 Wildlife Film News
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Welcome to our new full members from November! Photoguerra - Underwater Productions - A Portugal-based Production Company, headed by Rui Guerra, whose main grounds for underwater filming are Azores islands, Madeira islands and Portugal mainland. Available to work anywhere in the world however. Specialized in underwater filming (and photography) in all kind of environments. Rui has more than 30 years experience as a diver and more than 20 years in capturing underwater images. George Close - An aspiring documentary producer and presenter fascinated by the natural world, science and human stories (particularly human-animal conflict).
Hannah Stitfall - An emgerging fresh faced presenting talent who is definatly one to watch. A recent Zoology graduate gaining a First Class with Honours, she is now studying on the prestigeous Masters in Wildlife Filmmaking in Bristol affilated with the BBC NHU. Her driven work ethic and diligent reaserch skills have won her numerous awards for her academic acheviements and volunteer work in the UK. She also conducted her final dissertation on social media and the illegal wildlife trade, which has given her a great understanding of science communication in the online digital landscape.
There's basic FREE membership for all here or for a much more comprehensive listing, Profile Page and additional benefits, become a full member: Wildlife-film.com/freelancers or Wildlife-film.com/companies |
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Join Wildeye's Audio Post Production Course with Pip Norton and Chris Watson later this month!! Audio Post Production Course with Pip Norton & Chris Watson, 16-18 December 2016, a two-day course exploring techniques of editing audio files on a computer and mixing soundtracks. Through demonstration and working on practical tasks you will learn how to create, edit, manipulate and improve sound recordings, and also how they can be effectively combined and mixed together to produce a soundtrack. This could be for a television or radio programme, for installations, movies, video games, CD/audio-file releases or for your own enjoyment. The course includes the creation and production of Foley sound and sound effects, how to record the perfect voice over/narration, and covers the growing area of multi-channel mixing. It is suitable for those who have already taken our Introduction to Wildlife Sound Recording course, or those who already have some experience of audio work. It will also be invaluable for video editors and producers who oversee the post production process. The course is taught by Pip Norton, a highly experienced re-recording mixer and post production specialist, and Chris Watson, one of the world’s top wildlife sound specialists who regularly works for the BBC. The location is Whitwell Hall Country Centre in the centre of Norfolk, UK. Costs £395, including all tuition, accommodation and home-cooked meals, with an Xmas dinner!! More and booking here! New dates for 2017 courses include: Introduction to Wildlife Film-making :: 21-23 April 2017 |
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SPECIES, the Third Batch of Wildlife Winners & Losers Films Released! The next (fourth) set of films from the Wildlife Winners & Losers films series are entitled Species... Check them out: YouTube Playlist: SPECIES Promos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQouLjrxDNkE3fMhyIHWs9e0dBErfpbwg
YouTube Playlist:
SPECIES Full Films: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQouLjrxDNkG9w2thiNs3Ur0R3Aw88td7
Visit: brockinitiative.org/Winners-and-Losers.htm |
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JHWFF Accepting Nominations for Achievement Awards!! Each year, Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival recognises extraordinary achievements in natural history science, media and/or conservation. Submit your nominations for:
Visit: jhfestival.org/2017-individual-nominations.html Save the Dates!
Have a great session idea? The JHWFF team are thinking about what to present in September 2017 and are eager to hear what you think. From AI to VR, craft workshops to strategic impact and case studies, they are interested in what YOU want to experience in Jackson Hole. Submit your session ideas at the link here: jhfestival.org/2017-session-nominations.html Are you shooting & delivering in 4K? As sessions for 2017 are planned, JHWFF are eager to hear about any 4K projects you may have in the pipeline. Are you shooting in 4K? How about delivering? Please give them two minutes of your time to answer this short survey: surveymonkey.com/r/CSRS272 |
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Japan Wildlife Film Festival 2017 Call for entry! Call for entry open for the Japan Wildlife Film Festival 2017... See: JWFF-call-for-entries-letter2017.pdf Visit: www.naturechannel.jp/JWFFE/index.html Deadline for Entries: December 31, 2016 |
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NaturVision Film Festival launches new call for entries! Next year’s NaturVision Film Festival in Ludwigsburg will take place from 13 – 16 July 2017. At the heart of the festival is our grand international film competition, which is now open for you to submit your entries! We look forward to entries ranging from epic wildlife films to critical and informative documentaries on the environment and sustainability, films for children, documentaries with their own unique score, and submissions for our Newcomer category. Our special theme for 2017 is "Water", and we also welcome films on this subject.
