I just joined Pinterest.com and started pinning images that inspire me on there. It is a cool place to see images and post images you like and share with others. See my inspirational boards here http://pinterest.com/sparklestarr/ so far I have made boards for killer whales, wild places, true love, faces, dreamscape, animals in the wild, natural and winter. Check it out! I hope to add more images as I go…
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I just finished reading the book – Listening to Whales by Alexandra Morton. I have always been fascinated with killer whales and it was such a treat to get the inside scoop from a woman who has researched killer whales for over 25yrs.
Alexandra speaks about her life photographing the whales dorsal fins and saddles which each are distinct and she eventually got very familiar with each whale and pod by name and category in the northern Vancouver Island waters.
She had experienced the Atlantic salmon farms rise up on the coastlines of the Broughton Archipelago where she lives and has witnessed the devastation to the natural eco system that they bring. The whales have fled the area because of the loud blasting noises the salmon farms had used to scare off seals and porpoises from the fenced in farms in the ocean (acoustic Harassment Devices (AHD). According to Wikipedia: After Alexandra Morton sent thousands of letters to the government opposing the use of AHD’s, and the salmon farmers finally withdrew their use in 2001 but the killer whales still have not come back to the Archipalago.
Alexandra continues to live in Echo Bay and she runs a research station in the small northern community. An environmentalist at heart she strongly believes in protecting the natural habitat and the eco system where she lives.
I realized after reading her book that I had actually paddled right by the research station in echo bay in the Broughton Archipelago. If I had only known more about Alexandra Morton at that time… It would have been wonderful to stop in and say hello and meet her in person. Maybe it will happen one day.
I came across a great article about Alexandra here: http://kickasscanadians.ca/dr-alexandra-morton
More info on Alexandra and her work can be found on:
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged vancouver island, whales, killer whales, alexandra morton, broughton archipelago, great book, book on whales | 1 Comment »
I was driving in my car recently I heard this amazing whale story on the radio. I was tuned into cbc radio 2 and they were airing a Radiolab podcast called Animal Minds- tune into 5:10min into the podcast to hear the whale story. Click the Animal Minds link below to listen to the podcast on the Radiolab site.
As I was listening I knew that it was a whale story because of how they were talking about seeing the tail and trying to cut it free. I stopped my car and just listened until the story ended.
Listen and see how the whale thanked the divers personally for saving its life. It is such an amazing story.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged radiolab podcast, whale rescue, whale story | Leave a Comment »
I was so excited and inspired to attend the 2011 Adventure filmmakers workshop in Banff. I attended the event from Oct 31-Nov8th.
Banff, Alberta
I have officially returned from my trip to Banff and it was amazingly fantastic! I took the Adventure Filmmakers workshop at the Banff centre and was blown away! Sooo inspirational! I learned from BBC cameraman Keith Partridge who also shot Touching the Void
one of my FAV docs! And also Michael Brown who runs Serac Adventure Films in Boulder Colorado and he has summited Everest 4x! They were so humble and down to earth and really helped us realize that anything is possible you just need to decide what it is you want to do! And then go make it happen!
A photo with Michael Brown (Left) and Keith Partridge (Right)
They made us realize as filmmakers in the workshop that we needed to learn from each other and that we all have different talents and knowledge to share.
Adventure Filmmakers (some of us!) photo credit - Cam Stoltz
By learning in an inspiring environment, amongst talented filmmakers in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies – it was a vital moment in my life.
I was reminded about the basics of filmmaking. After taking Advanced TV and Film at Sheridan college, I was feeling very overdone with analyzing film and documentaries. But instead of analyzation of what we thought about film and how we sometimes over-think the question of “what is the best camera to use”, instead I was reminded about the importance of simplicity. The art of filmmaking is simple.
Bringing it back to basics was the most important thing that could have ever happened to me.
After trying to keep up to speed with the new digital era and the use of green screens, iphones and DSLR’s now I am finding myself going back to the original idea of filmmaking. Coming up with a story that matters to me, planning out the shots, and then going after it. In the end, sure I’ll make some mistakes but I will learn from them and make it better the next time. The only way to start doing something… is to just do it.
After taking the 2 yr radio broadcasting course at Canadore college – I learned all there is to know about quality audio and sound production techniques; recording quality audio by using different microphones, microphone placement, learning how to make an interviewee comfortable by learning different interview techniques, recording voice overs, creating sfx, using music beds, recording in WAV, editing in ProTools and exporting as a mixdown track. When it comes to audio – I do know a lot. I need to stop second guessing myself and use the knowledge that I know.
A lot of it is common sense – for example – if you are shooting an interview, and a big bus drives by as your shooting and doing the interview – what is the best thing to do? STOP THE INTERVIEW, WAIT FOR THE BUS TO BE GONE AND RE-SHOOT THE INTERVIEW QUESTION YOU JUST ASKED. Take a moment and gather yourself and let the interviewee know that you are sorry – for cutting them off but you’re going to have to re-shoot that question because a bus just went by and the audio is not going to sound good. Pretty easy stuff. You can always get lazy and keep the camera rolling and try to edit the audio in post – but it will never sound as good as it can if you realize the problem right away and fix it on location.
After taking radio, I studied Advanced TV and Film at Sheridan majoring in producing and documentary filmmaking. I guess I did learn a few things in school but the most key thing I took away from my time at Sheridan was the 5 week placement period at the end of the school year where I got to intern with Rob Stewart and his film production company Sharkwater Productions in Toronto. Learning first hand about making documentaries. I was very inspired there!
Now, I after taking the Adventure Filmmakers Workshop – and still yearning for more film education, I realize that I have learned a lot in the past few years. 2 years of radio and 1 year of film and now completing the 8 day adventure filmmakers course in Banff…I do have a lot of education in filmmaking.
