With a background in still photography and biology, Robert began working with
broadcast television in 1978. From then until 1984, he produced 16-millimeter
film documentaries and short features for public television, many of which
aired nationally.
Robert formed Seidler Productions in 1984. At the same time he worked as a
director of photography and editor with the Center for Instructional Development
at Florida State University. There he was introduced to interactive learning
systems and instructional design concepts. For the next 5 years, Robert worked
almost exclusively on level 3 interactive laserdiscs.
At the same time, at Seidler Productions, he began to develop mobility related
programs for the transportation disadvantaged, mainly bicyclists and pedestrians.
In 1989 Robert left the Center to devote his energies full time to Seidler
Productions.
To date, Robert has produced over 85 titles dealing with bicyclist and pedestrian
issues, many of which include companion books or user manuals. The Elementary
Traffic Education Program and the Effective
Cycling video are used as the national
standard for pedestrian and bicyclist training. Thousands are presently in
use.
In 1992 he wrote a grant that funded a four documentary series called Innovations
and Solutions on energy efficiency and transportation. They premiered on public
television in 1993 and aired around the country for more than a decade. In
1994 the series won the Best of Florida Award for Energy Awareness Documentaries.
Robert is still doing interactive contractual work as well. In 1996 he completed
the media components for a middle school interactive science program called
Econoventures where students interact with the outdoor environment. More recently
he completed the media components for a Web-based interactive program titled
Burning Issues. Produced for the Federal Bureau of Land Management, the program
gives middle-school students the opportunity to explore the effects of wild
and prescribed fire on animal populations in the Western United States.
Within the past five years Robert has become involved in advocating and promoting
nature-based tourism. He has produced two nature-based series for the State
of Florida. The first is Florida the Outdoor
Adventure, a seven part series
of one-hour programs covering Florida's natural parks statewide. To date,
the series is still running nationwide on PBS stations. In 1999 the series
won an Emmy Award from the Southwest Region of Florida. In 2002 Robert completed
Florida takes to the Trails. This four part series of half-hour programs features
select hiking, cycling, paddling, and nature viewing trails in Florida. It
is scheduled to air on PBS stations beginning in January of 2003.
He has received numerous national and international awards, including the
John Muir International Medical Film Award in 1992. He is highly skilled in
documentary (soft-sell) production, and has also created many award winning
interactive products. Through his work, Robert has earned the reputation of
a well-versed, adaptable filmmaker who understands client needs.
Robert was educated at Florida State University with a major in biology and
a minor in photography. He and his family live along the Saint Marks Bicycle
Trail just south of Tallahassee, Florida. You may also find him leading outdoor
adventure trips at Sopchoppy
Outfitters in Sopchoppy Florida. He is a very
active advocate of nature-based tourism and has plenty of spare bikes and kayaks
if you happen to drop by on the trail or in Sopchoppy.
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Producer