Please register your films via our new-look website: festival.natur-vision.de/en/filmfestival/film-competition/film-subscription.html Deadline: 31 March 2017 |
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Interns Needed for IWFF 40! Our awesomely fun and incredibly entertaining team at IWFF is in need of some hard-hitting interns! Looking for the following:
If you’re interested in finding out more about these internship opportunities – email iwff@theroxytheater.org Visit: wildlifefilms.org |
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New York WILD Updates! Mark your calendars for the fourth annual New York WILD Film Festival hosted by the Explorers Club February 23-26, 2017. We received over 225 film entries this year from 30 countries and we'd like to thank all the talented filmmakers for entering their work. Our preliminary screening committee and final jury have been hard at work with the final selections coming up. The lineup for the fourth annual NY WILD Film Festival will be inspiring and impactful and we cannot wait to share it with you. We'll announce the winners and festival program in December. NY WILD is delighted to announce an exciting educational partnership with New York University to bring our programming to NYU students who will add fresh ideas and new perspectives to the festival. Inspiring the young future leaders of our planet is a vital part of NY WILD's mission! In collaboration with the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television at NYU Tisch, the NYU School of Journalism, the Department of Environmental Studies, and the Center for Media, Culture and History, NY WILD Film Festival will hold a special program at NYU. As part of this initiative, a NY WILD and NYU program will also be shown at NYU Shanghai in the Spring 2017. We look forward to seeing you at NY WILD 2017! Visit: nywildfilmfestival.com |
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Festival International Nature Namur 2016 Thanks! After 10 days of wonder and encounters, the landing is done gently, the head still filled with grandiose images. What a sight that this nature so beautiful, so surprising, so inspiring! Without you, the Festival can not exist: it is your passion, your commitment and your fidelity that make it live, year after year. A big thank you to you, photographers and directors, for having made vibrate and dream the public before your exceptional images; Thanks also to you, dear partners and sponsors, for your support, fidelity and trust; A big thank you to you, dear volunteers, for your dedication and your presence effaced and enthusiastic; And finally, a thousand times thanks to you, dear visitors who are always at the rendezvous, for your participation in this 22nd edition. These 10 days were simply magnificent, thanks to you! Looking forward to seeing you next year to share our common passion for nature and image.
See the winning films here: festivalnaturenamur.be/palmares-2016 |
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The 6th Green-Go International Short Film Contest Winners Announced! Short films are creative, effective and fun way to ask for changes in policies that affect our everyday lives. This time, for the 6th international Green-Go Short Film Contest, we were looking for engaging, pro-active and awareness raising films in three categories: Act Naturally (European nature), Round’n’Round (circular economy) and Small is Beautiful (small-scale agriculture). This year’s winning films are sending strong messages about these issues, in creative and original forms. Their authors spoke up about the current problems but also offered solutions. Here are the the top five films in each category, starting with the winners – enjoy, watch and share with your friends!
TOO COOL TO BE KILLED by Brigitta Katyina, Hungary. The winner of the Act Naturally category is an animation film featuring four endangered animals in Europe and showing their beauty, energy and certain timelessness, but also their vulnerability because, in author’s words, the mankind is their main threat: “My origami textures illustrate that they are as weak as paper” – said Brigitta. The end of the film delivers a strong message.
CRADLE TO CRADLE – REMAKING THE WAY WE MAKE THINGS By Martin Pabis, Tammo Trantow, Andreas Foerster, Animal Design Studio, A-Graz, Austria. The winning film of the Round’n’Round category shows a holistic concept in less than 2 minutes and corresponds perfectly to this category’s subject -circular economy. The authors successfully created a story that shows an alternative reality/future (presented with animated elements) by transforming everyday objects into new ones.
MUDDY FOOTPRINT By Tess Rose Dickinson, United Kingdom. The winner of the Small is Beautiful category is a short documentary filmed on a small organic farm in the heart of Tuscany: “In our [film] we wanted to reflect not only the environmental benefits of small-scale farming, reinforced by on-screen images and illustrations, but more subtly the personal benefits as well. Where there is a ‘lack’ of music, there is an emphasised ‘silence’ portraying a more peaceful, mindful way of life than most of us are accustomed to.” said Tess Rose Dickinson, the author of the film.tory that shows an alternative reality/future (presented with animated elements) by transforming everyday objects into new ones.
TODAY, TOMORROW By Mustapha Benghernaout, Algeria, was the AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER. Today, we need a lot of energy to satisfy our needs. But unfortunately most of energies that we use is polluting nature and their combustion increases emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. It is essential to stop pollution and replace these fuels with cleaner sustainable energy. If not, it will be too late tomorrow… Visit: greengofest.eu & facebook.com/greengoshorts & @GreenGoFilm Also see: The 5th Green-Go International Short Film Contest Winners Announced! |
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Stories Lived Environmental Video Short Contest Open for Entries! Through Jan. 27th, 2017, StoriesLived.com is taking submissions in the Environmental Category for its online video contest. $5,000 in cash prizes are being awarded in a variety of categories, with a single video eligible for $4,000 in prizes. No limit on number of videos a filmmaker can submit! For more details please visit the contest page at: www.StoriesLived.com/contest
Stories Lived is a repository of video shorts that move and inspire us to be the best version of ourselves we can be. It is a unique site in which one can see, learn and in turn, draw upon that grace that others show in their lives and hopefully use it in our own to be a blessing to others. |
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Help Eco Dox Better This World Through Documentaries! Documentaries can change the world! But too often, filmmakers barely have the resources to make their film, let alone get it seen by audiences. So, ECO DOX is raising money to help filmmakers get their films seen. Help us help them change the world! Visit: www.eco-dox.com & support here: fundrazr.com/getdocsseen2016 |
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Save Vietnam’s Wildlife - Pangolins from members Wildscreen Exchange & Five Films. Wildscreen Exchange is an innovative project by wildlife conservation charity Wildscreen which aims to convene the conservation organisations with the world's best content creators to produce powerful stories that inspire people to care for our natural world and take action to protect it. Their latest film was made in conjunction with Save Vietnam's Wildlife and Five Films, and narrated by Sarah Millican. The film documents the rescue and release of pangolins that were destined for the illegal wildlife trade. Pangolins are the world's most trafficked mammal and if trade does not stop, all seven species are destined for extinction. Please help them make more films and spread crucial conservation messages around the world: justgiving.com/wild-screen
Find out more about pangolins on the Arkive topic page: arkive.org/c/pangolins |
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An Interview With Filmmaker Chris Palmer: The Ethics Of Wildlife Documentaries Chris Palmer is a renowned documentary filmmaker, speaker and author. He is a vocal proponent of improved ethics in the wildlife filmmaking industry, having published two books on the subject. He currently teaches full-time at American University, where he directs the Center For Environmental Filmmaking. He also serves as president of the One World One Ocean Foundation, and he sits on the board of 14 environmental non-profits. theculturetrip Is there hope for conservation, or is the planet’s biodiversity doomed? I’m very pessimistic. I worry that the power of the ratings game is so fierce, so driving, that we will fail to produce films that are ethically made. We’ve just elected a politician who is a climate-denier and an anti-environmentalist. The need for films that educate the public about conservation has increased multifold. It should be a national priority. People like me are failing the country if we don’t do more. This election is a disaster, a catastrophe. We, the loyal opposition, have to address this terrible threat to our country. We all have to do whatever we can to limit the damage.
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Support member Georgina Barreiro's The voice of the lake, Indiegogo Campaign! A poetic journey into the culture and spirituality of a remote village immersed in the Himalayas. I want to share with you our next documentary project 'The voice of the lake'. We are raising funds through Indiegogo to make the film come true! The film takes place in the fascinating Himalayas, portraying the life of the Bhutia and Leptcha people living in a remote community in Sikkim, India. Best known by its mystic lake, also called 'wish fulfilling lake', this town has been considered a sacred place for some of the most important spiritual teachers who have meditated in the caves currounding the lake for centuries. Every year this mystical village is the scene for a very important Tibetan Buddhist ceremony that takes place at the same time as a dancing and singing sikkimese competition. Pilgrims from all around come to the lake to join both celebrations.
I invite you to know more about our project and the way you can support us. igg.me/at/thevoiceofthelake |
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Support member Ludo Brockway's EATING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION, Indiegogo Campaign! This is the Feature Documentary that future generations will be wishing everyone watched today! The creators behind the viral clip which Leonardo DiCaprio described as “the video future generations will be wishing everyone watched today” are now working to bring you Eating Our Way to Extinction; a feature-length documentary. Through world-renowned scientists, researchers, global leaders, and celebrities, the film is bringing to life the reality of the true cost of our current relationship with animals. The film takes an in depth look at compassion, environment, health and economics. Some of the world’s most well known climate scientists have begun to state that we must now declare a global climate emergency. On top of this, scientists are stating that the entire ecological ecosystem is beginning to collapse around our world. But mainstream media, policy-makers and world leaders are not only ignoring the facts, they are hiding the truth of what’s happening on our planet; that the main reason for this problem is our insatiable desire for meat, fish, eggs and dairy. The Plant-Based Lifestyle movement is perhaps the largest, and fastest growing movement in the world. Many of those involved are incredibly pro-active when it comes to inspiring positive social change to all around them. As people who take an active role in the betterment of our world, we need tools to educate and inspire others in the most effective way. There are several reasonably well-know documentary films that cover the different individual aspects of the movement, and more often than not, when you hear the reason someone decided to go vegan, it was because they watched one of these titles. We all know how much of a challenge it is to get someone to sit down and watch just one of these films, let alone three or four. So EATING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION is the ultimate Plant-Based Lifestyle feature documentary that covers all the most important aspects of the movement:
Find out more and support here. igg.me/at/eatingextinction/x/156996 Visit: facebook.com/eatingourwayto |
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Support member Bluebottle Films in their The Map to Paradise, Kickstarter Campaign! There is a way to paradise, if we choose to go on this global quest. If a ‘Map to Paradise’ existed, what would this map look like? We will take you on a journey to discover what ‘underwater paradise’ might look like, and to show you that dreams do come true. We want to make sure that people feel and believe that it is possible to save our planet.
