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