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We're Tony and James Pinto, a father and son collaborating on our first feature-length documentary.
James is a freshman at UC Berkeley who is passionate about all things dinosaurs, fossils, and paleontology. He won First Place in the 2016 California State Science Fair, and was a semi-finalist in the National Science Fair, for a geological experiment on Spinosaurus teeth using a mass spectrometer at UC Santa Cruz. (Yeah, he's kind of a nerd.)
Tony (James' dad) owns and operates a video production company, has made over 2,500 corporate videos, and loves watching documentaries.
WHY DINOSAURS? is currently in post-production and scheduled to be released on June 20, 2021.
James & Tony at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles.
A recent interview on the "I Know Dino" podcast, that goes into detail about who we are and why we're making this film (in case you don't want to read all of this below).
What We've Accomplished
Over the past three years, we've interviewed almost 60 seasoned paleontologists, fossil hunters, paleoartists, dinosaur enthusiasts, and even a State Senator! We have all of the equipment to finish the job, and we're doing 95% of the work ourselves to conserve budget.
James with legendary paleontologist, Dr. Phil Currie at University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.
What We Need
We're hoping to raise $20,000 to help with travel expenses, post-production, and media licensing. We break down the budget below, so keep reading!
James and Tony interviewing Dr. Lorna O'Brien, Preparation Lab Supervisor at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller, Canada.
The Budget
Here's the breakdown of the $20,000 budget we are seeking to raise:
$5,000 - Media Licensing, music licensing, and legal services.
$5,000 - Travel expenses.
$5,000 - Marketing (crowdfunding perks, including shipping).
$5,000 - Post-production. Audio mastering, color correction, titles and animations.
James with dinosaur paleontologist Dr. Scott Sampson ("Dr. Scott" of Dinosaur Train and Dinosaur Planet).
The Impact
We hope to inspire girls, boys, men and women of all ages to embrace Science, starting with a healthy dose of Dinosaur Paleontology.
James teaching dinosaurs to a preschool class in Chatsworth, California.
Risks & Challenges
Making a feature-length film is HARD. Way harder than we ever imagined. But we are learning as we go, taking workshops, watching documentaries, and reading everything we can get our hands on. Time is also a scarce resource, especially with James' school/work schedule, and Tony juggling a very full plate of corporate video clients.
That said, we are both highly motivated individuals:
James volunteered almost 400 hours at the La Brea Tar Pits, won first place in the 2016 California State Science Fair, is currently a student at UC Berkeley, and works in the UC Museum of Paleontology.
Tony received a BA degree in Literature and Film Studies from UC Santa Barbara and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Over the past two decades, he held a number of Senior Product/Project Management positions before starting Pinto Productions in 2007.
Who Have We Interviewed So Far?
Phil Currie, PhD - Paleontologist & Professor, University of Alberta, Canada
Scott Sampson, PhD - Paleontologist, Executive Director, California Academy of Sciences, “Dr. Scott” of Dinosaur Train and Dinosaur Planet
Jack Horner, PhD - Paleontologist and Jurassic Park / Jurassic World dinosaur advisor
Colin Trevorrow - Director, Jurassic World & Jurassic World: Dominion (2022)
Phil Tippett - Oscar winning stop-motion animator / Dinosaur Supervisor on Jurassic Park, Owner, Tippett Studios
Dean Cundey, A.S.C. - Oscar-nominated Cinematographer, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Apollo 13, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Luis Chiappe, PhD - Curator, Dinosaur Institute and Senior VP, Research U Collections, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Nizar Ibrahim, PhD - Paleontologist, Professor, National Geographic Explorer and TED Fellow
Don Henderson, PhD - Curator of Dinosaurs at Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Senator Kate Brophy McGee - Former Arizona State Senator; wrote State Dinosaur Bill
Charles Marshall, PhD - Director, UC Museum of Paleontology
Dean Lomax, PhD - Palaeontologist, Author, Adventurer & Science Communicator
Jingmai O'Conno, PhD - Paleontologist, Field Museum
Lorna O’Brien, PhD - Preparation Lab Supervisor at Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
Kallie Moore - Host of PBS Eons, Paleontology Collections Manager at University of Montana
Lyon Daniels - Dinosaur Enthusiast, Actor (We Can Be Heroes)
Kiersten Formoso - Paleontology Graduate Student, USC / Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Gabriel-Philip Santos, MS - Collections Manager, Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
Robert McCord, PhD - Curator of Natural History, Arizona Museum of Natural History