On the way, we will visit the old wealthy fishing ports of Europe and some far off remote islands in Asia where an old chief sets sail to spread the knowledge of what a new world might look like. You’ll meet a fisherman from a sleepy fishing village of Greece, who laments that he is the last generation of fishermen – as he says there are no fish left to fish. Meanwhile, in his neighbouring country of Italy, lives a scientist, who dreams big and beyond his time. He meets a prince, who helps him on his quest to save the ocean, while a former park ranger from the United States meets a Hollywood celebrity, who also has the power to change the fate of our dying underwater world, to turn it back into a brilliant underwater paradise like it once was - before the advent of fishing and navigation technology changed our blue world forever. The quest to document this story about finding our way to paradise isn’t an easy journey – on the way, (we) the filmmakers risk our lives in the process of filming this story, but we pick ourselves up after tragedy hits. We continue the quest, because it is important to show the world that we must never lose sight of this end dream. Find out more and support here. kickstarter.com/projects/1440670542/the-map-to-paradise |
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Amazonian Community United Against Oil Faces Massive Attack Narration by Daddy G of Massive Attack, including his own music composed exclusively for the film. This documentary was filmed in Sani Isla and Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. It gives voice to an indigenous community in the Ecuadorian Amazon. To break the bond with the forest that has sustained their people for generations would be the death of their culture and community. Their resolve is tested in the face of corruption, bribery and greed as well as oil companies and the military threatening to take over the land by force. At first glance it might appear that the community is just another victim of big oil’s need to feed ‘our’ collective habit. But a more complex story emerges: China taking over the role of the IMF and World Bank funding overseas development in return for oil; well-meaning but under resourced and ultimately failing, local government and worldwide initiatives; the international community turning a blind eye; blatant denial of indigenous rights; as well as the desires of the community themselves, to develop in line with modern expectations. Biologists classify this region as one of the most bio-diverse regions on the planet. To extract oil in what we all know as ‘the lungs of the earth’ for 8 days worth of oil (at current rates of world consumption) would bring this particular ecosystem to the brink of collapse. In a globalised world of mass consumption run on fossil fuels, could we all play in a part in the destruction of this pristine rainforest? If so, 'Where do you draw the line?' The film features:
Produced by 3 recent uni-graduate friends. All 3 grew up in Bristol and went off to Ecuador on a self-funded whim having saved up for a year after reading a newspaper article in The Guardian. ‘How hard can it be to make a film?’ As they soon found out, very. They had no experience of film making and learned everything along the way. Looking through the footage it became clear that they had captured a snapshot of a global issue with lasting implications for us all. Friends of Daddy G suggested he might be interested in helping raise awareness. Recognising the importance of the subject matter he recorded his voiceover in between tours having become committed to the project. Released with the intention of raising awareness and educating, this film is not expected to generate any profit. Visit: wordsmithproductions.co.uk, facebook.com/wdydtl, @wordsmithprod & vimeo.com/wdydtl for more. |
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The Ivory Game Now Streaming on Netflix From executive producers Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul G. Allen, The Ivory Game is an epic documentary thriller that goes undercover into the dark and sinister underbelly of ivory trafficking. Award-winning director Richard Ladkani and Academy Award®–nominated director Kief Davidson filmed undercover for 16 months in China and Africa with a crack team of intelligence operatives, undercover activists, passionate frontline rangers and tough-as-nails conservationists, to infiltrate the corrupt global network of ivory trafficking.
Watch now on Netflix. |
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Rivierrombout - De Levende Rivier by Tim Visser An excellent metamorphosis scene from #DeLevendeRivier, by Tim... Check it out!
Visit: www.timvissercreations.com |
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A Quest to Find Canada’s Elusive Coastal Wolf - Nat Geo Live with Bertie Gregory After Bertie Gregory received heartbreaking news that a coastal wolf he had photographed while working as a deckhand off the coast of Vancouver Island had been killed, Gregory returns with the intent of helping to raise awareness for the conservation of the species.
Check out Bertie in Nat Geo WILD’s first digital series, where he journeys to the Pacific Northwest in search of the elusive coastal wolves that inhabit one of the last places on the planet where a wild forest meets a wild ocean.
