Bring the stories of the making of your films.
What goes well, what did not go as planned, and everything in between.*
This is the place to share it.

Right now Im participating at the annual meeting of the norwegian nature film association.
Its great meeting other sharing the same interest in nature and wildlife filming.
Next week I will start up working on the "why" 😄

That's amazing Geir!

There's nothing nature and wildlife film related anywhere around here.
Never seen another filmmaker filming nature here in Iowa. I've seen a handful with still cameras but that's it.

Now horror and zombie filmmakers... you can throw a stick in any direction and probably hit twenty of them!!

That's why my UWOL family is so important to me, I'm pretty much the sole nature and wildlife filmmaker in the area.

Right now Im participating at the annual meeting of the norwegian nature film association.
That's pretty cool! Do you have a link to their website?
Never heard of them before.

Kevin,
There is advantages of being the only one: You don't have to worry about if anyone else has filmed the exact same idea as you. And you will always be the best filmmaker in your area. :)

Hi Kevin, I understand where you coming from, its nice just to catch up and chat with other wildlife cameramen/woman and film makers but, be careful what you wish for! On Tuesday this week I was out filming Short-eared owls that travel to southern counties this time of the year after rodents. They are one of the few owls that feed during the day. Unfortunately word gets around and yesterday this happens.

From a Sussex Birders Facebook page yesterday

Howard Kearley feeling pissed off.
21 hrs
Man with a pushbike, bins and camera decided to climb the fence into the dogs trust field and position himself between people and the view of the Short Eared Owl tonight.
He moved out when I lost it with him, (sorry no photo to name and shame as too angry to think about photos) theres always on

I've spared you the comments, think you can imagine!!!

Anyway, looking forward to catching up with you in Oct. My wife and I will be staying in Bristol that week and I will be attending all the days.

For the record here is a short clip of the shorted eared owl from Tuesday. you could call it an out take as I won't be using for my projects

Short eared owl. - YouTube

I think its nice to meet other people sharing the same interest.
We also invite members from the Sweedish and Danish associations.
Here is the link Trond: www.naturfilmforeningen.no

Great shot of the owl Mick.

Im looking forward to the Bristol meeting :)

That's why I get off the beaten path when I'm in Yellowstone because people just don't care.
They want their shit and they'll break the law, stand in front of you, trample the flowers so you can't film them or scare the animals away when they're done.

Maybe I need to modify my wish to ethical filmmakers and photographers! 😀

Thanks for the link, Geir!

Mick, cool video. Thanks for sharing.

It's quiet here.
How is it going with all your "why"?

Remember the very important Rule 11! Have fun!

Why do you want to know? 😀

Because, Kevin! Because! :)

I got nuthin...

NUTHIN!!!

Have a wonderful "why" but no real way to film it.
It was an emotional day yesterday but a life has been spared and all the stress and chaos has been worth it.
When you ask yourself "why" you can make a big difference!

Yesterday I was stood operating my camera on an estuary wall overlooking marsh land getting frozen to the bone. You may well ask why?

...with other wildlife cameramen/woman and film makers but...

LOL! Hi Mick, wonderfully there are two of us ladies with entries this time, Marj and I are together on this one!

I think your owl footage is fantastic, thanks for the inspiration. I find owls stunning and am very moved when I see one in person or on film.

Keven, I can't imagine why horror filming would be the draw over wildlife filming. Maybe because it's less difficult and less creative to master? Capturing wildlife on film is the ultimate and you are so good at it!

Trond, I know for me anyway, this theme is so open-ended it's a really difficult theme and perhaps is why the thread is a bit quiet this time. We're all off grappling with our own giants on this one. Especially if you desire to not have it quite so linear in thinking as to ask a question and then answer it.

Hang in there Tim, if nothing comes to mind then perhaps just getting out and shooting everything will force something to fall out of it to address the theme (?).

All the best to everyone! Trond, you set the bar high this time!

Cat

The way I see it is this subject allows you to make a film about ANYTHING you want. We all have our favourite topics. All you have to do is find a ‘why’ question to tack on the front like, for example:
Why I love (hate) this [....] so much?
Why I find this so funny/shocking/wonderful/...
Why I just have to film this....

Also, every one of us has found something intriguing/puzzling/problematic/enigmatic/mysterious or just plain fascinating in the natural world around us at some stage of our lives - we just have to bring it to mind! Not all these things are possible to film granted - I have a few ideas that I can't film because of the season and the timing but, who knows, it could be a springboard for an idea.

