Compelling Films.
Unforgettable Impact.
WideawakeMedia is a Vermont-based media company dedicated to telling big stories in a down-to-earth way. With a focus on meaningful, socially conscious filmmaking, we create documentaries that explore justice, community, and the richness of the human experience.
Founded by director Bill Muench, WideawakeMedia builds on a legacy of heartfelt storytelling. A former educator and basketball coach, Bill shifted full-time to documentary filmmaking after the success of his award-winning films The Artist & the Astronaut and Sea Bright Rising. Each project reflects his passion for uncovering powerful narratives with emotional depth and historical resonance.
The team includes composer Todd Hobin, a legend in the music industry whose scores bring warmth and soul to every frame, and cinematographer David Rose of Hitting Redline, whose striking visuals elevate our stories with clarity and beauty.
At WideawakeMedia, we believe in the power of film to connect, inspire, and create lasting impact.
To Skylab and Beyond.
In 2016, award-winning director Bill Muench set out to tell the story of a Skylab Commander. What he discovered was something far more profound—a love story that defied gravity.
The Artist & the Astronaut is the extraordinary true story of Apollo astronaut Jerry Carr and Pat Musick, a visionary artist and fierce advocate for civil rights. Their journey—from the heights of space to the depths of social struggle—reveals a powerful truth: that the most remarkable missions happen not just among the stars, but here on Earth.
This inspiring documentary has touched audiences around the world, earning awards and accolades at international film festivals. Now screening across the United States—you can watch on demand at gathr.com.
The Ocean Next Door.
What began as a humanitarian effort between two towns in Vermont and New Jersey ultimately became Seabright Rising: a story of resilience, commitment, and the sheer effort required to rebuild a beloved town.
An Arrow Shot Through Time
An Arrow Shot Through Time is a compelling documentary that unearths an extraordinary act of generosity from 1847. Despite their own suffering after the Trail of Tears, the Choctaw Nation sent $170—equivalent to $7,000 today—across 4,000 miles to aid the starving Irish during the Great Famine. This powerful gesture of empathy forged an enduring bond between two nations, a connection that continues to inspire and resonate through generations.
“This film is a must-see for any enthusiast of the Golden Age of the American manned space program.”
— Mitchell Rothman, Founder, Manned Space
Let’s share human stories together.
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