Visit: www.bertiegregory.com |
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Shuklaphanta, the other wild Nepal filmed in 4K by Fabien Lemaire Coming Soon! The Shuklaphanta Reserve is the first national park created in Nepal in 1973. This area is exceptional on many accounts including its diverse landscapes, hundreds of animals species 22 of which are critically endangered. It may look like a mix of Europe and Africa yet we are truly in the heart of Asia. The reserve is a small paradise located in the western part of the country. Despite human pressure, it has managed to strive and offer the wildlife a safe haven. However, the fragile cohabitation between man and animal is a daily struggle for associations and park rangers who must raise awareness and educate the people about the advantages of co-existing with Nature. If the nearby inhabitants’ quality of life improves, the need to plunder the forest will diminish and the kingdom of Shuklaphanta will be able to look forward to a bright future. |
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Gearing up for the record breaking Channel crossing by WWT Flight of the Swans When you've flown all the way from Northern Russia, across the artic tundra and the taiga forest, dodging thunderstorms and blizzards and suffered temperatures down to minus 15, you might think flying 30km across the Channel isn't much of a big deal. But when it's 30km of water, with no landing option other than into that water, it's a different matter. "Crossing the Channel may seem like a small distance compared to the distance I've travelled," says Sacha. "But it is the only place where there are no landing options if the engine fails, apart from the water. The engine has been fabulous for the last 6,000km so why should I worry? But you have to, because the implications of getting it wrong are fairly dramatic. No paramotorist wants to land in the water, ever." Sacha will make her crossing at the shortest part of the channel, from Wissant to Dover, which is around 30km across the water. However, her actual flight distance will be around 43km. She needs to wait for a light tailwind to attempt the crossing and will be backed up by a safety boat, positioned in the middle of the channel between the major shipping channels. More here: flightoftheswans.org/2016/12/02/gearing-up-for-the-record-breaking-channel-crossing A big thank you from Sacha to all of you who've signed our petition. Injured and with the cold weather setting in, each signature is a huge encouragement. We've now got nearly 12,000 signatures, which is a massive achievement. With just days to go, help us reach our target before we hand in the peition to Downing Street. If you haven't already, make Sacha's epic journey really count and sign here. flightoftheswans.org/support/petition
One woman. 7,000 km. 11 countries. By paramotor. A daring bid to fly with one of nature’s great migrations on a quest to save Bewick’s swans. Track her progress on the live map and watch her video diaries. Visit: flightoftheswans.org & support! |
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Beavers are back, let’s keep them here - with images from member Nick Upton A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help this magnificent, long-lost mammal thrive again in the English countryside. Support Devon's beavers! Chris Packham introduces your chance to play a part in 'the century's most exciting conservation project': England's first beaver re-introduction, led by Devon Wildlife Trust.
Help Devon Wildlife Trust raise a minimum £100,000... |
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Making Large Forest Enclosures For The Sun Bears at BOSF with Patrick Rouxel In 2015/2016, Sun Bear Outreach in collaboration the Borneo Orangutan Foundation International Foundation (BOSF), focused on building new bigger cages and renovating old ones for the 20 sun bears who were kept in small inadequate cages at the BOSF sanctuary in Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. For 2017 our present project, is to build several large forest enclosures for these same 20 bears. The bears at Samboja Lestari are all adults who cannot go back to the wild because they are too habituated to humans and don’t have the skills to survive in the wild. But they don’t deserve to be locked up, on the contrary, they deserve the best possible captive life we can give them, which is to have access to some of their natural habitat and enjoy a social life with other bears. Since 24th Oct 2016, we have begun the construction of the first of several large forest enclosures at Samboja Lestari. Patrick Rouxel, founder of Sun Bear Outreach, is on site as a long term volunteer, supervising the construction. With the financial support of BOS Switzerland and the funds raised through Sun Bear Outreach, we are now making a 2 hectare forest enclosure, a small training enclosure and a set of 3 holding dens. The total budget for this first phase is 50 000 €. We hope to finish the work by February 2017 and begin the construction of a second large forest enclosure in March 2017. For the latest update check our NEWS/BLOG.