There are even some silly questions one could explore, like :)
Why do our fingers go wrinkly in water?
Why can't a pigeon walk without bobbing its head?
Why is its physically impossible for pigs to look up at the sky?
Why do scorpions glow under ultra violet light?
Why are sloths so slow?

'Why' questions are endless but you may have to do research to find some reasons or answers!

Cat - Don't forget Hege too :)

Personally I can’t see anything wrong with using a linear approach for this especially as “Why” questions ask for a REASON and if it means the difference between submitting a film or not then hey, why not?

(The answer to a “why” question usually begins with “Because ...” or “So ...”)
 
Don't forget this is a fun place to try out new things! Can't wait to see your entries.

Hi Marj!

Those are some fantastic why questions you pose there! It would be fun investigating each one of those. And my apologies, Hege, I missed the full lady count and we are up to 3. Splendid!

And also, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a linear approach of thinking to this challenge by first asking a why and then reasoning it out. It's about the best way to approach the theme I think! I'm just attempting to work a different take on it by trying to avoid that approach, which pushes it into a realm that is a bit less scientific and a bit more esoteric. Just trying to stretch myself a little more because for me the scientific reasoning approach is more what I'm inclined to do. It will be much more of a challenge for me to pull of the latter... so that's what I'm opting for!

I do know that you Marj, are the master creator at answering the why questions and I am so looking forward to your entry!

Cheers!
Cat

Okay, international UWOL friends...

Just wondering...

When you were in school, what was your report card grading system? For us in the US:

A = excellent
B = above expectations
C = average
D = poor
F = fail

Thanks for responding..

Cat

Report card grading system was one which gave me nightmares at that time.

We simply had a rank so for a class of 60 students you could be ranked anywhere from 1 - 60 , but that was my age . Currently India has gone into the grading system verymuch like your in US.

ps - i still remember a remark on my report card in play school, "Trying to make pyramids with cylinders " :)

Some bad news and some good news.
I'm not sure I can complete a video this round (the bad news).
Why?
I have a film commission (the good news) from NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting).
It is the otter and gray heron I'll shoot, and I'm bouncing happy (whatever that means).
So we'll see if I can throw in a video or not.
Either way, the main focus will be on assignment from NRK.

Cathrine: We use the same grading system as you.
Still, When I was (ehm, much younger) we had this system:
NG (no good)
G (good)
MG (pretty good)
SG (very, very good)

Catherine, back in the fifties/sixties we had similar. A-E and U ungraded. Also the A-D could be with pluses or minuses. Just as important and intereting were the glowing comments or caustic criticism that accompanied the marks.

Well done Geir on your commission.

Mick

Some bad news and some good news.
I'm not sure I can complete a video this round (the bad news).
Why?
I have a film commission (the good news) from NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting).
It is the otter and gray heron I'll shoot, and I'm bouncing happy (whatever that means).
So we'll see if I can throw in a video or not.
Either way, the main focus will be on assignment from NRK.


Wonderful news Geir - Congrats!!


Cat you will find everything you need here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grading_systems_by_country

Some bad news and some good news.
I'm not sure I can complete a video this round (the bad news).
Why?
I have a film commission (the good news) from NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting).
It is the otter and gray heron I'll shoot, and I'm bouncing happy (whatever that means).
So we'll see if I can throw in a video or not.
Either way, the main focus will be on assignment from NRK.


Wonderful news Geir Inge - Congrats!!


Cat you will find everything you need here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grading_systems_by_country

Thanks for the input everyone! And of course, Marj, Wikipedia! Why didn't I think of that? :)

Geir-- I am thrilled for you, CONGRATS. This is very wonderful news.

And Vishal, LOL... trying to make pyramids from cylinders? I'd say you were a very clever boy.

Cat

Cathrine: We use the same grading system as you.
Still, When I was (ehm, much younger) we had this system:
NG (no good)
G (good)
MG (pretty good)
SG (very, very good)
These grades were used in junior high school for me.
Then in high school, we used 1-6, where 6 was the best and 1 was "failed".
In university we also had 1.0 -6.0 where 1.0 the best and 4.0 barely made it. 4.1-6 was "failed"
Now I believe they use the A-F like in USA.


Vishal, I'd like to see those pyramids. Funny!
..........
Finally I have been able to film part of my "why".
But why did my ski-shoe deside to break up this morning.
Still followed rule 11 at all times of course.

S
I have a film commission (the good news) from NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting).
It is the otter and gray heron I'll shoot, and I'm bouncing happy (whatever that means).



Great news Geir Inge, all the best on the assignment.

