Wildlife Presenter Wanted for New Series

Craterlion Productions are looking for a passionate, camera-friendly individual who has dedicated their lives to preserving, learning and educating, for wildlife and habitat. They are looking to attach the right host to this concept; you will be the face of the series so we need someone who has the charm, personality, and confidence to carry a series.

Requirements:

-age between the range of 23-45
-male or female, any race
-background in wildlife/biology, etc.
-send us a VIDEO (link or uploaded) reel of who you are and why you would be the perfect host for this series
-without any video footage you WILL be ignored
-ability to travel/current passport

Please mail links to wildlife@craterlionproductions.com

Films Online at wildlife-film.com

A selection of online video players are now live at www.wildlife-film.com. Note we also have a Vimeo player so do let us know if you have Vimeo wildlife films you would like included as well as YouTube ones. There are a number of categories to choose from and more will appear - let us know if you have further suggestions. One of the new ones is Showreels - so if you have a showreel of your wildlife work on YouTube then let us know by sending the URL to info@wildlife-film.com.

IWFF Announces Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

The IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award, established two years ago, recognizes the work and dedication of individuals whose efforts and achievements, reflect the mission of IWFF – to promote awareness, knowledge and understanding of wildlife, habitat, people and nature through excellence in film, television and other media.

For the 32nd IWFF – 2009, we are proud to announce the following Lifetime Achievement Award Winners:

IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Media:
Chris Palmer: In the early 1980s, Chris Palmer gave up his successful career as an energy policy expert and devoted his life to producing environmental and wildlife films that promote conservation. He has spent the last 25 years producing hundreds of hours of award-winning films for television and the global network of IMAX theaters. All of his films document threatened species and habitats and expose damaging commercial practices while celebrating environmental success stories.

In 1983, Chris founded the nonprofit National Audubon Society Productions, serving as president and CEO for 11 years. In 1994, he founded the nonprofit National Wildlife Productions (part of the National Wildlife Federation, the largest conservation organization in the United States), which, he managed as president, and CEO for 10 years, directing NWF's launch into broadcast, cable, syndication, home video, new media, IMAX, and international markets.

He joined the full-time faculty at American University in August 2004 as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence and founded the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of wildlife filmmakers. Chris gives speeches across the country advocating for more effective and ethical wildlife filmmaking. Sierra Club Books will publish his book on wildlife filmmaking next year.

In addition to being a professor at AU, Chris is also president of the MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation, which produces and funds IMAX films on conservation. MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s largest and most successful producer and distributor of IMAX films. Chris is also chief executive officer of VideoTakes, Inc., a film production company in Arlington, Virginia, which produces environmental films, videos, DVDs, and new media.

IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Conservation:
Dr. Laurie Marker – Co-Founder and Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund
Namibia, Africa. Dr. Marker’s projects are sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Network. Both Dr. Marker and WCN will present keynotes at the 32nd IWFF in May 2009.

With over thirty years experience, Dr. Laurie Marker is a pioneer in cheetah conservation. On research trips to Namibia early in her career, she learned firsthand of the dire situation facing wild cheetahs. She knew someone had to do something, and she would be that person. In 1991 Laurie sold most of her possessions and relocated to Namibia to co-found and direct the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF).

Laurie started her career at Wildlife Safari in Oregon and continued on as Director and Research Fellow at the NOAHS Center, National Zoo, Washington, D.C. In 1988 she developed the International Cheetah Studbook, a registry of captive cheetah worldwide, and is the International Studbook Keeper. In 1996 she became a Vice-Chair of the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Species Survival Commission's (SSC) Cat Specialist Group. Her life is now devoted to stabilizing the wild cheetah population by effecting lasting change in community attitudes and practices. In 2000 Laurie was recognized as one of Time Magazine's Heroes for the Planet.

Big Cat Film Safari in the Masai Mara - March 2009

BBC's Big Cat Live 2008 is nearly here! The series will run 5-12 October, starting at 6.45pm on BBC1, but several live webcams are already in place. Check out the Big Cat Live site at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigcatlive

Wildeye are pleased to say that in March 2009 we will again be running a Big Cat Film Safari in the Masai Mara and are thrilled that our chief camera tutor will be the veteran BBC Big Cat Diary/Week cameraman Gavin Thurston.

