Note: Geoff Luck is a film producer who lives outside of Charlottesville. He worked closely with the Echols Team to produce the series of Echols Shorts that are going out to prospective Echols Scholars.
One of the things I love about making documentary films is the fact that I get to continually explore the world. Its places. Their people. Our ideas. I read up on so many subjects one after another that when someone at a cocktail party asks me what I do, I sometimes say I’m a professional dilettante—and really, it’s not far from the truth.
I research questions in the sciences and the humanities (sometimes, both at once), call up experts in those fields, get blown away by their insights and perspective, follow their leads to learn still more, and then immerse myself in diverse and thrilling currents of experience. I’ve stalked white sharks and komodo dragons (among other critters), witnessed parliament buildings burning, retraced Darwin’s steps and thoughts through South America and the Pacific, and crawled beneath Rapa Nui to understand the singular history of that island. I’ve interviewed presidents and physicists, helped deliver newborn farm animals, eaten things I wouldn’t have thought possible, and travelled sketchy roads with even sketchier film crews, scholars, and punk rock icons.
So it makes sense that I’ve felt so at home getting to know you Echols Scholars—even at this distance. You’re one hell of an adventurous group!
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to consider not only the wonderful responses you gave to help make these videos a reality, but the approaches you take to the illimitable world around you. As a group, it’s clear that you’re ravenously curious, deeply intrepid, clearly ambitious and surely accomplished—but what’s even more remarkable is that you do it while remaining connected and indebted to one another, both inspired and inspiring, supportive and kind. That is no small thing. In fact, it’s quite the opposite, and I am so grateful to have seen it.
So I thank you for the glimpse of your world, and the inspiration it’s given me. It’s clear there’s no limit to the vast range of your interests or horizons, so if there’s ever a little more you’d like to know about my world, just let me know and we’ll figure out how I can show you around a bit!
In the meanwhile, I wish you all well in these unusual times. No matter how we move forward from this global crossroad, I am more than excited to do so alongside you.
Very best wishes,
G
Geoff Luck
Charlottesville, VA
