at the end of our first year...

We made 144 3-minute films.

Six out of seven continents are represented in films. (All continents except Antarctica, somebody should get busy with that...). We have films from 15 different countries.

16 of the 50 United States are represented (I'm not quite sure how to effectively represent states/provinces/etc. from countries other than my own....).

Our youngest player is sixteen. Our oldest player is 60-something, but I'm just guessing a little here. If you're older than that, send me a private e-mail, I promise I won't tell...or, if you're not shy, post it here, and we'll give you the admiration you deserve for still stomping around the wilder-wild with all your gear.

At least eighty different animal species represented (I kind of lost track of that one at some point, too, there's probably quite a few more....).

Just thought you might like to know. A big thank you to everyone who ever played along, from one-time players to full-year finishers, you created quite a remarkable global village. The world on your laptop....

I turned 69 in September.

I'm a videographer in Florida, trying to move from local TV commercials/cheesy adventure videography to nature documentary film work and such meaningful things. I haven't done a UWOL yet, I watched the last one to get a feel for it, I'll jump in in 2008! :)

I've posted something fairly close to UWOL for feedback earlier, actually, here:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=109370
Looking forward to getting to know you guys! :)

Well, that's who I am. Who are the rest of you? :)
Carl

I hit 57 in August...

Welcome Carl!

Look forward to having you join us in 2008!

I checked out the site you had your videos on but it requires Divx to see the videos.

when is your birthday, bruce? we'll have to have a little cake and candles or something...then we can say that our MVP (Most Venerable Player) is in his 70s, woo hoo...

not that i'm trying to push you along or anything!

and carl, looking forward to seeing what you can knock out in february...should be a fun (uh, and easy...) round with a lot of new players.

I think I'll take credit for the youngest player... Even though I have not been the most active, good, or anything of that matter.

I'm fifteen (and a half, but that does not matter).

Maybe I'll get to join you guys again in '08.
~Gabriel

Well i'm 21 & a bit!

Hmm, do i have to tell how big the bit is? Let's just say that it's not how old you are, but how young you feel when you're out there in all that nature making wildlife films. :)

Bryce

I'm 48, 49 next March, approaching 50 soon.... huuu where are those years gone...
But as Anne-Kari use to say to me: "Time is not passing, Time is coming..."

Anyway feel like 29 still.... (have to with my Gear!)

I'm 32, until July next year...

So far UWOL is the most serious videos I have made, and I'm looking forward to many more to come.
When I'm not out looking for something to catch on tape, I work as an air traffic controller.

... I'll get to join you guys again in '08.
Gabriel, I deleted the "maybe" from your statement. Hope you don't mind.
So now you have to join us again in 08!! :)
We need your films too.

I've not managed to actually get a UWOL video finished yet but I thought I'd say hello anyway.

I've just turned 27, I live in North Wales, UK.

Hmmm, age.... such a profanely thing.
But I'm turning 48 in a few days, we have to celebrate together in 2009 Per Johan.

Meryem: your rundown of the year 2007 is a big WOW, great to know that we've been part of it :)

Geir Inge

28 year old swede that ben filming UW since 2003.

you made four films for the Challenge this year, gabe, that's not something to sniff at...we had eight (i think, or was it nine?) players finish all six Challenges, out of something like 60 or 70 total players. you and kevin posted the same number of films, so you're in some pretty good company. it was you i was thinking of when i said our youngest player was 16, i didn't realize that you're fifteen. even more impressive!

i think it is pretty funny that everyone is taking this opportunity to step up to the age confessional. i didn't expect it, but it is actually rather interesting to the see the range of ages, to see us old folks beating the pants off, er...ah, i mean playing alongside a lot of younger players. that's another cool thing.

i may see if i can get my 7 year old to make something for this in the next round..she likes to shoot things. she can't edit, but she likes shooting. it gives me a heart attack when i let her hold my camera though, i may have to break down and buy her a cheapie DV cam of her own. that's a thought...

at the end of our first year...
We made 144 3-minute films.
And behind all these films we have a lot of combined experience!!


i may see if i can get my 7 year old to make something for this in the next round..she likes to shoot things. she can't edit, but she likes shooting. it gives me a heart attack when i let her hold my camera though...
Hmm, I wonder what the next theme can be...
"Scared moms"?? ;)

just think, such an easy theme that even a 7 year old can do it....what a relief from NIGHT....

Easy for the kids doesn't always mean it's easy for the adults too.
The kids usually have a very bright imagination, and are really creative.

Can't wait to February.

Hey Per, I turn 59 in March, the 26th of March. Maybe if things work out next year we can celebrate your 50th and my 60th in Oslo!!!! Bob

My dad tells me that I'm old enough to know better but young enough to still give a damn.

