With the fundraising success of the last Kickstarter campaign, we now have the equipment and ability to secure the licensing for the film. During the "lean times" that just passed, all work on the film centered on conceptual reworking of the story, roughing a few animated sequences and continued research.
Now, it's "go" time.
This will be the final leg of a very incredible journey. The scenes that are left to be filmed will be done with equipment I didn't think I would ever have access for with this production. To say that it's a game-changer is a gross understatement.
Everything - from sound to the look of the film - gets bumped up a notch or two. As a director, I can't wait to get behind the camera and make it happen. Also, I will be getting in front of the camera...but I'm not quite as excited about that.
I have a face that was made for radio. lol
This week is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. It's a holiday in which we take a moment to pause and reflect on all of the things in our lives we should be grateful for. From the profound to the trivial, we collectively give thanks for what is "good" in the world.
This year, for me, I feel a special gratitude for all of those who have supported my film in one way or another. From those who have now donated more than $4,000 to the production to those who have worked behind the scenes and to those dedicated folks and the courageous turtles in their care, on which the film is based, I am profoundly thankful.
So, onward and upwards!

Cheers,
-Rick

A second fundraising effort via Kickstarter is wrapping up today and the goal, $1,100, has been met...and then some.
I've said it before, I am truly grateful to each and every person who has shown (or will show) "Journey Home" support.
Now, I've got a few critical pieces of equipment to order, music rights to purchase and to finish primary re-filming.
I think the biggest thing I've learned as a new director is that NO FILM HAPPENS ALONE. It takes many people, working behind the scenes or showing their support, to produce any film of value. In the beginning I'd erroneously thought of myself as a one-man band. Nothing could be further from the truth, though.
So, the good news is we are back in business! The only "not-so-good" news is that we are slightly behind the timeline I was hoping to stick to. It's a self-imposed deadline, really...but one that matters for a few film fests I hope to enter "Journey Home" into.
I guess it just means we'll be working faster and smarter from here on out.

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!