“The Season”

AN AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY BY BLUE TIE PRODUCTIONS

14 Film Festival Selections | 8 Awards Won | Still Running the Festival Circuit

Youth orchestra,

Nine weeks,

One concert

“The Season” isn’t just about music—it’s about what it takes to create something extraordinary. Follow the La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestra from January rehearsals to their March finale. Witness the dedication of students learning complex pieces, the leadership of conductors pushing them to excel, and the behind-the-scenes work that makes a performance come alive.
This documentary captures the sweat, the problem-solving, and the heart that go into every note.

Take a step behind the curtain and witness the creation of a youth symphony orchestra concert.

“The Season” follows the La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestra through their 2024 spring season—nine weeks of rehearsals, creative problem-solving, and the teamwork it takes to put on an incredible performance.
This documentary has been selected by 13 international film festivals and has won 7 awards to date.
It’s still running the festival circuit—and proving that Blue Tie Productions doesn’t just make videos. We make films.
🎥 WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER ON YOUTUBE HERE:

Youth orchestra,

Nine weeks,

One concert

FESTIVAL SELECTIONS & AWARDS

“The Season” has been recognized by film festivals around the world.

Check out our IMDb page and awards:

WHY I MADE “THE SEASON”

I started filming “The Season” in January 2024 with a simple goal: document what it’s like to prepare for a youth orchestra concert.
What I didn’t expect was how much the project would teach me about storytelling.
Over nine weeks, I filmed rehearsals, interviewed students and conductors, and captured the chaos and beauty of bringing music to life. I learned how to stay invisible while being everywhere. How to find the story in the small moments—a student struggling with a difficult passage, a conductor’s quiet encouragement, the nervous energy backstage before the finale.
By the time the March concert arrived, I had 60+ hours of footage. It took me a year to edit it down to 96 minutes. The result? A documentary that’s been selected by 13 film festivals and won 8 awards.
But more importantly, it proved something: I know how to tell stories that matter.
Whether it’s a youth orchestra or your business, the principles are the same—find the heart of the story, capture it authentically, and make people care.
Jake Zabinski
Owner & Producer/Editor

Documentary Information

Cast and Crew

  • Jacob Zabinski
    Director
  • Jacob Zabinski
    Producer
  • Cassie Davis
    Key Cast
  • Zach Mayer
    Key Cast
  • Mark Pomplun
    Key Cast
  • Laura Eber
    Key Cast
  • Leah Beyer
    Assistant Director
  • Leah Beyer
    Camera Operators
  • Isabell Zabinski
    Camera Operators
  • Catherine Zabinski
    Camera Operators
  • Dylan Harris
    Audio Editor
  • Jacob Zabinski
    Editor
  • Jordan Sheets
    Script Review
  • Catherine Zabinski
    Script Review
  • Benjamin Tierney-Morrison
    Script Review

Specifications

Project Type:
Documentary
Genres:
Documentary, Classical Music, Orchestra, Symphony, Youth Symphony, Youth Orchestra, Midwest
Runtime:
1 hour 14 minutes
Completion Date:
August 1, 2025
Country of Origin:
United States
Country of Filming:
United States
Language:
English
Shooting Format:
Apple ProRes RAW
Aspect Ratio:
16:9

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR PROJECT

If you’re a business, performing arts organization, or brand considering video production, here’s what “The Season” proves:

WE UNDERSTAND STORYTELLING

Making an award-winning documentary requires finding the story, capturing authentic moments, and editing it into something people care about. The same skills that won 11 film festival awards go into every client project we produce.

WE DELIVER QUALITY

13 international film festivals selected “The Season” because the cinematography, editing, and sound design meet professional standards. Your video gets that same level of quality—whether it’s a 30-second reel or a 10-minute brand story.

WE FINISH WHAT WE START

Making a feature-length documentary takes commitment. From 60+ hours of footage to a 96-minute film that’s traveled the world—we see projects through. When we commit to your project, you get the same dedication.

READY TO TELL YOUR STORY?

Schedule your Discovery Call →

Blue Tie Productions specializes in documentary filmmaking, commercial video production, and performing arts videography.
Whether you need a brand documentary, company culture film, or strategic video content, we bring the same storytelling ability and cinematic quality that won “The Season” 7 film festival awards.