Touch's 30th Anniversary Event:
A Sound Recording Weekend with Chris Watson

As a celebration of Touch's 30th anniversary, we have teamed up with Wildeye to invite you on a unique two day event in Norfolk, eastern England. Limited to 15 applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, the weekend will include:

Two days working with Chris Watson and Touch.
Food, drink and accommodation in Whitwell Hall Country Centre.
A celebration drinks event with a presentation and Q&A session with Touch and Chris Watson
A Touch "Goodie Bag", which will include a unique mix by Chris Watson, with image and design by Jon Wozencroft on a Touch.30 USB stick (2GB), made from his and your recordings produced at the event. Only 25 copies of this limited edition will be made.

The course is taught by Chris Watson, one of the world's top wildlife sound specialists who regularly works for the BBC, and assisted by Touch staff, who will be documenting the event.

The course aims to explore aspects of field recording in more depth. It is particularly aimed at those who have already taken our Wildlife Sound Recording course, but if you already have good experience of sound recording in the field it may also be suitable.

Two specialist events will be highlighted; grey seals on the coast (which are pupping at this time of the year) and the steam railway close to Whitwell Hall. The area is remote and quiet and ideal for further exploratory recordings in natural surroundings. Whitwell Hall is not under a flight path.

The bulk of the course will be taken up with recording in the field - experimenting with different techniques and microphones, including hydrophones and surround sound systems (such as Ambisonic) - and then analysing the results back at base with exploration of multi-channel performance and presentations. Touch staff will also advise on the best ways to approach documenting or releasing your work, with specific attention to online, multi-channel and vinyl product.

The location is Whitwell Hall Country Centre in the centre of Norfolk, UK. Accommodation is shared rooms (or there are nearby bed and breakfasts/hotels if you prefer), and there will be excellent home-cooked food.

It is expected that you will bring your own sound recording equipment for working in the field although of course you will also be able to use some of the provided specialist equipment.

Itinerary

Day 1:
Aim to arrive by 6pm, directions will be sent when you have booked your place.
7pm - evening meal served
8pm - introductory chat - who we are, who you are, and what we will be doing over the next two days.
Night time recording (weather dependent).

Day 2:
8am - breakfast
9am - briefing
10am - departure for Horsey, (an hour's drive) where the grey seals are pupping
2pm - lunch
Various practical recording activities throughout the afternoon.
Tea and cake available throughout the afternoon
7pm - evening meal served
8pm - Touch celebration evening‚ talks and Q&As with Chris Watson and Touch

Day 3:
8am - breakfast
9am - briefing
10am Steam Station at Whitwell & Reepham Railway Station (10 minutes walk)
1pm - lunch
2pm - critical analysis of recordings made over the weekend
4pm - course ends

Tutor

Chris Watson - experienced sound recordist specialising in wildlife - Chris also runs courses in wildlife sound recording and post production at the BBC Natural History Unit, and lectures internationally on location sound and sound design. He has worked closely with two of the most high-profile natural history presenters in the business, David Attenborough and Bill Oddie. He is Oddie's favourite sound man and the TV veteran says of Watson: "I don't know anyone who is so intense yet so splendidly frivolous." Chris became a sound recordist in 1981 when he joined Tyne Tees Television and is now widely regarded as one of the most creative sound artists in the business. His recent credits include the hugely popular Springwatch and Autumnwatch, and he received the Wildlife Film Asia Award for the BBC's Galapagos: Born of Fire. Watson also creates for the radio, with credits including Soundscape: The Sea Swallow, Watersong and The Estuary all for BBC Radio 4. See www.chriswatson.net

A selection of superb natural sound CDs by Chris Watson are now available from our Wildeye Shop at www.wildeye.co.uk/chriswatson.html.

Booking Information

Costs: £350 per person
This includes tuition, accommodation, meals and drinks.

Dates:
7-9 Dec 2012

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Booking: If the home page shows that there are places available for this event - please complete the online application form and send in your deposit/fee for £50 as detailed.