DOCSLIB.ORG

The Plight of Our Planet the Relationship Between Wildlife Programming and Conservation Efforts

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Plight of Our Planet the Relationship Between Wildlife Programming and Conservation Efforts ! THE PLIGHT OF OUR PLANET fi » = ˛ ≈ ! > M Photo: https://www.kmogallery.com/wildlife/2 = 018/10/5/ry0c9a1o37uwbqlwytiddkxoms8ji1 u f f ≈ f Page 1 The Plight of Our Planet The Relationship Between Wildlife Programming And Conservation Efforts: How Visual Storytelling Can Save The World By: Kelsey O’Connell - 20203259 In Fulfillment For: Film, Television and Screen Industries Project – CULT4035 Prepared For: Disneynature, BBC Earth, Netflix Originals, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Etc. Page 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I cannot express enough gratitude to everyone who believed in me on this crazy and fantastic journey; everything you have done has molded me into the person I am today. To my family, who taught me to seek out my own purpose and pursue it wholeheartedly; without you, I would have never taken the chance and moved to England for my Masters. To my professors, who became my trusted resources and friends, your endless and caring teachings have supported me in more ways than I can put into words. To my friends who have never failed to make me smile, I am so lucky to have you in my life. Finally, a special thanks to David Attenborough, Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin, Jane Goodall, Peter Gros, Jim Fowler, and so many others for making me fall in love with wildlife and spark a fire in my heart for their welfare. I grew up on wildlife films and television shows like Planet Earth, Blue Planet, March of the Penguins, Crocodile Hunter, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Shark Week, and others – it was because of those programs that I first fell in love with nature as a kid, and I’ve taken that passion with me, my whole life. I wanted to see how nature programming worked, what made it tick, and how it could be improved to inspire people everywhere to find compassion for wildlife and welfare. This paper is dedicated to all of my heroes and the work you have done to preserve life so that the next generation can experience the same awe and wonder that I did when I was young. “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” -Ruth Bater Ginsberg (166) Page 3 Project Summary Objectives This industry report's primary purpose is to examine current industry practices of nature programming utilized by major studios to determine the impact those methods have on real-world conservation efforts. This essay will explore the relationship between wildlife programs and conservation to shed light on the public's perceptions regarding the natural world and the issues threatening it. Understanding how these perceptions are formed makes it possible to shift the narrative in a productive way that forges a new path towards a more environmentally conscious public and answers the question: Can visual storytelling save our planet? Moreover, to discern the overarching message of this report, it is critical to understand that conservation efforts, the wildlife programming industry, and the issues facing them are diverse and multi-faceted. There is no one solution to the threats facing our world, and saying so would be short-sighted; the purpose of this essay is to explore the current practices, understand the current relationship between nature programming and conservation, and use that knowledge to suggest techniques that have the potential to impact conservation positively in the future. To fully understand the complexity of this topic, the following concepts must be analyzed. • Identify the major studies within the nature programming industry, their statistics, and their various structures. • Using existing literature and case studies, analyze the four models within the nature programming genre and how these sub-genres are formatted. • Seek to understand the relationship between the filmmakers and the wildlife subjects by examining the ethical proceedings observed by filmmakers when operating and producing wildlife and nature programs. • Review the most prominent theories that concern the effects that these programs have on conservation efforts. Page 4 • Examine case studies that support these concepts and provide alternate perspectives and determine the capability these programs have to influence future conservation efforts. Activities • A statistical analysis of the six major studios that mass produce nature programs. • A full analysis of three different modes of the documentary genre as it applies to the most prevalent methods of nature programming. • Relate this research to the ethical practices of the production and post- production process. • Comprehensive research into the literature surrounding three prominent theories concerning the relationship between nature programming and conservation efforts, including relevant case studies, further cementing these theories. • Conclude with a theoretical formula for success in the future of nature programming that positively reinforces conservation efforts. Findings • Nature programming has a long history with conservation efforts and scientific discovery and have been the largest informal arena for education regarding wildlife. (A) • Since the Industrial Revolution, the Western world has witnessed a growing perception that humanity and nature are separate – reinforced by specific ideals presented through mediated culture. (A) • Our planet is experiencing perhaps the most extensive environmental crisis in recent history; the impact of climate change, plastic pollution, the illegal wildlife trade, poaching, etc. (A) • Since 1970, the biodiversity of our planet has halved – since 2000, over 1.9 million square kilometers of land has been lost, and over one million species risk extinction in the coming years. (A) Page 5 • In the past two decades, wildlife programming has risen to popularity again because of innovations to technology that allow filmmakers to portray nature in ways that was never possible before. (A1) • Six major studios lead in producing high-quality nature programming content: Disneynature, National Geographic, BBC Earth, Netflix Originals, Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. (A1) • Much of the nature programming produced by these conglomerations are mostly popular among Western world audiences, where these studios reside. (A1) • Across these six major studios most prominent in nature programming, four of them have separate conservation funds that work hand