The History of Active Video:

Award winning producer and videographer, Tim Gauthier is the creative mind behind the image. With over 25 years in the outdoor video business, Tim has captured many extraordinary moments on video and has blended them into numerous outstanding productions.

Tim Gauthier, President, Producer, Videographer

Tim Gauthier's life-long passion with nature began at a very early age. While growing up, Tim's first introduction into the wild began when his father started teaching his 4 sons about their family's hunting heritage. From that point on Tim's admiration for nature and the wild matured with him. His hunting background not only taught him the ways of the wildlife; he also gained a profound respect for the environment and the beauty of nature. At the age of 17, while watching a TV program called Guns of Autumn, this portrayal of hunting was shattering to Tim's heritage and belief 's regarding hunting. On that day he swore that he would some how make a difference by educating the public on his hunting heritage and the true meaning of hunting!

 After graduation Tim decided to attend college and major in game biology. For two years he attended Michigan Tech in the biology program. His career was put on hold when he became a husband and started a new family. For the next ten years the majority of spare time was spent in the great outdoors as a hunter, professional guide and teacher of his two sons by passing down their strong family heritage and his admiration for the wild.

In 1980 he traveled to Alaska, his first video camera in hand and spent part of the fall capturing the beauty of Alaska's natural wonders. His first endeavor in preserving his adventures and the remarkable wildlife of Alaska quickly altered his life. He had discovered his true life's passion, to become a wildlife photographer.

Self taught and motivated Tim soon changed careers to become an independent producer and soon following started a full time video production company named Active Video Production Inc.

For the next decade Tim and businessman, David Drettmann traveled the globe to produce the Active Adventure Series of hunting videos. This collection is made up of 11 hunting adventures that have taken them all over the world, from the frigid climates of Alberta to the searing temperatures of Cameroon Africa.

While primarily focusing on wildlife and the outdoors, conservation and the relationship between wildlife and man, Active Video Productions broadened its capabilities by producing videos for clients

Since 1993 Active has been involved in numerous outstanding productions with fortune five hundred companies such as Ford Motor Company and many others. These projects and many more award winning productions including golf course and resort promotional videos to educational programs, sales and instructional video's, commercials and more illustrate the diverse talents of the team at Active Video Productions.

Tim's strong bond with nature inspired him to broaden his horizons by documenting his adventures and the amazing relationships between wildlife and man during his time spent in the wild. With every journey a new awareness was learned and he desperately wanted to share his experiences with the rest of the world.

Believing strongly in his hunting heritage yet at the same time understanding the need for conservation and preservation of the wild he decided to use his talents and produce a 13-week TV broadcast documentary series called Destination Wildlife. After receiving the Telly award and the Videography award, this award winning series was selected and distributed by Octapixx Distribution of Toronto then released into the overseas market. 

Although Tim is involved with all aspects of his productions from start to completion, he still prefers to be on location filming and spending time with wildlife. In fact his dream of becoming a game biologist has come full circle. For the past twelve years he has worked closely with the Whitetail deer as a guide, consultant and manager of two whitetail ranches. The degree may not be present but his fieldwork and admiration for wildlife has given him the insight to properly manage and maintain healthy deer herds.

 Today, Tim continues to push forward towards his dreams of educating and making a difference regarding his respect for the great outdoors and his love for hunting. With the growing demand and popularity of hunting programs now reaching over 40 million households Tim has decided to produce another quality hunting program. This program entitled, "Legends of the Fall", will be a 13-week, 30 minute Outdoor TV series based on legendary people, places and achievements in the great outdoors. Each episode will describe an uncommon story and illustrate the positive impact sportsmen and women, as well as sport hunting in general, has on wildlife conservation.

 Legendary figures will include: geographic locations and wildlife success stories, special interest groups, hunters and hunting organizations, outfitters, guides, aboriginal tribes and others who have dedicated their lives to protecting and preserving the wild.

 Other productions are underway to explore new discoveries and convey a new awareness to the world about the wildlife and the fragile Eco-system that we must protect and preserve!

Active Video productions will continue their tradition of producing quality Wildlife and hunting programs yet at the same time strive to produce high-end productions that will keep them on the leading edge of the video industry.

Tim is proud to introduce the newest addition to the team at Active, his son Marc Gauthier. Marc's strong understanding of wildlife science as well as the skills he has acquired as an independent producer will make him a true asset to the Active Team.

Marc has recently graduated from Evergreen State College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in film and video production as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in field biology. Marc has already independently produced two documentary films and one documentary video.

The movies Black River Productions has produced are "Public Domain", a 13-minute black and white, 16mm film that documents the events that unfolded at the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle, Washington in September of 2001. On his very first film assignment Marc took the opportunity to capture a truly historic document. 

His second production was "Roadless Washington", a 36 min. color 16mm film.  Here Marc explored the roadless National Forest Service areas of Washington State. Viewers are introduced to the wildlife that calls them home, the amazing natural treasures they hold, and the people, who work in, hunt in, hike in, and enjoy these natural treasures.

Marcs most recent production is "Reviving the Sound".  This 56-minute documentary video demonstrates the skills, drive, and the filmmaker's eye that Marc has developed.  Marc spent four months in remote British Columbia acquiring outstanding natural footage.  He then returned to Washington to complete the production.  "Reviving the Sound" that tells the story of the Puget Sound both past and present, the story of the fantastic wildlife that calls it home, and the story of the people who live, love, and work around it.    

 In addition, he has spent nine months as a field biology intern with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he worked with Blacktail Deer, Roosevelt Elk, Bald Eagles, Sea Otters, and a wide array of other species.

His talents in photography and filmmaking, his love for and refreshing look at the wilderness, wildlife and the world will aid in keeping Active Video production on the leading edge of the video industry.