Lazarus Lake: The Hillbilly Scientist

The Hillbilly Scientist is a feature documentary about Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell - the legendary race director behind the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra.

The film was made with unprecedented access to Laz over more than a year, following him through the Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, Big’s Backyard Ultra, his home life, and across his transcontinental walk across the United States.

I composed a 16-track original score for the film. Rooted in electronic music, the soundtrack also draws on elements of Appalachian folk and Southern Gothic, reflecting the landscapes, culture and mythology surrounding Laz and the iconic races he has created.

Alongside the score, I handled the film’s sound design and mix, as well as location sound recording during production.

The Hillbilly Scientist had its world premiere at Cinema Vox in Chamonix during UTMB week in August 2026.

Production - Mellor&Smith
Co-Directors - Paul Mellor & Luke Jarmey
Executive Producer - Jim Smith
Creative Director - Max Cannon
Editor - Sam Holding
Senior Producer - Lara Zussman
Field Producer - Ebba Forsgren
Original Score, Sound Design, Mix & Location Sound - Tom Jarmey