About Thomas Ellingwood Fortin
Iconic film director Taylor Hackford once said, “Make sure you’ve got a little experience in your life before you go out and make a film…..The filmmakers who founded this industry-whether it’s John Ford or William Wellman or Fritz Lang__all did other things……..read some great books, and expose yourself to all kinds of media and real life…..I think it’s better to develop a wealth of experience and talent and have something to say before you pick up that camera and try to say it.” This well describes Thomas Ellingwood Fortin! A life spent in many fields of endeavor; art, music, adventure, maritime history, and sailing, work even in the military, industrial complex, with some background in historic and military archaeology, antiquities, the exploration of the science of mind, body, and spirit to further a more humane, and conscious lifestyle, not to mention almost 50 years as a motion picture industry professional. A seventh generation Californian, and member of an old San Diego family, Thomas began his film career, while a member of the San Diego Historical Society [previously a member of the Archaeological Institute of America, US Naval Institute, National Maritime Historical Society, American Sail Training Association, and the National Trust] with his work as a producer on San Diego's 200th Bi-centennial project in 1969 and as a very active participant in the historical celebrations at that time. He has spent the past 50 years involved in both historical maritime consulting, event organization, when not making film, from features to his favorite, educational documentaries. Currently he is working on a project about Spain, Hispanics, and the American Revolution.