Like: facebook.com/sunbearoutreach Follow: @sunbearoutreach & instagram.com/sunbearoutreach Support here: www.sunbearoutreach.org/how-to-support-us |
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Planet Earth II ... All over the News! Planet Earth II most watched natural history show for 15 years: theguardian.com The opening episode of Planet Earth II was the most watched natural history programme in the UK for more than 15 years, drawing in 9.2 million viewers to BBC1 on Sunday evening. More young people are watching Planet Earth than The X Factor, confirms BBC: nzherald.co.nz When asked to choose between Honey G or a Honey Badger, young people plump for the latter, according to the BBC. Revealed: What it is really like to be a part of the BBC's incredible Planet Earth II: bristolpost.co.uk From the love lives of penguins nesting on the Antarctic tundra to the plight of plucky marine iguanas sprinting from packs of hungry snakes, The BBC's Planet Earth II has captured the imagination of the nation. New BBC Earth documentary features Gardens by the Bay: straitstimes.com Featured in Planet Earth II, Gardens by the Bay offers a view of how urbanites can interact with nature, says BBC producer Fredi Devas. "They would say, 'You can film, but it's $10,000 for the hour'," recalls Mr Devas over the telephone from BBC's Natural History Unit in Bristol. Snow leopard ‘rape’: what was really going on? theconversation.com Sir David Attenborough is a “heartless sadist”, preying on viewers’ nerves with the stuff of natural world nightmares. So said the Daily Mail in a slightly tongue-in-cheek review of an episode of BBC nature documentary Planet Earth II. The episode includes cute ibex kids being chased along sheer cliff faces by foxes, adorable bears dodging avalanches – and reaches a harrowing crescendo with a snow leopard “rape”, as the mother of an adolescent cub was set upon by two males. Natural history television is supposed to be safe family viewing – isn’t it? Viewers blast "fake" Planet Earth sound effects as BBC admits to "recreating" noises: mirror.co.uk "Great cinematography but can't be doing with the sound effects," one viewer wrote during Sunday's episode... The irony of “fakery” claims and backlash against production tricks on Planet Earth II: newstatesman.com Criticism of David Attenborough’s latest nature series is at odds with the enhanced authenticity of how we record our own lives on social media. Vogue Meets Planet Earth II's Emma Napper: vogue.co.uk "We work on it for such a long time - it's three and a half years in the making, two to three in the field with a few months either side for planning and editing," Emma Napper, producer of the Jungles episode, told us. "It's absolutely incredible to see it come together at the end." David Attenborough's greatest rescue: saving wildlife TV from extinction: theguardian.com Wildlife TV was dying out because of public revulsion. But now, thanks to Planet Earth II and The Secret Life of the Zoo, the sofa safari is off the endangered list.
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India in Focus – BBC Planet Earth II Series For those of us in India, we have further reason to cheer! India features heavily in three of the six Planet Earth II episodes! For years India has enticed filmmakers from across the globe. They have traversed its length and breadth and have told stories of our incredible land, our diverse people and our astounding biodiversity. Yet, there are lands that remain unseen, stories that are untold and animals that are so elusive only a few have caught fleeting glimpses of it. Planet Earth II’s intrepid crew have collaborated with some of India’s best in the field to document unseen aspects of this magnetic country. Felis Creation’s Chief Cameraman, Sandesh Kadur and Production Head, Adarsh N C had the enviable opportunity of being a part of BBC Planet Earth II’s crew in India. Read more here: felis.in/blog/india-in-focus-bbc-planet-earth-ii-series |
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Elizabeth White: “It’s a place that’s both heaven and hell.” 10 years on, Planet Earth is back. We talk to producer Elizabeth White about sloths, penguins, the epic journey to remote Zavodovski island and what it takes to be a wildlife film-maker… Planet Earth was a massive hit. Was it exciting to work on Planet Earth II and to try to raise the game again? It’s both an exciting and intimidating prospect to follow something as iconic as Planet Earth. In this series, we’ve taken a much more intimate look at life on Earth. The aim was to get eye-to-eye with wildlife and ‘see’ the world more as animals do. That’s mainly been possible through the use of the new, smaller hand-held camera systems, remote camera technology and drones, and also through the storytelling. We’re more about character and intimacy. Read more here: www.wanderlust.co.uk |
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Natural wonder: David Attenborough on facing his mortality When he turned 90, everyone assumed that Sir David Attenborough would slow down. Hardly. Ahead of his New Zealand visit, Joe Shute meets the world’s favourite naturalist. Life without the man who has made a career out of showing us all its kaleidoscopic virtues and possibilities, is impossible to countenance. So it is with some relief that I see the sprightly form of Sir David Attenborough, now into his 91st year, bounding in for our interview, five minutes late and apologising profusely... Read more here: nzherald.co.nz David Attenborough recognised for contribution to broadcasting at Evening Standard Theatre Awards |
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Chris Packham Interviewing Sir David Attenborough at Wildscreen 2016 Chris talks to Sir David about his experience of the changing nature of conservation as part of the Wildscreen Festival 2016.
