Oft-reviled, pond scum is actually the vital foundation of a freshwater aquatic food web. Comprised of photosynthesizing algae and bacteria, pond scum can be surprisingly beautiful up close. This short film features various microorganisms feasting on a jewel-like underwater bounty. Ushering the sun’s energy into the larger food web, the single celled constituents of pond scum are the gatekeepers of life on Earth.