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James A. Swan, Ph.D - Producer, Author and Actor

James is the CEO of Snow Goose Productions; which produces documentaries, commercials and other video projects.

During the 1960’s, he began to learning producing while working with the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He helped produce major folk artists of the day-- including George Frayne (Commander Cody), Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Rush, Jim and Jean, Len Chandler, Spyder John Koerner, Michael Cooney, and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band. From 1970-71, he trained in TV production with Hazen Schumacher at the University of Michigan TV Center, during which time he wrote and hosted two half-hour documentaries on pesticides and air pollution that were transferred to film and distributed internationally.

In 1970, as a member of the University of Michigan faculty, he was the lead faculty member on the committee that produced the nation’s largest Earth Day Teach-In, which drew 50,000 and featured speakers including Ralph Nader, Sen. Edmund Muskie, George Wald and Arthur Godfrey; then a Gordon Lightfoot concert for 12,000..

He has since produced numerous concerts, conferences, symposiums, TV and video programs, and expositions up to 50,000. Snow Goose Productions, was launched in 2002 as a joint venture with Andrew and Roberta Swan. James also has appeared as an actor in 20 feature films, three dramatic TV series, and over 30 commercials and print ads.

He has written over 100 produced shows for television – including working with the NOVA, Sightings, Ancient Mysteries and Modern Marvels series, as well as consulting on several feature films. His work on outdoor TV shows including Engel's Outdoor Experience, Sports Afield TV, and Bushnell's Secrets of the Wild has resulted in shows he has written winning one Outdoor Channel Golden Moose Award, being nominated for three others.

He was a Co-Executive Producer for the reality TV series "Wild Justice" about game wardens on the National Geographic Channel (2010-2013). It was inspired by his documentary, “Endangered Species: CA Fish and Game Wardens.” “Wild Justice”holds the record for the largest audience for a documentary series premiere in the history of the National Geographic Channel with 3.2 million viewers.

For more info on James (including his acting resume), visit his personal web page.

 

Production Experience:

Video and Film Programs

Producer

Writer

Education

Major Conferences, Symposia and Lectures:

Concerts (since 1960's):

Musical concerts set up or produced with artists including -- Paul Horn, Maria Muldaur, Clarence Clemmons, The Dinosaurs, R. Carlos Nakai, Steven Halpern, Paul Winter, Susan Osborn, Max Gail, Merle Saunders, Anna Halprin, Dan Hicks And The Hot Licks, Strawberry Alarm Clock, and Country Joe MacDonald.

Expositions:

1987 -- Celebration of Innovation Exposition -- 50 speakers, 250 booths, at Concourse in San Francisco with concert featuring Maria Muldaur and Steven Halpern (show director and Master of Ceremonies) 6,000 attendance; concert 1000.

1986 -- San Francisco Whole Life Expo -- Assistant Producer in charge of “Summer of Love Reunion” Concert (Country Joe MacDonald, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Strawberry Alarm Clock, etc.) concert and ambient environment design-- Moscone Center, San Francisco concert 2,000; total attendance 12,000

1980 -- CityFair, Seattle, WA -- national exposition on innovation in urban renewal held at Seattle Center in conjunction with National Mayor's Conference; member of production team; raised money, worked on design of exhibition and exhibits around town in store fronts -- 50,000 plus attending


More on James can be found at www.jamesswan.com.