THE BEAR’S DEN

A Documentary Directed by Daniel Herzog

SYNOPSIS

Step into 'The Bear’s Den,' a captivating documentary unveiling the journey of a Vermont-based chainsaw carver harmonizing his existence with nature's rugged beauty. Witness mastery and resilience as fallen timber transforms into awe-inspiring artistry against stunning landscapes, embedding heart and spirit in every stroke.

ABOUT

The Bear’s Den had been a dream, a vision that had been brewing within me for years, dating all the way back to my college days. Those were the times I had been reading any filmmaking book I could get my hands on. The one book that stood out the most to me was Robert Rodriguez’s “Rebel Without a Crew.” This book not only provided a road map how to make a feature film with minimal resources, but also hammered on the concept of utilizing what is in arm’s reach.

As I embarked on my cinematic journey, I couldn't help but notice a recurring theme among the filmmakers I admired most. They kickstarted their careers by harnessing the power of people, locations, and equipment readily available to them.

Enter Charlie, the main subject of The Bear’s Den, and my uncle. He had always been a wellspring of inspiration in my life, a living testament to the allure of a carefree existence. We had joked about crafting a documentary about his life for years, but the relentless grind of my work schedule consistently got in the way of our aspirations. At that point, I was fully immersed in my role as a creative director for a marketing agency, churning out content for various clients. Yet, I couldn't escape the nagging feeling that I was constantly creating for others, while neglecting all the passion projects I had in mind.

After honing my directing and cinematography skills over many years, I decided I was ready to tackle an ambitious project on my own. One Spring morning I called up my uncle and told him I was ready to make a documentary about his life. In a mere two weeks, I found myself in Vermont, camera in hand, capturing Charlie’s world. Over the course of the next 18 months, I shuttled back and forth between Connecticut and Vermont, seizing every precious moment of free time I had.

Three long and arduous years later, after painstaking production and post-production efforts, The Bear’s Den was finally wrapped.

-Daniel Herzog