Where does the time go!? We are at it again… out team is on-route to Midway Island to continue work on our project.

The message of Midway, through the photos and videos our team has created over the past 2.5 years, have reached a global audience and we are so very humbled and honoured by the response.

Please keep an eye on our blog: www.MidwayJourney.com where we will be updating regularly with lots of behind the scenes clips.

Will also also be doing a live LIVE-STREAM broadcast from Midway and will be posting the exact date and time on the blog. The live-stream link is here: www.livestream.com/midway

Our film site with the HD version of the trailer is here: www.MidwayFilm.com

This project has become so dear to my heart and to the hearts of so many people.. It’s making a global impact.. and I feel so proud and privileged to be part of it. Join us and get on board… we are off to Save the World!!!   Click here:  www.razoo.com/story/Midwayjourney

Thank you all for your support and for following along.

With gratitude,

Jan

The bonding that our small team of passionate film makers and artist experienced, will last a lifetime. They all now feel like family. We laughed, we cried… and together shared the absolutely stunning beauty but also the tragic horror of this place.

For fourteen days, daily we were out with our cameras from sunrise to sunset. We were presented by some magical moments that could not be scripted. They just appeared in front of our lenses at the most perfect times… almost as if it was meant to be.

Daily we reviewed the footage we captured and were blown away by the images. We are so thrilled and excited to be able to share it all one day with the world.

As I leave this place, I am so very humbled and honoured to be part of this team and part of this project. It has been a life changing experience for me and I don’t take the responsibility of sharing the Midway message with the world lightly.

The deeper I sink into all of this, the more I realize that the message the heroic, iconic Albatross are bringing to Midway is much more about plastic….. it really is about each of us and the daily choices we make in our lives. It is about ALL our collective consumption of not only single use disposable plastics but really about everything.

Having that awareness that to go without, sometimes isn’t always a bad thing. Do we really need to take those free candies they bring us at the end of our meal in the restaurant, or use 3 napkins during our meal. Sure that coffee cup is made of paper, but it still had to be manufactured and shipped, only to be used for 10 minutes and discarded. Paper of plastic at the grocery store? How about neither?

Yes, the single use disposable plastic is the real tragedy but this thing is about way more then that!

One of the highlights for me during this past trip, was having Emily Chartrand join us. She is the next generation of eco warriors that will change the world. Please visit her amazing blog for some of her reflections of this experience. I am so thrilled to see Emily take this message of Midway and go share it with thousands of kids and people around the world.

This mission is far from over… in fact it’s just beginning. Please stay tuned and join us!

Thank you to Kris Krug for many of these fabulous images.

In addition to Chris Jordan’s ongoing photographic work on the island, we are all collaborating in the creation of a documentary film about our experience, that we hope will bring the message of beauty and renewal to an audience of millions of people around the world.

Following the devastating earthquake in Japan last week, Midway was consequently hit with a tsunami, which killed over 110,000 albatross chicks and many other species of birds on the island. We’ve had the unique, unprecedented opportunity to witness the aftermath of this first hand.

The first few days of our trip have been full of wonder and surprise. The island is currently covered with hundreds of thousands baby Albatross chicks. They are these adorable little fluff-balls, covered in brown down feathers.

We’ve been busy filming from sunrise to sunset and the island has presented us with amazing pictures and experiences so far.

We’ve had another fabulous photographer, Kris Krug join us on this trip, and he’s been very busy taking tons of amazing behind the scenes shots. All these photos can be found on our Midway Journey Facebook page.

Also joining us on this trip is a grade 11 student from Penticton Secondary School, Emily Chartrand. Please check out her amazing blog emilysmidwayjourney.blogspot.com

In the middle of the forest we found this little peanut. It’s a baby White Tern.

And our setup how we shot it with the Cineslider.

And our sound gear setup for our wildlife audio recordings.  Thanks so much Byron, from Matrix in Vancouver for all the gear.

Here is a short behind the scenes video clip:

And one of our Midway Journey short vignettes: MIDWAY Brushstrokes 3

Our team arrived safely on Midway Island and the past six days here have been a whirlwind of activity. We’ve been getting up early, and going to bed late… filming and photographing not only the abundant beauty of this place, but also it’s dark side.  It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me witnessing the hundreds of dying young Albatross chicks. They are such stunning and beautiful creatures, and it breaks my heart to watch them suffer and die.  The cause of this is dehydration, starvation and chocking.  The plastic bottle caps and cigarette lighters that fill most of their stomachs may just have something to do with it!

We came upon the seawall yesterday, on the south side of the island and there I saw a young chick, in the water, getting pounded by the waves into the chucks of concrete and rocks. He was water logged, wings spread open and drowning with each wave.   I began to film him, to watch him struggle and die. I struggled deeply whether to keep filming or jump down and rescue him.  I did both.