Cat, Trond
I dont remember how i managed the pyramids , however it was a report card when i was 2.5 years old i got hold of the report card at my home around 20 years from then when i was shifting my house.
Strange how i managed that :)

That's awesome Geir!!
I've been busy working on rescuing a ten week old kitten in New South Wales.
Guess I better start thinking about filming something

Thanks everyone, for encouragement regarding my film assignments.
Have had it reasonably busy at work, but tomorrow I start my "Mission otter".

It's only a week left until the deadline for the Uwol 37, so time is not exactly on my side.
Nevertheless, I shall make an effort this week while I hunt otters and gray heron,
maybe I can get to anything and "why" I got it.
Anyway, it's my only chance for this round.

The weather forecast is not so good, some wind, alternating between rain, sleet and snow.
I will be sitting for hours in a cold boathouse, out on the windswept island I once was born - The island of Kvamsøy.
It gets to dress me in woolen underwear, multi-layered sweaters and a warm suit out.
My question is: WHY must woolen underwear itch like crazy?

I will also have to make reconnaissance trips around the island.
The otter has its fixed sites and habitat, but there are certainly many individuals on this island.
Maybe I can do better recordings on a more fascinating locality?
It may take weeks before I've had enough, and good enough otters recording.
I'm not big fan of posting bait, so I have to sit and wait for the otter to come to me naturally.
The positive is that it gives me great moments to ponder the state of affairs, moments of meditation. It is good!

How are you out there in Uwol country?
Upload some small hints and stories of what you're doing, please.
That way it becomes more interesting to see what the individual supplies, in the final.
Attached an old otter photo :)

I wish you all well.

Hi Geir,

Ottter's over here were really persecuted. Along with hunting with hounds ( now illegal)they had to withstand river pollution and competing with mink that were foolishly released from fur farms by animal rights activists who had not thought though the devastating impact they would have on our fauna.

There are some good sea/harbour populations in Scotland and the Scottish Isles and are now starting to recolonise our rivers.

I have filmed them several times on a river a couple of hours from where I live. This is an enlarged frame grab of one I was filming who had just see a person walking on the opposite side of the river.

Otters do not feature in this challenge! I have however filmed a first for me for this round. But, you will have wait until after the closing date. he he

So nice to hear from you Mick.
Great picture of the otter.
Here in Norway we have the same story that you tell, as regards the otter.
It was almost wiped out and we also struggled with the problematic mink, which does not belong in our fauna. The mink has destroyed many nesting seabirds along the coast.
Since 1982, the otter recovered, and now we find it all along the Norwegian coast.
The Otter is totally protected in Norway.
Mick, now you have made me really curious at what you've filmed for this round.
First time you filmed... hmmm what can it be?
This is like waiting for Christmas gifts.
Just can't wait :)

That's awesome Geir!!
I've been busy working on rescuing a ten week old kitten in New South Wales.
Guess I better start thinking about filming something

Can you come to rescue me, Kevin?
My oldest daughter has brought home a homeless kitten and it is tear lunatic.
The kitten is flying around the house and clawing at everything, destroyed our new kitchen chairs have it too.
Nevertheless, it has been sweet in between as it is in the process of becoming a new family member :)

Seems my woe is I missed signing up, just forgot to check the site.
may do one for fun and post it on my own page for fun.

Well i'm on shaky ground this round. I have been super busy with work & haven't been out to film anything for this challenge yet.
Geir, what fantastic news for you!!! Well done my friend, you deserve it!!
I hope everyone else is doing well with their films for this round & can't wait to see what you all come up with.
Bryce

My entry will probably be about why I wasn't able to submit because weather and equipment failed to cooperate.
Only filmed a little bit of what I planned and no chance to go back to complete.
Too busy with other things this week, so hopefully I'll be able to edit something just before deadline.


Everyone:
Remember to request the upload details for vimeo at uwol@dvinfo.net
Don't wait too long.

Also remember that everyone who signed up for the challenge, are encouraged to vote for the winning films.

Seems my woe is I missed signing up, just forgot to check the site.
may do one for fun and post it on my own page for fun.
Go for it, Dale!
Even though it will be outside the challenge, if you follow the theme, feel free to post a feedback thread. (just mark it as an unofficial entry.)

Yay! Dale is on board! Nice to hear it!

Wow Geir! Perhaps the way for Kevin to help out is to lend you the name of his last entry for your new little kitty: "Fire & Ice" ;-)

Looking forward to your entries, the time is coming up!

