Big Cypress Swamp documentary at Miami University and Deering Estate

On the 22nd and 23rd on October 09 I spend time in Miami with several screenings and workshops talking about the Big Cypress Swamp: the Western Everglades documentary.   On the 22nd the day started with a lecture about camera moves and techniques with Ed Talavera's film making class at the University of Miami.  About 15 students were in the class.  We had great discussions about cameras, formats, HD vs film and so on.
In the afternoon, I gave a workshop Film Making 101, So you want to tell a story?  This was interested students and facility members at UM.  The presentation consisted of the basic of story telling, productions, pre & post, audio, lighting and basics of video productions.  Anthony Smith was the moderator and coordinator.
In the evening, Friends of the Library at UM sponsored a screening of the Big Cypress Swamp film at the Bill Cosford Cinema.  The format was in BluRay on a large screen.  Wow, it was unreal to see the images so large and very sharp.   Amazing process to think that I was looking through a 4 inch view finder on location to capture the video images.   This was great event to meet new people,  see and hear about the interest in the Big Cypress Swamp and Everglades issues, and share about the art of film.   A pleasant surprise was that there were several people in attendance that were good friends of Marjorie Stoneman Douglass.  They appreciated the tribute that was given to Marjorie in the film.
The UM events were coordinated by Liliana Davidson-Tower.   Liliana had picked several great restaurants for the day, including the Ortanique Cuisine of the Sun, 278 Miracle Mile and for late supper at the Hy Vong, a Vietnamese Cuisine on 3458 SW 8th Street.  Both places had great food and wonderful service.
The Friends are having a series of events in this season which include Joe Browder in November, along with Sammy Tedder and Clyde Butcher next year.   check out: http://www.library.miami.edu/about/friends/friends_benefits.html

On the 23rd the event was sponsored and planned by the South Florida National Parks Trust at the Deering Estate as a fund raising for the new art work in the Big Cypress Swamp Welcome Center.  Check out www.deeringestate.org.  The evening included a brief introduction by Don Frinefrock, Director of the Trust followed by a lecture/talk by Clyde Butcher and me.  We discuss and explain how we met, projects we worked on together, our passion for the arts in nature and try to educate the audience about the environmental importance of conservation in Florida.   Clyde had a few of the images hanging in the Cottage for a sneak preview of the upcoming Big Cypress exhibit.  After the talk the entire Big Cypress Swamp documentary was shown in the ballroom of the old stone house.  It was an interesting experience to be at the Deering Estate and the beautiful setting along the Atlantic Ocean.   www.southfloridaparks.org

Living Waters Exhibit at Inverness - 1-10-09

On Saturday 10-10-09 the Living Waters: the Aquatic Preserves of Florida exhibit by Clyde Butcher was featured at the Old Heritage Courthouse Museum in Inverness, FL.

What is amazing about the Living Waters exhibit that is just keeps going and traveling around the state of Florida.  Florida DEP has and is doing a great job on keeping the show on the road.  If you are interested in the exhibit, contact: Earl Person at: Earl.Pearson@dep.state.fl.us or call at:(850) 245-2104.
The exhibit looked great in the old courthouse.

At 10:30 Clyde and I were able to meet and greet the people who came to view the exhibit and present our horse and pony show (or is the Mutt and Jeff show).  Clyde and I have put together a lecture that takes you on a journey of how we met, the first video production and interview with Clyde.  We talk about getting out into the swamp, being introduced to the deep swamps of Florida, and traveling across the state of Florida.  We talk about how the Living Waters idea was conceived and designed on a napkin.  This really was a napkin idea.   We tell tidbits of the filming and photography for the Living Waters production.   How the idea of education and the opportunities to share with people began to cover the different medium of art, photography and film.

Clyde posing with a few guests.   
Folks walking through the exhibit.   
A full house at the lecture.

 

After the lecture Clyde and I walked across the street to have lunch at Stump-Knocker’s with Dick Roberts and his wife (Dick was featured in the Living Waters film at Loxahatchee) and friends of Clyde, George and Marilyn.   Must say, Inverness is great small town tucked just SW of Ocala and a stone's throw off I-75.  A small corner of restored building and    cobblestone streets.  

