Seasons in the Smokies, the second in the Smoky Mountain Explorer Series from Great Smoky Mountains Association, will make its first appearance on the big screen during a premiere showing of the film Thursday, July 17.
Gary Wilson, GSMA's award-winning filmmaker, will discuss what it took to make this project during an hour-long exclusive premiere event at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on July 17.
Wilson spent countless hours hiking in Great Smoky Mountain National Park's backcountry, filming, editing and writing to produce a film that takes viewers effortlessly through the calendar from a frigid winter high atop Mt. Le Conte to a balmy summer day in Cades Cove to the stunning fall landscape seen everywhere in the Smokies each October.
Great Smoky Mountains Association cinematographer Gary Wilson hikes to Mt. Le Conte during a winter storm to capture footage of the area rarely seen by others/GSMA.
'Gary's willingness to carry his substantial equipment six or seven miles up a steep mountain trail and climb out of his sleeping bag at 3:30 a.m. to shoot time lapses of sunrise sets his images apart,' said Steve Kemp, GSMA's interpretive products and services director.
Wilson has visited some 33 different national parks and spent thousands of hours filming and photographing the backcountry. His first full-length film project for GSMA's Explorer Series, An Island in the Sky, took first-place honors at the most recent Association of Partners for Public Lands media competition. Since its release last summer, the DVD/BluRay has raised thousands of dollars to support park projects.
'Having visited national parks in the west like Yosemite, Mount Rainier and Glacier, I know firsthand that they are renowned for open fields of wildflowers with iconic mountain views,' said Wilson. 'Yet, the Great Smoky Mountains have their own iconic views with flowering plants on heath balds that hug some of the park's most rugged terrain. That's just a small part of what I wanted to show with this film.'
The Thursday, July 17, viewing of Seasons of the Smokies is open to the public free of charge. Following his talk, Wilson will be available to autograph copies of both his Smoky Mountain Explorer films.
Since its inception in 1953, Great Smoky Mountains Association has supported the preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and by promoting greater public understanding and appreciation through education, interpretation and research. A non-profit organization, GSMA has provided more than $32 million to the park during its 60-year history. Funds generated through sales of Seasons of the Smokies support the national park.
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Comments
Beach, when you say, "He is so used to attacking those with opposing views, he doesn't even realize he is doing it." perhaps you need to go back and read some of your own posts.
Perhaps we ALL need to let any posts mellow for an hour or two, then read them again and THINK before pushing the Post Your Comment button.
Let's see, it's 11:22 my time right now. I'll be back at 12:22
Okay, 12:41. Don't think my mommy would find anything wrong so here goes . . . .
Gary, this article begs two questions. First, since you are obviously getting paid to make this film I am assuming you followed the NPS rules on commercial photography in the park so how much did you have to pay in terms of fees for that privilege.
Second, do you still feel as if this magazine is the "National Parks Enquirer" as you so recently ranted on another of your diatribes.
I realize some will try to shame me into thinking that just because I film within the Smokies, that I should feel guilty about doing such work.
But, i'm not ashamed if the revenue that these films are generating are used to protect ash or hemlock trees from invasive species, or goes to provide education for kids in Jr Ranger programs so that they grow up inspired about salamanders, owls and bears that are protected in the parks confines. I'm not being guilted into it by the SFWer crowd, because that's their modus operandi.
Question begs, what have you actually done for the Smokies, John?
You are evading the question, Gary. Its a simple one. Did you pay the commercial photography fee to the National Park Service? You are getting paid and that is a law.
As for me, I am and have been a VIP (volunteer in the Park) for several years now. My volunteer hours are all, entirely, unpaid. I have never made one dime off the Smokies or any unit of the NPS.
As I stated above, i'm not being guilted into what I do for the Smokies by the SFWer crowd. Good luck in life John.
It is a simple matter of simple public record if indeed you did pay the commercial photography fee to the NPS. I'm pretty good at finding out those sorts of things. I will take your lack of response to indicate that you do no volunteer work for the park outside of that for which you are compensated and break your arm patting yourself on the back.
I suppose I could start by calling my friend on the board of GSMA as a courtesy before filing a FOIA.
Good luck on your movie(s) Gary. I'm sure you are a talented photographer. My advice would be to let your art speak for itself.
Here is a clip from the video:
Ok, everyone, let's simmer things down. This isn't a site to bash others. This post in particular is to help promote a video on the beauty and wonders of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Wish I lived closer to the park to attend the premier....