in the middle of nowhere. It showcases parts of Stan's life that Discovery wouldn't show.

Throughout the film we follow Stan through his day to day activities, showcasing a beautiful yet brutal relationship with nature and we learn what it means to take control of your own life.

  • Ryan Walsh
    Director
    Life Below Zero, FIN, Yukon Men, Dirty Jobs
  • Dan Reisser
    Producer
    The Soup, Stomping Ground
  • Stan Zuray
    Key Cast
    "Stan"
    Discovery Channel's "Yukon Men"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    DocumentaryCharacter Study
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 8 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    25,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • East Lansing Film Festival
    Okemos
    United States
    November 9, 2023
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Ryan Walsh

Ryan grew up in Michigan, spending as much time as he could in nature and there, found a love for the outdoors. He then moved west to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in television. He landed a job working on Discovery Channel's “Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe,” which allowed him to travel around the country, exposing him to many different ways of life. He has shot a handful of documentaries, and has been lucky to work with renowned directors James Cameron and Eli Roth. He has shot/produced projects for National Geographic, Discovery, History, TLC, Animal Planet and Travel Channel to name a few. He worked a total of five years with Stan, going back and forth to Alaska, and hopes to continue to do so for as long as possible.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Growing up, I was the “nature kid.” I spent my weekends roaming around the woods of my Michigan backyard studying animal tracks. After school I’d wait for hours up in the trees, hoping to sneak a peak of an animal searching for their next meal or a place to rest. The fact that we coexisted with these creatures was fascinating to me, and I was happy just to catch a glimpse of them going about their daily life.

I moved to Los Angeles to become a filmmaker but a big part of me missed the connection to nature I had back home. So I started working on nature documentaries and found a niche for myself filming all over remote Alaska. During my time on the Discovery Channel show, “Yukon Men,” I met Stan Zuray, a Boston native turned Alaskan homesteader. I instantly connected with him as he shared my love and respect for nature. In an effort to keep ratings up, the show made it seem like danger was lurking around every corner and dramatized the perils of living off the grid. Although those elements exist, the show missed an opportunity to capture the beauty and tranquility of a subsistence lifestyle and it is my goal with this film to showcase that way of living in an honest way.

Stan is an inspiring subject to follow, always leading with his heart and taking nothing for granted. He demonstrates what it means to persevere through hardships and build a life with meaning and purpose. I’ve always been impressed with his ability to adapt and overcome the obstacles of life by working with, not in spite of, nature. A refreshing point of view, Stan’s story is a needed one, especially at this moment of time, with so many people fed up with the inequity of society and desperately seeking an alternative way of living.

I believe an audience will identify with Stan, if not in the specifics than in the pursuit of a meaningful life. I hope this film is somewhat of a palate cleanser, giving the audience a chance to take stock and see if there is a way to find and embrace their own path towards a fulfilling existence.