Living Waters: Aquatic Preserves of Florida exhibit at The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum,Inverness, FL

Clyde's traveling exhibit Living Waters: Aquatic Preserves of Florida will be exhibiting at The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum - One Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL. This Saturday October 10th, Clyde and Elam will be giving a presentation from 10:30-11:30. This event is free but they would like you to call and make reservations (352) 341-6436. 12:00-1:00 meet Clyde and Elam in the gallery for a meet and greet plus a book signing.

Comment from a viewer of the Big Cypress Swamp doc for WUSF

I really enjoyed the entire program.

It was easy to tell by the tears in my eyes.

I am fourth generation Floridian. Still living in the same area where we originally settled.

I often pacify my hostility about our disappearing Florida by saying or thinking

" We have enjoyed it for many years, perhaps it is time to allow all these others to have their turn."

I will be 60 this year, next month, and I can remember many things that now cannot be found anymore.

I was asked, a couple of years ago, "What were your favorite toys and activities when you were a kid?"

My reply;

" An old broken 16ga double barrel shotgun and a machete were my favorite toys. My favorite activity, and I spent innumerable hours and days doing it, was wandering around in the woods and swamps."

The person asking the question was surprised and taken aback. They then asked "Surely you didn't wander alone, and the gun wasn't real?"

My answer was " yes I was alone and the gun and machete were real. After all I was probably about 7 or 8 years old when I started going alone."

They just walked away.

Many of the things I saw in your program brought back memories long tucked away.

The incredible beauty of Florida wetlands and swamps glimpsed in the program. The flowers, trees, shrubbery, and the myriad of creatures. How far I gotten away in my years of technical employment. Sigh

Listening to the stories about damage done, through ignorance or greed, raised my anger until I am sure my blood pressure was quite high.

Then listening about some of the things that are being done to help restore and preserve our precious and valuable Florida, brought me back from my anger and made me realize that I need to get off my 'duff' and help, if only to spread the word.

Seeing the segments about the tours, walks, camping, as well as the research and teaching, made me want to get up right at that moment (and the feeling has not passed) and go do a walk in one of the mentioned areas. I also thought of other areas, many in my area, that should be visited and revealed to those who do not know.

My intention is to make it required viewing at my home (many of my guests have found that 'The Yearling' movie was required in the past. It is not so much the story as the scenery and description of life in old Florida that is important during the viewing. )

Many of my friends are teachers, or affiliated with local school boards, and I would introduce them (hoping that their students would be introduced as well)

As I said above, the entire program made such a strong statement to me that I cannot pick any points or segments that were not strong or important. I thought that each point made, whether education, natural beauty, economic importance, or resource conservation all were done very well and clearly made their point.

You chose a HUGE target(s), clearly identified the issues, explained the criticality, showed that things are being done to repair and preserve, and showed that Florida's citizens and visitors can all help while at the same time finding enjoyment in our natural environs.

Thanks again

To you Elam.

To Live Oak Productions and the other contributers for the outstanding production.

And to all of you for just being there... it is people like you that give me faith that there are others that also have the feelings for this Florida, and the rest of the planet, like I do.

   -- Mark Mayo, Dade City, FL  -- Public Television Viewer for WUSF - Tampa

Comment from a viewer of the Big Cypress Swamp doc

"….it was indeed an incredible film, Mr. Stoltzfus. The message was conveyed through, not just facts/interviews, but also beauty and humor, and that really struck a chord with me. Aesthetically, I was impressed again and again, with nature for having such beauty and with you for having such talent in capturing it. I loved the shots, but I was especially taken by the audio track and the sound mixing..all the notes were hit just right. I turned out all the lights while watching and just focused on it ..the film wasn't just educational and inspiring, it was also very soothing.. Bravo, Mr. Stoltzfus! :)"

       -- Tabinda Syed, Media Student at Florida State University