Documentary production · China
How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change
China production support for Oscar-nominated director Josh Fox.
Alchemist Films worked directly with Josh Fox and producer Deia Schlosberg on the China production of this global climate documentary. In 2015, our team supported local story research, contributor scheduling and practical crew requirements, remaining a point of contact through post-production. The film premiered at Sundance in 2016.
- Writer & director
- Josh Fox · Oscar-nominated for Gasland
- Production
- International WOW Company
- China production
- 2015 · Research & field support
- Film release
- 2016 · Sundance / HBO
Local research
A global question, approached through everyday life.
Fox’s film travels across countries to ask what people value and protect in the face of climate change. For its China chapter, we looked for people and places through which the director could explore that question.
In June 2015, our producer developed story ideas around everyday life, renewable energy and industrial pollution. We shared research with Fox and Schlosberg, who responded to the possibilities and helped shape the next stage of preparation.
The brief continued to develop during preparation. We researched people and situations for the filmmakers to consider, then followed up with potential contributors to establish which ideas could be taken further.
Contributor scheduling
Building the route around the people.
The China schedule developed through repeated exchanges between our team, Fox and Schlosberg. Contributor availability could change between the initial research and the crew’s arrival, so we revisited appointments as the route developed.
Our producer built and revised the route and interview schedule, taking responsibility for booking contributor dates. When availability changed, we rearranged the schedule and brought the revised options back to the filmmakers. A planned visit that could no longer be hosted was removed during preparation; other appointments had to be coordinated around the team’s remaining time.
With the crew
Equipment and contributor support during the shoot.
During the China shoot, our team continued handling contributor contact and practical arrangements. In early July, we attended a Beijing meeting with the crew.
Our producer also coordinated the movement of new drives, a footage drive and screen components with the team. We handled these equipment and material requests during the shoot, alongside changes to the schedule.
After the shoot
A local point of contact through post-production.
The collaboration continued after the China leg. Our team coordinated a footage transfer to the production, and Schlosberg confirmed that the download was complete in July 2015. Later that month, she returned with a practical question about the languages in the recorded material; we clarified that it was mostly Mandarin.
Towards the end of the year, we coordinated China crew credits with the production. Our team remained a local point of contact as the film moved towards completion.
From the film
The film
How to Let Go of the World and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change
Josh Fox received an Academy Award nomination for Gasland in the Documentary (Feature) category in 2011. In How to Let Go of the World, he travels around the world to meet people responding to climate change and asks what can endure as familiar places and ways of life come under pressure. Its China chapter moves between air pollution, art, industry and solar energy. The film premiered in the 2016 Sundance U.S. Documentary Competition and made its HBO debut on 27 June 2016.
- Film
- United States · 2016
- Writer & director
- Josh Fox
- Producers
- Deia Schlosberg & Josh Fox
- Production company
- International WOW Company
- In association with
- HBO Documentary Films
- Our China production support
- Alchemist Films
Planning a China shoot
Leave room for the story to develop.
For a documentary about personal stories and larger environmental questions, begin with what your director wants to explore. Share any people, places or situations you are already considering, and tell us where you need local research. We can use that brief to approach potential contributors and plan a route around their availability.
Allow time for changes, and plan contributor appointments alongside travel and crew requirements. Before the team leaves China, agree how footage questions and language needs will be handled during post-production. Alchemist Films can help with the research, fixing and production coordination your film needs.
Production support in China
Bring your documentary to China with Alchemist Films.
Our work with Josh Fox brought together local research, contributor coordination and practical production support. Tell us what your film needs in China, and we can shape the local support around your director, story and schedule.
Plan your China productionExplore our documentary work →