Reviews and Recommendations for our Programs

Overall

* “ As an educator responsible for acquiring educational videos , I have been familiar with Mr. Homer's video productions for five years and have purchased several of these for two school districts, Greater Victoria School District and Cowichan Valley School District. I have always found these productions to be of very good quality and worthwhile additions to our video collections.”

-- John Caldwell – Resource Centre Co-ordinator

The Cowichan River Story

“The photography is stunning and the story is well told. Congratulations!”

-- Barbara Simkins Curator, Kaatza Museum , Lake Cowichan , BC

Eco-Explorers Series

“The Secret Forest ” wins the Amtec 2000 Award of Merit

“Eco-Explorers is a series of four well-designed videos that encourage grade 8 students to learn the basics of ecology by exploring places close to home. Enough information is presented (both visually and verbally) to show youngsters what to look for and how to explore without hurting themselves or the ecosystem, and there's enough humor and action to maintain interest.”

-- IN: Green Teacher Magazine, Summer 2002 Issue

“. . . while there are many similar programs in the crowded forest of nature and conservation films, this program stands above average.”

-- Video Librarian Magazine recommends and rates The Secret Forest 3 out of 4 stars in their May 2000 issue

This (The Secret Forest) is a very informative video that offers interesting and important information.”

-- Resource Links Magazine rates Secret Forest “Good”, February 2001

Recommendation: The Eco-Explorers Series was previewed at the Educational Media Marketplace in Kananaskis , Alberta in 2001 to rave reviews. The Ministry of Learning - Alberta purchased the duplication rights to “Wetland Wonders” and placed ”The Secret Forest” on their Highly Recommended List.

“Good use of humor and the pacing is just right to keep children focused and engaged in the programs. I give these (Eco Explorer) videos two thumbs up!”

-- Kathy Gurr, Teacher, School District 68, Nanaimo , BC

Grande Olde Ride

“I've been involved in a few video projects, and receive a lot of videos that producers submit for my comments, some of them really lack the production values that set them apart from a homemade project. Grande Olde Ride is different. First thing you want to do after watching the 30 minute blend of music and action is rewind it and watch it again, and again.

“Several tracks from Gary 's Grande Olde Ride CD release are featured and they come to life in the video. The song, “Reins of Glory” has the potential to become a beloved Western classic and it grabs at the heart of us old cowboys done with Gary 's masterful acoustic guitar over a blend of beautiful horses and riders that look like they were born in the saddle. The song “Eyes Of A Cowboy” has a close-up that makes the viewing experience unforgettable.”

-- Review by Hugh McLennan of Hugh McLennan Ranch Productions ( Alberta ), September 2003

Mountain Sense:

Resource Links Magazine rates Mountain Sense "Excellent" January 2001.

"This video can be incorporated into the curriculum without any problems. After students have viewed the video, stimulating conversation will be the result. Because many young people are now involved in this sport, personal comments should develop into an effective and well informed discussion."

-- Cory Lynch, Junior/Senior High Instructor, Corner Brook , NF

This documentary is an abridged version of "Snow Sense". "Snow Sense" has been screened at the world famous Kendal Mountain Film Festival in the U.K.

"Ski & Ride Safe and Mountain Sense are powerful teaching aids reinforcing the safety concepts in my programs."

-- Peter Gorrel, Outdoor Recreation Instructor, North Vancouver , BC

One Forest , Two Visions

“One Forest -Two Visions" is an abridged version of "Wildwood-One Tree at a Time" which originally aired on the CBC and was awarded a bronze plaque at the Columbus International Film Festival in 1997 and selected as a finalist at the 3rd International Environmental Film Festival in Pretoria , South Africa .

It has been screened at the Green Film Festival in Vancouver , BC in 1998 and the World Film Fest in Courtenay BC in 2000.

“ . . . deals specifically with forestry in British Columbia , yet the issues are applicable to the forestry industry and environmental concerns worldwide. . . . This film does not portray those employed by the big lumber giants as “the enemy”, but rather shows how their lives and communities are at the mercy of the corporate timber industry.”