Not quite sure just what the heck that means but oh well. :)

I am 44 years old, Motorcycle workshop manager.Got my first camera in June this year and am having a whole lot of fun with it.

52 going on 90 (my kids reckon I'm a grumpy old ...)

I'm an actor/shopkeeper (day job) who started a short film group to help young people in the area - I've ended up getting hooked on the behind the camera action and I think this group is a great way to learn for me.

I've got 3 doco's in the planning and we shoot our first film on the 13th (with the help of Per Johan) - hows that work? just wait and see.

Hi guys:

These are all really interesting entries! I am amazed that you all can be so explicit about your lives in a sentence or two. How do guys do this! I think it is the same with memos at work. Women tend to be really wordy. I actually entered in but decided not to post it because it turned out to be a couple of paragraphs .... way too long for anyone's taste!

Oh and my age? Well, let's just say I'm somewhere between the outlying ages of the UWOL group of 15.5 and 69, and I'm lots younger than I was 5 years ago! HA! That should be vague enough don't you think?

Here's to an easy kick-off theme in February!

Cat

Good God, most of us are older than dirt!

Retired early ten years ago, went fishing. Run a boat in Panama City, Panama hence Billfish Adventures TV (big disappointment that was) and do some work for the outfitters I hunt with.

Would love to get paid for doing this just once, but in the mean time having a ball hanging out here.

Jim

Well, I'm not the youngest or oldest here, and will leave it at that. I used to study primates (mainly monkeys) and find this has provided me with valuable skills for everything else I've done :)


Ruth

Hi all! I am 31 years old and teach English at Erciyes University. I've been busying myself with my camera for a year now. Hope to take part in next UWOLs :) I think I am the only one from Turkey so far .....

hi I'll be 21 next month, I'm here because I have just completed the change to HD (TV,Bluray,Camcorder-HV10)
I'm looking foward to learning what I need to about editing in HD since i'm going to be venturing into making hobbyist productions.

look here, another lurker de-lurking...i love it when that happens. welcome, thaddeus! we hope you join us for the february Challenge round. it's going to be loads of fun. it will be cold in Connecticut, i'm imagining.

i love my little HV10--looking forward to seeing what you can put together with it....

I’m a 59 year old computer programmer in Tomball, TX (Northwest edge of Houston), masquerading as a videographer. After shooting a few weddings with my Sony DCR-TRV103 I decided I would go HD. I got my Sony HVR-A1U in November 2006. I’ve had a great time leaning the ins and outs of HDV.

Weddings help pay for the equipment, but nature documentaries are what I spend most of my time shooting. I made two challenges (3 & 4). My A1U was in for repair during 5 & 6. Even though I missed the last two, I’ve really learned a lot from the experience. My goals for 2008 are to make all the challenges, and upgrade to an FX7 or V1U. A man’s got to have a dream.

I'm 42. Broke my back in a racing wreck eight years ago so now parts of me are 80. I still dream like I'm 8. It's taken me 20 years to get to where I can build with a hammer and saw - what I see in my mind. I got into videography a year ago and the dream keeps growing. It's clean, engulfed in sound, and rich with color. If I can realize it, I plan to slide the tool belt off for good.

I've never entered a UWOL challenge. Watched enough to know I'm eclipsed so far. But the only guarantee you get in life, is when you give up.

I'll see you guys in February ; )

now parts of me are 80. I still dream like I'm 8.

That's such an awesome attitude!

I'll see you guys in February ; )

Looking forward to it! ;) Seems you've got the right attitude there, too ;)

Meryem? How many lurkers delurking in February are we up to now? ;)

C

PS - I only count as half of one now... February/March are going to be crazy.... but I'm going to do my best to delurk with this crowd! ;) At the very least, this job starting Feb 15th will finance me through the next UWOL or two after that!

I'm 39, and been in the Navy for 17 and a half years. I got into video as a hobby and it keeps growing on me. I never really got into narratives so UWOL is a great place to land. I'll try to nail a few films next year!

Meryem? How many lurkers delurking in February are we up to now? ;)


they are practically starting to out-number the regulars, dang. february should be an interesting month!

I do not get on here that often this year!! wish I had more time to do so.

Sense we are doing the age thing, I am 57 years and just entering the second half of my life, mid aged, eh??

things are so much better sense the bolex film age!!!

I can actually afford to film!!! Ok video!! just as good in my book.

In addition to my previous thread, I have some really HOT news to tell you all uwol'ers!
Next year I'm going to do wildlife filming for my living! I will be working 100% with what I'm like best, what a year this gonna be...
I will be working with different projects (a couple of them real big) and some others things which lead me to take the step.
The question for me is: will I be able to join this group as much as I want and will you, dear fellows have me in this group when I gonna be more professional?

