About Swallow Creek Productions and Avianna
Swallow Creek Productions is an independent video production company started by Avianna Marie Jones, Ph.D., (formerly Nancy) in 1999.
Swallow Creek’s mission is to honor the wild things and those who care for them.
Swallow Creek also produces work for artists and individuals who wish to document their creative work. Projects have also included commercial spots for mountain businesses and documentary slideshows for individuals and families.
The company name was inspired by a magical spring afternoon in a creek bed while filming cliff swallows. The swallows had just returned from their arduous annual migration to South America and were joyously celebrating their return home.
Read more about how it all began ...
MY BIRD CONNECTION ...
Many years ago, I started “taking in” parrots whose owners could no longer care for them. I learned about these incredible individuals, and have quite a large flock now, including a macaw and lots of cockatiels.
All my friends call me Avianna (because I love birds so much!) and I legally changed my name to Avianna in 2008.
ACADEMIC STUFF ...
I earned a Ph.D. in psychology in 1978 and worked as a psychologist in private practice, community mental health, and academic settings (teaching, administration, supervising dissertation research, etc.) for many years.
SWALLOW CREEK PRODUCTIONS ...
I started Swallow Creek Productions in 1999 with the of “honoring the wild things and those who care for them.” This has expanded over the years to include artists, musicians, and other wild, creative types.
GRANDMOTHER MOUNTAIN STORIES ...
One spring morning while out taking pictures of Lemon Lilies, I heard the voice of the mountain and was inspired to write a series of Grandmother Mountain Stories (GrandmotherMountainStories.com)
“Dreams Come True: Idyllwild’s Lemon Lilies Come Home” is the first of the series.
ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE WORKS ... “GOOD FOR ME!”
Believing the video was the most powerful medium on the planet (this was even before I became a DV Revolutionary!), I developed and produced a 13-episode television program for an elementary school. I had puppets and four great puppy characters as the focus of the program, designed by famous cartoonist and cinematographer, Ken Mitchroney (TMNT, Toy Story, Ant Bully ...). I also developed a teachers’ guide and curriculum. The program won lots of awards and everyone loved it, especially the kids. (Kids would stop me in the supermarket and ask how Bouncer was doing!)
In the 1990s, a public television station in Florida was interested in producing the program for national distribution. But the project went on the shelf when I moved to California to help my grandmother.
THE VOICE is back, telling me that I need to get my puppies out there into the world again ... So I’m working on it!
MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE ...
“Follow Your Bliss!”
- Joseph Campbell
I’ve found my bliss living in the mountains with my dog, Daisy, and my flock of parrots, taking photos, producing videos, being with friends, hanging out with my kids, and listening to great Jazz at Cafe Aroma on Tuesday nights!
LIFE IS GOOD!
