SEASONS
GREETINGS FROM
Wildlife-film.com
In this month's issue:
1. Absolutely
Wild Visuals is revolutionising the way people will use stock footage
2. The 29th International Wildlife Film Festival Call For Entries
3. David Attenborough Studio
4. Animal Planet and Roots & Shoots
5. Animal Planet Commissions New Title from OSF
6. Ajay Bedi's film "The Policing Langur" wins Best Film Award at
Vatavaran
7. Tigress sends MacIntyre to the limit
8. Careers in Wildlife
Film-making available as e-book
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Absolutely
Wild Visuals is revolutionising the way people will use stock footage
An Australian film library leading the world www.absolutelywildvisuals.com
Australian
film library Absolutely Wild Visuals (AWV) is revolutionising the way people
will use stock footage. AWV is the first on line searchable stock footage library
in the world to have all its clips available for preview and download in H.264,
the state-of-the-art video codec, which delivers stunning quality at remarkably
low data rates.
AWV, which represents some of the world's finest independent wildlife filmmakers, has just posted more than ten thousand H.264 clips in Apple QuickTime 7 for Mac and Windows on its website, with new clips added daily. These fully searchable crisp, clear video clips are compressed into much smaller files, saving bandwidth and storage costs over previous generations of video codecs.
This will enable the immediate online access and downloading of its images, profoundly changing the way its customers use stock footage and opening up 'real time' satisfaction in what has sometimes been a long and frustrating process. The clips have retained their native frame rates (for both NTSC and PAL) and can be imported into a variety of off line edit systems with embedded timecode.
We live in a content-hungry world where everybody seems to be working against the clock' says AWV Managing Director, Bettina Dalton. 'Our customers the world over, want the ability to look at large previews in brilliant resolution 24 hours a day with the instant ability to integrate them into their digital workflow. With the QuickTime 7 previews that are now available on our website we can satisfy those needs' says Dalton.
'We have also eliminated the guess work that comes with using stock footage. Visual image quality is paramount to the people who use our images' says Dalton. 'Clients need to know what a shot really looks like. The more resolution we can give them and the bigger and better quality the previews, the better our clients are equipped to make the right decision.'
'Our users will get surprisingly high quality previews and really fast downloads,' says Dalton - great news for Absolutely Wild Visuals global user base of advertising agencies, documentary makers, educational institutions and movie studios.
Much of the AWV collection originates on 16mm, Super 16 and 35mm film. A close association with Comcopy (a division of OMNILAB) enables AWV to deliver master quality material in any Tape format from DV to HD (NTSC or PAL) or via Telestream, FTP anywhere in the world while maintaining the highest technical standards.
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The
29th International Wildlife Film Festival Call For Entries
May
13 - 20, 2006 Missoula, Montana
CALL FOR ENTRIES - Currently accepting thru February 10, 2006
Join us for one of the world's most prestigious film festivals in the heart
of the magnificent Northern Rockies
Theme: People and Nature, Living in Harmony
Preliminary Judging Begins
February 2006
Final Judging - March 19-26, 2006
If interested in serving
for Final Judging, please contact us at iwff@wildlifefilms.org
IWFF does not underwrite transportation to Missoula but provides lodging, meals
and local transportation
If you return in May to attend IWFF, you will receive a complimentary delegate
pass
IWFF is now the longest running and one of the most important wildlife film festivals in the world. The weeklong festival features public screenings of award-winning films, dynamic seminars on current trends and opportunities within the industry, workshops both in the field and at festival headquarters featuring the latest technology; field trips that take delegates into the wilds of Montana, meeting with biologists, researchers and learning about potential film projects within the region PLUS the new Tarkio Retreat, a one day retreat in a magnificent natural setting, where we focus on Forging New Partnership in Media & Conservation . This daylong retreat brings together foundations, filmmakers, broadcast organizations, technology companies, scientists and NGOs in an informal workshop setting. Participation in the Tarkio Retreat is included with all festival delegate registrations. In addition, nightly parties and receptions provide wonderful opportunities for networking and socializing with colleagues and friends.
Sponsored events include
the Western Barn Dance, a National Geographic annual tradition of non stop dancing,
rodeo & ranch horse demonstrations and a fantastic barbecue under the Big
Sky; the annual Chili Feed and the exciting Awards Show on Friday evening, May
19th.
For information on how to participate in IWFF as a Film Entrant, Sponsor, Delegate,
Presenter, or Advertiser, or for other information about the annual film festival,
please contact Janet Rose, Executive Director/Festival Director iwff@wildlifefilms.org
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David
Attenborough Studio
Generating passion for the natural world
For 50 years, Sir David Attenborough has brought the wonders of the natural world to the hearts of millions through his pioneering natural history programmes. His passion for nature has held us spellbound, capturing our imagination and unlocking the secrets of the world around us.