Caleb Brown, PhD - Curator of Dinosaur Systematics & Evolution at Royal Tyrrell Museum, Canada
Jim Kirkland, PhD - Paleontologist, Utah Geological Survey
Randall Irmis, PhD - Chief Curator and Curator of Paleontology, Natural History Museum of Utah
Andrew Farke, PhD - Director, Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
Carrie Levitt-Bussian, MS - Paleontology Collections Manager, Natural History Museum of Utah
Peter Larson - President, Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
Jessica Lippincott - Education Director, Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Angela Reddick - Paleontologist / Dig Site Manager, Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Matthew T. Mossbrucker - Director & Chief Curator, Morrison Natural History Museum
Debbie Colodner, PhD - Director of Conservation Education & Science, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Scott Madsen - Fossil Preparer & Manager, The Utahraptor Project
Richard Thompson, PhD - Amateur Fossil Hunter, discovered Sonorasaurus
Rob Sula - Paleo Artist and Field Guide, Paleo Prospectors
Ryan Cieszkowski - Executive Producer / Dinosaur Enthusiast
Yun-Hsin "Becky" Wu - Paleontology Graduate Student, USC / Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Benji Paysnoe - Paleo Artist, Arizona Museum of Natural History
Keegan Kuhn - Paleo Artist, TRX Dinosaurs
Laura "Clever FanGirl" Garsea - Dinosaur Enthusiast / Influencer (@CleverFanGirl)
Tony "The Dinogeek" Campagna - World's largest collection of dinosaur toys & media
Bucky Derflinger - Amateur Fossil Hunter, discovered “Bucky” the T.rex
Lauren Billings - VP of Operations, The Dinosaur Company
Jerry Adloff - Dinosaur Enthusiast / Owner, Explorers Emporium
Elaine Howard - Executive Producer / Author & Dinosaur Enthusiast
Billie Guerrero - Outreach/Collections Assistant, Alf Museum of Paleontology
Dustin Growick, MA - Museum Consultant / Science Communicator
Marji Johns - Paleontology Collections Manager, Royal BC Museum
Gary Kaiser, MS - Research Associate at Royal BC Museum
Sarah Slaughter - Trustee, Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Ellinor Michel, PhD - Paleontologist, Natural History Museum / Chair, Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
Ry Williams - Lead Welder / Fossil Restoration Technician at Dino Lab
Garret Kruger - Dinosaur Enthusiast / Co-host of I Know Dino Podcast
Sabrina Ricci - Dinosaur Enthusiast / Co-host of I Know Dino Podcast
Jimmy Waldron, MA - Science Communicator, host of Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome podcast
Kathryn Abbott - Dinosaur Enthusiast / Co-host of Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome podcast
Angie Guyen - Director, Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Dustin Baker - Dinosaur Trainer, Jurassic Quest
Jack Turnbull - Paleontologist / Public Relations, Wyoming Dinosaur Center
Aiden Rouse - Paleontology Consultant
Jax Weldon - Dinosaur Enthusiast; lobbied for Arizona’s Official State Dinosaur
Taylor Causer - Dinosaur Enthusiast, Jurassic Park Motor Pool
Nima "Neemz" Nakhshab - Dinosaur Enthusiast / influencer (@themovieposterguy, @jurassicyourworld)
Jennifer "Jurassic Jen" Durst - Dinosaur Enthusiast / Actress
Skye Walker - Science Communicator
Lindsey Davis - Paleontology Student
Other Videos
This is a young James doing his best Sir David Attenborough impersonation at the Natural History Museum of LA with his Nonni.
James' first visit to Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal, Utah.
James receiving a Certificate of Commendation from Simi Valley Mayor Bob Huber for his First Place award in the California State Science Fair, as well as other County-level Science awards and recognition by the Coast Geological Society.
James volunteering in the Fossil Prep Lab at La Brea Tar Pits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will you do if you raise more than $20,000?
We'll do more interviews! There are no shortage of amazing paleontologists, museums, dig sites, and dinosaur enthusiasts that we'd love to spend some time with. It'll just make the documentary that much better!
Where is James going to college?
James is currently a freshman at UC Berkeley, studying Geology and Biology in preparation for a graduate degree in Paleontology.
How did James get a job prepping fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits?
It's technically not a job; it's a volunteer position. He simply applied for a docent position, worked the museum floor for a while, and was eventually invited into the fossil prep lab. He volunteered almost 400 hours at La Brea Tar Pits.
Why did you title the documentary, "Why Dinosaurs?"
We had brainstormed possible titles for months (Bones of Contention, Dinopalooza, Jurassic Doc, We Dig Dinosaurs), and then one day as we were travelling to an interview, James blurted out, "Why Dinosaurs?" And we were like, yeah, that's it: Why do people love dinosaurs? Why do we study them? Why are dinosaurs so ingrained in pop culture? Why do they get more attention than other creatures that came before or after?
Who designed the logo?
