Wildlife Video Workshop at Pensthorpe

Wildlife Video Workshop
(get the best out of your camcorder)

This one-day workshop at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve - The Natural Centre of Norfolk and host to the popular BBC Springwatch programmes - aims to help you get the best out of your camcorder when filming birds and other wildlife. The Reserve is the perfect location for this with many subjects close at hand and beautiful surroundings.

The tutors will show you how the professionals get steady shots and exciting sequences that tell a story. Equipment and examples of footage will be shown in the Wensum Room at Pensthorpe before going outside to film the wildlife at the Reserve accompanied by the tutors. You will then get the opportunity to view and discuss the footage you have shot.

The workshop is taught by wildlife film-maker and former Survival producer Mike Linley, and Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye: International School of Wildlife Film-making.

No experience is required, but it is recommended that you bring a camcorder, however basic, and tripod for use during the course (not essential however as we are able to provide some equipment for those without any). If you are bringing a camcorder don't forget the charger and a tape if appropriate.

Itinerary

Aim to arrive so you are ready to start in the Wensum Room at 10am
10am - introduction to the equipment and techniques we will be using throughout the day.
11am - filming within the Wader Aviary and other aviaries close to the main buildings - get stunning close-ups of avocets and other birds.
12.15pm - back to the Wensum Room to view the footage shot so far.
1pm - lunch at the Courtyard Café
1.45pm - briefing on the afternoon's tasks
2pm - filming further afield in the Reserve - scenic shots and other wildlife
3.15pm - back to the Wensum Room to view and critique the footage shot in the afternoon.
4pm - course ends

Tutors

Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye - Piers is well known throughout the wildlife film-making industry as the editor of Wildlife Film News and producer of wildlife-film.com, which he created in the 1990s. With a strong background in biology, education and conservation, he has had a lifelong passion for wildlife films and has a wide knowledge of natural history. He cut his teeth in the industry as a sound engineer and multi-media producer, running a studio for many years. He is one of the founders of the international organisation Filmmakers for Conservation and was Vice President for the first three years. Piers is the author of many magazine features and several books including Careers in Wildlife Film-making and Go Wild with Your Camcorder - How to Make Wildlife Films.

Mike Linley - Mike was a producer and scientific advisor to Survival the Internationally acclaimed wildlife programme making company from 1980 until its demise in 2001. During this time he filmed and produced over 60 documentaries, many of which won major International awards. He also researched, wrote and produced over 200 wildlife programmes for children including the series Animals in Action. He then formed Hairy Frog Productions, an independent wildlife production company.