This is the reason for a new £2million campaign to build a new live communications space in his honour. The David Attenborough Studio will form the heart of the new Darwin Centre Phase Two building, open to the public in 2008. As the central focus for the Museum's public engagement programme and delivered in partnership with the BBC, it will bring the public closer to the natural world, through scientific enquiry and exploration.
The Natural History Museum is leading the fight to understand the world we live in. Its world-class scientists study the past, present and future, racing against time to discover our planet's diversity before it disappears forever.
The new studio will be up and running in 2008 when the Darwin Centre is completed. It will be a free public space dedicated to discussion and discovery. It will be a unique resource , enabling people to get involved both in the studio and online via interactive webcasts.
Together with the BBC, we are developing a comprehensive vision of what the Studio will be. At the pace technology advances this is no small task, but it is intended that the David Attenborough Studio will provide a venue for public engagement that:
* creates an immersive,
audio-visual experience capable of transporting our visitor to the middle of
a rainforest canopy, a barren desert landscape or even underwater to a coral
reef
* celebrates the contribution Sir David Attenborough has made to natural history
- inspiring future generations and actively developing new talent
* provides access to a searchable audio-visual archive of the natural world
for public enjoyment, including links to the Museum’s collections and
the research work based on them
* allows the Museum to provide a daily programme of live webcasts and other
events bringring scientists and the public together in interactive discussions
on topics of contemporary relevance.
The studio will continue our journey of discovery, which for so many of us began with watching Sir David reveal the wonders of life on our planet. Together we will explore the Earth’s treasures and search for ways to conserve them. The David Attenborough Studio can help to turn curiosity and concern into positive action.
'In a lifetime of travelling and filming, I have been lucky enough to see many amazing and beautiful things - coral reef, birds of paradise, the extraordinary coelacanth fish and the giant Rafflesia flower of Malaysia. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to bring these sights to so many people around the world and hope that I have sparked viewers' curiosity and interest by sharing these experiences, and in some small way perhaps even enriched their lives.
Advances in technology and communication have the potential to transform the way we explore the world and share our discoveries. This is why I have agreed to lend my name to the studio in Phase Two of the Natural History Museum's Darwin Centre. This is a real opportunity to combine scientific expertise, public dialogue, film and interactive media in a truly accessible environment. It will enable all of us to explore the wonders of our world and investigate its secrets.
By sharing our hopes and ideas about our world, we can take a step towards securing our planet's survival and give future generations as much to explore and enjoy as we've had.'
Sir David Attenborough OM FRS
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Animal
Planet and Roots & Shoots
ANIMAL PLANET AND JANE GOODALL'S CONSERVATION-FOCUSED ROOTS & SHOOTS AIM TO INSPIRE VIEWERS TO TAKE ACTION AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Animal Planet expands on its partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute by driving awareness for Roots & Shoots, a worldwide community-based grassroots program that calls young people to engage in action, making a difference for people, animals and the environment. Specially created Roots & Shoots on-air vignettes or "Roots & Shoots Minutes" are designed to run every weekday, Monday through Friday in the 5 PM (ET) time slot on Animal Planet, beginning Monday, November 14.
Founded by renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, the Roots & Shoots program inspires youth to make a difference by becoming involved in their communities. With a mission to foster respect and compassion for all living things, promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and inspire each individual to take action, each Roots & Shoots group plans and implements service-learning projects that promote care and concern, making the world a better place for animals, the environment and the human community.
"We have a choice to use the gift of our lives to make the world a better place," said Goodall. "Every action, big or small, makes a difference."
Roots & Shoots began in 1991 on Jane Goodall's front porch in Dar es Salaam. Sixteen concerned Tanzanian students had approached Jane about wildlife and conservation issues. They left with a mandate to connect with their peers and take action on behalf of people, animals and the environment. Today the Roots & Shoots global network connects thousands of determined young people worldwide, through more than 7,500 groups in 91 countries — and still growing. It includes students of all ages in schools, neighborhoods and community groups — all working to build a better world for all living things.
Animal Planet's Roots & Shoots Minutes are designed to be a call to action. Vignettes showcase inspiring kids who are involved with animal-focused projects, from building bluebird houses for the species to thrive to helping feed injured flying squirrels at a rehab center, from crafting toys for a visit to the local animal shelter to raising funds for a wildlife sanctuary.
"Our relationship with Dr. Goodall goes beyond programming. We share Jane's passion and commitment to animals," says Maureen Smith, general manager of Animal Planet. "We want to showcase the incredible things Roots & Shoots kids are doing across America to benefit animals and inspire our viewers to get involved."
Viewers can go to www.animalplanet.com to find out about Roots & Shoots and start making a difference.
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Animal
Planet Commissions New Title from OSF
SILVER SPRING, December 13: Animal Planet has commissioned Oxford Scientific
Films to produce an hour-long documentary about a former game warden and his
family who rescue and raise a baby hippopotamus.