That would be James. He has quite the artistic talent (and is even considering a double major in Science and Art). Tony made a valiant attempt at a logo concept, which James constructively criticized as being "childish." So he went into his room and came back 30 minutes later with a draft that looked pretty close to the final design. Our good friend and graphic wizard, David Whittemore, expertly cleaned it up for us. We wanted something simple and easy to read, with a few dino-specific details.
Do you have any regrets on this project?
Not a one. If you have the opportunity for a father/son, mother/daughter, Aunt/nephew, mentor/mentee collaboration, go for it!
Do you have any advice for aspiring paleontologists / scientists?
Read every science book you can get your hands on. Try to figure out what branch of science most interests you, if not dinosaurs and paleontology, and go as deep as you can. Maybe you're more into birds, or bugs, or fungi! Or like James' brother, maybe you're into Space. Participate in your school's Science Fair. Reach out to scientists via email and social media. They are way more approachable than you might think. Visit museums and attend events and open houses. Talk to everyone with a badge.
What are some of your favorite dinosaur books?
Here are just a few: "Dinosaurs: The Most Complete, Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers of All Ages" (written by Dr. Thomas Holtz, Jr. and illustrated by Luis V. Rey), "Dinosaur Odyssey" (Dr. Scott Sampson), "How to Build a Dinosaur" (Dr. Jack Horner), "The Children’s Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs" (Clare Hibbert; The first dinosaur book James ever read!), "If Dinosaurs Were Alive Today", and "Planet Dinosaur" (by Cavan Scott; James' inspiration for his Spinosaurus Science Fair project).
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
There are already so many people to thank. People we've met along this journey, and people who have been supporting James (and/or Tony) for decades. It's hard to start to thanking people without neglecting to mention others, but we're at least going to try to highlight some of the project's biggest supporters:
First and foremost, Tara Pinto, the unsung hero (Tony's wife and James' step-mom). She has been a part of the documentary, and James' life, from very early on. She handles a lot of the production logistics, including booking travel and coordinating interviews, but she has also been an integral part of developing the trailer and the crowdfunding campaign. We could not do this without her.
Nonni and Papa, one set of James' amazing grandparents. Nonni, in particular, has fostered James' love for science, dinosaurs, and fossils since he was very young. Trips to museums, extra money for the gift shop, Xmas presents, and so much more. But their influence started long before then, since they are also Tony's parents.
Deana Santana (Tony/s sister / James' Aunt), and her husband Tony, who have been an integral part of James' life since day one at the hospital.
Don Pinto (Tony's brother / James' Uncle), and his wife Heidi, who have generously shared their passion for Science and spent countless hours of time with James throughout this journey.
Petrea McWilliams, James' biological mother. She along with James' step-dad, Kevin, have always been two of James' biggest advocates, providing him with ample resources and opportunities to learn and grow and succeed.
Other family and friends, including Siblings, Steps, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins, Honorary Family Members, and more, who have always been an unending source of support. We are truly rich in family.
Bonita Hamilton, James' 7th grade science teacher. She's the one who shepherded James through his Science Fair journey, from the County level, all the way to a first place award at the California State Science Fair. She is a "one-in-a-million" kind of teacher.
Rob Sula, dino enthusiast extraordinaire, and one of our first interviews. He opened his home, and his fossil collection, to us long before he (and we) had any idea what we were doing. He's been a wonderful friend and mentor to James, and his knowledge of paleontology is unrivaled.
Dr. Steve Niklas, founder of Paleo Prospectors. He has made ethical and responsible fossil hunting a reality for James and many others.
Dom Capuano, the composer for the trailer, who believed in the project even before there was a trailer.
Garrett Birkel (James' uncle), who has not only driven James half way across the country on multiple occasions to participate in dinosaur digs, but who has also taken many photos and videos of James' excursions, which will likely make it in to the finished film.
The talented paleo artists who graciously allowed us to showcase some of their incredible artwork:
We'll send you a streaming link to WATCH THE MOVIE when it's released (and possibly a sneak peek BEFORE the release) as well as all 50+ FULL INTERVIEWS and behind-the-scenes footage. You'll also be listed as a BRONZE SPONSOR in the credits.
Included Items
Watch the movie online
Access to the full inteviews
Estimated Shipping
June 2021
18 claimed
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT
$1,000 USD
We'll add your name to the credits as an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER! This doesn't grant any creative control or ownership in the film, but your name will show up in IMDB, and you'll also be among the first to see the movie (and maybe even a sneak peek), as well as all 50+ interviews in their entirety.
Included Items
Associate Producer Credit
Estimated Shipping
June 2021
2 out of 10 of claimed
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT
$5,000 USD
We'll add your name to the credits as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER! This doesn't grant any creative control or ownership in the film, but your name will show up in IMDB, and you'll also be among the first to see the movie (and maybe even a sneak peek), as well as all 50+ interviews in their entirety.