As part of its commitment to providing a world-class online private school experience, Bryn Mawr Online (BMOS) recently celebrated Earth Week by welcoming a truly distinguished guest: multiple Emmy Award-winning cameraman and environmental filmmaker, Tom Fitz.
With a career spanning over 35 years, Tom has captured the wonders of the natural world for global icons like the BBC, National Geographic, and PBS. His visit provided our students with an unparalleled look at the intersection of professional filmmaking, global exploration, and environmental stewardship. As one BMOS teacher remarked, “It was an incredible privilege to have a speaker of this caliber and experience come to speak to our BMOS students. It felt as though we could have chatted with him for hours and never felt the time go by.”
Survival at Sea
Tom’s stories of his early career kept the audience in rapt attention, beginning with a harrowing tale from his very first professional shoot. He described being lost at sea for three days while attempting to reach a remote island off the coast of Brazil. The expedition, which was intended to last six days, turned into a 15-day survival ordeal where the crew faced starvation and developed open sores from staph infections. They eventually wrote a massive SOS in the sand using palm fronds, leading to a rescue by the Brazilian Navy. This story was so compelling that even longtime friend, BMOS teacher Alyson Tockstein, noted she had never heard it before and suggested it should be made into its own movie.
Bryn Mawr Online Learning Meets Real-World Discovery
During a dynamic Q&A session, BMOS students engaged Tom with sophisticated inquiries about the dangers and technicalities of underwater cinematography. The discussion highlighted several fascinating encounters:
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Antarctic Predators: Students learned about the strict safety protocols required when filming aggressive leopard seals, including the use of specialized, noisy scuba gear to maintain a safe distance.
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Humpback Whales: Tom enthralled the audience with descriptions of the “heat run” in Hawaii, where up to 20 male whales compete in a high-speed chase.
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Technical Mastery: The conversation explored how professional filmmakers balance the art of storytelling with the intense physical demands of extreme environments.
By bringing these high-level discussions into our virtual classroom, BMOS ensures that students see their coursework reflected in active, global professions.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Stewards
Beyond the adventure, Tom’s visit underscored his transition toward environmental education through his organization, Schoolyard Films. Having witnessed the tangible effects of climate change over four decades, Tom now focuses on empowering the next generation.
Through his mentorship programs and grants for early-career filmmakers, Tom is actively fostering the storytellers of tomorrow. His current projects, including a series on Florida’s water resources and a hopeful look at extinction stories, serve as an inspiration for our students. At Bryn Mawr Online, we share this mission of encouraging our students to drive positive change in the world.