Gavin Thurston is a multi award-winning cameraman whose work you will undoubtedly have seen as he has worked on many high profile series such as Planet Earth, British Isles: A Natural History, The Life of Mammals, The Private Life of Plants, The Trials of Life and many more, as well as Big Cat Diary.

Big Cat Film Safari in the Masai Mara - described by previous participants (some of whom have been several times) as "The trip of a Lifetime" - "An exhilarating experience" - "I had the time of my life" ...

A unique experience with the Big Cats of the Masai Mara. Not only will you witness the high-speed chase of the cheetah, and watch prides of lions hunting their prey, but you will do this alongside the veteran BBC Big Cat Diary/Week cameraman Gavin Thurston who will show you how the series is made in the bush and accompany you throughout the trip.

Also in the group will be team leader Piers Warren and professional editor Will Ridgeon who will show you how footage is pieced together with state of the art video editing technology to make programmes such as Big Cat Diary. Our base for the safari will be the beautiful Mara Bush Camp, discreetly tucked away in a riverine forest on the banks of the Olare Orok River. Exclusively for our group, the camp features luxury tents equipped with comfortable 4 poster beds with mosquito nets, en-suite flushing toilets and sink units in the bathroom with running water and hot bucket showers.

Make your own Big Cat Film - at the end of the trip you will take away a DVD that was produced during the safari. Note you do not need to be a videographer to come on this trip - many of our guests are keen stills photographers or simply want to watch big cat behaviour with the experts - no experience or equipment is required. But for those of you who want expert instruction on the use of camcorders then this will be available at all times.

We regularly meet up with the real stars of Big Cat Diary/Week on these safaris - on previous trips we have seen Shadow, Bella and Chui the leopards, the Marsh and Ridge pride of lions with stars Cheza and Sala, and memorable close encounters with Kike the cheetah and her cubs.

Full information at www.wildeye.co.uk/bigcats.html

Dates: 2-12 March 2009. Costs: £3,750 per person (£360 single supplement). Includes international flights, all local travel in Kenya, park fees and game drives, accommodation and full board (apart from final dinner at The Carnivore in Nairobi). To check availability contact: info@wildeye.co.uk.

Alan Root awarded OBE

We are delighted that Alan Root was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours this year. In Alan’s words, this is “Ordinary Bloke, Embarrassed”. John Heminway translates it in a different way: “Old Bastard, Embalmed”. Whichever definition you choose, it is a well deserved honour, for the man who won an Oscar at 21 and is still filming 50 years later. Well done Alan!

Filmmakers for Conservation launch new Website

FFC have launched a new website packed with information and new features. Explore the resource at www.filmmakersforconservation.org/. Featured on the new site are Chris Palmer's reflections on thirty years in conservation filmmaking. Chris Palmer is Director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University in Washington DC, President of the MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation in Laguna Beach, CA, and CEO of VideoTakes, Inc. in Alexandria, VA. His article includes the following:

What Is Green/Conservation Filmmaking
Why are Films about Conservation Important?
Blue-chip v. Conservation Programs
The Dreaded "C" Word
What Is In The Future?
What Does All This Mean for Someone Starting Out in the Industry?
Networking
Storytelling
Breaking Into The Business
How Can You Start Working on Your Ideas and Passions?
Learn How To Pitch
What To Aim For in Distribution?
Ethical Issues
Presenter-Led Programs
Green Filmmaking
Personal Reflections www.filmmakersforconservation.org/conservation-filmmaking/about-conservation-filmmaking.html

A unique opportunity to record the rich sounds of the jungles of Northern India accompanied by experienced wildlife sound recordist Chris Watson.

Our base will be Camp Forktail Creek - a forest home surrounded by a dense Sal forest and moist jungles and the only ‘jungle’ camp of its kind within Corbett Tiger Reserve, offering exclusivity in game viewing, great walks and explorations on foot. Corbett National Park was the first National Park founded in Asia and being an excellent habitat for the Bengal Tiger, “Project Tiger” was launched here in 1973. Corbett is also rich in avifauna with counts of over 600 bird species.

From Camp you could get great sound recordings of Great Hornbill, Slaty Woodpecker, Oriental Scops Owl, Spot bellied Eagle Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Large Tailed Nightjar, Indian Cuckoo, Common Hawk Cuckoo, Cheetal, Barking deer and monkey alarm calls and if lucky a leopard sawing.

