We were lucky to catch up with Greg Reitman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Greg thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

In 1995, I was hiking with three friends in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia. In the interior, I came upon lush waterfalls, stunning cascades and had the epiphany of creating a production company- Blue Water Entertainment. Harnessing that passion, drive and endurance, I began my filmmaking journey toward creating and producing environmentally conscious films for the big screen that would capture the hearts, minds and souls of the audience.

Blue Water Entertainment is now a leading independent production company, developing and producing content in fiction and non-fiction films. True to the vision of its founder, the mission of Blue Water has now blossomed to an annual gathering in San Diego for filmmakers under the auspices of the Blue Water Film Festival. Cinema is the place where dreams are made and where life stops. In the magic kingdom of story telling, Blue Water Film Festival curates an array of content on current issues that impact our daily lives — from politics, social justice and poverty to religion…and of course, the environment.

Greg, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Greg Reitman is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, national best selling author & founder of the Blue Water Film Festival. Described by Movie Maker Magazine as “one of the top ten filmmakers producing content that impacts our world.” He is the founder of Blue Water Entertainment, Inc., an independent production company focusing on environmentally conscious broad based entertainment.

In Greg’s award-winning feature documentary, “Rooted in Peace” his journey of self-analysis resonates with audiences seeking inner peace in a world full of people dominated by war, affected by global warming or haunted by inner conflict. The film follows him as he speaks to thought leaders around the world having conversations around sustainable development, discussing the challenges of our never-ending wars, and facing the realities of uncertainty placed on the world’s institutions by our current political climate.

From the US to Costa Rica to India, environmental activist Greg Reitman traveled to visit such luminaries and activists as Deepak Chopra, music legends Donovan, Mike Love and Pete Seeger, film director David Lynch, Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire, Ted Turner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and many others. Their common ideas and examples make Rooted in Peace one of the most unexpectedly inspirational viewing experiences of our time magnified by a stellar soundtrack beginning with Pink Floyd’s ‘Time’ and closing with John Lennon’s ‘Love.’

Greg’s introspective and socially relevant documentary has won the TNT Award, Impact Doc Award, Pembroke Peace Prize, and the recipient of New York Festival Best Feature Documentary. He has earned critical acclaim in LA Times being compared to Michael Moore. His literary work, Rooted in Peace: An Inspiring Story of Finding Peace published by Llewellyn Publications has been acknowledged as national best selling author winning: Best Spiritual Author (Spirituality & Health Magazine); Best Spiritual Real-Life Story (Spirituality & Health Magazine); & Best Memoir (Living Now Book Awards).

Blue Water Entertainment has steadily built a reputation of taking some of the hardest questions of our time head on. “Our goal is to start a dialogue about peace, on a global, national and personal basis,” said Reitman. “It makes sense to share the film in conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, especially in today’s volatile political and international climate.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

From creation to the big screen, As Dr. Robert McKee says so elegantly, “If it ain’t on the page, it ain;t on the stage.” That quote has been with me from the very beginning when I took his Story Structure workshop back in. 1995 when i arrived in Hollywood. For me, the most rewarding aspect is to dream big. To allow the unconsciousness to unfold and to begin to visualize my story in my dream state to the writing state. Each step of the way, whether it the script creation, development, production or post-production requires discipline and patience. The most rewarding part is always to be in a packed theater and to watch the audience experience the movie. The laughs, the tears, the joy, The art of cinema storytelling.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am driven by true stories. I feel these real experiences coupled with good screenwriting and structure make for great cinema. I l also am compelled to produce environmental stories, Being on the front lines of climate change reminds me how important being a documentary filmmaker and using my craft for the purpose of good, These two elements drive me in my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gregreitman.com/
• Instagram: https://gregreitman.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GREGSREITMAN/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greitman/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GREGREITMAN
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBLUEWATERCHANNEL