Snow Goose Productions - James Swan's Resume

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

James produced his first event, a fraternity rock concert, in 1962. During the 1960’s he worked with the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, helping produce major folk artists of the day including Tom Rush, Syder John Kerner, Jim and Jean, Commander Cody and Jim Kweskin Jug Band. He also worked with Hazen Schumacher at the University of Michigan Tv Center, to produce half-hour documentaries on pesticides and air pollution that were transferred to film and distributed internationally.

In 1970, he was the lead faculty member on the committee that produced the nation’s largest Earth Day Teach-In, which drew 50,000. Aside from working on the general program and performing musical slide shows to open for speakers including Ralph Nader, Sen. Edmund Muskie, and Arthur Godfrey, his special love was producing 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 Swan. James also works as an associate producer with Uncommon Dialogue Films www.udfilms.com.

Production Experience:

Video and Film Programs

2005 – “One Moose At A Time” for Alaska Moose Federation
2004 – “Sports Afield TV” –OLN -- writer & narrator
2004 – “A Question of Balance” 56-minute video of historic London firearms scholars conference – World Forum On The Future of Sport Shooting Activities:
2003 – “Media Seminars” – 3:43 minute promotional video for the National Shooting Sports Foundation – aired on closed circuit TV in Las Vegas at 2004 SHOT SHOW; appears on NSSF website.
2002 – “Conquering Buck Fever: With Sports Psychology Techniques” – 56-minute instructional video – Snow Goose Productions; distributed by Outdoorsman’s Edge Book Club, and used by Hunter Education Programs around the US.
2001- present, co-producer, with Rich Schroeder and Jameson Parker, of “Tracks and Footsteps: A History of Hunting” two-hour documentary for History Channel - In development.
2002 – present, co-producer with Jameson Parker, “Mad Deer: Mad People – The Chronic Wasting Disease Story,” one-hour PBS documentary, KUSD host Station – in development
2002 – present, writer, “Engel’s Outdoor Experience,” Outdoor Life Channel – winner,\
Winner 2003 “Golden Moose“ award for “Best Waterfowl Show“ on the Outdoor Channel; nominated for “Most Informative Show“ on the Outdoor Channel, 2001 -- 2006.
2001 – consultant, on-camera, “History of Hunting Gear” for Modern Marvels series on The History Channel.
1999 – 2002, writer, “Bushnell’s Secrets of the Hunt” 13-part series featuring
Dave Watson, former Oak Ridge Boys bassist. Highest viewer response of any TNN hunting show.
l997 -- "Ancient Mysteries" A& E television series produced by FilmRoos-- on-camera expert and script consultant for show -- "Sacred Places"
l995-97 –consultant and on-camera, "Sightings" television series produced by Paramount -- six segments on traditional cultures’ land values and environmental sciences.
l993 -- "Buffalo Restoration On Indian Lands" half hour documentary in support of restoring buffalo to Indian lands, featuring Tantoo Cardinal and Kimberly Norris Guerro; shown on PBS stations across the US and Canada; translated in Cree.
l985 – consultant, "Goddess of the Earth" NOVA show on Gaia Hypothesis
1980-81 -- on-camera guest and consulting, "New Realities" television show on Channel 6, Vancouver, BC, three shows.
l971 -- host, and writer, "Air Pollution" half-hour television documentary made into internationally distributed film by University of Michigan Television Center.
l970 -- host and writer, "Pesticides" half-hour television documentary made into internationally distributed film by University of Michigan Television Center.

Campaigns:

1991-1993 -- producer, The Buffalo Tour -- a promotional program to raise money and support for restoring buffalo on Indian lands -- promotional television documentary, mail order catalog, produced special educational materials and new products, produced concerts featuring Maria Muldaur and R. Carlos Nakai, set up others featuring Bob Weir, produced film screenings, national promotional campaign, special events at national conferences, and set up gifts of buffalo to tribes and development of public school units on buffalo and Indians for MT. Funded establishment of the Inter-Tribal Bison Cooperative (46 tribes).

1970 – Environmental Issues Advisor to Michigan Senator Sander Levin's campaign for Governor of Michigan. Set up press events and helped write position statements on environmental issues. (Sandy lost but we made the incumbent change some important positions on environmental issues.)

