NASA is gearing up to launch a historic mission to send humans, including Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hanson, on a journey around the moon as part of the Artemis II mission. This mission marks the first crewed lunar voyage in over fifty years. The spacecraft will not land on the moon but will carry out various surveillance activities and experiments in preparation for future missions, such as Artemis III, which aims to return humans to the moon’s surface.
Celebrating this milestone is Canadian singer-songwriter Emm Gryner, who has released a new song titled “Touch the Sky” in honor of the mission. The accompanying music video for the song was directed, filmed, and edited by filmmaker Laura-Lynn Petrick, a Thunder Bay native. Petrick expressed her excitement, likening the experience to a “Stanley Kubrick moment,” as she is a devoted fan of space and science fiction.
The video production took place in Thunder Bay, featuring local actor Leo James Durocher portraying a younger version of astronaut Jeremy Hanson, and in Sarnia, showcasing Gryner performing at a piano. Gryner shared that the creation of the song and video stemmed from a conversation with Catherine Hansen, Jeremy’s wife, about a tribute for his upcoming lunar mission. The collaboration brought together a talented team to produce a visually stunning and meaningful piece.
Incorporating footage from NASA, the Canadian Space Agency, and Hanson’s training sessions, the video captures the essence of the space mission. Petrick, the director, expressed her meticulous approach in selecting the right moments to convey a sense of inspiration and achievement, akin to a coming-of-age film.
Gryner expressed her satisfaction with the final product, emphasizing that the video is a tribute to Hanson’s dedication and work. Proceeds from the song will be donated to the Bluewater Health Foundation in Sarnia, as Gryner aims to support a charitable cause through her music.