As can be seen at www.wildeye.co.uk/india.html, we have a fantastic itinerary planned with walks, game drives into various parts of the park, night expeditons, and, with luck, elephant-back safaris. Although the focus will be on recording wildlife and natural atmospheres there will also be opportunities to record the wonderful sounds of the people and villages of the area. As April is wedding time in the area we may get lucky with a wedding in the village or a prayer ceremony in a local temple.

Dates: Sun 29th March - Wed 8th April 2009

Costs: £1,990 per person. Includes international flights, all local travel in India, accommodation and full board (apart from expenses of personal nature like phone calls, postage, laundry, tips, alcoholic beverages)

Booking: To check availability contact: info@wildeye.co.uk
If places are available you will be asked to pay a deposit of £500 per person to secure your booking.
Places are strictly limited so early booking is recommended.

Western Lowland Gorilla Footage Required

Lianne Slegh is currently busy with a film about the Western Lowland Gorilla for NHU Africa, Cape Town, and is looking for footage of a group of
gorillas and a mother with her baby. If you can help please contact her at lianne@nhuafrica.com

Wildeye have now set a date for the next Wildlife Camera Operator Course as 3-5 October 2008, please note this will be the last course until spring 2009 at the earliest.

Whether you want to film wildlife as a fascinating hobby, or are hoping for a career as a professional wildlife camera operator, this course will arm you with the knowledge and techniques to create stunning shots and sequences. As camera technology advances apace it can be difficult to know what equipment to use (and then how to use it!), with a high tutor to student ratio, this course is unique in content and value for money. It will answer all the questions you have and many you haven't thought of yet.

This weekend is aimed both at those who already have a camcorder and wish to explore its features in more depth, and try a variety of attachments and ancillary equipment, but also at those who have yet to buy a camera and are confused by all the possibilities. It also introduces the latest technology and camera systems for those who may upgrade their equipment in the future. The knowledge gained will help you choose and use the right gear for your purposes and will save you wasting money on unnecessary or inappropriate technology. The Creative Camerawork element will help you improve your techniques under expert instruction.

The course starts with a series of discussions and is then split into workshops exploring various aspects of camera use in wildlife film-making, including: wide angle, telephoto, macro, scopes, sound recording, underwater, and creative techniques. It is taught by wildlife film-maker Mike Linley,Simon Beer - a video camera specialist from Production Gear Ltd., and Piers Warren - Principal of Wildeye.

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.

Costs: £245 per person. This includes tuition, accommodation, and meals. Further information at: http://www.wildeye.co.uk/camera.html

To book a place contact info@wildeye.co.uk asap

Introduction to Wildlife Film-making Course - 29-31 August 2008

Due to popular demand Wildeye have set up an additional Introduction weekend course this year: 29-31 August 2008. Note that this will be the last Introduction course until spring/summer 2009.

These weekends, in the heart of Norfolk, provide a unique hands-on introduction to wildlife film-making. The sessions cover all aspects of wildlife film-making with opportunities for filming wildlife at the Animal Ark and Country Park (formerly the Norfolk Wildlife Centre). Wildlife you will see and film at the park include otters, meerkats, wallabies, peacocks, whooper swans and much more.

This course is the perfect start for those wishing to work in the wildlife film-making industry, whether as a camera operator, producer, researcher, script-writer, presenter and so on. It is also suitable for those wishing to pursue wildlife film-making as a fascinating hobby.

Costs: £195 per person. This includes tuition, entrance to Park, camping, breakfast and evening meals (the park has a snack cafe for lunches).

Full information at www.wildeye.co.uk/ukweekends.html. To book a place contact info@wildeye.co.uk asap

BBC announces a major season marking the life and work of Charles Darwin

The BBC announces a season of landmark content to mark one of the most astonishing and influential scientific ideas ever conceived. February 12 2009 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, and 24 November 2009 is the 150th of the publication of his book On the Origin of Species, which laid out the theory of evolution by natural selection.

David Attenborough, Andrew Marr and Jimmy Doherty are just some of the well-known names who will be helping the BBC and the nation to mark the life and work of Charles Darwin on the BBC Winter 08/09. The season sets out to explore evolution, regarded as one of the most far-reaching and influential scientific ideas ever.

