Hi everyone,

About a year or so after we got the UWOL Challenge up and running many years ago, we talked a little about having a "get together" somewhere in the world. That hasn't happened yet...

So, after talking about it with Kevin, we thought it was about time to post this and find out if there is any interest to try again to make it happen.

Initial thoughts:
Traveling around the world is expencive, so people would probably need some time to save up for such a trip.
Would a years planning/saving be good? Say if a "get together" would happen sometime during 2016?
I guess the exact time frame would depend of the season and the location.
Before we make any specific plans about location and time, I would like to hear what you guys and girls think about it.

Maybe this could be a way to get the "UWOL Around the world" project back too. Just a thought.

Your thoughts and ideas are most welcome.

Well you know I'm game for it Trond.

Obviously location will dictate how many people will go do to different air fares.
Like I can fly to the Bahamas for half of what it costs to fly to Hawaii.

Course if we all ganged up at Meryem's place in Colordao that would be a cheap direct flight for me. :)

But getting the wheels in motion now is the best way to get as many people as possible so that they can save up, schedule vacation etc.

I already have my passport do lets go! :)

Obviously location will dictate how many people will go do to different air fares.
Very true, and cost is a big factor for how many can participate. Should have this in mind when we later deside a location and time.

Everyone, keep the thoughts and ideas flowing.

I'm voting for Norway. It may be the only way to get my lazy butt to Kvamsoy.....

For many years, we've been hosting a DVi get-together at NAB.

In the past, when you've seen me make an "NAB Roll Call" post such as this one (http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/dv-info-net-announcements/181917-nab-roll-call.html?highlight=nab+roll+call), I'm actually using that thread to build an invitation list. The itself event is no big secret, but the venue in which we host it is small (very comfortable! but small), and for that reason I can't put the info out in full public view. But, whoever responds to those threads gets an email in return inviting them to our annual NAB party. It's a great way to put DVi names to faces. It's my favorite social event of the year. There are no presentations or speeches or any structuring of that sort -- it's just a relaxed, casual meet & greet at a cool little bar in Las Vegas not far from the convention center. Did I mention the drinks are free?

So for any UWOLers planning to make the trip to NAB this year, please keep an eye out for my NAB Roll Call post, because it would just be so awesome if y'all could come and join us at our little private party.

Trade shows are great to build this type of meeting around. If I can get back to IBC -- not sure I can do it this year, but hopefully in 2016 -- then we'll definitely host a DVi gathering there in Amsterdam. Meanwhile, if you folks decide on some future place and time in 2016 not related to an industry event, then I'd love to join you there and who know, maybe pick up the bar tab as well.

Chris, you are always welcome to any uwol event!
Without dvinfo, uwol wouldn't exist.

I'd go to Norway too Meryem. Such beautiful scenery and we have so many great filmmakers we know there.

I would definitely do Norway. Bob

I would vote Norway. Just remember, and I am sure Trond will back me up here, getting there is one thing, the cost of living whilst there is another. Maybe once the venue is decided then putting together some sort of package in order to get discounts is the next step for where ever we end up.

Mick

Mick is correct about Norway being expensive.

Right now, the Norwegian currency is very weak against Euro and US dollars, which makes it better for visitors. But nobody knows how that situation is next year.

No matter where we go, Norway or elsewhere, we should try to get a "group discount" for the accommodation. I use to say that everything can be negotiated.

Glad to see the positive response we get to this idea.

I would love to join in for a uwol gathering.
Furthermore, there are several places I'd love to visit, such as: USA (Grand Canyon, Colorado and Alaska), England (Hebrides, Shetland Islands, Lundy Island), Australia to name a few.
Although the details may come at a later date, we may mention some details?
For example, how many days and content? I guess this will have an impact on the cost and where to go?

This will of course have to be discussed, but my thoughts are that if someone travel halfway around the world, they would like to have enough time to explore the area they visit.
With this in mind, how about a week? Opinions are of course most welcome.

Regarding content, my initial thoughts:
Most important: Get together and get to know each other. Have a good time together.
Then of course exploring the area we visit. As an example: If we visit Geir Inge's area, I am sure we would like to see where he has recorded some of his uwol films.
And as the film makers we are, I belive everyone of us bring a camera when we are traveling to a new place. At least I always do.

Feel free to bring any thoughts and ideas.

I'd say at least a week.
If I wanted to do longer I'd go off on my own and explore but a week is a good timeframe to get to know a place a bit.

Maybe a welcome and farewell dinner where we all get together to get introduced and say our goodbyes.