This has been the case a number of times now as we make our way all over the island.  Each day it seems there is less and less chicks out in the field, and more dead ones.

My intention was to keep this blog going regularly throughout this journey, but I am finding it difficult to find the time. When we are not filming, we are editing and producing the short films for the Midway Journey website, Facebook etc. The painfully slow internet connection also makes it difficult.

Please visit our Flickr page where we are posting photos from our trip. For some reason I can’t get the photos to upload onto this blog. These photos are also posted on our Facebook page.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/midwayjourney/

You can follow our expedition at http://www.MidwayJourney.com and join our Facebook page for daily updates.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Midway-Journey/117981432917

I also ask that you please join the cause!  What we are witnessing here on Midway is the result of our disposable culture and the ‘throw away’ world we live in.  We are all responsible for this!  Each day we all make a choice whether the products we buy and use are made from disposable, single use plastic, or whether it’s some other material, that is better for our earth. Or better yet, to ask our selves the question, do I need that item or packaged good at all.

In our town a group of passionate folks formed a group called Plastic Free Penticton.  In just 4 short weeks, our fan page on Facebook has 250 people and locally in Penticton, it’s turned into a movement. We can’t believe how many people are excited to join the cause and help spread the message.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Plastic-Free-Penticton/123790037652206?ref=ts

I’d invite you to do the same in your own town or community.  Together we can make a difference!

With love and gratitude,

Jan

P.S.  And here are a couple of the short films we’ve edited since we got here.

So this time around, in addition to the HDV camera and SteadicamJR I brought last time, I am bringing a Canon 5DM2, along with some awesome new gear.  One of those items is the Kessler Cineslider

It arrived last week and I am blown away by the quality of the design of this thing.  With the added electraDRIVE motor and Oracle controller, the movement is truly amazing.  It has a timelapse feature built in as well, so it can run for all night and create absolutely stunning night-time sky shots.  I can’t wait to use it out on Midway next week.  With virtually zero light pollution, the shots we get should be pretty amazing.

Here is the first test shoot video:

Today behind our garage, Jennifer heard a strange noise.  As she looked closer she noticed a small baby bird entangled in a piece of plastic fishing line.  He was desperately trying to fly away but was tangled in the line struggling to breath.  At first glance it seemed as though he had swallowed it and it was stuck in his mouth.  We were on a rescue mission.  I gently grabbed hold of him and unwrapped the line that was twice around his neck.  Once free of the plastic prison I released him into the air where another bird joined him from a bush nearby, most likely one of his worried parents.

As I prepare for another trip to Midway Island in just over a week, I couldn’t help to think about the irony of this poor little bird who was dying from a piece of plastic, right in my own backyard. This experience was deeply moving for me.  When we are on Midway this time, we will be seeing baby Albatrosses, just old enough to head out on their own, many dying as a result of the plastic they have been fed.  Somehow it seems easier to think that plastic is a problem in the Pacific, but after today I am reminded that it is a huge problem right here in our own backyards.

Had an early morning and checked out of the hotel.  The experience at the Empire Landmark was less then adequate and I would not recommend this hotel to anyone!  There are lots of other great options in town with far better service!!

Then we headed to the IBC where I helped Jiri Bakala pack up his edit suite and said goodbye to all the guys at the office. It was a great three weeks getting to know many of them.

We then headed to the Czech House. Along the way, there were lineups at every single pub and bar along the way. Everyone waiting to get in and get a seat for that final hockey game.

We got to the Czech house, had lunch and watched that final USA vs. Canada game. OMG… that was something!!!! But what a finish to the game and to the whole Olympics. An author could have not written the ending any better.  I sat there watching the ending, the beautiful commentary after the big win… then there was that wide helicopter shot of downtown Vancouver, as the announcer commented how it is not really visible from the air, how much excitement and celebration is going on in the streets of Vancouver at that moment….  my eyes were tearing up how proud and excited and fortunate I was feeling to not only have had this opportunity to work with these amazing folks from my native land, but how proud I was at that moment, to be Canadian!!  It was at that moment, that the top boss from Czech TV, Ota Cerny, yelled at me from across the room, “Hey, Vozenilek… don’t cry…. remember, you are Czech!!”  I responded that “I am allowed to cry… that I am half and half!!”  It was so funny and one of those moments I’ll never forget!!

We then left and headed back to the hotel for the last time said goodbye to the Czech House, where I spent so much of my time over the past 3 weeks.

While driving back, at one of the red lights, I jumped to the back and pulled out my camera and snapped some photos out of the car window.  There was celebration on every corner, streets were closed, gridlock everywhere.. it was amazing!

