In this issue:
New Wildlife Sound Recording Courses with Chris Watson Wildeye have announced dates for their sound recording courses with Chris Watson for this year, including new advanced courses: *
Advanced Wildlife Sound Recording (Fieldwork) (UK) 16-18 Nov 2009 -
www.wildeye.co.uk/soundfield.html
*
Introduction to Wildlife Sound Recording (UK) 30 Nov - 2 Dec 2009 -
www.wildeye.co.uk/sound.html
Please see each course's web page for full details, itinerary, costs etc. As usual we expect places to go on these courses very fast so you are advised to book asap. Note that this year all these sound courses are during the week, not at weekends. We expect many people wishing to book the advanced courses will want to do both (which is partly why they are back-to-back, saving travel etc) - so please make this clear when booking. For practical reasons numbers on the Editing and Mixing course are fewer than on the Fieldwork course, so not everyone can do both. Booking: Initially contact info@wildeye.co.uk to check availability and reserve a place. New Date for Wildlife Camera Operator Course Due to a high demand Wildeye are pleased to announce an additional date for their Wildlife Camera Operator Course (UK) 23-25 October 2009 - www.wildeye.co.uk/camera.html Whether you want to film wildlife as a fascinating hobby, or are hoping for a career as a professional wildlife camera operator, this course will arm you with the knowledge and techniques to create stunning shots and sequences. As camera technology advances apace it can be difficult to know what equipment to use (and then how to use it!), with a high tutor to student ratio, this course is unique in content and value for money. It will answer all the questions you have and many you haven't thought of yet. This weekend is aimed both at those who already have a camcorder and wish to explore its features in more depth, and try a variety of attachments and ancillary equipment, but also at those who have yet to buy a camera and are confused by all the possibilities. It also introduces the latest technology and camera systems for those who may upgrade their equipment in the future. The knowledge gained will help you choose and use the right gear for your purposes and will save you wasting money on unnecessary or inappropriate technology. The Creative Camerawork element will help you improve your techniques under expert instruction. See the webpage for further details and costs. Booking: Initially contact info@wildeye.co.uk to reserve a place on the date of your choice. You will be required to pay a deposit of £25 to confirm your booking. Places are limited and will be awarded first-come-first-served - so you are advised to book early. Sondrio Festival 2009 - Call for Entries Organisation of SONDRIO FESTIVAL 2009 - International Documentary Film Festival on Parks (Sondrio, Italy, 5 – 10 October 2009) is now underway! What is it? It’s an International Documentary Film Festival, unique in its kind, focusing on high quality nature films shot in parks and natural areas worldwide. It has been running for 22 years and has attracted top film-makers, park managers and conservationists from every continent. What
sort of films are eligible? Documentary films on the theme of National
Parks, Reserves and Protected Areas, featuring naturalistic, ethnographic,
historical and/or management aspects. What does it cost to enter? Nothing – entry is free! Just send your entry form and a PAL DVD for pre-selection (not later than 29 May 2009). Are there prizes? Of course – the Town of Sondrio Award (first prize) is 5,000 Euros, the Stelvio National Park Award is 3,000 Euros, and the Lombardy Region Special Award (3.000 Euros) will be assigned for the best documentary that highlights the aspects of nature, culture, landscape and economy in prortected areas within the European Union. How can you enter? The Festival entry regulations and entry form are on our website: www.sondriofestival.it where you can also find more information. BBC seek Trainee Wildlife Camera Operator The BBC are looking to fill the following vacancy within BBC Bristol: Trainee
Wildlife Camera Operator The BBC Natural History Unit, renowned for its innovative production techniques, is offering a two year traineeship to an individual, qualified or experienced in the fields of natural history photography and wildlife behaviour. The traineeship is aimed at those who have acquired sufficient skills and experience to enable them to progress rapidly to full professional competence. All wildlife content is acquired from freelance operators; there are no BBC staff positions in this category. Consequently, on completion of year 2 the trainee will be released to compete on the freelance market for work - either from the NHU or elsewhere. Applicants need to demonstrate a knowledge of photographic technique; flair for creative composition; and the ability to understand complex production technology. A developed interest in natural history and extensive experience of observing animals in the wild is required; as is the patience, tenacity and dedication essential for successful wildlife filming. Applicants who are successful in the first stage of recruitment will be required to provide a DVD containing relevant examples of their work. These may include video and stills. Closing
date : Tuesday 14th April 2009 BBC announces new Springwatch presenters This Spring Chris Packham joins Kate Humble as co-presenter of BBC Two's popular natural history series Springwatch and Autumnwatch. And former Springwatch producer Martin Hughes-Games makes his debut in front of the camera as he joins the presenting team. Chris and Martin join the existing presenters Simon King, Kate Humble and Gordon Buchanan when Springwatch returns to BBC Two in late May this year. The moves follow Bill Oddie's decision to take a break from the programme earlier this year. Zoology graduate Chris began his career at the BBC in 1985 as a presenter of The Really Wild Show. He has worked in TV as a natural history broadcaster for 22 years, on 75 series and more than 500 programmes, being most recently seen in Nature's Calendar and Nature's Top 40 (BBC Two). Chris is active in many wildlife conservation bodies: he is Vice-President of the RSPB, The Wildlife Trusts, Butterfly Conservation Trust and The Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, and is President of the Bat Conservation Trust, The London Wildlife Trust and The Hampshire Ornithological Society. Martin is also a Zoology graduate