Then if I'm in Norway, Africa, Australia or even her in the US I'm up before dawn, filming until the light is bad then picking up again in the late afternoon when the light is good again. In between those times is a perfect time to bond as a group

Hello friends,

It has been some time sence things fell aprat here in my life. I have thought of you often. I even tried to film a few times for the uwol and just couldn't finish for who knows what reason.
I think a get together would be rather awesome, I would try to make it if at all possible, particularly if I do not have to fly. After two helicopter crashes in the past I do not fly well!!!! however they do make nice little pink pills that really make the anxiety go away!!

I was wondering if people would be up for a camp out affair at the rockies or somewhere dramatic. of course it could be anywhere and I am sure it would be a blast!!
People flying in could fly to someones location then do a ride along to the final destination, etc.
Nab is a rather cool idea in its own right and flights in to vegas are cheap.

time of year???

thank you tronde for keeping in touch with me.

Dale

Just to get an idea of airfare costs around the globe, I checked some prices if traveling from Oslo, Norway to a couple different locations.

Checked prices are roundtrips in the first half of August 2015, and used KLM/ Northwest airline as reference, as they in my experience often is average or below average prices.

Notice that from the middle of June until the middle of August is usually the most expencive time to travel in Europe (especially northern part) due to the summer holidays. Not sure about other parts of the world.

Oslo, Norway to Las Vegas, USA: (since Grand Canyon and NAB was mentioned): About 1500 USD.
Oslo, Norway to Sydney, Australia: About 2100 USD
Oslo, Norway to Honolulu, Hawaii: About 2000 USD
Oslo, Norway to Johannesburg, South Africa: About 1100 USD

Just a thought. How about meeting up in Bristol UK October 2016 to coincide with Wildscreen details here Home Page | Wildscreen Film Festival (http://www.wildscreenfestival.org/) This event is held every two years. there is a delegates cost of approx £580 but this is greatly reduced for early bird bookings approx £400. There would be plenty of opportunity to gather together as well as socialising and rubbing shoulders with the greats of the industry. I attended 2012 and learnt a great deal. Bristol is the home to the BBC NHU as well as being great city in its own right.

Mick

That's a good idea.

There's also the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival but I think it's on odd years instead of even years. Plus you have the Tetons and Yellowstone next door.

But that would be 2017 for the next one. Course, We could plan for next year and 2017 for those that can't swing it next year.
Since it's pretty close for me, I could do both

As good as Jackson Hole location is, it can't compete with Wildscreen's Oscar's The Golden Panda Awards lol

Yeah but does Wildscreen have this in its backyard? :)

Very nice, but l couldn't afford the filming permit lol. Afraid the closest I can get to Bristol is the Somerset Levels with all its mystic powers around Glastonbury as well as all the wildlife. Joking apart I would very much like to attend Jackson, luckily I do have an open invitation to come over and volunteer there as I have previously worked at Wildscreen. So Jackson would be good for me.

I am In :)

Guess after a general Bias of Norway we now have come to the Wildscreen, and i would love to be in both the places or really any other place . The 2016 timeline looks nice as it will allow me to gather some money ( currently happily unemployed) .
I do have my plans to visit the Wildscreens for sure , first thought it was in end of 2015 but saw the 2016 and it would give me some time to prepare . It would be great to meet up there as it gives us great oppourtinity to really visit Wildscreen.
Have been travelling for some time and hence missed this discussion line.

vishal

Nice to see the ideas flowing.
I like the idea of a meeting combined with a wildlife film festival. That kinda keeps us to the "uwol theme".

Anyone have other ideas, feel free to bring them.

Everybody wants to meet in Norway except for the Norwegians! Me, too. I might actually be in Denmark sometime in 2016, so that's not too far off.

Finn and everyone, to meet in Norway is of course one of the options we have here, just as the previously mentioned film festivals.

If most people wants Norway, then we should go for Norway.

Next uwol challenge is only days away.
How about we keep the ideas and thoughts flowing, and then during April we make the desision about location and time to go wherever we end up.

To keep the ideas and thoughts floating through the uwol challenge:

So far, ideas has been a location where one or more of us are living. That is of course great too.
Here is another idea I got:

Safari in Africa to film the wildlife.

I realize that this is probably more expencive than the other ideas we already have talked about, so I did a quick price check:
Tanzania/ Serengeti: 9 days including travel to/from Norway: about 3500 USD.
Kenya / Masai Mara: 10 days incl travel to/from Norway: About 3500-4000 USD.
South Africa / Kariega Game Reserve: 9 days incl travel to/from Norway: About 3500-4000 USD.
(South Africa is Marj's back yard, but checked this one anyway)

Prices and info is taken from the Danish agency "afrikasafari.no"
(Website appears to be in Norwegian only)

I spent a few weeks in South Africa and it was incredible!
I'd certainly be up for Africa too!

