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About Me

Grant W. Graves is an award winning director and director of photography. His emphasis in his work has been on all things water; fresh, frozen, and salt. He works in topside environments as well, generally in hard to access or difficult shooting situations. He has a B.S. in marine biology and is a Cambrian Foundation Research Diver with NOAA diving status. Graves has been a bottom diver on the NOAA USS Monitor Project and is one of the only divers to have penetrated the Monitor’s engine space to document its in situ condition via video prior to its recovery by the US Navy. He is a scuba diving instructor trainer, cave and wreck diving explorer. His efforts in these areas gained him membership into the Explorers Club of New York and Los Angeles Adventurer’s Club. He is an International Freediving Judge Instructor having judged multiple world records and world championships. He has been awarded as the best international freediving judge in 2008 and 2011. Graves also holds a US Coast Guard Captain’s License and multiple ratings in emergency and diving medicine.

Location:
United States, Santa Monica, CA
Current organization:
Director (Theatrical)
Past organizations:
SCUBA Instructor, Photographer, Videographer, Writer
Current role:
Director
Gender:
Male
Areas of expertise:
Videography, Photography, Directing, Scuba Instructor, Expert Witness, Business Development, Non profits, Event organisation/co-ordination, Speaker, Freediving
I am:
Business adviser, Entrepreneur, Explorer, Filmmaker, Idea generator, Inventor, Journalist, Photographer, Scientist, World traveler
Associations:
PADI, Divers Alert Network (DAN), TDI, IANTD, AAUS, UHMS, NBHDMT, Explorers Club, DSAT
Languages:
English
My website links:
My Blog - Precision Diving, TEDxSunsetMesa, My Facebook
Universities:
Long Beach State University
TED conferences attended:
TEDActive 2014
Member Picture Member Picture Member Picture Member Picture Member Picture

TEDCRED 20+ TEDx OrganizerTED Attendee

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Diving in all its forms. I live to explore, educate, research, and preserve all aquatic realms. Professional storytelling, Books, Gourmet Cooking, Wine, My Niece and Nephews.

An idea worth spreading

Redefine failure. So many more to list. Life time learner and forever child eyed wonderluster.

Talk to me about

Anything and Everything! Mad Generalist in the house.

People don't know that I'm good at

I am a good listener. Much more sensitive than most know. Gourmet cook with a intuitive sense for spice.

My TED Story

My first encounter with TED were the talks. I love the talks. Then, I realized that there were local events via TEDx and began to go to them. Thank you TEDxSantaMonica, TEDxSoCal, and TEDxManhattanBeach for the powerful introduction to live events. Then, my friend Joichi suggested it would be a good idea to become an organizer, so I did. I love the wide range of topics and the conversations it drives. The community that it builds and the way it allows a safe place for people to think differently and share novel ideas and thoughts is incredible. My involvement has led me to apply for TEDActive and I will be going next year.

Comments

  • TEDCred score: +26.50 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

  • +2

    A comment on Talk: Meg Jay: Why 30 is not the new 20

    May 13 2013: Great talk and so important especially now.

  • A comment on Talk: ShaoLan: Learn to read Chinese ... with ease!

    May 8 2013: Thanks.. That is awesome.

  • A comment on Talk: ShaoLan: Learn to read Chinese ... with ease!

    May 7 2013: Wow, who knew. How do you learn more?
  • +4

    A comment on Talk: Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion

    May 4 2013: Rita,

    Very powerful and important talk. A message for our time and any time for that matter. Really all of life is about building relationships, what more important place to begin that and establish that importance than in the classroom. Early and often and forever. It is not just important for the teachers, but an important life lesson for the kids for the rest of their lives. Life lessons modeled by those of great importance from a very early age. Champions for kids, yes, but also modeling behaviors that will serve them as adults for their whole lives. Not sure teaching to tests can match that.

    Great stuff!

  • A comment on Talk: Taylor Wilson: My radical plan for small nuclear fission reactors

    Apr 30 2013: I saw this talk at TEDxLive. Amazing stuff. I hope that people remain open to these concepts and possible applications. Great stuff.

  • A comment on Talk: Ron Finley: A guerilla gardener in South Central LA

    Apr 19 2013: An interesting piece of side benefit to Ron's work, it would appear.

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130418162135.htm
  • +1

    A comment on Talk: Laura Snyder: The Philosophical Breakfast Club

    Apr 12 2013: What a great talk. Very important history, but an even more important message. Science literacy is at painful levels. Bravo.
  • +1

    A comment on Talk: Ron Finley: A guerilla gardener in South Central LA

    Mar 20 2013: Looks like Ron's idea is spreading.

    http://www.occupymonsanto360.org/2013/03/19/chicago-mayor-launches-new-initiative-to-transform-empty-lots-into-thriving-urban-farms/#.UUkjk64Th8U.facebook
  • +2

    A comment on Talk: Stewart Brand: The dawn of de-extinction. Are you ready?

    Mar 13 2013: Very impressive talk and work. The ethical questions will need to be answered as well. How far back do you go? I think it is an easier conversation to look at species that have gone in a lifetime. Also, what dictates the species selected? Is it simply the ones that scientist want to work on or should there be some prioritization to the process. This is of course assuming that it should be done at all.

    I think it holds great possibilities and hope for reversing some of our impact, but also brings great responsibility in how it is used.

    Very interesting talk and I am glad to see just how far the capabilities have come.

  • A reply on Talk: Ron Finley: A guerilla gardener in South Central LA

    Mar 6 2013: Awesome. Thanks. Will do
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