Snow Geese at La Perouse Bay

Snow Geese at La Perouse Bay

BIRD’S EYE VIEW

Taking Flight Productions started by making two documentary films, one about the Great Gull Island Project and one about the Hudson Bay Project. These two research projects - among the longest running research endeavors on the globe - reveal so much about our world during the last half-century including: climate change; the effects of dangerous chemicals such as PCBs; the loss of habitat; and variations in ecosystems including the variety and number of species. In 2019 these two field projects associated with the American Museum of Natural History each turned 50 years old.

Both projects have the same directors for 50 years since their inception in 1969. Directors Helen Hays of the Great Gull Island Project and Robert "Rocky" Rockwell of the Hudson Bay Project involved thousands of people, both scientists and volunteers, with ardor, grace and fun. These films not only highlight these two amazing directors and their significant contributions to science but also the myriad of personalities from many countries and backgrounds who have been involved in both projects over the years. Through the stories of these two scientists, our hope is to educate and to inspire the viewers to get involved directly in scientific fieldwork.

The Taking Flight Production Team is focused on keeping quality high and costs as low as possible. All of those involved are donating their time and talent or generously working for non-profit rates. We plan to give any remaining funding to support scientific fieldwork.

Our Team

  • Anne Via McCollough, Director/Producer

    Anne has been connected with both the Great Gull Island Project and the Hudson Bay Project for a number of years. Since 2005, she has been assisting the Collections Manager of the Department of Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History. During her years at the museum, Anne has learned about, been involved with, and has worked in the field with both the Great Gull Island Project (2012) – tallying eggs in nests – and with the Hudson Bay Project (2010 and 2011) – banding snow geese on the tundra. Her association with both projects has shown her first hand the value of long-term scientific fieldwork.

  • Ethan Ferkiss, Producer

    Ethan is an Emmy-nominated producer and writer with 20 years of experience in creative television and broadcast journalism. He has worked at PBS and CBS stations in Seattle as well as the ABC station in Washington, D.C. Ethan worked as an Assistant Director on the Bill Nye the Science Guy show, working with small and large production teams - in Seattle and throughout the country producing scenes for the Emmy-Award winning science show. He also appeared in several episodes of the Bill Nye the Science Guy Show including Smells, Fluids and Spiders. With a lifelong love of science and storytelling, Ethan looks forward to being part of this project.

  • Michael Male, Cinematographer/ Producer

    Michael has 40 years of experience producing and filming natural history subjects and scientific research from the tropics to the Arctic. He's spent months crouched in the wild, in blinds using telephoto lenses, and hours on his knees in the mud with macro lenses to capture animal behaviors, often for the first time. Michael is well-versed in the creative application of time-lapse, slow motion, night vision, infrared, probe lens, and remote camera techniques. He was nominated for the Emmy Award in Cinematography for his work on the PBS Nature episodes Crash, Animal Homes, and An Original DUCKumentary which won the Emmy for Best Nature Program. His first documentary “Ternwatch," made in 1977 while he was a university student, was about the Great Gull Island Project.

  • Phillip Townsend, Cinematographer

    Phillip is a freelance filmmaker, whose clients include CBS, Fox News, Fortune, NBC, City of Seattle, ESPN, and Root Sports. He has also worked on indie films, documentaries, commercials and web content. Phillip has filmed in extreme conditions - driving a snowmobile over six thousand miles covering the Iditarod in Alaska and also filming the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban, Philippines. Additionally his work has taken him to Haiti, Sierra Leone, Panama, Baja Mexico and all over the West Coast of the U.S. He is a seasoned photographer, audio engineer, field producer and video editor. Phillip is an adventurer, who seeks stories that make a difference

  • Will Beaton, Camera Intern

    Will Beaton has joined Taking Flight Productions as a photography intern. Previously involved with the Hudson Bay Project while a Biology major at University of North Dakota, Will is excited to lend a hand with these two productions.

  • Nathan Punwar, Editor

    Nathan Punwar is a New York City based film editor working primarily on documentaries. His work spans a number of themes including nature, music and journalism. In addition to editing Full Circle, Nathan will also be an advisor to the Up North production team.

  • Kathleen Kyllo, Outreach & Promotion

    Kathleen is a freelance writer and producer based in New York City. Her background and interests lie in connecting individuals through events, project management and social media. She is thrilled to help promote these films which are so inspired by the devotion and meaningful contributions of volunteers and conservationists across the miles.