So many places to visit!!

The problem with a safari type trip is the filming aspect. It would be impossible to film from a vehicle with more than one camera because of the movement of others trying to film in the vechicle would result in some very shakey footage. To book with sole occupency of the vehicle would be very expensive. Maybe a company operating in a private conservencies would work as the rules of filming outside of the vehicle would not be the same as in a national parks. Maybe something like this company where all the profits are ploughed back into the local community and not the coffers of goverments and local councils! Porini Safari Camps - Award Winning Eco Camps in Kenya (http://www.porini.com/kenya.html?sub=porini-camps).

Thanks Mick. I see how the filming from a vehicle can be an issue.
Probably not the best idea then...

I would love to visit Bristol and the Wildscreen film fest.

Bumping this thread up, so you all will notice it.

During the next month or so, we should deside where and when to go.

The cost of the whole trip is a key factor in this I think, and maybe therefore there could be 2 or 3 meetings at the same time on different continents, with video conference facilities (skype or something) .. so we can sort of get to know every one personally ...
Although it would be a blast to all get together in one place, if that doesn't work, this might be an other option?

Cost is definitely a major factor in this. And this will of course vary with travel distance.
That is why we plan with next year, so people have a chance to save up for the expences.

For me, the idea with a get together, is all (as in one place at the time) or nothing. Having simultanious meetings in different areas takes away the "get together" idea.

Interesting idea of having multiple meetings, however since no one is on my side of the world it may not be interesting for me :)

I am still with the idea of Wildscreen as i have decided that i am going to go 90% to this event.

Guess with the suggestions that have come in , we actually can have a vote for the destinations and may be choose the one which most of us think is possible to make it next year.

vishal

If we go to Wildscreen we will all wish we had gone to South Africa. In Colorado, we work with pool photographers, maybe we could do that for the jeep trip in Africa... kind of kidding there... But really, with the talent in this group, someone could do the Jeep photography and someone else tell the rest of the story with someone else doing the editing in a short doc to be made for the benefit of the people...I liked that idea, giving back a little, instead of taking...

So far we have these suggestions for location:

1. Bristol UK October 2016 to coincide with Wildscreen Home Page | Wildscreen Film Festival (http://www.wildscreenfestival.org)
2. Norway - (Kvamsøy or somewhere else)
3. Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival (Not until 2017?) - Yellowstone area
4.

How about we deside by a simple voting which location gets most votes, and that is the place to go for 2016?

I suggest that we are open for suggestions of locations until the end of this month, and then shortly after, do the voting.
That way, we should have a desition during May.
Sounds good?

It is extremely unlikely that I will be able to attend where ever you decide to meet, however, I think you should really consider the 39th International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula Montana rather than the smaller and less prestigious one in Jackson Hole. It is usually in April but the dates for 2016 won’t be announced for a few days as the 38th IWFF is going on right now.

Thanks for the suggestion, Mike!

Hei to you all :)
Just want to give some info about my area over here in Norway.
First I must say that my father is doing well and is now out of hospital, so I'm almost back in business as usual :)

I have earlier voted for England and Bristol and I still do.
If most people want to join together in Norway, here is one suggestion: "The bird cliff island of Runde".
Accommodation is to be found on the island and in the near by city of Fosnavag (15 min drive from Runde).

Christineborg: http://booking.visitalesund.com/100/Search/SearchResult.aspx?ProductID=190&fromDate=20150423&nights=1&culture=no&ref=BA947AD&c=en&infomenutab=1
Runde Environmental Centre: Runde Environmental Centre - Runde Miljøsenter (http://www.rundecentre.no/en/)
Fosnavag: Thon Hotel Fosnavåg - Thon Hotels (http://www.thonhotels.com/hotels/countrys/norway/fosnavag/thon-hotel-fosnavag/)

At Runde you can see the southern most bird cliff in Norway and more then 70 species have been located.
I guess the month of May, June and July will be the best. Often the last part of May can show the best of weather ;)
At Runde Environmental Centre you can watch the silver and gold treasure of Runde, lectures on environmental issues and meet international researchers on environment.
In this area it is not far from:
1) The jugend city Aalesund: The Art Nouveau town of Ålesund - Alesund (http://www.visitalesund-geiranger.com/en/The-Art-Nouveau-town-of-Alesund/)
2) Atlanterhavsparken ( in the city of Aalesund): Atlanterhavsparken - Welcome (http://www.atlanterhavsparken.no/english)
3) The Geiranger fjord (World Heritage): Geiranger.no - Geiranger.no (http://www.geiranger.no/en)
4) Trollstigveien (World Heritage): Geiranger - Trollstigen National Tourist Route - Official Travel Guide to Norway - visitnorway.com (http://www.visitnorway.com/uk/where-to-go-uk/fjord-norway/the-geirangerfjord/what-to-do-in-the-geirangerfjord-area-and-trollstigen/geiranger---trollstigen-national-tourist-route/)
5) Herdalssetra (World Heritage): Herdalssetra Mountain Summer Farm*and Dale Fjord Farm | (http://www.herdalssetra.no/?page_id=540)