A range of BBC content from BBC Science, Natural History Unit, Religion and Ethics and CBBC will deliver across television, radio and online an array of stories and voices about this mould-breaking scientific theory.

BBC One kicks off the season with a one-off special from David Attenborough and the Natural History Unit (NHU) in Bristol. Tree of Life (working title, 1 x 60-minute) explores the origin of Darwin's great idea. David Attenborough makes a powerful case for the importance of the science of evolution.

Andrew Marr On Darwin's Legacy (working title) is a landmark new 3 x 60-minute series for BBC Two. Marr will explore the radical impact of Darwin's theory not only in science, but also society, political movements (capitalist, Marxist and fascist) and religion.

BBC Four will present two specially commissioned one-off documentaries: What Darwin Didn't Know and Darwin: In His Own Words. What Darwin Didn't know is a new 1 x 90-minute film exploring a new field of genetics, 'evo devo' – the combined study of evolution and development in the womb – which is allowing us to solve some of Darwin's unanswered questions. Darwin: In His Own Words will use newly-released documents from Cambridge University to chart Darwin's thoughts during the long period before he made his theory known to the public.

BBC One has also commissioned Life (10 x 60-minute) from the NHU, a natural history spectacular which captures the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring animal survival behaviours ever shown on TV. Four years in the making, Life is filmed in the most extreme environments across the globe. Co-funded by the OU. A co-production with BBC Worldwide and Discovery.

Marmot Footage Wanted

Image Quest in Canada are working on a film about wildlife living in the BC Alpine Forest and are looking specifically for footage of Hoary Marmots or Yellow Bellied Marmots..

If you can help please contact Gina at image_quest@sympatico.ca

Lion Birth Footage Wanted

Pioneer Productions are after any footage of a lion giving birth (tawny, African lion if possible) – it can either be in the wild or in captivity, either would do. It is for a Documentary they are making for National Geographic and Channel 4, called In the Womb: Cats, which is looking at the development of domestic cats and big cats in the womb.

Contact: Zoe Elliott - zoe.elliott@pioneertv.com

Unearthed: Film School Wild Looking for Contestants

ANIMAL PLANET’S UNEARTHED: FILM SCHOOL WILD IS LOOKING FOR FOUR LUCKY CONTESTANTS TO PUT TO THE TEST

Is your burning ambition to get up close and personal with the world’s most amazing animals? Do you dream of capturing nature’s raw beauty on film? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, then Animal Planet is about to offer you the chance of a lifetime.

In this unique television project, Animal Planet sets out to find the next great wildlife filmmaker. The eight-part reality series UNEARTHED: FILM SCHOOL WILD will follow four contestants on an intensive training course as they learn the essential skills and realities of creating a natural history documentary.

Animal Planet will begin accepting applications for contestants to be featured on the third series from 14 April 2008. To learn more about the application process and eligibility, please visit www.animalplanet.co.uk/unearthed. The closing date for receipt of applications is 19 May 2008.

In previous years, Unearthed students have learnt how to film great white sharks underwater, film undercover using covert techniques, and aerial filming from a helicopter, during a game capture.

Industry experts and renowned wildlife filmmakers Lyndal Davies and Andrew Barron will guide the contestants though their tasks on the course. The tutors will provide invaluable inside knowledge to help the students each shoot and edit their own short wildlife film.

The budding filmmakers and animal enthusiasts will carry out their challenges at the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa in July 2008, competing to ultimately have their film chosen the winner.

An international panel of experts will judge the final documentaries at a gala dinner in South Africa, and the winner will have his or her film broadcast on Animal Planet in 160 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Nat Geo Wild Rising Star Student Prize

National Geographic Channels International has announced the first annual Nat Geo Wild Rising Star Student Prize to be presented at this year’s Wildscreen Festival – the world’s largest and most prestigious wildlife and environmental film festival. The award supports students with a passion for wildlife, eager to break through on the filmmaking scene. The winning submission will be aired on the Nat Geo Wild channel of NGCI – a 24-hour wildlife channel known for high-quality, blue-chip natural history programming that broadcasts throughout the UK, Italy, Central Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The award winner will be flown to Bristol, UK., for the Wildscreen Festival (19th – 24th October 2008). Along with the award and submission airing on Nat Geo Wild, the recipient will receive a three-month internship at National Geographic Channels International’s headquarters in Washington, DC., as well as a copy of Final Cut Pro – the professional non-linear editing system – courtesy of Apple, Inc. Housing, flight and other accommodations for the internship are not included.