Wow Per,
That sounds fantastic! I wish you all the best. I hope you do find the time to keep in touch with all of us here & hopefully enter some challenges in the new year. Your entries have given me inspiration to improve, & can only dream, work hard, & hope that one day i will be able to do what you are about to do!

All the best,

Bryce

Per, what is life without dreams? Go for it, you have the whole world (well, 6 continents) wishing you the best. Heck, after watching your videos this past year of so we are all confident you will be a success. Please keep in touch, even if it is just to show us your rushes. I for one envy you. Take care. Bob

!
Next year I'm going to do wildlife filming for my living! I will be working 100% with what I'm like best, what a year this gonna be...

Congratulations on that Per. Well who's next?

In addition to my previous thread, I have some really HOT news to tell you all uwol'ers!


i think i have an idea for a most excellent outside judge brewing....

congratulations, my friend, that's what it's all about, perfecting and honing your craft (well, besides Rule #11...). you have always been an inspiration to this group. and your participation, on any level, whether competing, not competing, judging, or just chatting with us and giving us news from whatever remote location you are in, will always be welcome....

Per, if you don't mind me asking, how did it happen? What triggered the interest, the offer, the move up? Did your work here have anything to do with it?

Congratulations Per. You just got called up to the big leagues.

Congratulation to you PJ.
Follow your dream my friend, it's well deserved and I wish you good luck and all the best for the future. I guess you will be pretty bussy working on different project, but please do remember, you have some great friends here at Uwol :)
And I hope you get some sparetime for visiting Runde in the Spring?
There are some awesome Puffins waiting for you.

Best wishes.
Geir Inge

I'm a 34 year old lost soul who finds happiness, escape, and security in filming. It is contests like UWOL that have given me some precious memories both on film and off. We were able to complete two of the challenges and had a great deal of fun attempting two others. On the "Night" themed challenge we witnessed the seemingly supernatural powers of desert darkness and the unknown forces, something never to be forgotten. It is not always about the contest itself, but the emotion and memories created during.....sometimes those are worth many times more than the prizes and recognition.

when is your birthday, bruce? we'll have to have a little cake and candles or something...then we can say that our MVP (Most Venerable Player) is in his 70s, woo hoo...

not that i'm trying to push you along or anything!



September 10th 1938

On the "Night" themed challenge we witnessed the seemingly supernatural powers of desert darkness and the unknown forces, something never to be forgotten. It is not always about the contest itself, but the emotion and memories created during.....sometimes those are worth many times more than the prizes and recognition.

my boy marco has it...the real value of this contest is in becoming one with the planetary magic...winning, schminning. anyone who has managed even one poetic moment like marco just described has already won the damn thing, in advance. congratulations on your big win, marco, you didn't even have to finish to land the biggest prize of them all....there's a reason we call them "tales of wonder and woe..."

i just love the desert...

and bruce, you just celebrated recently. now we hafta wait another year for your big bash! ah, we'll get there.

Per,

congratulations, I can think of no one that deserves it more than you do!!

As others have stated, I hope you can still be involved. you have truly been an inspiration.

I am more or less retired as of today. More time for everything, particularly filming.

Jumping in late here but hope to get into UWOL contests next year. Im 28 and working as a fulltime cameraman and Mac editor. Nature photography was (and still is) my passion and am branching out to macro video with my H1.

Am so glad I am here with so many like-minded ppl.

Cheers

WeeHan

yet another lurker unveiled! welcome to the gang, WeeHan...

we're looking forward to seeing some images from an amazing location.

WeeHan, welcome to this awesome nature/wildlife video friendship/family.
I'm looking forward to see your films.

Trond

Thanks Meryem and Trond for the warm welcome! Its tough getting good stuff in tropical, extremely humid places like Singapore! But the subjects are plentiful...other than landscapes...we have almost no natural landscape.

Have got plenty of footage (my macro is done on a tripod 100% of the time due to the weight and mag rate) but still trying to piece them together to form a meaningful video.

Cheers

WeeHan

Hi everyone,
Finally got myself up and running so this year I will be able to enter this wonderful contest rather than being a side lines supporter.

I'm a 23 year old zoology graduate who has always wanted to make films which entertain, educate and inspire people about our fantastic natural world.

I'm going to make this dream into a career even if I have to live in a tent.

Looking forwards to learning from all you more experienced film makers.

Pete

hello, peter!

i just sent you an e-mail. here you are again. welcome to UWOL, those UK filmmakers are tough competitors, 2 of our six Challenge rounds last year were one by brits. vikings are doing their best to chase them down for world domination in nature and outdoors shooting, however. all of whom were edged out by a swede in the last round....

looking forward to seeing what you can add to the mix!