Gary W. Lopez

Biography

Gary W. Lopez is an American scientist, filmmaker, author, entrepreneur, and fine art photographer. He began writing and producing academic and documentary science and nature films in the 1980’s. In 1991 he joined ocean explorer and filmmaker, Jacques Cousteau as a writer and producer. He is the founder of two media development companies, Archipelago Productions and The NROC Project. Lopez is a pioneer in the establishment of fine art astrophotography. His images have won awards in international photography competitions. Lopez founded Archipelago Productions, a media company that designed and developed interactive video programs and multimedia applications for large U.S. publishers and later acquired by Harcourt. Lopez produced more than 40 academic and documentaries: Encyclopedia Britannica Films, PBS and BBC. He authored two books, Sharks and Air Pollution ; co-wrote two juvenile book series{ Wonder Book Series, and Creative Science Series.

Lopez’s films received critical acclaim, including nine CINE Golden Eagle Awards. In 1991 he was again recruited by Jacques Cousteau to produce a series of 108 short television spots entitled, Cousteau Moments. In 1997 Lopez was appointed CEO of NETg, a division of Harcourt, which served many of the Fortune 500. Lopez returned to film-making with Jean-Michel Cousteau and created the documentary series Jean-Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures for PBS. He produced the inaugural episode of the series, Voyage to Kure, narrated by Pierce Brosnan, that premiered at a special screening for the White House. President George W. Bush cited the film as his inspiration for the establishment of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a 583,000 square mile protected area that encompasses all ten islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.