and has over 30 years' experience working on the BBC's natural history programmes. Most recently he has been a producer on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Shetland Diaries With Simon King (BBC Two). Emma Swain, Head of Knowledge Commissioning, says: "I'm delighted Chris is bringing his in-depth knowledge and presenting skills to the team. And it's great that having made such and important contribution to these programmes behind the scenes we're able to share Martin's experience with the viewers." Chris Packham says: "To be asked to be the new presenter of Springwatch and Autumnwatch was a dream come true and I hope to make a real contribution to the team." Martin Hughes-Games says: "It will be a real challenge swapping life behind the camera to life in front of it, but I am really looking forward to it." Kate Humble says: "Chris and Martin are both great communicators and real experts on wildlife. I am looking forward to working with them immensely." Tim Scoones, Executive Producer, Springwatch and Autumnwatch, says: "With a new presenter team in place we're raring to go for the new series of Springwatch." BBC One takes an aerial adventure in new series, Earth Flight BBC One is to capture some of the world's greatest wildlife phenomena and natural wonders through the eyes of birds in a new natural history series. In Earth Flight, amazing sights from five continents will be revealed in a whole new light as the five-part series joins the journeys of snow geese, cranes, falcons, albatross, eagles and other birds. Using cutting edge new filming techniques to show everything in exquisite detail, viewers have a uniquely privileged perspective flying 9,000 metres high over the sands of the Sahara or skimming metres over the Great Wall of China. The birds are shown up-close in flight and interacting with other animals down below, from barnacle geese encountering herds of migrating reindeer, to pelicans plunging into hundreds of nurse sharks. Spycams film right in the heart of the flock with microlights, hang-gliders and wirecams making up the aerial filming arsenal. Slow-motion techniques reveal extraordinary detail such as a swallow plucking a fly from the air while new satellite technology enables a seamless transition from views of entire continents to moving aerial images of the animals that live there. Sequences include flamingoes flying over the soda lakes of Africa and becoming prey for hunting baboons, flocks of waders landing in an invasion of horseshore crabs and Hummingbirds darting through the Grand Canyon. The series was commissioned by Jay Hunt, Controller BBC One, and Mark Bell, Commissioning Editor, Independents. He says: "This promises to be a spectacular series which will give viewers a really different perspective on some of our most exciting wildlife events. The very latest filming techniques take viewers right into the centre of the action as well as giving them a stunning bird's eye view of the world below." The series is being made by John Downer Productions, who have won numerous awards for their innovative approach to film-making. Recent, well-received series include Tiger – Spy In The Jungle and Swarm – Nature's Incredible Invasions. It is planned for transmission in 2011. Stunning Wildlife DVDs From Emmy Award Winning Filmmaker Universal Pictures UK released two enthralling wildlife features on March 9 which have been made by the eight times Emmy award winning filmmaker Hugo van Lawick. Lawick’s knowledge of the natural habitat of different wildlife and his characteristic observational style of filming are unique and these two DVDs are typical of the way in which the animals seem to tell their own stories. Addo - the African King follows the harsh and competitive life of a male lion whose life changes in his second year when there is a serious drought and food becomes scarce. Two strange males invade his life and Addo, alone and inexperienced, is forced to move away from the area where he was born but Africa is a harsh country and he has to learn how to survive in a difficult and dangerous environment. Playing In Savage Paradise is an equally fascinating film about Africa’s famous Serengeti Park. Life on the great plain is portrayed with spectacular footage of birth, life and death which combine to create a unique insight into how the animals live and interact with each other in the Serengeti. Both films have a running time of 52 minutes and an RRP of £4.99. In addition Playing In Savage Paradise has 53 minutes of bonus features while Addo – the African King has 25 minutes. The two DVDs will also be included in a wildlife box set of Hugo van Lawick’s work which Universal Pictures UK will be releasing later in the year. For further information please contact: sara.thom@mediacomms.co.uk Aerial Camera Systems provides stunning views for Nature’s Great Events Receiving recognition for its excellence in film-making, the BBC’s six part documentary series, Nature’s Great Events, features aerial footage shot using the state of the art HD Cineflex V14 stabilised camera system provided by ACS. Shot entirely on HD, the series features a number of firsts within the filming world such as the first aerial footage of Arctic Narwhal whale migration as well as aerial footage of a shoal of sardines 15 miles long. ACS cameraman, Simon Werry, had the enviable task of witnessing these events and the unenviable task of capturing them on camera in some of the most inaccessible places on the planet. With over 300 equipment and shoot days, filming took place in a variety of locations around the world such as Alaska, Tanzania and Okavango. ACS Managing Director, Phillip Beckett said, ‘We are delighted to continue our long standing relationship with the BBC Natural History Unit with such an acclaimed series. We’re proud of the considerable knowledge and expertise we have in aerial filming especially when it comes to capturing wildlife events, having also worked with the National Geographic Channel and the Discovery Channel, amongst others. With our HD Cineflex systems now placed strategically around the world we’re confident we have the world wide resources to support any Natural History production at an affordable production cost.’ Aerial Camera Systems continues its work with the BBC NHU with the aerial filming for the upcoming three part wildlife series Yellowstone.
Disclaimer: If you wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter send a blank email to info@wildlife-film.com with 'unsubscribe' as the subject
|
