Leesburg attorney Elaine Howard spent much of her young adulthood, and even her early years in the legal profession, worried about “not fitting in.”

Her mind was filled with such worry and fear that she often fought the urge to give up. In 2005, however, Elaine inadvertently discovered her interest in paleontology. The more she “dug in,” the more her life began to change for the better. Her experience led her to not only write a book but also become involved in a documentary called Why Dinosaurs?, which premiered in Hollywood in November 2023.

Elaine explains that her journey—from lonely lawyer with a negative mindset to someone walking the red carpet in Hollywood—did not happen overnight. Instead, it began with a single fossilized dinosaur tooth that piqued her curiosity. As she researched to find out if the tooth was real, her interest in paleontology blossomed.

After about two years of research, Elaine decided to dig deeper and began making trips to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center (WDC) in Thermopolis, Wyoming. There, she gained hands-on experience digging for dinosaur bones in the field and preparing them in the prep lab.

Back home, Elaine’s growing interest led her to join the Florida Fossil Hunters. It was there she met a young man named Jimmy Waldron, who was Orlando Science Center’s staff paleontologist at the time. With Jimmy’s encouragement, Elaine started volunteering at the science center, contributing a few hours here and there.

During summers, Elaine used her vacation time to return to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, where she made friends from around the world and from all walks of life.

One friend Elaine met in 2008 was 18-year-old Dean Lomax from Doncaster, England. Dean was determined to become a professional paleontologist despite the odds stacked against him. He didn’t have the grades or money to attend university in England, so he sold his Star Wars collection to finance his trip to the WDC.

Despite their differences, Elaine and Dean formed an instant friendship based on their shared love of paleontology. Over the years, they stayed in touch and encouraged one another in their unique paleontology journeys. Today, Dr. Dean Lomax is a world-renowned paleontologist and author. He dedicated one of his books, Dinosaurs: 10 Things You Should Know, to Elaine and wrote the foreword for her motivational book, Passion in the Bones.

Elaine, Jimmy Waldron, and Dr. Dean Lomax are now executive producers of the documentary Why Dinosaurs?. The film was written and directed by father-and-son duo Tony and James Pinto.

The film follows dino-enthusiast James Pinto and his filmmaker father as they travel the world interviewing paleontologists, science communicators, paleoartists, and other dinosaur enthusiasts to explore why dinosaurs are so fascinating.

Elaine says, “I already followed Tony and James Pinto on social media, and in late 2019, when they announced they were making a documentary about dinosaurs and the people who love them, I knew I had to get involved. I especially loved the name Why Dinosaurs? After all, I had been asking myself that very question: Why did these prehistoric creatures have such a positive impact on my life?”

Elaine has served as an executive producer of the film for more than five years, providing input and support at various stages of production. She has also been featured in the film’s ensemble cast and uses her social media platforms to promote it and share updates.

Elaine says, “I would never have believed that simply pursuing my interest in dinosaur bones would lead to new friendships, adventures, and incredible opportunities, including attending the Hollywood premiere of Why Dinosaurs?”

The premiere was held Nov. 3, 2023, at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood. Dr. Dean Lomax introduced the film, which was attended by cast members including Jurassic Park cinematographer Dean Cundey, Jurassic World animation supervisor Glen McIntosh, and Dinosaur Train host Dr. Scott Sampson.

Since its Hollywood debut, the film has premiered in the United Kingdom and Canada, and has been screened at various film festivals, winning multiple awards. These include Best Documentary at the Wyoming International Film Festival, the South Dakota Film Festival, the Marina del Rey Film Festival, and the Kids International Family Film Festival. The film has also been shown at natural history museums and science centers, including the Museum of the Rockies, Clark Planetarium, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the University of Montana, and the University of Alabama.

Elaine says, “Who would have thought someone like me could become a part of the paleontology community? I didn’t even get involved until my late 30s! My story shows there’s room for everyone to get involved, and it’s never too late to find and follow your passion.”

She adds, “I’m so proud to be a part of this film, which not only inspires future generations of scientists but also shows that dinosaurs truly are for everyone.”

In 2025, Why Dinosaurs? will be screened at some of the world’s most prestigious natural history and science museums, including the Smithsonian, Orlando Science Center, the California Academy of Sciences, the Natural HIstory Museum of Los Angeles and the Melbourne Museum in Australia. Why Dinosaurs will also make its PBS premiere in 2025.