LYONS DEN PRODUCTIONS

23/06/2024

"Lake Erie, Our Kin", a two-part series produced by Erie-based filmmakers John C. Lyons and Melissa A. Troutman for WQLN, has been nominated for two Emmy Awards in the Societal Concerns category for the 55th NATAS Central Great Lakes Emmys.

The series explores the region's complex history with one of the most unique water bodies on planet Earth – Lake Erie – and how our relationship to the lake determines, not just the lake’s health, but ultimately our own.

"Lake Erie's health and beauty have returned after years of pollution and neglect, thanks to the efforts of people who love and care for this lake," said Troutman. "These folks understand that the lake’s health, and future, is intricately tied to ours."

The series was produced by Lyons Den Productions, Troutman, and WQLN/PBS NPR in the summer of 2022 and premiered in April 2023 as part of WQLN's award-winning Chronicles TV series.

"We are honored to have our work nominated for two Emmys," said Lyons. "The recognition will surely bring more awareness to the film and its message."

Since its television debut, an updated, single-film version of "Lake Erie, Our Kin" has screened for audiences at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, PennWest Edinboro, Allegheny College, and Erie Center for Arts & Technology. The filmmakers, Lyons and Troutman, join viewers to discuss topics in the film, including the region's indigenous peoples, the power of local action, and the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace. They also share the ins and outs of filmmaking with aspiring filmmakers.

Winners of the 55th Annual Central Great Lakes Emmy Awards will be announced at an award gala at Hotel Cleveland on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024. The awards showcase recognizes broadcasting industry professionals throughout Cleveland, Indianapolis, Erie, Youngstown, Akron/Canton, Mansfield, Lima, Toledo, Fort Wayne, Anderson, Muncie, Bloomington, and West Lafayette.

Honorees:

John C. Lyons, Producer / Director / Cinematographer
Melissa A. Troutman, Producer / Writer / Director / Cinematographer
Jesse James, Cinematographer / Editor
Mike Berlin, Executive Producer
Tom Fox-Davies, Series Producer
--

29/07/2023

TETHERED will be an Immersive Theatrical Experience, the first of its kind in Erie... with your help. Experience the implosion of a relationship throughout 5 floors of dance, theater, music, film. www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnclyons/tethered-immersive-theatrical-experience

10/06/2023

After making its television debut on PBS, LYONS DEN PRODUCTIONS, PennFuture - Erie, Our Water Our Air Our Rights and WQLN co-hosted the theatrical premiere of our new documentary, "Lake Erie, Our Kin" Parts I & II, on June 3, 2023 at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Co-directors, John C. Lyons and Melissa A. Troutman, lead a Q&A after the film with panelists Jenny Tompkins, Sandy Bihn, Dr. Joe Stahlman, Russ Taylor, Tim Bruno, Sister Pat Lupo and Art Leopold.
--
Image by Jesse James
--

02/06/2023

John C. Lyons and co-director Melissa Troutman are featured on PennFuture podcast, Environmental Voices. In the episode, they talk about the origins and discoveries of our new 2-part documentary, "Lake Erie, Our Kin".

Listen at the link below or wherever you podcast:
buzzsprout.com/1944759/12854683-connecting-with-lake-erie

19/04/2023

Watch Part 2 of our new documentary "Lake Erie, Our Kin" now on WQLN:
pbs.org/video/lake-erie-our-kin-part-2-rghvrn/

The conclusion to our new documentary project "Lake Erie, Our Kin" is now available to stream online; We are working on a 1 hour version for in-person screening events. Interested? Drop us a message.

Thank you to WQLN PBS for this opportunity and the Chronicles Team for your tireless work. Special shout to Executive Producer, Mike Berlin, for your faith in us and support in our vision. Our tiny LEOK team received everything an artist dreams of when they create: support and trust. This project was a wonderful, enlightening and motivating experience.

In this two-part episode, we explore our history with our defining landmark, Lake Erie.

10/04/2023

Watch Part 1 of our new documentary "Lake Erie, Our Kin" now on WQLN: wqln.org/shows/chronicles/episodes/lake-erie-our-kin-omemsn

What is Lake Erie to us today? A resource? An attraction? Or is it something more? Can we restore the lake's health and integrity, and simultaneously improve our own? If so, what kind of relationship will it take?

30/11/2022

"John C. Lyons & Dorota Swies' tragic eco-horror UNEARTH is a farmyard fable of fracking and faction in a polarised, polluted America... one of the very finest nature's revenge films in many years." -- Anton Bitel, Projected Figures

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

26/10/2022

"A horror movie that truly committed to the horrible, and the fact we had gotten to know these victims through their increasingly ominous coughing and self-destructive behaviour resulted in a powerful ending with an ominous "You're next!” conclusion." -- Graeme Clark, The Spinning Image

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

18/10/2022

"What Patriot Exploration has done is made nightmares rather than dreams come to the Lomacks and the Dolans. The nightmare is a raw vision in the eyes of director John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies that happens at a drop of a hat in the second half of the film when everyone is truly falling from grace almost as grotesque and groundbreaking as Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream." -- Fernando Fernandez, FERNTV

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

05/10/2022

"This is an effective eco-horror born from corporate greed, as corporations put the bottom line above peoples lives." -- James Rodrigues, The Reviewing Rodders

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

14/09/2022

"Unearth is a timely metaphor in the midst of a pandemic which has crippled the US economy." -- Jenn Adams, Consequence

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

14/09/2022

"An ensemble of sensational actors amidst a heart-crushing tale before things truly spiral out of control." -- Simon Rother, Infamous Horror

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

31/08/2022

"We've seen the damage done in Flint, Michigan, and here the fracking industry that descended on Pennsylvania follows the same path of contamination and illness. The cast and performances are excellent with Barbeau at the top of the list." -- VFDPixie, View From the Dark

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

25/08/2022

Leaves viewers "with questions and thoughts hovering like gas fumes over poisoned cornfields, and adding menace to the simple act of harvested produce being transported to market." -- Michael Guillen, The Evening Class

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

25/08/2022

Unearth. 2020. US. Directed by John C. Lyons, Dorota Swies. Screenplay by Kelsey Goldberg, John C. Lyons. With Adrienne Barbeau, P. J. Marshall. DCP. 94 min. As a subgenre, eco horror is generally the least coded: the warnings about the toll of humanity’s impact on the environment are pointed, inc...

16/08/2022

"Audiences can look forward to exquisite cinematography, fascinating characters, in-depth, satisfying performances, and the tensest final 30-minutes of film that I've endured in a long time." -- Brad Miska, Bloody Disgusting

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

09/08/2022

"Unearth starts a bit like a classic dark drama, before heading into horror territory. While it is not the type of horror for all fans, it sends the message of the alarming repercussions brought about by short-sighted decisions. In other words, you reap what you sow." -- Alice Oscura, Grimoire of Horror

Starring Adrienne Barbeau, P.J. Marshall, Allison McAtee, Rachel McKeon, Monica Wyche, Brooke Sorenson and Marc Blucas.

Watch Unearth Now on Prime Video: amzn.to/3j5IRFx.

04/08/2022

It is a great honor and a dream come true to be selected for MoMA The Museum of Modern Art Horror: Messaging the Monstrous film series.

Unearth will open MoMA's Eco Horror program on Monday, August 22 at 4:30 PM.

The event will be followed by a discussion with filmmakers John C. Lyons and Dorota Swies and actress Adrienne Barbeau, hosted by curator, Caryn Coleman of The Future of Film is Female.

Admissions available soon at moma.org/calendar/film/5487.