The winner will be announced in June 2008. http://www.wildscreenfestival.org/index.php?pageid=303&parentid=257

Additional materials from the collection, including books, equipment and footage, can also be accessed, by appointment, at Wildscreen’s headquarters, The Rackhay, Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4HJ.

Wildlife Camera Operator Course

Wildeye have announced their next date of 25-27 April 2008 for this course.

Whether you want to film wildlife as a fascinating hobby, or are hoping for a career as a professional wildlife camera operator, this course will arm you with the knowledge and techniques to create stunning shots and sequences. As camera technology advances apace it can be difficult to know what equipment to use (and then how to use it!), with a high tutor to student ratio, this course is unique in content and value for money. It will answer all the questions you have and many you haven't thought of yet.

This weekend is aimed both at those who already have a camcorder and wish to explore its features in more depth, and try a variety of attachments and ancillary equipment, but also at those who have yet to buy a camera and are confused by all the possibilities. It also introduces the latest technology and camera systems for those who may upgrade their equipment in the future. The knowledge gained will help you choose and use the right gear for your purposes and will save you wasting money on unnecessary or inappropriate technology. The Creative Camerawork element will help you improve your techniques under expert instruction.

Full info at www.wildeye.co.uk/camera.html

Internship Available at the Wildlife Film Academy

The Wildlife Film Academy, based in Cape Town, has an immediate internship position available. It’s a fantastic opportunity for budding filmmakers to learn about wildlife filmmaking through working at the Academy.

The Wildlife Film Academy runs an intensive one month wildlife filmmaking course which combines a balance of theory-based lectures and practical fieldwork. It includes a field trip to a game reserve to film wildlife in close proximity, with each student producing their own unique five-minute short film.

The Academy is looking for an enthusiastic and highly organised person with good people skills, to assist the Course Manager with administration tasks. The applicant should have a passion and interest in filmmaking. The length of the internship is up to the applicant, however a minimum of 3 months is required.

To apply for the voluntary internship, send your CV, with a covering letter stating why you are interested in this position, to info@wildlifefilmacademy.com For more information about the Wildlife Film Academy visit www.wildlifefilmacademy.com

Wildlife Film Academy 2008 Course Dates

Learn the art of Wildlife filmmaking in Cape Town, South Africa. This intensive one-month course, offers lectures by industry professionals, includes a spectacular all expenses paid field trip to a premier game reserve, and each student produces their own unique five-minute short film.

To maximize the professional tuition, each course can accommodate 10 students. The course dates are as follows:
23 January – 22 February – fully booked.
5 March – 4 April
16 April – 16 May
28 May – 27 June
9 June – 9 July
16 July – 15 August
30 July – 29 August
3 September – 3 October
8 October - 7 November
12 November – 12 December

To book your place on a course email info@wildlifefilmacademy.com
For more detailed information about the course visit www.wildlifefilmacademy.com

Under Water, Over Land Challenge - Video Contest

Charge your batteries. Dust off your wetsuit. Dig out your hiking boots. And fire up your video camera. The Under Water, Over Land Challenge, the planet's premiere nature and outdoors video production contest, will kick off its 2008 season this month. Sign-ups will begin at partner site DVinfo.net beginning on January 24, with the first official theme announcement on February 1, 2008.

The Under Water, Over Land (UWOL) Challenge is the planet's premiere nature and outdoors video production contest. UWOL offers a unique opportunity for documentarians, planet Earth-lovers, extreme sports enthusiasts, bird-watchers, sea-dwellers, and all aspiring outdoor film makers to join a community of like minded people, swap stories, learn skills, and win prizes. Every other month, players are assigned a nature and outdoors topic and then are given three weeks to shoot, edit, and upload their films to the contest's dedicated website.

In its first year, the contest attracted players from all over the world (Norway, Australia, Canada, UK, France, South Africa, the US, the Arctic Circle, Taiwan, Sweden,--and more)... put up a remarkable 144 short films, making it the most productive ongoing video contest in the world. The contest runs six times per year, every other month.

According to the contest's coordinator, Meryem Ersoz, the contest is unique among its peers. "Most online video contests are geared towards making either TV commercials or min-Hollywood-style narrative films. Our contest attracts players who are more interested in making their own mini Animal Planet or Discovery Channel-type of film."

