Worcester State’s commencement speaker and alumnus Brian Skerry ’84 was featured in a Telegram & Gazette story on Sunday, April 18, in which he describes how his professional journey to become an award-winning photojournalist started with a project he filmed in Lake Ellie when he was still a student.
A contract photographer for National Geographic Magazine since 1998, Skerry created and produced a four-part Disney+ original series from National Geographic, “Secrets of the Whales,” which will premiere on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22.
“Lake Ellie and now this four-part season (‘Secret of the Whales’). It’s been a heck of a ride these last few decades. I could never have imagined it would evolve like this. I’ve been very blessed for sure,” said Skerry in a story written by Richard Duckett.
The three-year project was executive produced by James Cameron of “Titanic” fame, who Skerry said was incredible to work with.
“It was extraordinary just having Jim on the project. He is a master story teller. He’s also a great pioneering ocean explorer. To have him at the executive producer level, he’s looking at the stories. It’s quite amazing to have that input,” said Skerry in the Telegram story.
In addition to the Disney+ series, Skerry’s photos are featured in the National Geographic book “Secrets of the Whales,” which is now on sale, and in the May issue of National Geographic magazine now available online.
Read the full Telegram story here: https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/2021/04/18/worcester-state-university-alum-brian-skerry-dives-back-tells-of-secrets-whales-and-his-first-film-l/7113369002/ [1]
Read more about Skerry’s background and plans for the virtual Commencement ceremony here: http://news.worcester.edu/national-geographic-photojournalists-brian-skerry-85-to-speak-at-virtual-commencement-2021/ [2]