Visit: chrispackham.co.uk |
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Sir David Attenborough's Bristol team at BBC Natural History Unit could be in for job cuts Bristol's Natural History Unit could become the next victim of BBC cuts. The Sunday Times reported today that the broadcaster is looking to axe around 25 jobs from the prestigious unit behind Sir David Attenborough's Planet Earth series and many other award-winning programmes. The Bristol Post reported last month that as many as 100 jobs were thought to be going in Bristol under the corporation's "restructuring plans", which will see 300 workers go across the country. The Sunday Times claims that around 25 of them could be from the Natural History Unit, whose output, along with other filmmakers in Bristol, has seen the city referred to as the Hollywood of the wildlife documentary world. Read more here: bristolpost.co.uk |
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BBC Earth Releases The Story of Life App – The Largest Digital Collection of Sir David Attenborough’s Work November saw the launch of an ambitious project to bring Sir David Attenborough’s breath-taking archive to new generations of fans. The Story of Life is a free app from BBC Earth featuring the largest ever digital release of Sir David’s globally renowned work and has been available to download since Thursday 17th November from app stores for iOS and Android devices worldwide. Launched to coincide with the 90th birthday year of one of Britain’s most iconic broadcasters, this app is Sir David’s gift to the world, featuring more than 1000 of the most memorable moments filmed during his pioneering career of natural history film-making. “This is natural history for the digital age, allowing people to explore the story of life on earth and share their favourite natural history moments with the world” - Sir David Attenborough. From his incredible interaction with mountain gorillas in Life on Earth, to his extraordinary meeting with a sloth in The Life of Mammals, The Story of Life invites people to explore films featuring hundreds of animals, locations and stories, from world firsts to some of the most dramatic and wondrous documentary scenes ever filmed. The vast collection can be searched by ‘Habitat’, ‘Species’ and ‘Behaviour’, allowing users to quickly and intuitively find out more about their favourite creatures, watch scenes from loved series, or explore the incredible beauty of our planet. A series of exclusive films are also hidden throughout the app to encourage the audience to explore the full extent of Sir David’s remarkable archive. Curated playlists by Sir David, BBC Filmmakers and others will highlight cherished moments, and more clips will continue to be added in the future. Users can also create their own collections of favourite moments to share with the world on social media, or keep within the app to revisit whenever they want. A selection of epic moments from Sir David’s latest landmark series Planet Earth II are also in the app. Go behind the scenes of new filming techniques and watch in awe as camera traps provide a unique glimpse of snow leopards, witness the heart-pounding moment an iguana desperately tries to escape a band of racer snakes, get up close and personal with filming komodo dragons and journey with Sir David himself as he flies 10,000 feet into the sky in a hot air balloon. Produced by BBC Earth with international award-winning ideas and innovation company AKQA, the app is free to download globally. All clips featured in the app will also be made available on bbc.co.uk/earth/storyoflife |
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BBC natural history filmmaker selected as BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Ellen Husain is the first natural history filmmaker to be awarded the title of BAFTA Breakthrough Brit. Husain was selected partly for her work on the BBC’s thrilling series, The Hunt, which focuses on predation in the natural world.
More here: discoverwildlife.com |
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NHNZ Appoints New Head of Development, Sales and Marketing Anya Durling has been named Head of Development, Sales and Marketing for NHNZ. Anya has had a long history with the company having been a key development creative for almost a decade. As a development producer, Anya helped develop some the NHNZ’s most successful series including Megastructures for National Geographic Channel and CICC, Gem Hunt for Travel Channel and L.A. Frock Stars for Smithsonian Channel. She returns to NHNZ following a two-year stint as a Sales and Media Consultant at NZME, New Zealand’s biggest integrated media company. “NHNZ is a dynamic company that delivers great productions. I’m delighted to be working with the talented people here again, and look forward to introducing exciting new titles to the market,” says Anya. NHNZ Managing Director Kyle Murdoch is thrilled Anya has returned to the company in this new role. “Anya has a successful track record working in development and sales across a wide range of content for both international and U.S. markets. It’s great to get Anya back, and the experience she brings to this role will ensure that she hits the ground running.” Visit: www.nhnz.tv Also: |
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DiCaprio’s Before the Flood: Powerful, Yet Misses on Soils and the Carbon Cycle The new Leonardo DiCaprio documentary Before the Flood can now be seen on National Geographic. The actor is a longtime advocate of environmental causes, and his film is surely helping to increase awareness of global warming and the challenges we face with climate chaos. In it, DiCaprio journeys from the remote melting regions of Greenland to the burning forests of Sumatra to the halls of the Vatican, exploring the devastating impact of climate change on the planet. Before the Flood discusses how climate change is moving us rapidly into an era in which life on Earth might be much, much different. It does a great job describing the pressing problems we face. Yet, sadly, the film has a serious omission. It makes only passing mention of the food issue and almost no mention of soils or ocean acidification. Read more: ecowatch.com |
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Atlantic Productions bolsters its UK team Indie factual producer Atlantic Productions has made a series of key hires and promotions as it looks to bolster its UK team. Among the changes, Mike Davis, a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated writer, producer and director at Atlantic, has been upped to associate creative director. Meanwhile, Atlantic is also welcoming some new talent into the fold: Ian Syder and Emily Smith (both pictured) Read more: realscreen.com |