By signing up at their partner site, DVinfo.net, players are able to interact with each other, make friends, and offer feedback on each others' films. For more information on the contest rules and how to get started, visit the contest website at www.uwolchallenge.com. Join a supportive community of like-minded video producers today.

Life In Cold Blood – coming soon to BBC One

Sir David Attenborough brings viewers the final chapter of his epic overview of life on Earth as he transforms perceptions of cold-blooded animals in this landmark BBC One series Life In Cold Blood.

"Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of as slow, dim-witted and primitive," says David. "In fact they can be lethally fast, spectacularly beautiful, surprisingly affectionate and extremely sophisticated."

David first brought viewers Life On Earth, then The Private Life Of Plants, followed by The Life Of Birds, The Life Of Mammals and Life In The Undergrowth. Now, using the very latest in filming technology from the BBC's world renowned Natural History Unit – including ultra-high-speed, thermal, miniature and on-board cameras – David reveals the surprising and intimate lives of the cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians, discovering the secret of their success. After all, they have ruled the Earth for nearly 200 million years and, today, there are well over 14,000 species.

From the largest and most dangerous reptiles on Earth demonstrating tender and sensual courtship, to tortoises and horned chameleons jousting dramatically, flashing anolis lizards and waving jacky dragons, the Life In Cold Blood team capture previously unseen behaviour bringing their unknown lives to the screen as never before. Tiny scarlet frogs engage in sumo wrestling, baby worm-like caecilians feast on their mother's skin, mother salamanders viciously defend their broods against marauders and spectacled caiman are filmed taking care of crèches of up to 100 young.

After each main programme, there is a 10-minute feature, Under The Skin, produced in collaboration with the Open University. It follows David as he examines the technology used by scientists that enable the team to bring this incredible animal behaviour to the small screen.

Miles Barton is the series producer and Sara Ford is the executive producer. Hilary Jeffkins, James Brickell and Adam White are the producers. Life In Cold Blood is a BBC and Animal Planet co-production for BBC One, and Under The Skin is a BBC production for the Open University.

Running order:
Programme 1 – The Cold Blooded Truth
Programme 2 – Invaders Of The Land
Programme 3 – Dragons Of The Dry
Programme 4 – Sophisticated Serpents
Programme 5 – Armoured Giant

One Man on a Moor Urges TV Viewers to Find Time to Think - BBC2 Natural World 18 January

In a break with more than 20 years of tradition, the next film in BBC2’s NATURAL WORLD series includes no faraway places, no rare species, no endangered habitats, nor any firebrand conservation campaigners.

Instead, EARTH PILGRIM: A YEAR ON DARTMOOR (Friday 18 January, BBC2, 8pm) is about one extraordinary Indian man, England’s best-known moor, a fresh view of nature, and a rallying call for people to find time to sit under a tree and think.

Series editor, Tim Martin says: “EARTH PILGRIM is quite unlike any of the films shown before in the Natural World slot. It is just as rich in wildlife and the photography of Dartmoor is exquisite. But what makes the film stand out is the extraordinary man – Satish Kumar - who presents it.

He shows us an archetypical English landscape – a place that millions of us have visited - but from a very un-English perspective, one that’s totally remote from the usual English countryside pursuits – air-taking, sponsored hikes, mountain biking, bird-watching and walking the dog. Through his eyes, we see nature in a fresh, inspiring and uplifting way, and it’s a spiritual and emotional revelation.”

One reason the film is a mould-breaker is because its presenter is a mould-breaker, too. Satish Kumar is a Rajasthani-born former Jain monk who settled in Britain in 1967, after an epic 8,000 mile pilgrimage, on foot and without money, from the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi in New Delhi to the grave of John F. Kennedy in Washington DC, via Moscow, Paris and London.

Then, he was walking to draw attention to the disharmony that caused the assassinations of both, and to appeal for an end to the nuclear arms race.
Now 71, and living next to Dartmoor, most of his walks are shorter, and his message is about rediscovering nature and finding inner peace.

Satish Kumar says: “We’ve lost our connection to nature. We’re in our homes and then we get in our cars to drive to the office, to the restaurant….. we don’t even notice the world outside. Even when we do consider nature, our view of it is materialistic – it has become another object to be exploited.”

