To say that our appearance at LMC's Turtle Fest was a success is about as much of an understatement as saying leatherback sea turtles are kinda big.
Along with musician Mike White, we had a steady stream of people coming by to take a look at "Journey Home," pick up some giveaways and, for many of them, long conversations about why I made the film and what I hope it'll do.
It was a phenomenal day!
However, one moment stands out the most to me.
A young, brown-haired girl, who may have been about six-years-old, picked up a picture of the "Journey Home" movie poster and looked at it, while her mother talked to me about the film.
Seeing the girl look so intently at the picture I said to her, "That sea turtle's name is 'Trace," to which she nodded slightly. A moment passed and I sensed that she wondered about his missing front flipper.
"His story is in the movie," I said. "He was caught in old fishing line and lost his flipper from it."
She looked at me and then at the television in front of me that was playing "Journey Home" on a loop.
I had no idea at what point in the film it was, as I couldn't see the screen and had turned down the volume because Mike was playing a set of his music.
In a tiny voice she asked me, "Is that 'Trace?'" and pointed at the screen. I leaned around and sure enough, there was Trace, about to be released back into the ocean.
I smiled and told her that yes, that was him and watch very carefully to see how his story ended. Without a sound she watched as Trace was carried into the water and then (as the camera follows him under the water) she watched Trace swim away, into the aqua-green sea, on his Journey Home.
Her smile lit up the whole area...so did mine.
I think I have at least one new fan from today.

Cheers,
- Rick

Trace made a successful journey back to the ocean May 16, from Delray Beach. The dark skies, the rain...even the waves cut Trace a break as he took off in calm, warm waters.

Seven months. Twenty-six and a half hours of raw footage. Filming sites included Juno Beach, Ft. Pierce, Hutchinson Island, Delray Beach and more than five miles out in the open ocean. More than $7,800 spent on the production... and it all comes down to this moment.
One of the "stars" - hell, THE star - is now cleared for release.
When the release happens (God willing it happens without a hitch!), I will have all of the pieces to one of the most heartwarming and incredible stories of sea turtle rescue, rehab and survival ever told.  That being said, there are thousands of these stories taking place at rehab centers all over the world. Just very few filmmakers have been as lucky and free to put together such a complete story and to do so without producers or studio folks telling them how and what to create.
I know I have been really lucky to experience the arrival, treatment, progress and, now, release of a sea turtle who was gravely injured by derilect fishing gear.
When you watch the footage from Day 1 until now and you see how much it has strengthened and adapted to its challenges, you cannot help but admire the little green.
This release will hopefully follow the same fashion as one I'd filmed before. This patient being a smaller juvenile, it will likely be fast and furious. To that end (and I really hope the gamble pays off) I've decided to film the entire release with my handheld underwater camera. There's a pic of the new rig below.
Here's hoping for calm seas, clear skies and a dash of luck on release day!

Cheers,
-Rick