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BBC Studios hires Optomen exec for factual post The BBC has poached the head of formats at All3Media-owned Optomen Television, Jon Swain, to lead a new production unit called Popular Factual (WT). The division will look to create new and returning popular factual, lifestyle series and features from bases in Bristol, Wales and Northern Ireland. It will sit within a new BBC Studios Factual division, which will also house Planet Earth II prodco Natural History Unit, Factual Scotland, Science, Documentaries, and Topical and Live. Subject to regulatory approval, the UK pubcaster’s new production division, BBC Studios, will launch as a commercially-driven, fully BBC-owned subsidiary next year More: tbivision.com |
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Passionate conservationist gains first Wildlife Filmmaking scholarship Passionate conservationist Alice Owen has been awarded the first Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust (SLCT) and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) scholarship for an MA in Wildlife Filmmaking. Alice, who has worked across Africa for several conversation charities, including the Born Free Foundation, began her course last month and hopes to learn how to tell powerful and distinctive stories about the natural world. Alice said, “I have first-hand experience of how people and wildlife interact in some of the world's most pristine conservation areas, and hope the course will enable me to document these interactions in a creative way, both for audiences here in the UK, and also for the communities that call these wildlife areas home. “I also hope that I can bring new perspectives that will be attractive to audiences not previously engaged in conservation issues. I am very excited to start the course and am so grateful to The Stephen Lawrence Trust and UWE Bristol for giving me this amazing opportunity.” The MA Wildlife Filmmaking is the first SLCT scholarship aimed at emerging talent in the broadcast sector. The Trust also offers scholarships to study architecture, law and journalism to ensure talented young people from diverse and underrepresented communities are able to access a variety of careers. Julian Hector, head of the BBC's Natural History Unit, said, “I'm so thrilled Alice has taken the opportunity to join the MA in Wildlife Filmmaking; her perspective on wildlife is special and she has a great deal to offer - she will flourish on the course.” More here: info.uwe.ac.uk |
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Malaika Vaz bags National Geographic talent grant. Goa-based teenager, Malaika Vaz, was awarded the National Geographic 'Roar talent bursary. This grant is extended to promising emerging talent in the field of natural history storytelling. The 19-year old had applied for the grant in September. Owing to her passion for wildlife filmmaking, she was selected from a worldwide applicant pool of young wildlife filmmakers aged between 18 to 25 years. "This grant allowed me to go to the Wildscreen Festival 2016, also known as Green Oscars, which was held in Bristol, United Kingdom in mid-October. I was the only international participant who was awarded this," Vaz told TOI. Vaz said that the experience had provided her a great opportunity to network with internationally reputed wildlife filmmakers and also get a head start in the industry with newfound inspiration. "Going to the Wildscreen Festival 2016 was one of the most enriching experiences and it has fired me up as a wildlife presenter to tell real and personal stories that help protect our planet's resources," she said. More here: timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
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When Chinese wildlife met American/UK movie-makers - Disney Nature/Brian Leith Productions China’s environmental film-makers have watched Disney's latest successful wildlife drama and seen a new market, writes Liu Qin. Many regard the 2016 film Born in China as a surprise hit for Chinese cinemas. First shown in August, the joint production by Disneynature and Chinese director Lu Chuan has wowed audiences with gorgeous cinematography and a dramatic plot, earning over 60 million yuan (US$9 million) in its first six weeks at the box office. This is a rare success for a wildlife film in China, where small- to medium-budget films and those with an educational theme, rarely do well commercially. Read more: chinadialogue.net Also read: China passes law to ensure films 'serve the people and socialism' - China has passed a law that bans film content deemed harmful to the “dignity, honour and interests” of the country. It also encourages the promotion of “socialist core values”. |
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Stop Buying Illegal Wildlife Products! says Scubazoo Buying illegal wildlife products only encourages people to keep hunting and killing wildlife. We need to put an end to this by never buying illegal wildlife products.
Visit: scubazoo.com |
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A Savage Thriller: Nature Television as Shakespearean Drama ‘Savage Kingdom,’ on Nat Geo WILD, is darkly enthralling If one of the hairy cast members of “Savage Kingdom” stood up and recited the St. Crispin’s Day speech from “Henry V,” yes, you’d be surprised. But it wouldn’t be inappropriate at all: What Nat Geo is presenting in its ambitious three-part series is nature television as Shakespearean drama, with all the devices: wars of succession, military strategies, sexual politics, conspiracy, assassination, infanticide and exile. Whether the characters consider it history, comedy or tragedy, of course, depends on whether they’re eating, or being eaten. Narrated by Charles Dance, “Savage Kingdom” opens with “Clash of Queens,” the principal monarch being Matsumi, a lioness leading the pride that dominates life, and death, at Botswana’s Great Marsh.
Read more: wsj.com Also read: Nat Geo WILD’s ‘Savage Kingdom’ Looks to Change Wildlife Filmmaking - hiddenremote.com |
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Saving the World Through the Wall of Water - Tom Foster's TEDx Talk This TEDx talk is about the bonding between a 12 year old boy and huge potentially dangerous sharks, and how humans can save the seas and eventually have their own bond with it.
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