INTRODUCTION

Production House is seeking to partner with the Chicago Wolves to produce Wolves, a character-driven documentary following the team through the 2025–26 season.

As part of the collaboration, we envision the Wolves playing a lead role in supporting the project financially and helping to shape the story to ensure brand alignment. To keep costs manageable, Production House will work closely with the Wolves’ internal teams and explore opportunities to qualify for the Illinois Film Tax Credit.

wolves

a feature documentary

Wolves is a deeply human and quietly funny behind-the-scenes documentary that follows the Chicago Wolves throughout the 2025–26 season. Blending raw verité with tongue-in-cheek narration, the film explores the rituals, rivalries, and resilience of a minor league hockey team chasing big-league dreams. From the players to the owner, it’s a story about passion, purpose, and the quiet battles behind the game—on the ice, in the locker room, and at home.

Synopsis

Set against the backdrop of the 2025–26 AHL season, Wolves offers a rare, all-access look at the inner workings of the Chicago Wolves, one of minor league hockey’s most iconic and unconventional franchises.

At the center are the players: rookies chasing NHL call-ups, veterans fighting for one more season, enforcers managing chronic injuries, and goalies navigating pressure and superstition. But the story goes deeper, capturing the leadership of longtime owner Don Levin and the intricate ecosystem that holds the team together, from trainers and coaches to families back home.

As the season unfolds, Wolves reveals the emotional weight of chasing a dream with a ticking clock. We explore what it takes to persevere through pain, doubt, setbacks, and sacrifice, while never losing the love for the game. The film blends raw verité filmmaking with dry, observational narration reminiscent of a nature documentary, offering both humor and heart as it dissects the rituals, rivalries, and relationships that define life in the AHL.

STYLE + TONE

Wolves balances authenticity with dry, observational humor. Inspired by the cult classic Overtime, the film pairs verité documentary filmmaking with a deadpan narrator who dissects the Wolves like a wildlife pack. The narration provides subtle comic relief, highlighting the quirks, rituals, and dynamics of the team without undercutting the real stakes at play.

Visually, the film shifts between high-energy game coverage and quiet, off-ice moments. On the ice, we capture the speed, chaos, and intensity of competition. Off the ice, the focus turns to unguarded conversations, personal routines, and the quieter realities of life in the AHL. Stylized sequences may be used selectively to emphasize tone or provide deeper character insight, while maintaining the grounded feel of the story.

The humor is affectionate and rooted in truth. The emotion arises naturally from the rhythm of the season. Whether following a rookie’s first call-up, a veteran managing lingering injuries, or a team meal in a roadside diner, Wolves finds meaning in the human moments that surround the game.

Documentary Arc Outline

ACT I: PRESEASON / THE PACK FORMS

Camp Begins
The team assembles. Rookies arrive with something to prove. Veterans return to lead. Coaches shape a roster that blends promise with purpose.

Rituals, Roles & Roommates
We meet the characters: quiet leaders, locker room comedians, and goalies with mysterious habits. A brotherhood begins to form.

Opening Night
The team hits the ice for the first time. Emotions run high. Hope, nerves, and firepower are all on full display.

Owner’s Perspective
Don Levin reflects on his decades with the team. His voice adds context and continuity. He understands the business of hockey but remains deeply connected to the emotional rollercoaster his players ride.

ACT II: THE GRIND

Life on the Road
Long bus rides, hotel lobbies, and late-night meals become the norm. As the travel and repetition wear on, relationships deepen and humor begins to emerge.

Holiday Chapters

Thanksgiving: Players reflect on gratitude and family, finding comfort in a rare home-cooked meal, even if it’s reheated in a hotel microwave.

Christmas: Phone calls home, team gift exchanges, and quiet moments reveal the emotional toll of playing far from family and the deep bond between teammates.

Pond Hockey & Winter Bonding
The team takes a breath. They head to a frozen lake for a game played just for fun. The moment is pure joy, a reminder of why they fell in love with hockey in the first place.

ACT III: THE PUSH

Second Half Stakes
Injuries test the roster. Some players are called up. Others rise to the occasion. The playoff picture comes into focus, and every game begins to carry more weight.

Character Arcs Converge
A rookie finds his voice. A veteran rediscovers his rhythm. A quiet role player becomes the emotional center of the team.

Final Stretch
Wins and losses pile up. There are moments of laughter and moments of finality. Whether chasing a playoff spot or simply playing for pride, the Wolves close out the season with heart and purpose.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONCEPTS

1. “CENTER ICE”

Format: Video podcast (10–15 min episodes + social cutdowns)
Tone: Honest, cinematic, grounded with moments of humor
Content:

  • Shot at center ice after practice or during off-hours, with a simple setup, overhead lights, and a cold, dramatic arena backdrop

  • Conversations with players, coaches, or staff about hockey, life, and everything in between

  • Includes fan questions, behind-the-scenes stories, and reflections on the season

  • Each episode yields multiple short clips for social sharing

Goal: Strengthen character depth, build anticipation for the film, and provide fans with an intimate look at the people behind the Wolves’ jerseys — in a setting as iconic as the team itself.

2. "Life in the den"

Format: Mini-vlogs (60–90 sec)
Tone: Personal, authentic, a mix of humor and heart
Content:

  • Day-in-the-life content from players (morning routine, workouts, meals, recovery)

  • What it’s like to get called up… or sent down

  • Behind-the-scenes of team travel, hotel life, game day prep

  • Fans learn what it really means to grind it out in the AHL

Goal: Humanize the players and increase emotional investment in the characters before the film drops.

3. "Wolves Wired"

Format: Mic’d-up segments (30–60 sec)
Tone: Funny, raw, energetic
Content:

  • Players mic’d up during practice, warmups, or team bonding events

  • Goalie banter, chirps, coaching feedback, locker room interactions

  • Edited with captions and punchy cuts for virality

Goal: Showcase personalities and camaraderie; shareable content that builds player fandom.

4. "What’s in the Bag?"

Format: Interview/reveal series (45–90 sec)
Tone: Lighthearted, stylized
Content:

  • Players open their gear bags and explain what’s inside (superstitions, snacks, weird items)

  • Could also expand into “locker tours” or “road trip essentials”

Goal: Create fast, repeatable content that builds rituals into storytelling.

Why It Works for the chicago wolves

✔ Strengthens fan loyalty and brand affinity by telling raw, emotionally resonant stories from inside the organization, with players, coaches, and staff at the center.

✔ Creates high-quality, evergreen content assets including the feature documentary, social media series, podcast, and dozens of short-form cutdowns that can be repurposed for ongoing marketing, sponsorship, and community engagement. 

✔ Expands the Wolves’ digital footprint and fanbase by connecting with younger, story-driven audiences across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and podcast platforms, while also deepening engagement with current fans through premium behind-the-scenes content that goes far beyond game footage.

✔ Wolves retain full control over IP usage, brand integration, and long-term messaging, ensuring the story reflects the organization’s values and ambition.