Nestled in the bourgeois suburban sprawl of the community of South Miami is a rustic, tree-ringed shack, in which lives the lanky, silver-haired Garrett van Smith.

The house was built by Garrett’s father back in the early days of Miami, which at the time was just a jumbled collection of farms surrounded by swampland. Later the land became highly coveted real estate, and Garrett was compelled to rent out rooms in the house just to pay the property taxes. During filming, the line-up of boarders included an aging alcoholic waitress, a redneck pack-rat, a Peruvian landscaper, and a retired health inspector Garrett kindly took in off the street.

In exchange for their cheap rent and rustic living conditions, Garrett’s hapless roommates endured the ear-piercing squawks of a parrot, frequent bouts of blaring Oldies music, and occasional long-winded conversations about current events and the latest theatrical releases. Garrett’s eccentricities, however, are tempered by a refreshingly sweet and gentle disposition, as well as a love for all things natural and, especially, green.

Colin Stryker, the founder of Sawgrass Productions, lived in this house with this strange landlord for two years while attending film school at the University of Miami. Years later, Colin literally relived his tenure at Garrett’s house by returning for several weeks and taking up residence again, but this time with a camera to capture the experience.

The result will be Miami Green.



Producer/Director/Photography: Colin Stryker