Avian Encounters: The Trilogy takes flight through technology

Christina Giordano, a local bird enthusiast, started her ‘Avian Encounters’ film series in July 2009. The idea was inspired during a trip to Epcot while seeing the fireworks show “Illuminations” at the end of the day. As though taking her cue directly from Walt Disney, Christina uses the highest level of technological sophistication.

The first short film, Avian Encounters, was a compilation of photographs submitted by fellow bird enthusiasts through Christina’s Facebook page. When completed, she posted the film to YouTube. “I was surprised it immediately went viral!”   Once they saw the film, even more people started to ask

to have their bird photos and video clips included in the next ‘Avian Encounters.’ “With all these people wanting a second film it was impossible NOT to do one,” said Christina.

At the premiere of Avian Encounters: The Trilogy, Christina said, “From what we can gather through time-intensive research, ‘Avian Encounters’ was the first such collaborative film in the history of Facebook.” Avian Encounters: The Trilogy features 116 people from twenty different countries around the world. The premiere was held on Saturday, August 28, at Rookery Bay Estuarine Research

Center with several dozen people filling the theater. The use of technology continued even during the premiere by use of a live U-Stream connection. “Viewers from as far away as Australia, Norway, and even California are logged on right now to participate in this premiere,” Christina announced.

The film took 68 days of editing and a full seven days just to mix sound. Behind the creative genius of producer Christina Giordano, a group of highly talented individuals made the short film possible. The Angels of Flight Production Crew, as it is called, includes: Patricia Sund, a writer for Bird

Talk magazine; Graphic Designer, Leigh Anne Tubbs; Visual Production Assistant, Michael Porpora and DJ Flash Kellish, who mixed the sound with Gavin Greenaway music.

The premiere benefitted the rescue and rehabilitation of wild seabirds caught by the Gulf of Mexico Deep Horizon oil spill. Proceeds, along with the donations of Dawn dish soap, will be given to ‘Save Our Seabirds, Inc.’ founded by Lee Fox, with operating facilities in St. Petersburg, Florida. S.O.S. has worked with hundreds of rescued seabirds.  According to Christina, “This series has appealed to bird lovers everywhere.  Nonetheless, Avian Encounters: The Trilogy is the final film of the series.”