-- Library Journal, July, 2001

Ski & Ride Safe:

"The segment on teaching the Alpine Responsibility Code is well portrayed and delivers a clear series of messages on responsibility and behavior which is commendable.”

-- Jimmy Spencer, President & CEO of the CanWest Ski Areas Association personally endorses Ski & Ride Safe.

Allan Danks, 25-year veteran of the BC North Shore Rescue Team, personally endorses Ski & Ride Safe.

"Ski & Ride Safe and Mountain Sense are powerful teaching aids reinforcing the safety concepts in my programs."

-- Peter Gorrel, Outdoor Recreation Instructor, North Vancouver , BC

"It is the responsibility of every school to share this video with their students."

-- Bruce Kiloh, Teacher, Coquitlam , BC

Snow Sense

“This exciting video focuses on Canada 's Whistler Mountain Patrol Team. Lots of ski footage and scary shots of powerful avalanches show both the attraction and potentially lethal effects of back-country skiing.”

-- IN: Booklist Magazine, September 2001

-- Resource Links Magazine rates Mountain Sense (abridged classroom version of Snow Sense), "Excellent" January 2001.

“ Mountain Sense (abridged classroom version of Snow Sense) is a powerful teaching aid reinforcing the safety concepts in my programs."

-- Peter Gorrel, Outdoor Rec Instructor, North Vancouver , BC .

"Snow Sense" has been screened at the world famous Kendal Mountain Film Festival in the U.K.

The Sustainable Forest and the New Forest Economy

“Anyone seriously interested in ecologically sound forestry would appreciate this film.”

-- Video Librarian Magazine recommends and rates this video 3 out of 4 stars, January 2001

“Whether you are examining sustainable development or specifically studying forestry, this three part video series provides a detailed account of how the sustainable forest can be both environmentally and economically harvested.”

--- Resource Links Magazine rates this video “Good”, February 2001

-- Library Journal magazine recommends this film in their July 2001 issue.

“This is an excellent one hour video for the general public and for those engaged in the management of all forest resources on a sustained basis. Congratulations on producing such an excellent video.”

-- John Stelfox, President, North Okanagan Naturalist Club

Timber for Tomorrow

Featured eco-forester, Merve Wilkinson invested into the Order of Canada and the Order of BC in 2002!

Recommended by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, 2002

Vancouver Island Marmots - A Critically Endangered Species

Recommended by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education, 2000.

“This program offers an excellent glimpse into the efforts of the wildlife biologists who are working to save and preserve the Vancouver Island Marmot. Good production values, skillfully shot with pertinent interviews creatively presented".

-- Video Librarian Magazine recommends and rates this video 3 out of 4 stars (May 2000).

“This is a very good acquisition for libraries and environmental science programs.”

-- Resource Links Magazine, February 2001

“The topic is so relevant and so important that this video should be available to all students.”

-- John Caldwell - Co-ordinator Library Services, School Dist. #79 Duncan , BC

“A well-written, in-depth look at a seriously threatened, unique species. The program answers all the 5w's, including what we can do to help.”

-- H. Mallett, Secondary School Teacher, Nanaimo , BC

Wildwood: One Tree at a Time

Featured eco-forester, Merve Wilkinson invested into the Order of Canada and the Order of BC in 2002!

“Wildwood - One Tree at a Time deals specifically with forestry in British Columbia , yet the issues are applicable to the forestry industry and environmental concerns worldwide. . . . This film does not portray those employed by the big lumber giants as “the enemy”, but rather shows how their lives and communities are at the mercy of the corporate timber industry.”

-- Library Journal, July, 2001

Awarded a bronze plaque at the Columbus International Film Festival in 1997; selected as a finalist at the 3rd International Environmental Film Festival in Pretoria , South Africa .

Wildwood has been screened at the Green Film Festival in Vancouver , BC in 1998 and the World Film Fest in Courtenay , BC