With tips for the aspiring film-makers among us, you won't want to miss this WildFilmCast! Download the episode now or subscribe free on iTunes. The producer and host of WildFilmCast Episode 2, Rowena Staff, graduated with a zoology degree from the University of Bristol and went on to undertake fieldwork with meerkats in the Kalahari. Through this came the opportunity to become a researcher and sound assistant for 'The Meerkats' film, which inspired her to buy her own sound recording equipment and carry on her recording and photography in her spare time. With experience of fieldwork and sound recording both abroad and in the UK, Rowena is now looking to assist on filming and recording projects, collect some more skills and explore the world of the sound recordist. Contact her at rowenastaff@gmail.com. Biogs/photos of the Featured Voice-Over Artists in Episode 2 can be found at: www.wildfilmcast.com/podcasts/ep2.html If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please email WildFilmCast producer Jon Betz at jon@wildfilmcast.com. Films that make a difference We invite you to share information about your films that have made a difference. Each film entry will have:
Please participate and send in your films to the project co-ordinator Ciara Backwell at ciara@wildeye.co.uk. Films that make a difference also has its own Facebook page - post your film for all to see! The directory is a user friendly database of profiles containing information on films that have proven effective in creating change in any conservational issue. Individual filmmakers and productions companies globally can provide information about their films to the directory, which is online and available for all to read. In return, those who wish to make conservation films can refer to the directory for guidance and evidential support that films do make a difference! Participating films can be of broadcast quality or captured on a small miniDV camera and edited on your home computer. Quality of production is not priority - Effectiveness is key. "Showing the truth on some minority channel is not the answer. Showing it where it counts, is." Collaborators
Just two places available on the brand new Wildeye course for 2011 - Writing for Wildlife Documentaries (UK) 7-9 Jan 2011 - grab one while you can and start the year with new skills... The wildlife filmmaker Christmas present
There are books about breaking in to the wildlife filmmaking industry, DVDs about how to film wildlife with tons of helpful hints, and books to keep them quiet for hours! Wildeye also sell Chris Watson sound recording CDs, microphones and other sound recording equipment. Vouchers Call for entries: Ecozine Festival The IV Ecozine Festival will be held from 13 to 21 May 2011 and the call for entries is now open. Call for film: Caught in the Act 'Caught in the Act' highlights amazing and unusual animal behaviour which has been filmed by both amateur and professional cameramen. The footage is then broken down and analysed by wildlife experts. Clips can showcase incredible kills, hilarious antics, inter and intra predator conflict or nail biting escapes. In the past we've had anything from animal rescues to baboons eating ice-cream to the remarkable abilities of fishing spiders – the scope is vast. Thus far, eight episodes of Caught in the Act have been produced, with the latest six episodes having just hit the United States and the UK on National Geographic’s Wild Channel in June 2010. The series is generating excellent ratings and another 3 episodes have been green-lit, with possibly more to come, and we need spectacular wildlife content. For more information see http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/wild/shows-caught-in-the-act and let Julie Brown know if you have any incredible footage that may fit the show. Julie Brown, Assistant Production Manager julie@aquavision.co.za New website launch: Adrian Cale
He is an award-winning wildlife filmmaker who has travelled the world chronicling the marvels of nature on film. Travelling around the globe as a Self-Shooting Producer / Director and Writer Adrian has been referred to by BBC Wildlife Magazine as “someone who takes multi-tasking to new levels.” He has been fortunate enough to collect a beautiful library of stunning images along the way that celebrate his passion and respect for the natural world and he is keen to share these with everybody. “It is important to me not to keep the wonderful things I have seen to myself. I have been lucky enough to see just a few of the marvels of nature first-hand and if any of these images inspire other people to marvel at them as well then that would be great.” Book review: Celebrity and the Environment
