WEB: www.spyhopproductions.com

SAVANNAH, GA, September 20, 2008 — Savannah filmmakers, Jim Carswell and Mari Carswell will screen the global premier of their documentary film, Turtle Dance, in their hometown of Savannah, as part of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary’s Ocean Film Festival. The film will debut as part of the Ocean Film Festival’s “Saving the Oceans, Saving the World” presentation, Saturday, September 20th, at 7:00PM in Trustee’s Theatre. Turtle Dance will be followed by a special presentation of Whales In Crisis from National Geographic.

Turtle Dance tells the story of the world’s most endangered sea turtle, the Kemp’s Ridley, and its will to survive against all odds. A turtle so shrouded in mystery that not long ago biologists walked beaches around the planet seeking signs of its nesting grounds. A turtle that came so close to extinction that its whereabouts and existence have been carefully guarded secrets- until now. The film features first ever footage of the turtle in the water, and an amazing discovery about this rare turtle made during the filming of the documentary. An incredible story of hope unfolds as we learn how this turtle has fought its way back from the brink of extinction with the help of a unique, Mexican and American partnership.

According to Dr. Pat Burchfield, Director of the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas and leader of the Kemp’s Ridley Recovery Project, this film is an important step in engaging the public in the final stage to save this species. His holistic approach, which plays a key role in the film, is held up by U.S. Fish & Wildlife as the role model for future endangered species programs.

A generous grant from Save Our Seas Foundation of Geneva, Switzerland provided the majority of funding for the project.

A majority of filming for the high definition documentary took place on the remote beaches of Northeast Mexico over a two-year period. One scene was filmed at Georgia’s Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island, where several Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles are undergoing rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.

Jim Carswell, a former news anchor for WSAV and WTOC, both Savannah television stations, founded Spyhop Productions (www.spyhopproductions.com) with his wife Mari Carswell in 2002. The company produces documentaries on wildlife, environmental issues and culture.

Mari Carswell is also a co-founder of BLUE, a global film and conservation event that will launch in June 2009. Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary will be host sponsor for the industry and community festivals, which will attract ocean filmmakers from around the world. (www.blueoceanfilmfestival.org)

Jim and Mari Carswell produced Turtle Dance with the help of a stellar production team. Tom Campbell, Director of Photography, is a highly respected underwater cinematographer. Tom’s work has appeared in dozens of films for BBC, Discovery, Animal Planet and National Geographic. Photography (including the time-lapse sequences} was also provided by Sandesh Kadur and a Savannah local, Mehmet Caglayan. Sandesh was recently nominated for BBC’s Green Oscar (Best Newcomer of the Year.) Mehmet is an MFA student with Savannah College of Art and Design. Jim Carswell also directed the film.

Turtle Dance is set to an original music score, composed by Ron Riddle. Best known today for his broadcast work with Discovery, BBC, A&E and TLC, Ron is also well known in music circles for his time as drummer with Blue Oyster Cult.

Spyhop has initiated discussions with a major U.S. network and with an international distributor for broadcast sales of Turtle Dance. A short form of the film will become part of the exhibit and education program for one the country’s leading aquariums, as well as Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Local artisan ceramics referred to in the film may be purchased at www.seaturtleinc.com.

Spyhop Productions would like to extend thanks to Save Our Seas Foundation, Sea Turtle, Inc., Gladys Porter Zoo, Xcaret (Cancun, Mexico) and Gorgas Science Foundation, for their support.

CONTACTS:
Mari Carswell     912.414.0240     mari@spyhopproductions.com
Jim Carswell     912.844.0084     jim@spyhopproductions.com