He hopes EARTH PILGRIM will encourage more people to visit natural places and benefit from a lesson he learned more than 60 years ago.
“My mother used to say: ‘The tree is the true teacher of humanity and the greatest teacher that we have – even greater than the Buddha.’ I would ask her: ‘What do you mean? There can be no greater teacher than the Buddha; the Buddha was the greatest teacher in India’. And my mother would say, ‘But even the Buddha got his enlightenment while sitting under a tree’.

Satish Kumar adds: “Nowadays people don’t get enlightenment, because they don’t sit under a tree. But my mother was right. When we come to a tree, we gain a sense of calm, a sense of healing – it is the true sustaining force of the earth.”

He says his hope for the film is that it will inspire people to rediscover nature, in a quieter way,. “I want to inspire people to get outdoors, but not to go charging around the countryside in the way we charge around everywhere. I’d like people to take a moment to sit quietly and reflect – to connect with the natural environment and, so, re-connect with ourselves in a simple yet profound way. ”

EARTH PILGRIM: A YEAR ON DARTMOOR is produced and directed by Andrew Graham-Brown whose previous credits include the Emmy and Royal Television Society award-winning Mississippi: Tales of the Last River Rat, with cinematography by Warwick Sloss. It is being shown as the second programme in the new series of NATURAL WORLD. The film’s first broadcast is on Friday 18 January, with a repeat on Sunday 20 January (BBC2, 6pm).

Satish Kumar will be a guest on Radio 4’s MIDWEEK on Wednesday 16 January, talking about the film, his life and his current work as director of programmes at the Schumacher College, Devon, an international centre for ecological studies and as editor of RESURGENCE, the magazine that has been described as the ‘spiritual and artistic flagship of the green movement’.

Introduction to Wildlife Film-making Course

Wildeye have announced dates for their next Introduction to Wildlife Film-making courses:
23-25 May and 20-22 June 2008

These weekends, in the heart of Norfolk, provide a unique hands-on introduction to wildlife film-making. The sessions cover all aspects of wildlife film-making with opportunities for filming wildlife at the Animal Ark and Country Park (formerly the Norfolk Wildlife Centre). Wildlife you will see and film at the park include otters, meerkats, wallabies, peacocks, fallow deer and much more. Professional wildlife film-makers with a wide range of experience will be your guides and tutors throughout the weekend.

This course is the perfect start for those wishing to work in the wildlife film-making industry, whether as a camera operator, producer, researcher, script-writer, presenter and so on.

Further information at http://www.wildeye.co.uk/ukweekends.html

Booking: Initially contact info@wildeye.co.uk to reserve a place on the date of your choice. You will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £25 to confirm your booking. Places are limited and will be awarded first-come-first-served - so you are advised to book early.

Wanted: Green Films

Green.tv are looking for new, original, creative short films of any genre which raise awareness of environmental and conservation issues.

Your film will be broadcast on our internet channel and will be seen by over 800,000 visitors per month. Films must be a maximum of 6 minutes in length and if possible be supplied in high quality broadcast format (eg DV, Digibeta, HDV, etc.)

Please visit the www.green.tv and send details of your film to: verity.cowper@green.tv

Creative Wildlife Video Editing Course

Wildeye have announced a new date for this popular course:

28-30 March 2008 (Norfolk UK)

Booking: Initially contact info@wildeye.co.uk you will then be required to pay a deposit of £25 to secure your place.Places are limited and will be awarded first-come-first-served - so you are advised to book early.

Editing is the crucial and almost final creative stage a film goes through before reaching an audience. It is a much misunderstood craft and frequently taken for granted by viewers all over the world. Wildlife editing has diversified a great deal in the last ten years. We no longer view the chocolate box or ‘blue chip’ narrative as the only way to tell a story. There are many ways to put a wildlife film together depending on what you want to say. In this Creative Wildlife Editing weekend, you will learn the tricks of the trade, styles that are ‘in’, styles that are ‘out’ and techniques that draw from unusual places.
Through the use of many clips and examples taken from every aspect of film production and hands on practical lessons, we’ll examine the symbiotic relationship between direction, shooting and editing and also the importance and power of music. Hands on experience will be available via Final Cut Pro.

Full information/itinerary at www.wildeye.co.uk/creativeediting.html