proof, inc.

So, the First Annual Rockport International Film Festival is in the books. All in all, it was a great weekend of screenings, talking with (and learning from) other filmmakers, and generally basking in the glow of the miracle of moving pictures.

“Finding Wild Florida” may not have taken home any awards, but I took quite a bit away from the experience. A number of audience members tracked me down at the various meet-and-greet sessions to talk about the issues raised by the film, primarily the battle between development and conservation. The Rockport area is dealing with many of the same problems, and I spent much of my time sharing my thoughts on the issues with them.

A big congratulations to all of the films and filmmakers represented this weekend, and to the folks who put the event together. We’re looking forward to next year.

After a meet and greet at the Arts Center, filmmakers and a good-sized audience filled Main Street Arts for the opening night selection of films here at the Rockport Film Festival. Four short films kicked off the evening before “Finding Wild Florida” took center stage. I have to say it is a strange feeling to see the film projected in an actual “theater.”

So, how’d it go over? Well there was laughter (in most of the right places), there was anger (directed mostly at the issues raised) and at the end, there was applause. From my POV, I’d call the screening a big success. Now I just have to find a way to stuff the “Viewer’s Choice” ballot box so we win something.

After our film was over, Layton Blaylock’s film “Art From the Streets” was shown. Like me, Layton is an Austinite, and his film shines a light on an amazing local program that gives homeless men and women a creative outlet through art, then organizes an auction of their work, with the artists collecting the proceeds. A very moving film, and one I hope more people get to see.

Oh, and one more thing… Everyone here at the festival keeps asking me how this festival stacks up against the others I’ve been to. It’s fun to tell them that not only is this my first, but it’s also the first time the film’s been seen on the big screen.

More to come…

So, tomorrow is the opening night of the first annual Rockport Film Festival. (For those who don’t know where Rockport is, it’s a charming Texas coastal town, with waters full of redfish and people who like to catch them.) “Finding Wild Florida,” our humble little film about adventure and growth in the Sunshine State, is premiering at the festival. Now, it’s not Sundance, but as a native Texan, it’s pretty exciting to have the film screened publicly for the first time right here in our backyard.

We’ll have more updates from the festival throughout the weekend. (If we can put down our fishing gear long enough to log on.)

when you show up at the marina at 7AM to hit the water, chances are your guide has already been up for two hours getting the boat and gear prepped. when you shake hands, hand over his tip and leave him at the boat ramp, it’ll be another hour or two until his day is over.

it’s easy to spend a day on a boat and think, “man, this has got to be the best job on the planet.” for some people, it is.

“if you’re going to do this for a living, you better love it.” this is what Rick Murphy told me about guiding during a recent trip fishing the Everglades. to some, making a living on the water seems like the holy grail of careers. but few people understand how much blood, sweat and tears it takes to make a charter business work. you want evidence? look at rick murphy’s hands.

guiding for a living is about one thing: passion. if you don’t have it, you can put your clients on as many fish as you can find and it won’t make any difference. you’ll get tired of it after six months, dread it after twelve and give it up before year two.

we all have our talents and passions. just don’t confuse enjoying a day of tight lines with the need to make it your career.

Is there any part of Florida that remains truly “wild?”

The search for the answer to this question led myself, photographer Chris Ross and a cast of fishing guides, surfers and conservation experts on a journey from one end of Florida to the other.

For over 30 days we explored places familiar and strange, leaving almost no road, river or waterway untouched. “Finding Wild Florida” is a film that celebrates every place, personality and adventure we discovered along the way.

As the film makes the rounds in festivals and on the web, here’s the trailer to enjoy.

In doing what we do, we’re fortunate enough to meet a mess of really interesting people. Here’s a photo tribute to one of the coolest cats we met while shooting “Finding Wild Florida,” Chico Fernandez.

If you fly fish in the salt, chances are you know Chico. And if you don’t, you’ve probably tied one of his patterns on the end of your line. He wrote the book on bonefishing, literally. He’s spent much of the last thirty years guiding and writing about fly-fishing, taking trips to places most of us only dream about.

We sat down for an interview with Chico at his home in South Florida. Mostly we talked about Miles and Coltrane, but we did talk a bit about fishing. You can hear more from the interview in the “Finding Wild Florida” film, coming soon.