FROST Insider Beta: Winter Wonderland

Insider Beta

First look: Winter 1978 sets in at Tom’s home office and studio in Boulder. Photo by Dorene Frost.

From the producers’ desk

Winter Wonderland

Happy Holidays! As we dig out the heavy winter gear from the back of the closet it’s high time we drop an update about the final push for FROST.
 
Right now, our audio supervisor and sound designer Rob Thomure has the soundtrack turned up loud in his ear goggles (check out his fantastic work on Swimmer’s Ear). Rob’s making sure the levels are sweet and the Deer Tick songs sound great.
 
From January through March of 2026 FROST heads to Hollywood where producer Craig Yahata (Fargo, Sons of Anarchy, The Shield) will polish the footage for consistency and deliver a finished film worthy of its subject. Then, once Craig’s done, we’re off to submit to film festivals.

Contribute today to be part of climbing history (and get credit in the film)

Thanks for being part of the FROST community. We hope your winter holidays are peaceful, you enjoy some time outdoors regardless of the weather, and that you have someplace cozy to warm up.

First look: Tom at Tahquitz in 1966. Photo by Dorene Frost.

MEDIA COVERAGE

How Did the CIA Lose a Nuclear Device?

60 years ago, the world’s leading mountaineers — including Tom Frost — embarked on a top-secret C.I.A. mission: to deploy a device to spy on China, powered by radioactive fuel, at the top of Nanda Devi in the Himalayas. 
 
Our film touches on Tom’s role in the story and, while it doesn’t mention him, a recent piece in The New York Times (paywall) peels back the mission, its impact, the climbers’ regret, and the U.S. government’s refusal to acknowledge that anything ever happened.

First Look: Tom Frost on the secret ascent to Nanda Devi. This never-before-seen frame is from a roll labeled “Family Skateboarding”, which hints at the mission’s clandestine nature. Photo by Rob Schaller, courtesy of the Tom Frost Archives.

commercial work

Award Season Wins

By day, FROST director Tom Seawell works at UCSF Health directing and filming the institution’s incredible stories of specialized and innovative care.
 
This past year, Seawell and the UCSF team took home one Emmy award along with four Tellys.
 
Check out the work:

Nurse Amy. Courtesy of
UCSF Health

UCSF Health: Nurse Amy
Emmy, two silver Tellys 
including “Short Form Doc under 40 minutes”
 
UCSF Health: Our Callings
Emmy nomination, silver Telly
 
UCSF Health: Buster Posey Campaign
Bronze Telly

Insider intel

Weekly Exposure

We’re still working to premiere unseen footage, uncut interviews, and images that we couldn’t fit into the film. Follow us today and be among the first to see them.

Follow Flatlander Films for Weekly Exposure

FROST Swag

Stickers in the Wild

We love spotting FROST badges around town. There’s nothing quite like the charge of coming across a kindred spirit from the same tribe.
 
We just received a fresh shipment of stickers, so contribute $10 today and we’ll send you one.

That’s photographer Marshall Williams. Don’t miss his killer series, Taco Stand Vernacular.

Support

Community Funded

We still need financial support! 
 
Anything you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. As always, any contribution over $1 gets credit in the film.

Donate Today

For a 501c3 tax deduction of $500 or more, contact tom@flatlanderfilms.com
 

Flatlander Films, LLC,
317 Klamath Street, Brisbane, CA 94005-1512

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