The battle to save the world is being joined by a powerful new group of warriors. Celebrities are lending their name to conservation causes, and conservation itself is growing its own stars to fight and speak for nature. In this timely and essential book, Dan Brockington argues that this alliance grows from the mutually supportive publicity celebrity and conservation causes provide for each other, and more fundamentally, that the flourishing of celebrity and charismatic conservation is part of an ever-closer intertwining of conservation and corporate capitalism. Celebrity promotions, the investments of rich executives, and the wealthy social networks of charismatic conservationists are producing more commodified and commercial conservation strategies; conservation becomes an ever more important means of generating profit. 'Celebrity and the Environment' provides vital critical analysis of this new phenomena and argues that, ironically, there may be a hidden cost to celebrity power to individual's relationships with the wild. The author argues that whilst wildlife television documentaries flourish, there is a significant decline in visits to national parks in many countries around the world and this is evidence that at a time when conservationists are calling for us to restore our relationships with the wild, many people are doing so simply by following the exploits of celebrity conservationists. Available from http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wildlifefilm-21/detail/1842779745. We are pleased to let you know the list of winners of the 9th edition of the festival: 1. Best Film, City of Pamplona Award: Green, Patrick Rouxel (France) For further information on the festival, please visit: Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all the participants. See you next year, on the 10th edition of Telenatura! Wild Talk Africa moves to Cape Town
“Moving the Festival to Stellenbosch, just outside of Cape Town, is an exciting move. Not only does it take place in March, the best of summer weather, it is also a popular destination for tourists and delegates alike. Wild Talk Africa, now in its 4th year, has established itself as a world-class event, and in this new location, Wild Talk Africa delegates have the opportunity of meeting and networking with delegates who represent the major international wildlife broadcasters,” says Sophie Vartan, Festival Director. The 4-day Festival programme is packed with topical seminars, workshops, screenings of the ROSCAR Award finalists, an exhibition area and fabulous evening networking events at venues throughout Spier. The highlight of the Festival is the announcement of the ROSCAR Award winners, which will be hosted by Dave Salmoni, well known presenter of Animal Planet’s Rogue Nature series and Into the Pride. Delegates can book accommodation at Spier, at a special delegate rate of R1500 per night, through www.wildtalkafrica.com. The hotel is built on the banks of the Eerste River amidst landscape and indigenous gardens, and has a charming village feel. The rooms are grouped around six private courtyards, which have individual pools, and there are only 100 rooms available at Spier. Bookings are
taken on a first-come-first served basis. Alternative accommodation suggestions are available on the website.
+44 (0) 20 8418 1470 This month's featured freelancer is researcher, Neena Bhandari.
+61 2 9331 2767 or
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Books, CDs, DVDs and gear
Adrian Cale is delighted to announce the launch of his brand new website at 
“Fascinating and well researched, Dan Brockington probes and analyses the world of fame, wealth and power in conservation. There are many surprises within these pages and you will find yourself shaking your head in disbelief at times! Much of the book discusses wildlife films, wildlife presenters and associated themes. Hard to put down - which is rarely said for an academic study - excellent stuff...” (Piers Warren)
The next Wild Talk Africa Film Festival and Conference will run from 28–31 March 2011 at Spier, Cape Town. Spier (pictured) is the ideal conference venue, set in the heart of the winelands, and surrounded by the Helderberg Mountains.
SCV London is one of the most high profile distributors in the UK Recording Industry today. Offering a wealth of recording technology products for professionals and hobbyists alike, SCV London can offer over 1,000 products from 17 different manufacturers ranging from computer products to award winning studio monitors.
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Neena is a Sydney-based foreign correspondent with strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as a proven ability to conduct in depth research, organise and conduct interviews, write, edit, design and produce project reports and newsletters. She can also help coordinate different aspects of production, including talent sourcing. Neena has experience of working with communities living in protected areas and knowledge of environmental law has provided her with fresh insight into environment and wildlife issues. During a career spanning 25 years, Neena has 