Major Conferences, Symposia and Lectures:

1993 -- "The Spirit of Sustainability" held in San Rafael, CA; 45 speakers and 150 attending (co-producer) Funders for Spirit of Place programs include: The Beldon Fund, The JRH Fund, Laurence Rockefeller, the L. G. and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, and Bear and Company Books.
1991 -- "The Spirit of Place" held in Sendai, Japan; 65 speakers and two music concerts with 6000 attending (Honorary Director and Chief)
1990 -- "The Spirit of Place" held at Mesa Verde National Park, with 45 speakers and 175 attending; plus concert by R. Carlos Nakai (co-producer)
1989 -- "The Spirit of Place" held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco with 55speakers and 375 attending; plus "Celebration of Mother Earth" concert featuring Steven Halpern and James A. Swan (co-producer) Osborn 300 attendees(coordinator).
1988 -- "The Spirit of Place: The Modern Relevance of An Ancient Concept" held at University of California at Davis with 65 speakers, 325 attending; plus special concerts by Paul Horn and Anna Halprin (co-producer)
1987 -- "Gaia Consciousness" first national conference on Gaia Consciousness, California Institute of Integral Studies; speakers including John Todd, Angeles Arrien, Michael Fox, others; concert with Al Huang and Susan Osborn – 300 attending.
1986 -- "Circle The Earth" kick-off performance for Anna Halprin's world peace dance ritual-concert, Kentfield, CA; 125 dancers;1000 audience (producer)
1985-- "Is The Earth A Living Organism?" international symposium on the Gaia Hypothesis for the National Audubon Society, at University of Massachusetts at Amherst; 45 speakers including James Lovelock, George Wald, Mary Catherine Bateson, etc.; Paul Winter concert 350 attend symposium, 600 concert (producer)
1984 – “1984 and the Information Revolution”: Institute for the Human Environment, funding by California Council for the Humanities -- week-end symposium featuring Sam Keen, Don Michael, others. 125 attending (producer)
1983-84 – Designed environmental health education plan for Government of American Samoa; includes mascots designed by children.
1981 -- "The Hero's Journey" two-day seminar led by Joseph Campbell for
Northwest Family Training Institute 550 attending (publicity director)
1980 --"The Healing Power of Myth" two-day seminar led by Joseph Campbell for Northwest Family Training Institute 550 attending (publicity director)
1980-81 – Seattle, WA appearances for medicine man Rolling Thunder – aud. up to 800
1979 – “The First Medicine Wheel Gathering” – cross-cultural four-day pow-wow, 600 attending. (producer)
1979-82 – Produced an average of one workshop, lecture or larger event per week on health as Director of Life Systems Educational Foundation in Seattle, WA
1976 -- Alternatives In The Healing Arts, semester-long seminar series at the University of Oregon featuring Dr. John Christopher, Yogi Bhajan, others 2000 attended (co-producer).
1975 – “Exploring the Human Potential Through Sports”, University of Oregon funding by National Endowment for the Humanities -- week-long conference featuring professional athletes paired with humanists including Michael Murphy, Will Schutz, George Leonard, Norman Sheeley, Thelma Moss, others and world class athletes, 2000 attending, followed by a Professional Track Association meet for 5,000. (producer of symposium) Movie by Michael Wiese, “Extraordinary Powers,” based on the program.
1970 -- Nation's largest Earth Day teach-in at the University of Michigan -- 50,000 -- speakers including Ralph Nader, Barry Commoner, Arthur Godfrey, Edmund Muskie, Kenneth Boulding (member of the central planning committee; and master of ceremonies, performed music-slide show openings for major speakers and producer for Gordon Lightfoot concert for 12,000)
1967 -- National Outdoor Education Conference; Antioch College, Yellow Springs, OH -- Euell Gibbons featured speaker (conference coordinator)

Concerts (since 1960's):

1965-1970, worked with Canterbury House Coffee House, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Artists produced include—George Frayne (Commander Cody), Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Rush, Jim and Jean, Len Chandler, Spider John Koerner, Michael Cooney, Jim Kweskin Jug Band.

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

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

Funding Sources for Special Events Have Included:

National Endowment for the Humanities

California Council for the Humanities

Oregon Commission for the Humanities

JRH Foundation

The Beldon Fund

L.G. and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation

Laurence Rockefeller

US EPA

US National Park Service

University of California at Davis

University of Michigan

University of Oregon

City of Eugene, Oregon

Stewart Mott

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