Escapeseeker

Dallas/Los Angeles/Charlotte, NC — As our ESCAPESEEKER film team makes final preparations to return to the islands of French Polynesia for the filming of the hour-long episode entitled, TAHITI:  OH HEAVEN’S HEAVEN, we are enjoying sifting through thousands of images captured during our (ART) Advance Research Team’s visit last October.  And, what we’ve come to realize is, it is not only the majestic, jaw-dropping, goosebump-producing landscape of French Polynesia combined with our thrilling adventures that drive us to return–but, rather the never-ending warmth and engaging spirit of its people.  

Our Assistant Photographer, Peyton McCollum, an avid nature documentarian, also has a real gift for capturing faces–particularly children’s faces–especially in Tahiti where they seem to just follow her around.  Maybe it’s because she’s a real kid at heart?  Peyton’s childlike wonder for our beautiful world never ceases as proven by the 33 countries she has already explored with plans to visit 36 more, oh probably in the next three years or so!  Peyton is a true ESCAPESEEKER.  But her real motto should be, “Have camera will travel”…Team, as you may recall, her camera was glued to her the entire time we were in French Polynesia…and that includes underwater!  For as she pointed out, “Every moment in Tahiti is a photo-op!”  Gotta lover her!  Thank you Peyton for helping us shape and script a beautiful ESCAPESEEKER episode. Together with Sr. Photographer, Justin Grant, you made quite the team.  Ok, cinematographers, you have one tough act to follow.  

Enjoy…and here’s to Blissful, Never-ending ESCAPES,


With love,

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

Thank you for all of your notes and positive feedback about Monday night’s KOCE-TV broadcast of ESCAPESEEKER.  Our entire ESCAPESEEKER team is very happy to learn that it made you want to hop on the next plane to France!  We’re also especially pleased that many of you have indicated how much you are learning from watching each of the episodes.  That just makes our day!

The ESCAPESEEKER team at Villa Gallici in Aix en Provence, doing what we love to do!

Mel aka ESCAPESEEKER

Bonjour Escapeseeker friends,

Just want to quickly let you know that we have returned after an incredibly adventurous two weeks in French Polynesia.  We’re reviewing thousands of images captured by our team of photographers, Justin Grant and Peyton McCollum, and will be back in the next few days to share them with all of you.  Get ready to be WOWED!

Until then,

Mel

No destination is too far or too difficult for Escapeseeker to reach!
Now, how appropriate is that Escapeseeker tag line?

Nomade Yachting…

The only way to cruise along this heart-stopping,
breathtaking, azure blue seascape
amidst emerald mountain vistas!

Blue and every shade thereof…

It is from the vantage point of this beautiful vessel that we will gain a new perspective as we explore and navigate our way through the four Society Islands. And, as ESCAPESEEKER executive producer, host and writer, I’m feeling so incredibly fortunate to have on my ART, three wonderfully talented individuals to help me capture and record our priceless experiences:

1. Justin Grant – We’re so excited to have Justin on board . He is in such high demand and to be able to have Justin capture Phase 1 of “The Making of” Tahiti episode(s) is a gift.  Speaking of gifts, feel free to view and experience his amazing gift for photography–it is easy to see that Justin was born with this talent.  http://www.justingrantphotography.com/
 
2. Peyton McCollum – I’ve never met such a bright, spunky, natural born ESCAPESEEKER as Peyton!  She has traveled to 33 countries, most recently her travels include Galapagos, China, Mongolia, Namibia, Botswana, and Costa Rica.  Peyton majored in Biology and Athropology at Duke University, with a certificate in Primatology.  She lived in Kenya for 4 months studying wildlife management, and loves nothing more than hopping on a plane and seeing where life takes her.  Sharing in the ESCAPESEEKER mantra, Peyton truly enjoys learning about new cultures and gaining a deeper appreciation for our beautiful planet…and caring for our planet is something she takes seriously.  Peyton has completed three Earthwatch projects!  We cannot wait to get her input as we work to shape the Tahiti episode(s).  

3. Roy A. Henderson – our team leader– As a former CEO of several financial institutions, Roy’s leadership and management skills instill such order and peace amongst the entire ESCAPESEEKER creative team.  As those who know him well are often heard saying, “Roy is as calm as an inland lake!”  And, calm is exactly what our team needs as we’re often  logging in thousands of miles, criss-crossing continents and defying time zones!  It’s also a nice bonus that Roy is not only an expert pilot, but a seasoned, competitive sailor too.   However,  for this ESCAPESEEKER assignment, he’s totally content to be on the gorgeous TI’A MOANA!

I think you’ll agree, we have one very exceptional research team.

Here’s a sneak preview of what is in store for our ESCAPESEEKER ART:

 
 
Bora Bora: The Supreme Island

Huahine: The Island of Bards

Mel Gee Henderson, Creator/Writer/Host/Executive Producer of
Escapeseeker Travel Series, with her Escapeseeker team on assignment in France:
(Front) Mike Ryan, Sound Engineer; Jackson Myers, Director of Photography;
(Back) Jason Wise, Director; Christina Tucker, Co-Writer/Producer

Orange County, California — After months and months of filming all over our beautiful planet–you will finally have the opportunity to view two full episodes of ESCAPESEEKER on KOCE-TV, Channel 10 (your channel may vary depending on your carrier), tonight, October 5th at 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Please tune in! Thank you Escapeseeker friends!