I think it is about time I start making some films… eh? (that is for my American friends). haha
Well… here we go…
Wish me luck!
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged adventure filmmakers workshop, banff, banff centre, film, keith partridge, michael brown | 3 Comments »
While studying filmmaking at Sheridan college in Oakville, Ontario in 2010/2011 – I had the opportunity to intern with Rob Stewart and his film production company Sharkwater Productions – which is based in Toronto. I had the amazing opportunity to learn from Rob and his team in Toronto and get a hands on experience assisting with projects like setting up a new editing suite, research and coordinating interviews in Washington D.C for Rob’s new film (set to be released SPRING 2012), and also assisted in the development of his new NGO called United Conservationists. I am still involved in volunteering with his team and also being a part of the vision to help save our planet. I strongly believe in the vision and would like to invite you to also become a United Conservationist! See a personal message from Rob below. Or read it online here : http://www.sharkwater.com/newsletter/aug3mailer/index.html
See a message from Rob:
I NEED YOUR HELP
Four years ago, Sharkwater hit theatres worldwide. A movie became a movement, educating the public about shark finning and igniting a global effort to save sharks. Together, we have accomplished incredible feats including the formation of shark sanctuaries, the creation of shark finning laws around the globe, countrywide bans on shark fins and global activism – even in China, the heart of the fin business…
We have done a lot with very little, achieving amazing, unprecedented success. But the problems we face today are bigger — and they are threatening our very survival.
Watch my special video message.
So I’ve assembled a team of conservationists to launch the coolest, most revolutionary NGO I can imagine.
United Conservationists (UC) is a different kind of conservation group. We believe in you, in humanity, and that everyone has the power to change the world. Like we did with Sharkwater, our mandate is to educate, inspire and mobilize action through inspiring, award-winning media and by providing real ways for you to protect the species and ecosystems we depend upon for survival.
Now we need you to join us. And to fuel the revolution.
We urgently need funds to get our organization off the ground and execute critical campaigns. We have experienced amazing success in the last six months, including premiering Sharkwater in Hong Kong, launching a conservation game on Facebook, and encouraging shark fin bans in Saipan, Guam and now, Toronto. With your support, we can continue making real, measurable progress by making the world Fin Free, distributing Sharkwater DVDs throughout China, launching our latest movie, developing conservation media and education, and even helping to save tiger and lemur species. Helping is easy and our Indiegogo campaign makes it fun to donate by giving you cool perks!
We’re tackling the biggest issues humanity has ever faced. It’s not going to be easy, but there truly is no limit on what we can do together. I am both inspired and encouraged; I know we can do even more.
Please help us and become part of the revolution to save humanity.
Sincerely, Rob Stewart
JOIN the REVOLUTION! Become a United Conservationist! from Built By Wildman on Vimeo.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged rob stewart, sharkwater, sheridan college, united conservationists | Leave a Comment »
See the Article here: http://earthweek.com/2011/ew110422/ew110422b.html
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canada, humpback whale, iceberg | Leave a Comment »
Last spring I took my Wilderness First Responder course in Whitefish Montana with Wilderness Medical Associates USA. It was an awesome time but what made it even more memorable was the fact that Steve House the world class climber was Re-certing his WFR at the same time and he was in my class. Steve was an awesome class-mate. He surprised us all on our last night when he gave a public presentation about his life as a climber and also shared information about his book that was released in 2009 about his climbing experiences. I bought the book and it is a book at the top of my list of books to read and I hope to read it soon! Check it out if you have not already. It is called “Beyond the Mountain” and it is by Steve House.
Steve also told us some amazing stories about mountain climbing and also about his personal experiences and struggles on the mountain with high altitude sickness and also taking a big fall that nearly cost him his life. He is a great guy with a lot of incredible stories to share. I wanted to write about him in my blog to share that he is a very personable friendly guy and very approachable. I felt that he wanted to share his passion as a climber and inspire others to climb. Steve also gave us advice and a demo on how to belay from the top of a mountain. See photos below.
I learned a lot from taking my WFR and I highly recommend it to those that venture into the remote wilderness. It is an amazing course that gives you the tools that you need to feel confident with your CPR and rescue safety techniques in the wilderness.
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Watch a video we put together when we paddled from The Key River to Killarney Aug 2010.
We’ll be offering this trip summer 2011 through Northern Edge Algonquin Come and join us! Meeting at Grundy Lake Provincial Park and paddling along the rugged Northern shores of Georgian Bay until arriving in Killarney’s beautiful landscape, this journey will inspire you to “Live in the Moment”
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canada, georgian bay, kayaking, natalie lucier, sea kayaking, summer, video, zack kruzins | Leave a Comment »
A photo that I took on the top of Gros Morne Mountain in Newfoundland was featured in an article about the best world adventure destinations. Click the image to see the article.
http://www.adventurerob.com/2010/08/best-world-adventure-destinations/
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canada, gros morne, national park, nrwfoundland | Leave a Comment »
I enjoy the beauty of being outside in nature. There is something amazing about the quiet and stillness that happens when I am alone in the wild. I have been very happy to explore the little patch of green-land near my temporary home in Mississauga, Ontario (while I am in school taking the Advanced Television and Film program at Sheridan college). I have enjoyed cross country skiing by the river and finding time in my busy schedule to breath and just be. On January 17th I took some photos… it was an early morning ski and I felt like I was in a winter wonderland. It was so relaxing with the soft morning light peeking out… I felt so calm and free…
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged canada, cross country skiing, mississauga, snow, winter | Leave a Comment »
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