About Ed Lark

 

After 45 years of producing documentary and travel-oriented films, I chose to retire from this fascinating and satisfying career and to stay closer to home.  I have been accustomed to facing and solving many interesting challenges in my work, and I sought new challenges as manager of the Calaveras County Public Access Television Studio.

 

Resume and Production Credits

2001 – Present time

 

            Manager of Public Access Television Studio.  Duties include:

 

• Manage programming of two television channels

• Produce programs for television

• Teach videography and television production

• Manage three editing bays using Final Cut Pro

 

2001 – 2007

 

Instructor of Photography at Columbia Community College.  The course included photographic theory, proper use of lenses, composition, field work, and darkroom skills.

 

1956 – 2011

 

I have owned a successful business, Lark Productions, during which time I have produced documentary and travel-oriented films for presentation in auditoriums throughout the U.S. and Canada.

 

• Presentations have been sponsored by major organizations and universities, such as the National Geographic Society, Chicago Geographic, San Francisco Geographic, Philadelphia Geographic, Explorama, Sundome in Arizona, Cal-Tech, University of Utah, University of Colorado, University of Wisconsin, Michigan State University, Harvard Club and hundreds more.

• All 18 of my feature-length films had been selected by the National Geographic Society to be featured on their film lecture series in Washington, D.C.

• Presented over 6,000 shows and lectures to audiences ranging in size from 200 to 7,000.

 

Pre-Production

• Personally researched topics to be filmed which included available books on the subject.

• Set up a liaison with foreign governmental agencies.

• Prepare film and lecture scripts.

 

Production

• Personally planned and directed the filming of each sequence, including camera position, exposure settings and lighting.

• A filming crew may consist of one assistant or as many as five – depending on the circumstances.

 

Post-Production

• Personally edited the work print to its final length.

• Cut the original film into A & B rolls (conforming).

• Completed the final script.

• Recorded and edited the music, sound effects and narration to match the film.

• Prepared the film for transferring to video. (Note:  Films are projected in auditoriums; videos are circulated to libraries.)

 

Below is a list of feature-length films that I have produced:

 

Released                      Title

1957                 Sweden Year Around

Life, activities and traditions of the Swedes through four seasons.

 

1959                 Israel:  Rebirth of a Nation

City and rural life of Israel’s diverse cultures, plus historical and religious sites.

 1961                Provincial France

French life and business in the provinces including champagne, perfume and cooking industries.

 

1963                 Scotland and Wales

                        Traditions, celebrations, castles and bagpipes.

 

1965                 San Francisco and the Bay Area

Tourist highlights include Chinatown, fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, bridges, beach, BART, etc.

 

1966                 Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Life of the people and their work including gemming and rubber industries, as well as Buddhist and Hindu ceremonies.

 

1968                 Hawaii

Tourist highlights on the five major islands, including surfing, marlin fishing, hotels, King Kameamea Celebration, Pearl Harbor, etc.

 

1970                 Our Vanishing Old West

A history of the Wild West in terms of what you can see today, such as Indian reservations, Pony Express, wagon train trip, National Bison Range, Sky City of Acoma, Dude Ranch.

 1972                Taiwan (Formosa)

Documentary about the life and activities of the Chinese on this island 100 miles from Mainland China.  Highlights include family life, education, celebrations, National Palace Museum, etc.

 

1974                 Norway

The good life that the Norwegians enjoy in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.  Highlights include Oslo, Bergen, Lapps, midnight sun, traditional wedding, Grieg’s home, celebrations.

 

 1976                Germany

An interesting contrast between northern and southern (Bavaria) Germany, including Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Olympic Center, sand skiing, kayaking, rafting, castles, etc.

 

 1980                We Swedes

A documentary about the lives and activities of the Swedish people, including family life, retirement community, child care, immigration, prison system, plus their leisure activities.

 

1985                 Denmark

Highlights include Copenhagen, Tivoli, Bing and Grondahl porcelain, castles, Legoland, Hans Christian Andersen, graduation ceremony, Rebe (oldest town in Denmark), etc.

 

1988                 Canada’s National Parks

Highlights 13 of Canada’s most visited National Parks, including Gros Morne, Cape Breton Highlands, Thousand Islands, Banff, Jasper, Glacier, Waterton Lakes and Revelstoke.

 

1990                 Scandinavian Medley

Tourist highlights of the three Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Norway and Denmark) including Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, coastel steamer, Carl Milles Sculpture Park, Midsummer Celebration.

 

1992                 America’s Favorite Places

Highlights 18 of America’s most popular tourist destinations, including springtime in Washington, D.C., autumn in New England, Niagara Falls in summer and winter, cruise on the Delta Queen, Mardi Gras, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, etc. 

 

1994                 Finland – Land of Contrast

Highlights life of the Finns, as well as what a tourist might enjoy.  Includes Helsinki, Turko, northern Finland, Midsummer Celebration, Finnish wedding, “Carrying the Wife” contest, etc.

 

 1996                Adventures of the Vikings

Documentary about the birth, evolution and demise of the Vikings who traveled throughout Eastern and Western Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America.

 

TELEVISION/RADIO

 

• My films have been adapted for commercial teevision in the following markets:  Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.

• I have been a host on more than 150 different television programs.

• I have been a guest on countless television and radio interviews.

• Walt Disney has used my footage on Sri-Lanka for their television Explorer Series.

 

SCHOOL FILMS

 

• Produced “Southern Asia – Problems in Transition” which highlighted the difference in Asian and Western cultures.  This film received the Chris Award, which is the Oscar-equivalent for educational films.

• Produced “The French Way’ which compared French life in the villages and cities.

 

VIDEO

 

• My six latest video productions (Adventures of the Vikings, Finland-Land of Contrast, America’s Favorite Places, Discovering Denmark, Sweden and Norway) are found in thousands of public libraries throughout the country.

 

PROMOTIONAL FILMS/VIDEOS

 

• 1998:  Produced a 19 minute promotional video for Calaveras Big Trees State Park which highlights the Giant Sequoias and the Park’s various year-around activities.

• 1967:  Produced a 15 minute film for Calaveras Development Company which promoted life and activities along Highway 4.

 

1985-1989

 

Contracted by Sierra Constructors to video tape all aspects of the Spicer Dam Project for archival purposes.  Video details included:

• construction of Spicer and McKays Dams.

• Three support dams.

• Seven miles of tunnels.

• Spicer and Camp Nine power plants.

 

1972-1978

 

Organized and established Lark Tours which specialized in tours to European countries.

• Responsibilities included publicity and promotion, negotiating rates with hotels, restaurants, air lines and local tour operators.

• Acted as tour host on Scandinavian tours.

 

Education

1956     Graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Engineering and a minor in Business.