BAHATI PRODUCTIONS Bahati is a Swahili word that means lucky. It’s an apt name for this group of filmmakers who feel extremely lucky to be working on such an extraordinary project. Every member of our 10-person team plays a critical role in the production process and brings their own set of talents, experiences and perspectives to the table. Collectively, the Bahati crew has accrued more than a dozen Emmy’s, Peabody’s, Cine Golden Eagles and other awards for films that were shot around the globe. Although members of the team hail from far and wide—from New York to Montana to Nepal—Bahati headquarters are based in mid-town Manhattan… the only place in the world where we can count on getting a hot slice of pizza at 2:00 AM when we’re burning the midnight oil to get the film finished.

FILM CREW

JOHN HEMINWAY

Official Position: Executive Producer/Director Unofficial position: World Class Charmer One-liner: "I'm so sorry we're 4 hours late, but you have such a lovely smile. Never leaves home without: jacket, tie and binoculars John Heminway, writer, filmmaker and television host, began his film career in 1968 with ABC's American Sportsman where his work as producer and writer earned him six Cine Golden Eagle awards as well as the first of his two Emmys. After several years as a London-based producer for Anglia Television's Survival series, he returned to the United States as producer and writer of the Public Broadcasting System's "The Brain." Broadcast in 1984, it remains the highest-rated science series in history, winning honors including the George F. Peabody Award and Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia Award for Broadcast Journalism. PBS later broadcast a sequel, "The Mind" for which Heminway earned a Primetime Emmy. Subsequently, Heminway produced, authored and hosted the popular PBS series, "Travels." In 2001, Heminway's "The Mind's Big Bang," was broadcast as part of the critically acclaimed Evolution series. Heminway is also the author of five books, many on Africa and Montana, and a frequent contributor to travel magazines. His feature script, Flight, is in currently in development. back to top

KATIE CARPENTER

Official Position: Producer Unofficial position: Ethnomusicologist One-liner: "This is your mission should you choose to accept it" Never leaves home without: Photos of her kids and pets Katie has filmed all over the world, from the Ganges River in India to the rainforests of Brazil, from Ayers Rock in Australia to Basque Country in Spain. Her film crew and she have shot helicopter aerials in 55-mile-an-hour winds over Ireland and underwater scenes with the whales off Maui. As Vice President of Film and Television for National Audubon Society Productions, she produced “Wildlife Adventures” for Turner Broadcasting, “Wild Wings” for PBS, “All Bird TV” for Animal Planet and “Animal Adventures” for the Disney Channel, as well as educational videos for distribution to schools across the USA. Her numerous awards include a Cable Ace Award for best documentary series for How The West Was Lost (Discovery), nine Cine Golden Eagles for her work on The Eagle And The Bear (A&E) and other specials, and the Gold Medal from the New York International Film Festival for Spain: Ten Years After (PBS). She received additional Cable Ace nominations for In the Land of the Grizzlies and Colorado River Adventure, both Audubon specials for TBS. back to top

BOB POOLE

Official Position: Director of Photography Unofficial position: Master Decision-Maker, always considers EVERY angle One-liner: "Can I have the lamb AND the steak?" Never leaves home without: one tee-shirt and 600 pounds of gear Equipped with a state of the art high definition camera, an eye for the perfect shot, and more energy than the Energizer Bunny, Bob is definitely the best man for this job. His mile long credit list includes award-winning programs for National Geographic, PBS, Discovery, and the Outdoor Life Network, just to name a few. Growing up in Kenya, Bob developed a passion for wildlife and a desire to use his cinematic expertise to inspire people to explore and protect the natural world. When he’s not globe trotting with his camera he’s kicking back in Sun Valley, Idaho with his wife Gina and their dog Ejam—a stray that he rescued while on a shoot in Egypt. back to top

LISA GROSSMAN

Official Position: Field Producer Unofficial position: Pharmacist (dealing exclusively in malaria pills and chocolate) One-liner: "Is that a hippo or is John snoring?" Never leaves home without: Chocolate Lisa got her start at National Geographic Television where she spent five years developing a wide range of television shows and series before striking out as an independent producer and writer. Over the years she has produced numerous environmental news stories and natural history programs, including the 13 part series, The Thin Green Line, for the Outdoor Life Network. She has also worked as an exhibition concept develop, writer and media producer for the American Museum of Natural History, the National Building Museum, and other high profile institutions. Lisa moonlights as a travel writer, educational media producer, and crusader for sea turtle protection. During the rare moments when she’s not working, Lisa can be found on her bicycle or sipping tea in her garden in Brooklyn, New York. back to top

DAVID RUDDICK

Official Position: Sound Recordist Unofficial position: Customs Haggler One-liner: “I just love the way you stamp those passports—such gusto” Never leaves home without: bug hut, water purifier, coffee and a French press Hailing from the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, Dave is an Emmy award-winning sound recordist with an impressive list of credits (National Geographic, PBS, IMAX, and many more). But what really impresses us are the pearls of wisdom and insight that he always seems to impart at just the right moment. His perceptiveness is undoubtedly a result of the years he spent as an Outward Bound instructor/trainer, professional river guide, ski patrolmen, and teacher. He’s a bit of a tech-geek but we don’t hold that against him-- his pocket GPS device will surely come in handy on that inevitable day when the crew winds up hopelessly lost in the woods. back to top