Yours truly,

Mel aka Escapeseeker

Dear ESCAPESEEKER fans,

I am so pleased to announce that our program is all set to premiere on KOCE-TV on October 5, 2009 at prime time viewing– 10:00 pm. Our ESCAPESEEKER team is excited beyond words. Promise us you’ll tune in! I know we’re competing with my favorite comedian–Jay Leno. But you can all TIVO him right? Ok, all you CSI Miami fans–same goes for you! Yes, you Mr. H!

Our ESCAPESEEKER team will be departing on September 16th for another exciting filming adventure in Ireland and Italy’s Amalfi Coast–but you can bet we will be back on October 4th, just in time to view our premiere episodes together!

Thank you everyone for your unwavering support! Check out our program promo below: Please forward the info to every Southern Californian you know!

Love,

Mel aka Escapeseeker

ESCAPESEEKER ROAD ADVENTURE:
UNVEILING FRANCE’S BEST KEPT SECRETS
Monday, October 5 at 10:00 PM, KOCE-TV, Channel 10

The Banks of the Brazos River – – Hi Y’all! Yup, that’s Texas talk. I’m spendin’ my August days in the Lone Star State…and I tell ya, there’s nothin’ like this Texas heat to remind me that in just one month, September 17th, I’m gonna be tradin’ this heat for some cool lucky Irish green clover, as our ESCAPESEEKER team begins our filming assignment at The K CLUB, on the Emerald Isle, home of the 2006 Ryder Cup.

There’s so much happening in the next few weeks that our ESCAPESEEKER team is barely keeping up with all the excitement!

We are just weeks away from our Season Premiere. We do hope all of you stay tuned. We will definitely be updating this blog before our air date to let you know which PBS stations will be carrying it. Meanwhile, here’s a reminder of what is in store on ESCAPESEEKER…when I prove once again that there is no destination on earth too far, or too difficult to reach! By the way, our new ESCAPESEEKER theme song is composed by an incredible talent: Hollywood music producer, Griffin Boice.

FOREVER SISTERS, FOREVER FRIENDS!
This photo is a wonderful reminder that God does answer prayers.

Los Angeles, California–Sometimes, something so unforgettable happens that one just has to pause from everyday life–even if you’re engaged in the time sensitive task of producing a TV Travel Series that’s about to air…and give thanks.

You have to live in a cave to not know that the most miraculous event occurred this week–which apparently has been weeks in the making. Former President Bill Clinton successfully negotiated the release of fellow journalists–Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Ever since I heard of their arrest on March 17th–a day has not gone by when I haven’t said a prayer for Laura and Euna, along with so many other deeply concerned friends and family– particularly those of us united via facebook and kept updated by Lisa, Laura’s older sister… (also a brilliant journalist). Well, tonight I signed onto facebook, and above is the photo that Lisa had posted for all of us to see…and just like many times before, I cried tears…but this time, they are tears of JOY!

And, the joy-filled photos did not stop there. On Paul Song’s (Lisa’s husband) Facebook page, we see the “A Team” family photo!

THANK YOU PRESIDENT CLINTON!
THANK YOU “AL” (what Laura called her Current TV boss)

Here’s a recap of the now famous rescue by President Clinton, written by Maynard Institute columnist, Richard Prince:

“Two American journalists jubilantly reunited with family and friends early Wednesday upon returning to the United States with former President Bill Clinton, whose diplomatic trip to North Korea secured their release nearly five months after their arrests,” Robert Jablon reported Wednesday for the Associated Press.

“The jet carrying Euna Lee and Laura Ling, reporters for Al Gore’s San Francisco-based Current TV, and Clinton arrived at Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport at dawn. Clinton met with communist leader Kim Jong Il on Tuesday to secure the women’s release.

“Lee emerged from the jetliner first and was greeted by husband Michael Saldate and 4-year-old daughter Hana. She hugged the girl and picked her up before all three embraced in a crushing hug as TV networks beamed the poignant moment live.

“Ling embraced her husband, Iain Clayton, as teary family members crowded around.

“‘The past 140 days have been the most difficult, heart-wrenching days of our lives,’ Ling said, her voice cracking.

“Thirty hours ago, Ling said, ‘We feared that any moment we could be sent to a hard labor camp.’

“Then, she said, they were taken to another location.”

“‘When we walked through the doors, we saw standing before us President Bill Clinton,’ she said to applause. ‘We were shocked but we knew instantly in our hearts that the nightmare of our lives was finally coming to an end, and now we stand here, home and free.’

“Clinton came down the stairs to applause. He hugged Gore, then chatted with family members.

“Gore described the families of the two women as ‘unbelievable, passionate, involved, committed, innovative.’ . . .

“After 140 days in custody, the reporters were granted a pardon by North Korea on Tuesday, following rare talks between Clinton and the reclusive North Korea leader. They had been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for entering the country illegally.

“The women were kept in enforced isolation and fed poor-quality food, Ling’s sister said.

“‘They were kept apart most of the time. . . . On the day of their trial, they hugged each other and that was it,’ Lisa Ling told reporters outside her sister’s home in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.

“‘She’s really, really anxious to have fresh fruit and fresh food. She said there were rocks in her rice. Obviously, it’s a country that has a lot of economic problems.

“‘The little bit that she was able to recount of her experience of the last 4 1/2 months has been challenging for us to hear,’ Lisa Ling said. ‘She’s my little sister but she’s a very, very strong girl and a determined person.’

Lisa Ling, the reporter for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “National Geographic Explorer,” spoke briefly to the media this morning outside her sister’s California home.

“We are gonna go have a little powwow at home,” she said, according to the NECN cable network.

“We are gonna stuff her with food that she loves.”

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I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS!!

It is 3:06 a.m. It is time for me to stop reflecting on life, and close my eyes.

Goodnight Escapeseeker fans,

With love and peace,

Mel