Something For Someone Else
Published Jun 19th 2012
A Fish On Blog Post
By Travis Swartz
Fish on!
Typically my only objective when visiting Silver Creek is to catch a fish: preferably a brown or rainbow trout in excess of 20 inches. I have, on a few occasions, realized that goal, though more often than not you have to line up two of my fish to exceed that 20 inch mark. These past two trips had more lofty goals than fishing. I went, this time, with my camera gear in tow to shoot test images for the documentary Fish On - A Reel Retreat.
Spending time capturing images of fishing and the beauty and solitude of fish habitat are critical in my preparation of shooting the film later this summer and fall. I have worked on many films both narrative and documentary but have never shot a fly fishing film. Discovering what works and does not work now will certainly go a long way to ensuring we get the right footage while on the retreat. Besides, now when I tell my wife I'm going fishing, I can tell her "it's for work". I am a lucky lucky man.
Since announcing my plans to work, for free, with my buddy Reese, to create this documentary for Reel Recovery, I have been asked "why would you volunteer to make a feature documentary", many times. When I first approached Stan at Reel Recovery, even he wondered why I would want to do this. There are many answers to that question, all of which are pretty simple.
1. I love shooting video and I love fly fishing. It truly does not feel like work to go out and make this film.
2. Make no mistake, I'll spend some serious hours out from behind the camera, casting my own line. There's no better excuse to get on the water than making this documentary.
3. The opportunity to do something for someone else. Nothing feels better than helping other people. None of us ever regret the experience of lending a hand or simply doing something for no other reason than to be nice. It just feels good! I spend a lot of time working for money and I appreciate that work very much: especially when my house payment is due. HOWEVER, using my talent to create something that will positively effect others, is much more rewarding. I only hope I live up to the expectations. It truly is an honor.
As we move forward in our journey to a finished film, we will continue to be thankful for the opportunity we have been given to make this movie. We will also continue to ask others for help. We have a Kickstarter fundraising campaign and we VERY MUCH need folks to contribute. If this project and our story interest you, please, please, please visit our Kickstarter page and consider contributing.
In the meantime - Please enjoy this short video compilation of the images I gathered at Silver Creek.
Fish On!
-Travis
fishonmovie@gmail.com
All entries in Travis' diary
When new entries are ready, they are announced here and then linked when they are published.
- The Journey Begins - Fish On - A Reel Retreat,
published June 8th 2012 - Something For Someone Else - A Fish On Blog Post,
published June 19th 2012 - Intermittent Rewards - A Fish On blog post from Reese Ferguison who will be participating in the September Reel Recovery Retreat in Idaho,
published June 30th 2012 - Fishing with friends - Travis Swartz spends a lot of time on the water alone, but this past weekend he spent a couple days on the Big Wood River in Ketchum, Idaho fishing with his friends Reese, John and Zach.,
published July 11th 2012 - Thanks To You! - Thank the lord our Kickstarter fundraising campaign is done and we can now move forward in the process of producing our film. ,
published July 20th 2012
When new entries are ready, they are announced here and then linked when they are published.
Links
The Kickstarter page for the project.
The Facebook page for the project.
The organization Reel Recovery.
Our first blog entry about the project.