Cheers,
Cat

I finally managed to get out and shoot something yesterday, but the grey overcast doesn't help much - we are due some snow in the next few days, so maybe I'll incorporate that.

So nice to hear from you :)
My girls named the cat Einar (mans name) I think fire & ice is better, haha.
Is it snowing in Spain Paul?
Im gonna spend one week in Albir in April, just relaxing and perhaps a trip to Guadelest.
Im glad your onboard Dale.

Tick, tock, tick, tock... clock is ticking and deadline is showing up in the horizon.

If you haven't got the upload details yet, hurry up and send an email to uwol@dvinfo.net
Some entries uploaded, hoping for many more to come.

Sorry, this time I will swim with the sharks.
They are nice fish, right?

Had an eventful walk in the national park today. Was out getting last minute footage to stay out of the shark tank. Walked within inches of a moderate to large tiger snake on one of the bridges, but didn't manage any footage of it. My walking companion was more than a little startled and dared go no further, so we returned along the trail. I was keeping more of an eye out at this stage, and was alerted (very audibly) to another snake (Maybe a tiger without distinct stripes, or a brown which was more grey) which darted across the track a few feet away. No footage of that one either, unfortunately. Only managed some of the more mundane wildlife... well mostly scenery anyway. Never seen any there before, maybe I wasn't stomping loudly enough this time. I knew I wore the Taipan boots for a reason, you never know what you will find.

Looks like "because" is the best I can come up with this round so I'll be in the tank also.

Gordon

Sorry, this time I will swim with the sharks.
They are nice fish, right?

Yes didn't know? The UWOL sharks have no teeth and are actually quite playful ;-) Sorry to hear you're not in this round, but you have a wonderfully exciting reason as to why. All the best on your commission Geir. And because you're not in this time, I'll admit here that I had you in mind for my entry this time! I know you are the type of dad where the sun rises and sets on his daughters. I would never have said this if you were in, I wouldn't want anyone to think I was trying to flatter you into a vote for my entry. ;-)

Wow, Andrew. Aren't these snakes very poisonous? I'm okay with snakes, but they are always a bit shocking to run into in person. I can also relate to the no footage episodes. Yesterday, a large hawk was soaring away against a deep blue sky and I had no equipment with me and just had to be content to enjoy it as it was in the moment.

Sorry to hear you're not in Gordon. This wasn't an easy feat this round, I agree.

Looking forward to marveling at all of your creative mastery and cinematography this round.

Cheers,
Cat

I am swimming with the sharks this time too. I had some ideas, but couldn't get any of them together. I went out today thinking I could maybe rush something together at the last minute, but the conditions were all wrong. So I am sunk!

Oh dear,
I'm sad to say that i am well & truly in the shark tank this round. I didn't even manage to look at my camera for this whole month. Funny, winter is normally very quiet for me with work, but this winter has been crazy busy.
Can't wait to see all the films for this round. No doubt there will be some great ones!!
Bryce

Splash! I'm swimming too.
Battled with broken (skiing)equipment, weather, time...
Didn't even get a chance to make a film about why I wasn't able to make a film.

The submitted entries will be published later today. (Evening European time)

Cat it wasn't so much the theme as it was the weather and my time. I did have some footage but not enough to do much with and I didn't think another video on the wind would be good. January would have been a piece of cake as I had a yard full of wild critters but then the Chinook hit and most of them moved on before February. But the wind hung around. I just looked at my weather station and in the last 25 days only two had wind gusts in the 30's kph all the rest were in the 50 to 100 kph with it hitting 111 kph one morning. Even Mercalli can't help much then. There is always those period when the wind is taking a breather but it seemed I was either busy or doing something else. Looking back maybe another video on the wind would have been the way to go.

Gordon

Hi everyone,

Publishing of the videos (7 total), will be delayed until Thursday evening (European time).

I noticed there was a technical issue/misunderstanding, and one player has been given a chance to correct the title and re-upload the entry. I'm the one to be blamed for the error.

No worries, Trond! What's a bit more time after an entire month?

Hey Gordon. My camera feels the wind shake when it's a puff of breeze. No way to do anything in 111 mph wind than to batten down. Gail winds rank pretty high on my last of definite avoids whenever possible. And that's the thing, we you have them all there is to do is endure and wait for nicer weather. Look forward to your entry next time!

Cat

Interesting about the wind problems we have been suffering - I shot a couple of add in shots showing the snow on the mountains yesterday, with the wind gusting to 75 kmh - with a 250mm lens, some of the shots were unusable, but I added a few of the others anyway, just to show Geir Inge the snow in Spain!