Picture this: you and your partner are settling on a deserted island, miles away from the rest of the world. You discover something strange while foraging and finding resources to keep yourself afloat on this deserted, random island. An enormous figures lurks in the bushes, demanding to be noticed. You ignore it, not allowing yourself to become a victim of natural selection, immediately turning around and going back to your makeshift home.
It is hard not to be curious — although being curious allows for danger to come forth. However, you cannot help but find yourself sticking to the shadows to see what these mysterious figures have going on. As you approach cautiously, the figures reveal themselves to human traffickers, and you realize the gravity of the situation. Fear grips you as you understand the danger you and your partner are in. You quickly leave the area, hoping to stay unseen and now face the challenge of handling this terrifying discovery.
That is only a tiny part of Carter McCormick’s chaotic life story.
Carter McCormick, an assistant professor in the mass communications department, brings his unique experiences and perspectives to the classroom. His dedication to his work and ability to transform his experiences into films have given students a glimpse into his creative vision.
McCormick’s story started in Raising Fawn, Georgia, where he often wandered in the wilderness as a child. He couldn’t help but be fascinated by the world around him, not hesitating to indulge in nature and exploring its wonders. This early fascination with the natural world sparked a lifelong passion for discovery and learning, which he now channels into his work in film.
Directly after college, McCormick took on a challenging yet rewarding job that included working for a political organization in Belize, a courageous move for a newly graduated college student. Still, McCormick leapt head-first into his first opportunity outside of college.
“My first job was a really great experience. I was so happy to have the opportunity to travel through the wilderness around the globe,” he said. “I even got to work alongside research organizations, conservation groups, universities and other NGOs.”
Finding it in himself to further indulge in the intricacies of film, In 2017, McCormick founded Habitat Productions, a non-profit film production company, alongside his wife and collaborator Paula Sprenger. McCormick and Sprenger focus on creating wildlife and environmental documentaries. With Habitat Productions, McCormick and Sprenger have produced, directed and filmed wildlife-centric films in collaboration with various conservation groups, NGOS and government bodies. That’s how he ended up on an island …
McCormick is preparing to release his third feature film, Forest Beneath Waves, which focuses on the potential mechanical harvest of the Kelp Forest in Bantry Bay, Ireland. The film studies the impact of Kelp, the creatures that live in it and the relationship it has with humans.
“Forest Beneath The Waves explores this proposal to extract mass wild harvest of kelp on the southwest coast of Ireland,” McCormick said. “It would be the largest natural kelp extraction in European history. We documented that proposal and the grassroots organizing against seeing it come to fruition.”
As McCormick continues to create films, he finds it essential to look at the concept of film from a unique perspective.
“Before, I used to think of how commercially successful my films would be. Am I going to break even? How much money am I going to make? How am I going to sell this? Now, I think of what the actual impact of this film will be. When you’re covering controversial subjects and really being an advocate for something, at some point, your advocacy mind takes over your budgetary mind,” McCormick said. “Now, I think of film as a powerful tool for speaking your peace to the world.”
McCormick is passionate about his work not only as a film producer, but also as a professor. He believes that teaching allows him to share his knowledge and experiences to foster the next generation of talent in the industry.
Through hands-on experience and real-world collaborations, McCormick ensures that his students don’t just learn about curating amazing films — they experience it. Students gain more than just technical skills. They develop the confidence to step into the film industry with purpose. McCormick’s experimental, effective teaching techniques let him to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and professional work, allowing students to see their work come to life beyond the school setting.
“Even though I am only a freshman, I noticed how much he has brought to the department,” said freshman film major Allie Watkins. “Every time I see someone in one of his classes, they are always smiling, always laughing,”
“His passion for filmmaking and dedication to his students is shown in everything he does,” said junior sports communications major Angelica Lux.
For McCormick, it is not just about teaching film. It is about giving students the confidence to manifest their creative attributes, encouraging them to experiment and persist in finding their voices. Whether these students go on to direct feature films, create documentaries, or perhaps engage in more behind the scenes work, they leave his classroom knowing they’re capable of more than they imagined.
“I want my students to feel confident in the filmmaking process through experiential learning. I think once a student can say, I’ve done this, even if it’s in a classroom setting, it can transfer into the real world. They’ll actually have the confidence and knowledge to oversee projects.”
