In the Summer of 2012, Jonathan Smith and I witnessed a massive wild bee hive, which immediately became a creative muse. Interested in what research indicated about how bees work with heat, we borrowed a thermographic camera to see for our selves on 12/12/2012, as part of the One Day On Earth global documentary project. The results are startling, giving a view deep into a singular biological system. Since then, we recorded this strange structure and its residents in our production of the “Bee Cell”, a major video installation for the “Swarm” exhibit at Lotusland in Montecito, California.
onedayonearth.org
lotusland.org/node/352

Getting up close with these birds and the people who have committed to saving their species has been rewarding on all levels. I was a cinematographer and researcher for this documentary and am pleased to see it reach an audience, most recently at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it premiered. Congratulations to director Jeff McLoughlin!
http://condordoc.com

Jan Hamber has officially worked with the California Condor Recovery Program since 1976, seeing both heart-break and hope. Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing her the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and recording some readings from early field notes. It’s an inspiration to listen to stories from someone who’s made a real difference in giving a fighting chance to a species on the brink of extinction.
http://condordoc.com/

Getting into the backcountry to record these incredible birds has been a highly rewarding experience. This California condor was recorded at Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, where the US Fish and Wildlife team catches, releases, and monitors the health of the regional population. See more about the documentary project at http://shadowofthecondor.com

In 1961 Pat Nichols’ son brought home a baby crocodile in a plastic bag.
By the mid-90’s Pat had established an add-hock sanctuary for well over a dozen adult crocodiles and countless birds at what became known as the Parrot Hill Crocodile Farm in Kansas City, Missouri. A colorful matron and maverick, she struggled to keep control of her bazaar and treacherous home, and protect its residents from the outside world.

In 1997 I was graduating from art school and needed some extra cash. “The Crocodiles of Kansas City” consists of recordings I made while performing my duties working for Pat Nichols. More recently I edited this documentary to encapsulate the experience and share an individual, the likes of which I will never know again.

“The Crocodiles of Kansas City” won Best Documentary: Heartland at the 2007 Kansas City Filmmakers Jubilee and recieved Best Of The Fest by the Kansas City Star.

Directed by Ethan Turpin
2006
Total run time: 22 minutes

DVDs available for $25 (US) – includes shipping and handling to anywhere in the US.

Email ethanseye@gmail.com to place an order.

I’m pleased to announce that the short editorial documentary I made in response to the Tea Fire is screening in this year’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
This piece includes photographs by Jeff Clark and music by Brad Nack.

Tea Fire Relief Effort: donate

As the US Government geared up for war in Iraq, Lisa protested and prepared to marry a man who would be called to duty. While discussion of war is rare among military spouses, she sees no problem with continuing to openly fight against her husband’s mission; in fact, she feels it is her obligation as an American citizen.

Official Selection Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2008

What was once a transplanted enclave of traditional Danish culture evolved into a microcosm of the global tourist industry as it embraced the American Dream. In turning the camera on my hometown I found that windmill spoons and little gnomes actually do make magic - along with piñatas and postcards.

Rick Stich, “Water Mirrors”
June 5 - August 3, 2008

Rick Stich from Bright Eye Cinema on Vimeo.

Produced for: Edward Cella Art + Architecture
Santa Barbara, CA • www.edwardcella.com

“Glam: Exploring Constructions of fashion, glamour and femininity through Photography”
April 24 - June 1, 2008

Produced for: Edward Cella Art + Architecture
Santa Barbara, CA • www.edwardcella.com