I'll be honest with you, I haven't even begun to think about marketing the doc when it comes out. Part of the issue is that I want to know exactly what the end product will look like before I start asking people to watch it.
Since the film will only be available through Loggerhead MarineLife Center, I am thinking I need to concentrate my efforts on a few (free) public screenings and doing some talks about the film. As a veteran member of the press I know how important it is to get the word out via press releases and courting interviews, too.
Right now, in the "Super secret EXTRAS!!!!" section of this website, I have a couple of promo items (post cards of actual turtles featured in Journey Home) available for purchase. But I really want to offer something more....something exclusive. I'll have to think about that.
In the meantime, if you can, please help spread the word about the film. Share the website and plug it for me when you can!
Thanks and cheers,
-Rick

Took a quick trip around the Indian River lagoon. From the surface, the water looks clean and inviting. But below, where marine life including sea turtles live, it is a world of pollution and danger.

Watching any animal that survives human-inflicted injury begin to recover from their injuries due to valiant effort and skilled medical care, is nothing short of inspiring. Watching the same animal later succumb to the sheer traumatic nature of those wounds, despite great efforts to save it, is heart-breaking.
As a filmmaker, watching this happen to one of your film’s “stars”is kind of a double whammy.
“Zoe,” a sub-adult green sea turtle, who I’d met the first day when she was brought in by rescuers, had been traumatically injured by a boat propeller in early November, 2011. Prognosis was not too great on “Day One.” In fact, I was told more than once that it was unlikely “she” (sex undetermined) would make it past the first week.
She made it.
With severe gashes torn through her carapace and signs of internal injuries, treatment was initially centered on stabilizing the turtle and determining the possibility of rehabilitation. 
Zoe – though massively injured – never stopped fighting. 
Through the weeks that followed she surprised the medical staff with her “feisty” spirit. Zoe even showed progress in regaining movement from what had been thought to be paralyzed lower extremities. Oh, how she could put up a fight on the examination table!
There were positive signs along the way. Zoe tried to eat on her own (though, truly, she rarely did it successfully) and watching her swim was a treat. If not for the huge wounds in her shell, one might easily forget she was ever on the brink of death.
I have to admit, I took it for granted that her rehab was progressing and had allowed myself to believe she would someday make the journey home. So much effort and dedication went into trying to save Zoe. I seriously thought that between that and her indomitable spirit there was no way she wouldn’t beat the odds.

The odds…the damn odds.

See, the truth is that it really is notoriously difficult to save sea turtles when their injuries are so massive and so traumatic. The medical staff at LMC fought an uphill battle from day one. Not only did the team do their best but they enlisted help from outside resources to give Zoe unrivalled care.
Still, little more than a week ago, Zoe died during a surgical procedure to insert another feeding tube. The turtle had not been keeping weight on and was unable to eat for herself. I can only imagine the depth of sadness and profound loss felt by all of those who cared for Zoe. I know how hard the news hit me.
It took the words of a good friend to remind me that I have an obligation to fill. My job has always been to tell these turtles' stories…as hard as that might be sometimes.
So, I ask you to remember Zoe. I ask that you think about the factors that caused her injuries. I ask that you tell her story…and the stories of the other turtles in Journey Home. I simply ask that you help me to spread the word and, in doing so, maybe we can save the species.  
When all is said and done, it will never be about one turtle. It will always be about saving every last one of them.

When I was a younger man almost all of my heroes were those who carried guns and did "brave" things in war. The few, notable exceptions were astronauts. After I became a combat veteran in 1991, my views changed drastically. There was a shift in my perception of the term "hero."
Heroes became chiefly those who helped others, human or non.
When I started college in Austin, Texas, I became an anthropology major due in large part to the inspiration of Dr. Jane Goodall and her work with wild chimpanzees in Africa.
The depth of her courage, not only to brave the jungles to study primates once believed to be violent brutes but also to do it as a woman with no formal training, just amazed me.
I, too, apsired to study wild animals...someday.
Well, "Life" took ahold of me for a decade or so and launched me into other fine adventures before I would come back to the idea of studying animals again. However, this time it was with my camera and my objective was to share my pictures and stories with as many people as would listen.
A couple of evenings ago I finally got a chance to see Jane Goodall speak at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.
She was eloquent and inspiring as ever and simply a beautiful, graceful soul whose words on conservation and activism touched everyone in attendance. Dr. Jane's small, light frame does no justice to powerful and amazing person that she is.
These days my heroes are mostly people who pour their hearts and souls into saving animals...along with the animals I've seen who cling to survival in spite of great challenges in their path.
I won't regularly assign homework. But here's a task for you. I want you to think about your inspirations and why they are your heroes. Then, go out and share those heroes with others.
Cheers and Peace,
-Rick

Don't miss a chance to meet me in person, talk about Journey Home and meet the stars! I'll be at Loggerhead MarineLife Center in Juno, FL for Turtlefest 2012 (Sat., April 21). I'll be set up near the volunteer table and will be running clips and never-before-seen-footage from the doc!
Hope to see you there!

Cheers,
-Rick