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March 12th, 2007, 10:46 AM | #1 |
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New "Unearthed" series by new wildlife filmmakers.
Here is a recent Email I received from Wildeye that may of interest to DVinfo.net members:
Wildeye Bulletin - Animal Planet seeks to 'Unearth' next Great Wildlife Film-maker Brand new four-part series, UNEARTHED premieres on Sunday 8th April at 7.00pm In April 2006, Animal Planet invited amateur wildlife filmmakers from around the world to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take part in an intensive filmmaking course with experts Andrew Barron and Lyndal Davies. The response to the project was overwhelming – thousands of applications were downloaded from the Animal Planet website, and entries were received from across the globe. After reviewing the applications and the many outstanding short films submitted, the pool was narrowed down to six participants hailing from Australia, Denmark, India, Mexico, Singapore and the UK. Now, Animal Planet presents the results of this venture in the original four-part series UNEARTHED, premiering in April. This unique television project follows the six contestants as they embark on a demanding training course at the award-winning Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa, where they learn the essential skills and realities of creating a natural history documentary. The amateur filmmakers – Karla (Mexico), Mayur (India), Aaron (Australia), Julia (Denmark), Bryan (UK) and Jin Pyn (Singapore) – carried out their challenges at Shamwari in July 2006, ultimately competing to have their film chosen the winner and broadcast on Animal Planet in 160 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. UNEARTHED follows the budding directors and animal enthusiasts every step of the way, beginning with their arrival at Shamwari. Renowned wildlife filmmakers Lyndal Davies (also a popular Animal Planet presenter) and Andrew Barron guide the participants through their tasks on the course. The mentors provide invaluable inside knowledge to help the students each shoot and edit their own short wildlife film. In addition to learning what it takes to become a wildlife filmmaker, viewers witness the camaraderie that develops between the tutors and their students, and see how they all share the same passion – not only for filmmaking, but also for animals and the world in which they live. However, it’s not all fun and games for the students. The tension mounts as they learn how to cope with the various challenges of filming in the wild and perform various tasks for the first time – while facing unpredictable animals, tight deadlines and competition with each other. An international panel of experts judge the contestants’ final documentaries and the competition culminates with a gala event and screening, during which the winner is announced. “Through this imaginative new format, we are inspiring the next generation of wildlife filmmakers while at the same time engaging our audiences in the filmmaking process with a strong conservation message,” said Phillip Luff, General Manager, Animal Planet International. The breathtaking backdrop for the entire UNEARTHED series is the world-renowned Shamwari Game Reserve (www.shamwari.com). Animal Planet will return to Shamwari to film series two of UNEARTHED, and the search is already on for six new contestants. Applications can be downloaded at animalplanet.co.uk UNEARTHED is Directed by Andrew Barron and Produced by Yvonne Tang for Barron TV, and Executive produced by Jennie Myring for Animal Planet International. Lyndal Davies serves as contributing producer. |
April 8th, 2007, 01:03 PM | #2 |
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Unearthed - viewpoints
The first episode of the series Unearthed was aired tonight at Animal Planet. I have been waiting for this series to be aired for seval reasons; to learn some from the pros and also to view how unexperienced wildlifefilmmakers work.
The series is shoot in a beautiful scenery with "tons" of objects stright outside the residens of the participants. As mentioned the students are in my view unexperienced with this kind of work. But it seems like they are learning quick from the proteam. Even though this is interesting to watch and to pick up ideas from, I have some minor commments to the series: First, they are using the Sony HVR-Z1 and they saying that this is a "pro"-camcorder. After what is said about HDV-camcorders for broadcast on this forum: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=84110, I'm very surprised by this statement! The student doesn't use any protection for dust on their camcorders either. I think this is not smart in this hars environment. Also, the student and the TV hostess are dressed like they are having a picnick in a park in the city a sunday afternoon. In the programme they was warned about dangerous snakes, but some of them still wearing running shoes, thin trousers and no protections on the head. Colorful shirt dosn't fit in either. At least they should have weared boots in my opinion! What do you think about the this series so far, what can we learn from this?
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- Per Johan Last edited by Per Johan Naesje; April 8th, 2007 at 02:47 PM. |
April 8th, 2007, 10:15 PM | #3 |
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These kind of shows are frustrating to watch. I wait each week for my favorite series currently playing on Discovery HD - Planet Earth. Tonights episodes are Shallow Seas and Great Plains. Simply the most spectacular footage I've seen so far in HD. Interesting how close the cameraman/person must get to their subject in order to have that kind of footage. Did not like the goosling kill by the fox though. When I film that kind of scene, it stays out of the final cut, just gives me an uneasy feeling when I see animals being traumatized
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April 9th, 2007, 01:28 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
Crikey, I couldn't believe what I was seeing when they strolled off from the vehicle to film the giraffe with stix in zip-up cases, cameras not set up etc. Hoping the resident wildlife will stay in place while you mess about trying to fix a spreader to your t/pod and at the same time trying not to get your nice white safari jacket dirty is a bit of a tall order.....and the corus of half a dozen snatch plates engaging was brilliant!!! I thought the Aussie chap was going to be okay when he went off on his own but then he let himself down 'zooming' from the chopper! So Per Johan - answer is Not a Lot!! BTW - heartiest and very well deserved congrats on the UWOL win, lovely piece, and your Corvus corax short is another winner if you ask me. Per - I think you should be out at Shamwari doing this series! Best Regards Andy
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April 9th, 2007, 01:39 AM | #5 | |
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I think my favourite sequence from the series has to be the Oryx crossing the sand dunes - the whole sequence stunned me when I first saw it. The wolf chassing the carribou calf and the 'continental sized' flock of migrating snow geese also stick solidly in the mind too. My wife just bought me the boxed dvd set - so she is usefull after all! Regards Andy
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April 9th, 2007, 07:04 AM | #6 | |
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I'f I'm travelling on some rough ground and I don't want to carry the camera on the sticks, I still leave it powered up in the bag so it's ready to go as soon as I pull it out. I've seen to many shots lost by people who see something then spend so much time getting their gear set up. I've already taken the shot and am getting ready to move on while they're still setting up. :) Is this series outside of the US only? I'd love to watch it, it sounds really interesting. |
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April 9th, 2007, 07:37 AM | #7 |
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I couldn't find any listings for this on Animal Planet in our cable listings. It does look like the final films for the contestants for round 1 are available for viewing online at: http://www.animalplanet.co.uk/unearthed/
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April 9th, 2007, 09:49 AM | #8 |
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Hey guys....Yeah this was outside US only. I actually applied and made a short but no joy unfortunately, all experience I guess. The final films seem to be ok....but to be honest I was expecting a little more. Some of the editing doesnt have much structure to it and a lot of the camera work is pretty point and shoot.
I missed the 1st show unfortunately...but I hoping someone I know recorded it for me....fingers crossed. |
April 9th, 2007, 10:09 AM | #9 |
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Can you view the finished films online now? I clicked on a couple of them and all I got was a blank green page.
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April 9th, 2007, 10:54 AM | #10 |
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Don't know what the problem is Kevin. I am able to view all of those listed over on the left side of the screen online. It takes a couple of seconds for it to start playing.
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April 9th, 2007, 11:20 AM | #11 |
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I'll try again. II'm Mac based with Safari. Sometimes that causes problems with some sites.
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April 9th, 2007, 11:39 AM | #12 |
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It's a Safari thing. Tried them with Firefox and they load just fine.
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April 9th, 2007, 11:40 AM | #13 |
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Kevin, those videoes are wmv encoded so that maybe the problem?
Edit: Fine that you managed to view them Kevin!
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