With the film finalized, approved and DVDs in production, waiting to unveil Journey Home to the public is killing me!!!
I wish I could premier it right now...but, alas, it's in the hands of the great folks at LMC. It looks like the first public screening will be in the beginning of October.
The DVDs will then be available for sale via the center's gift store (remember all of the proceeds go directly to supporting the center's rehab efforts!). I think they will also have it available for mail order, too.
So, now I have to wait....just like everyone else for my movie to come out. LOL

Take care,
-Rick

I sat down with LMC staff today to watch the finished film. To say I was on "pins-and-needles" is like saying the Earth is a little bit round.
You see, I've watched Journey Home from start to finish four times. Every time I watch it I still well up with tears at the "sad" part, get goosebumps at the "happy" part and generally just watch in awe of the amount of work that goes into saving (or trying to save) injured sea turtles.
It's at once inspiring and heart-breaking. But, much like a writer does after he/she finishes their work, I also see every little flaw...every "bad" audio transition...every "shaky" camera moment. So, truly, I had no idea how someone else would react while watching the film.
I feel better about it today, after sitting through a viewing with LMC staff. There was enough genuine "oohs and ahs" to let me know it is an excellent documentary. I think the high-fives were also well-placed.
This means a lot to me. I am actually very self-effacing. Very rarely do I finish a creative work and feel like it's "awesome."
Well, Journey Home is AWESOME.
So, as it stands now we're on target for a late-September premier at LMC (or early Oct.). I told the folks at the center that I'm more than game to be on hand for the first showings and sign copies of the DVD. I can't wait to see what people who are "new" to sea turtles think of it. Will it be too graphic...too sad...will it inspire them...will it give them a sense of hope???? ... I just have to wait and see.

Cheers,
-Rick

Done!
Journey Home is a film!
There are a few odds-and-ends that need to be done prior to its release...but the movie has been completed!!!!
Here are a few fun facts about the film...

Filming locations:
Fort Pierce
Hutchinson Island
Six miles off shore in the Atlantic
Ocean
Delray Beach
Juno Beach
Loggerhead MarineLife
Center

 282 Filming days

First shot: a fish tank in the LMC educational exhibit area (Oct.
11, 2011)
Last shot: “Poseidon,” a Kemp’s Ridley getting blood drawn (July
19, 2012)

Post production: 37 Days

I shot 24.5 hours of “raw”
footage.

I made 20 trips to LMC for filming (spending more than 50 hours at the center)

Original budget: $7K

Final Budget: $6 (slightly less than $6,000,
actually)

I drove 4810 miles to filming sites (mostly
LMC)

I used 138 gallons of gas during filming (for a cost of
  $483)

The bulk of the cost went to camera equipment, lighting and audio gear ($4,800)

More than $2,500 of the budget was raised via donations
  (Kickstarter)

Last fun fact: Facebook Friends in the final movie: 7! 

So close...and yet...so close! I won't jinx myself with a timeframe but the film is almost done!!!!
There are still a few minor details and some more edits that need to happen but I'd say it won't be too long now.
The only difficulty right now is juggling my job as a journalist and finding the time to sit down and edit when the creative juices are actually flowing.
As a side note, I am starting the process of submitting to film fests. I'm trying to stay regional (like Florida and the Southeast). I would love to take it to "bigger" fests, too. We'll see.
Take care and cheers,
-Rick

19 minutes and 25 seconds of the final film...complete!
There's still a lot of work ahead but the most "difficult" scenes to edit are now behind me.
My obvious problem is cutting the audio (being that I'm completely deaf in my right ear and have significant hearing loss in my left). I have to strain to hear the "highs and lows" of each track in the clip. Still, no matter how long it takes me, I do it.
Now, as I look at roughly half the completed film (and truly some very, very beautiful scenes), I think I can feel that slight tug of a smile at the corner of my mouth.
One interesting thing has been working on special effects in post production. Now you might be tempted to say, "wtf, special FX in a sea turtle doc???"...but - trust me - these additions work wonderfully in the segments. 
I would post more clips here but I'm going to make you wait for it. You don't have much longer to wait, though. I am on schedule to deliver the film by Aug. 25.

Cheers,
-Rick