MARK FASON

Official Position: Editor Unofficial position: The Voice of Reality One-liner: : I’m done with the rough cut and off to birthing class Never leaves home without: transistor radio to listen to baseball games Mark has been editing videos and films for more than a decade. He’s worked with a wide range of directors from Spike Lee to Ross Kauffman, on projects for MTV, HBO, The History Channel, The Discovery Channel, BET and Outside Television, as well as theatrical release. Mark has edited films on hip hop groupies, cave divers and NFL athletes without ever losing his edge – or his sense of humor. His most recent work was on the promotional reel for “Born Into Brothels” the film that won the 2005 Academy Award® for Best Documentary. He also edited “Jim Brown: All American” for HBO Sports, “Rivers Into The Unknown” for Outside Television, and “The French Revolution” for the History Channel. Mark brings to EARTHBOUND a unique combination of style and story substance. back to top

GERRY MOFFATT

Official Position: Assistant Camerman Unofficial position: Team Coach and Short Order Philosopher One-liner: "Why wouldn't ya?" Never leaves home without: stretchy rubber rope for working his biceps Not your average assistant cameraman, Gerry also happens to be a world class kayaker and adventure traveler with a lifetime of experience instructing and guiding throughout Asia, Africa and South America. A Scotsman who bases out of Kathmandu for part of the year, Gerry has mapped many of the Himalaya’s river systems and was recently made the first White Water Consultant to the Kingdom of Nepal. He has also produced and starred in adventure documentaries for National Geographic Television, Outdoor Life Network, Channel 4 and Trans World Sport. His contagious enthusiasm, easy confidence, and quick wit make him a natural on camera—and the perfect role model for Earthbound’s budding stars. back to top

JOSH COOK

Official Position: Production Manager Unofficial position Music Industry Insider One-liner: No more malaria pills, we’re over budget. Never leaves home without:A Coke and a cell phone We’re not sure why Josh gave up rockstars for flamingos—but we’re so glad he did. Having spent the last four years in the music scene, Josh has produced publicity campaigns for Michael Jackson, James Taylor and Celine Dion among many others. He has toured with some legendary artists, producing segments for such Emmy Award winning shows as “Paul McCartney in Red Square”, “Aerosmith: You Gotta Move”, and “Rolling Stones: 40 Licks”. Jack of many trades, he has shot, coordinated, managed and assisted on feature films, music videos and documentary television shows. After just a few months on the job, Josh realized that managing the needs, wants and personalities on a natural history production may not be all that different than managing a rock tour – just a little less glam and a lot more birds. back to top

ALEX MEISTREL

Official Position: Assistant Editor Unofficial position: Graveyard Shift Supervisor One-liner: I’ll have a second to spare in just a second. Never leaves home without: wearing jeans So much more than a production assistant—Alex is also our B-camera shooter, assistant editor, music advisor, researcher and gal Friday. She’s sophisticated, savvy, and, at the ripe old age of 23, she already has a number of impressive productions under her belt. She began her career as a media literacy educator and production manager for a youth-run television program in upstate New York. While a film student at Vassar College she produced a promotional video that is now distributed to all prospective students. Despite the countless late nights in the edit room that she’s already put in (and the many more that lie in store), her energy and her smile never seems to wane. back to top

BEN HOMER

Official Position: Production Assistant Unofficial position Resident Red Sox fan One-liner: I like New York, I just don’t like the Yankee fans. Never leaves home without: Red Sox cap When Ben signed on to be the PA for our Boston shoot back in September—little did he know that we would lure him to NYC to work for Bahati fulltime. As a recent graduate from Boston University, Ben took his degree in Business Administration and founded an event marketing company that managed promotional events. One of his guerilla marketing gigs included a five-month tour for Baskin Robbins for which Ben drove an ice cream truck and gave out free samples. Unfortunately, he no longer has scoops of rum raisin to spare, but he brings plenty of other perks and talents to the team. He’s the guy we can count on to help with anything and everything—just as long as it doesn’t require prolonged contact with Yankee fans.

JIM HOPPIN

Official Position: Mentor & Tutor Unofficial position: Traveling Tech Support One-liner: Keep the liquids away from the computer. Never leaves home without: toothpaste finger wipes and a satellite phone After 4 years in Hollywood as an executive assistant at a production/design company, Jim’s career path took a sharp turn. After reading one bad script too many, he redirected his life path to Brooklyn where he has been teaching 6th grade computer science for the past few years. Somewhere along the way he managed to produce an award-winning short film about an alternate reality— the perfect precursor to the surreal adventure that is now his current reality. As the students’ mentor and tutor, Jim is responsible for keeping our student stars on track and out of trouble. From teaching them Spanish, to helping them edit their videos, to waking everybody up at the crack of dawn (a thankless task)- Jim’s work never ends. back to top