So in one week, we can get to see different things regarding environment and UWOL issues ;)

If Trond is with me, we can stitch together a nice package of adventure. Norway is an expensive country, so I can try to negotiate a "nice" deal with my contacts at Runde and Geiranger.
Maybe we can get our own private eagle guide, with us on the trip?

OK, this was Norway promo - I hope Bristol gets involved :)

If Norway becomes the chosen destination, then Geir Inge's suggestion is a very good idea. It is a great area.

I decided to go Bristol / Wildscreen nearly year back so my vote stays there on Wildscreen

In case we come to counting votes at the end.

vishal

A list of wildlife festivals internationally:
Wildlife-film.com - Festivals (http://www.wildlife-film.com/companies/festivals.html)

I hear his is a good one in South Africa:
ABSA Kirkwood Wildlife Festival. Kirkwood Events. Where to Stay (http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com/event/ABSA_Kirkwood_Wildlife_Festival)

So are most people thinking they want to get together and attend a film festival?

I'm looking to go where I can shoot some footage. Don't really have any interest in film festivals unless I'm supporting someone that has a film in the festival.

Heck, I've never been to the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and that's the big one here in the US.

I'm looking to go where I can shoot some footage.
This would be my primary interest too.

As Wildscreen was originally my suggestion I should explain that although held in Bristol town centre the area around there, particularly the Somerset Levels offer great filming opportunities, including at that time of the year large starling murmurations. What I would add is that filming wildlife in the UK is not easy and does require quite a bit dedication and time. For those of you looking for good easy filming this is probably not the trip for you. On the other hand if you want to educate yourselves as to what it takes get noticed in the wildlife film business, learn new skills and techniques, plus rub shoulders and learn from the best in the industry this option would be for you. Wildscreen is much more than a film festival, best described as a convention that includes workshops and seminars with a film festival attached.

May I throw a spanner in the works and suggest another location Extrmedura, Spain. Please google to see whats on offer. Although I have not visited I have many friends who have and rate it as excellent for wildlife. You would need to be looking at April or May .

If Africa floats your boat I do have good contacts in Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya I have used Porini Safari Camps - Award Winning Eco Camps in Kenya (http://www.porini.com/kenya.html?sub=porini-camps). Jake the director could certainly work out a good deal for us, obviously dependent on numbers. His price would be in dollars not including international flights.
In Tanzania I know of a fixer who also has a small camp and could organise things for us. For either Kenya or Tanzania I would be happy to organise some costings etc, but would need to know some numbers. again this would be for the safari not the international flights Also remember you do need various jabs and anti malaria medication and visa's.

Yes, I would imagine a Festival would provide a focus, and then excursions could be arranged around it.



If Africa floats your boat I do have good contacts in Kenya and Tanzania. In Kenya I have used Porini Safari Camps - Award Winning Eco Camps in Kenya (http://www.porini.com/kenya.html?sub=porini-camps). Jake the director could certainly work out a good deal for us, obviously dependent on numbers. His price would be in dollars not including international flights.
In Tanzania I know of a fixer who also has a small camp and could organise things for us. For either Kenya or Tanzania I would be happy to organise some costings etc, but would need to know some numbers. again this would be for the safari not the international flights Also remember you do need various jabs and anti malaria medication and visa's.

Further to the above, I currently work in the tourism industry in Uganda, and have previously done so in Kenya, Tanzania & South Africa.

Though my vote would be for Norway; its on the bucket list!

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions. Much appreciated.

@Chris Hurd
I just now read that you are planning a meeting in Amsterdam next year, and I might be able to get you a sharp prize for a stay in one of the NH Hotels there, since I work for this company.

@All
This is the case for all NH Hotels around the world. Even if not for a get together and you plan to stay in a NH hotel I can see what I can do.

Send me an e-mail if you are interested.

So far, two destinations seem to stand out:

1. Bristol UK (and the film festival October 2016)

2. Norway - Kvamsøy - Runde (Geir Inge's backyard)
Best time of year to visit this place, should probably be Geir Inge's decision, but I guess spring or late summer?

I suggest we vote for these two options, and whichever gets most votes, becomes our location for the 2016 get together.

--------
Please submit your votes to uwol@dvinfo.net
Votes closes at midnight June 7.