Jessica the Hippo is currently in production in South Africa and will premiere on Animal Planet in all international regions in 2006. It tells the story of how the Joubert family in South Africa’s Limpopo province discover and raise a baby hippo that was found washed up on the banks of a river near their farm.
“By telling this remarkable story, we are bringing our viewers closer to the drama and danger that young animals experience every day in the wild and also illustrating the extraordinary bond that is possible between humans and animals,” said Peach Gibson, the acting general manager and VP of creative and development at Animal Planet International. “This story has captured the imagination of people throughout South Africa and will make a remarkable documentary.”
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Ajay
Bedi's film "The Policing Langur" wins Best Film Award at Vatavaran
ANOTHER FEATHER IN HIS CAP: Environment filmmaker Ajay Bedi whose film "The Policing Langur" won the Best Film Award at Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival's Wildlife Conservation category recently.
Wildlife filmmaking came naturally to Ajay Bedi, says Lakshmi B.Ghosh. The deep, dark secrets of the jungle never really scared him. He was after all one of those few boys in school who did not read about tigers and elephants in books or watch lion chases on television but saw it happen in real.
For Ajay Bedi the action began right at home, and strange as it may sound, right in the jungle. Coming as he does from a family that has literally lived out of the wilds, taking up wildlife filmmaking was perhaps what came naturally to him. And years after he first saw the glimpse of a wild animal through the lens, Ajay has finally managed to carve an identity of his own.
With his film "The Policing Langur" with brother Vijay Bedi winning the Best Film Award at the Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival's Wildlife Conservation category recently, the brothers have added yet another feather to their cap.
The training began rather early for Ajay, with the young Bedi remembering spending most of his holidays in one national park or the other with his father, eminent wildlife filmmaker Naresh Bedi. "I have done a lot of workshops, but I think most of what I know is through practical experience. Specially from my father, who used to take us to national parks when we were small, giving us early exposure," reveals Ajay.
Working with his father's Bedi Films for the past five years, the journey has just about begun for this young filmmaker. "It is hard at times because we are likely to be compared to our father and his work, which is difficult to match. But then it is good too in a way," feels Ajay.
With the recent Vatavaran Film Festival once again exposing the difficulty faced by wildlife filmmakers in getting financers for their work and worse still buyers for the final work, the lure for the wild is not something that many aspiring filmmakers want to risk. "It is not easy. Wildlife filmmaking can be pursued here by only those who can afford it. It needs a lot of time and good equipment. When we started we were trying our luck too. Fortunately, we had PSBT coming forward to fund our film. But then, festivals like Vatavaran act as a great platform for young filmmakers as they help us showcase our work," notes Ajay.
Speaking on his latest work "The Policing Langur", Ajay, who dons the cap of both cameraman and editor, says it was the Capital's growing problem with monkey menace that led them to it. "We stumbled upon the idea of making the film after reading a couple of newspaper articles about monkey menace. There had been a couple of incidents around that time, and there was a lot of media hype. What made it interesting was that a langur was being used to scare away monkeys, which we thought was very interesting."
The challenge for the Bedi brothers was to ensure that that they did not target the monkeys as a problem. But presented the story through a unique angle - that of langurs protecting humans by scaring away one of their species. The PSBT production captured the "colourful vistas of man monkey relationship and how the policing langurs are used to control the monkey menace" in an interesting way.
"There were a couple of incidents happening around that time where people had got injured. One such incident happened in a Delhi school while we were working on the film. We managed to catch the family's emotions as well as the reaction of the schools and the arrangements made by them," he says.
As of now, Ajay is back to `hunting' for another subject. And with it, another `green' cause.
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Tigress
sends MacIntyre to the limit
NEWS BRIEF: UK terrestrial Five has given Tigress Productions the go-ahead to make a series in which investigative reporter Donal MacIntyre explores the limits of human habitation in some of the toughest environments on the planet.
Donal MacIntyre: The Edge of Existence (4x60') is due for transmission in spring 2006, covering far-flung places such as Greenland, the Arabian Desert and the shark-infested Caribbean. Dick Colthurst will executive produce the series for Tigress.
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Careers
in Wildlife Film-making available as e-book
The essential book by Piers
Warren, packed with guidance and advice for aspiring makers of natural history
films
Foreword by Jeffery Boswall
Although the book Careers
in Wildlife Film-making is now sold out in paperback form it is available
as an e-book
See www.wildlifefilmcareers.com
for further details/ordering.
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Send YOUR news for the next issue and for the site to Karen Barber at info@wildlife-film.com
This newsletter goes out to thousands of people in the wildlife film-making
industry world-wide.
Best wishes to you all
Karen Barber
www.wildlife-film.com
Disclaimer:
Wildlife Film News publishes information and opinions as a service to its readers.
The producers do not recommend or endorse any particular method, institution,
product, treatment, or theory. Opinions expressed in Wildlife Film News are
not necessarily those of the producers.