I then decided to go visit my friends Milan and Romana and after a bit of debating whether to walk or drive, I decided to walk…thankfully!  Right down Robson, onto Granville and over the Granville Street Bridge.  It was an unbelievable sight!!!  Thousands upon thousands of people, singing, dancing, celebrating…

A camera guy shooting with a RED cam.

Only in Vancouver!! Melting pot of people.. so wonderful!!

Even the police security guys were high fiving everyone…

As I walked up the Granville street bridge, the cars all of a sudden stopped flowing and the bridge was shut down. It immediately filled with people, walking into downtown to join the party.

Buses lining the Cambie Street bridge waiting to pick people up from the Closing Ceremonies.

I got to Milan, Romana and Daniela’s place and we watched the closing ceremonies on tv together.  The amazing part was that looking out the window of their condo, we were overlooking False Creek and BC Place Stadium, where the closing ceremonies was taking place.  We were trying to imagine the energy in that building at that moment.

View of the finale fireworks over downtown.

Milan and I then walked back over the Granville Street bridge back downtown to join the party. It was wild!!

Robson Square fire works and people EVERYWHERE!!

Art Gallery fountain… full of bubbles.

…and middle of it all, this guy, enjoying a quiet moment.

Finished the night off by going out for a beer with the guys from the station.  Lots of great stories and reminiscing on the past 3 weeks.  They were genuinely taken by the atmosphere in the city and mentioned that from the many other Olympic games they’ve been at, they haven’t quite seen this sort of thing before.  That was really neat to hear!!

After I got back to my room that night, I spent a few minutes out on the balcony, overlooking the city and felt very sad for this adventure to be over.  The memories and experiences from this amazing event I’ll cherish for the rest of my life and I feel so very grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it.

Lastly, here some of my favorite videos from the games. All put together by the fantastic team at Barbershop Films.

Opening ceremony film:

With Glowing Hearts – this was probably one of my favorites and I tear up each time  I watch this!! It was played at all the venues during the games.

Highlight film from the games with a really fabulous music track by Go Do called Jonsi.

And finally, this fabulous summary and video from CTV

Last night Jiri told me a story about how him and Jakub went to a restaurant for lunch in Yaletown and once they received their bill, there was an automatic 18% gratuity added onto it.  Jirka asked for an explanation and the server said that it is their policy during the Olympics. Apparently only after he had to ask for a manager couple of times and the conversation got heated, did she offer to remove this fee.

We had the same experience at Fog n Suds near the start of the games.  I made some calls to other restaurants in the area just to inquire and Red Robins told me that they never charge an automatic gratuity, even with larger parties. That they leave it completely up to the guests. I thought that was pretty awesome.  Earls, on the other hand, started the Olympics with the same ‘automatic tip’ policy, but apparently due to numerous customer complaints, they dropped the idea after two days.   It is pretty sad to see how some businesses have been ‘milking’ the tourists in this way.

The experience in our Empire Landmark Hotel on Robson hasn’t been any different.  VANOC booked the entire hotel years ago, and then gave the rooms out to the various broadcasters for a rate of $180/night, with only the room included. No breakfast, no parking, no internet.   We looked after our own breakfast, but the parking was an extra $20 and internet was $10.

After some digging we found out that the value of these rooms during the Olympics were $450/night!!

Now the interesting part. I called the front desk and asked about their rates for next week, after the Olympics are over… the rate I was quoted was $85/night, INCLUDING breakfast.  And parking is only $10!! That is way more then double the regular price!!

Yes, business is business, but in my opinion, some of the immense amount of extra revenue these huge companies made off these games, should be now used to pay of the bill that we are all going to get in a few weeks, once they add it all up.

Late morning we headed to the IBC and then off to the Athletes Village, to pick up Martina Sáblíková and her coach Petr Novák, so that we could drive them to Granville Island, to meet up with Jakub Bazant and Jiri Bakala, where they were going to film one of their short vignettes with her.  We waited around for a bit and got a chance to see the area of Science World, which is where the Russian pavilion for the Sochi 2014 Winter games is.  We asked some of the people near the front of the giant lineup and they said that they had been waiting for 3 hours! Wow!!!

One of the Russian Olympic vehicles.

View of downtown Vancouver with BC Place Stadium and Canada Hockey Place (GM Place).

The Quebec house.

Another pin trader.

Local Athlete Village road access signage with the Main Street Sky Train station in the background.

The Olympic Village

Russian athletes

Once Martina and her coach came, we took them to Granville Island for the filming.

The timing was impeccable, as my friends Romana (& Milan Vana) and their daughter Daniella just happened to walk by and see us, so they were able to meet her.

Jakub Bazant and Jiri Bakala spent about 35 minutes with her filming around the island.

We drove them back to the Athletes Village, then to IBC and then headed to the Czech House, where we watched the Slovakia vs. Finland hockey game.   Along the way, I snapped a bunch of photos out of the car window.

One of the three cruise ships docked at Ballantyne Pier, where all the police officers are staying.

W2 Culture and Media House

Then we headed back downtown and bumped into the guys from the office in front of the hotel.  Tomas Jilek, Robert Zaruba, David Pospisil and Pavel Krizek in front of nice limo.

Then I drove over to visit my good  friends and clients, Maxine and Dave Whitehead and Hollie and Paaren Mihtla.  It was with these amazing folks that I spent a couple of weeks in Italy almost two summers ago, working on the Hermitguides travel films for Venice and Rome.  We haven’t seen each other in a long time, so it was wonderful to catch up and visit.

This was my first time driving the ‘new’ highway and boy, did they ever cut a big chunk of forest out of that new section above Horseshoe Bay.  But overall the highway was really great and smooth.   There was a check point just past Squamish, where they checked that we had the right passes on the car window to be able to drive up there.

We went to a gas station at Creekside, where the downhill races are held.  We had a coffee and muffin and waited for our folks to arrive and meet us.  Once they showed up, we followed them up the hill to their rented log house. This is where the cross country ski team is staying. The house was just amazing.

We set up our interview in the living room. We brought portable banners to satisfy all the sponsors. First we shot one with all four of the athletes, then just one with Lukas Bauer. They had won bronze in the relay race yesterday. It was amazing to be able to hold his medal. It sure was heavy.  None of the metals are the same. Each has a unique design and collectively is part of a huge pictures. What a great idea.

We then headed straight back. It would have been nice to stay and see the village, but the weather was really bad and we needed to get back to deliver the disk to the IBC.  On the way, I was excited to at least take the guys to Brandywine Falls, just outside Whistler.  I’ve been there several times and it is just spectacular.  It was a complete shock to pull up to the parking lot and see it surrounded by security fencing. The police officer came up to us right away and I asked her where we can park to go to the falls. She responded that unfortunately we can’t, that it is a secure Olympics site.  What?  A provincial park 15 minutes from Whistler, in the middle of no where? Why?  She said that they are using the parking lot for deliveries and that it is a secured area and that thus the falls are too and are out of bounds.  I wasn’t in my happy place at that moment… but we peacefully left… and carried on with our trip back home.

We at least stopped at Shannon Falls in Squamish and did the short hike up to the bottom of the fall. They guys loved it.

Driving past one of my favorite historical places… BC Museum of Mining.

While driving the Sea to Sky Highway, it was interesting to see what they did at the narrow section between Porteau Cove and Furry Creek. They couldn’t widen the highway there due to the train track and the giant cliff. So what they did was paved over the train tracks and when there was no train running, used that as the south bound lane.  The regular highway was used as two northbound lanes.

We then drove straight to the Czech House to pick up some last things and have a meeting. While pulling up, we saw this in the parking lot and they were just having a laugh at the size difference between these two vehicles. They don’t quite have trucks like this in Europe.

After we got to the IBC, we brought all the camera gear in as this was going to be our last shooting assignment. Was sad to see that awesome camera go!  Jaromir getting randomly checked at security.

That evening we went to the Canada vs. Slovakia game.  Jaromir was able to get us a couple of tickets, as this was a high demand game. We walked there from our hotel.

The game was fabulous and the energy in the room just unbelievable!!

Some die-hard fans!

Newscast crew from RDS.

Newscast crew from a French TV network. These guys had this amazing tiny remote controlled camera that kept sliding back and forth.

Most of the ice-level photographers had such black shields around their lenses, so they didn’t get glare and reflections while shooting through the glass.

After the game, I stuck around for a while and just had a seat in the empty arena.  It was really mixed feelings of such joy, appreciation but now sadness, that this was going to be my last time in this Olympic venue.  I sat and watched the live taping of the four CTV Hockey guru guys, talk about the game.

Czech crew doing a standup after the game. David and Robert with Pavel behind the camera.

Another standup in the arena.

Fixing the center ice remote camera.

Even these people all play an important role in the daily success of the games… at each venue. The cleanup crew comes out full force once the people are all gone.  I wonder how many hours it takes them to clean the entire stadium.

I then left and walked to the Live City Yaletown site, where they’ve been having the nightly fireworks. I waited for nearly an hour until they began, but it was well worth it to be so close.  Really really well done!

Then the trek back to the hotel through all the thousands of fans in the streets.  The patriotism of all these people is just extraordinary. Canadian flags everywhere. Complete strangers high-fiving each other, hugging each other… really amazing!

CTV outdoor studio on Robson Street

And in the middle of all that chaos and thousands of people, on the sidewalk, was sitting this sweetheart… in his own world, carving his wooden totem poles.