in hand with the nature productions to provide financial support to various conservation organizations. (A1) • There are six modes of documentary filmmaking as outlined by Nichols; wildlife programming persistently fits into these three modes, Expository, Participatory, and Reflexive. (A2) • In the frame of wildlife programming these modes can be broken down even further into specific sub-genres i.e. the Blue Chip, Formal Interview Documentary, Hosted Reality Television, and Behind The Scenes sub-genres. (A2) • Each sub-genre utilizes different techniques throughout the practice as far as production, distribution, target audience, and impact, but all have the same goal of connecting with audiences about wildlife. (A2) • Throughout the production process of nature programs, filmmakers must mind their relationship with not only their wildlife subjects but also the environment they are filming in. (A3) • Film crews have two guidelines to follow during the production process to maintain ethical viability: Putting the wildlife and habitat's welfare above the film's priorities and avoiding misleading the audience to the best of their abilities. (A3) Page 6 • The use of sentimentalism, dramatization, and anthropomorphism is considered an unscientific approach to wildlife documentaries. However, when done appropriately, these methods connect well with audiences and allow them to empathize with animals and the natural world. (A3) • These techniques play to our psychology as humans; when something is filmed, it is being shot, produced, and seen through a human lens, so it is impossible to show wildlife behaviors and not impart some amount of human ideals onto them. (A3) • There are three over-arching theories regarding the relationship between nature programming and conservation efforts: Western Ideals vs. Local Communities, Voyeurism, and Celebrity Heroes and Social Influence. (B) • Nature programming is produced primarily to target Western cultures, so it is common to present Western ideals, beliefs, conservation concepts, and distribution methods. (B1) • However, when filmmakers purposefully neglect engaging, interviewing, and distributing films to local communities in countries they are filming in, they miss one of the most significant opportunities to affect real change in places where it is so desperately needed. (B1) • There are seven steps of separation from wildlife and any given group of people showing the disconnect between wildlife and audiences in Western cultures (B1): 1. Wildlife and Habitat 4. Scientists and Researchers 2. Local Communities and 5. Filmmakers and Creators Indigenous Peoples 6. Audiences and General Public 3. Conservationists, Rangers, 7. Policy Makers and Guides • As proven with the case studies, The Cove and Blackfish, films that misrepresent certain cultures and neglect to portray local communities in documentaries filmmakers run the risk of negatively impacting conservation efforts in that specific region. (B1) Page 7 • The theory of voyeurism as it relates to the Blue Chip method and conservation efforts shows that when people are not alerted to environmental issues and are not given an outlet to contribute to conservation,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sacrificing Steve
    Cultural Studies Review volume 16 number 2 September 2010 http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/csrj/index pp. 179–93 Luke Carman 2010 Sacrificing Steve How I Killed the Crocodile Hunter LUKE CARMAN UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY There has been a long campaign claiming that in a changed world and in a changed Australia, the values and symbols of old Australia are exclusive, oppressive and irrelevant. The campaign does not appear to have succeeded.1 Let’s begin this paper with a peculiar point of departure. Let’s abjure for the moment the approved conventions of academic discussion and begin not with the obligatory expounding of some contextualising theoretical locus, but instead with an immersion much more personal. Let’s embrace the pure, shattering honesty of humiliation. Let’s begin with a tale of shame and, for the sake of practicality, let’s make it mine. Early in September 2006, I was desperately trying to finish a paper on Australian representations of masculinity. The deadline had crept up on me, and I was caught struggling for a focusing point. I wanted a figure to drape my argument upon, one that would fit into a complicated and altogether shaky coagulation of ideas surrounding Australian icons, legends and images—someone who perfectly ISSN 1837-8692 straddled an exploration of masculine constructions within a framework of cringing insecurities and historical silences. I could think of men, I could think of iconic men, and I could think of them in limitless abundance, but none of them encapsulated everything I wanted to say.
    [Show full text]
  • GLAAD Media Institute Began to Track LGBTQ Characters Who Have a Disability
    Studio Responsibility IndexDeadline 2021 STUDIO RESPONSIBILITY INDEX 2021 From the desk of the President & CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis In 2013, GLAAD created the Studio Responsibility Index theatrical release windows and studios are testing different (SRI) to track lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and release models and patterns. queer (LGBTQ) inclusion in major studio films and to drive We know for sure the immense power of the theatrical acceptance and meaningful LGBTQ inclusion. To date, experience. Data proves that audiences crave the return we’ve seen and felt the great impact our TV research has to theaters for that communal experience after more than had and its continued impact, driving creators and industry a year of isolation. Nielsen reports that 63 percent of executives to do more and better. After several years of Americans say they are “very or somewhat” eager to go issuing this study, progress presented itself with the release to a movie theater as soon as possible within three months of outstanding movies like Love, Simon, Blockers, and of COVID restrictions being lifted. May polling from movie Rocketman hitting big screens in recent years, and we remain ticket company Fandango found that 96% of 4,000 users hopeful with the announcements of upcoming queer-inclusive surveyed plan to see “multiple movies” in theaters this movies originally set for theatrical distribution in 2020 and summer with 87% listing “going to the movies” as the top beyond. But no one could have predicted the impact of the slot in their summer plans. And, an April poll from Morning COVID-19 global pandemic, and the ways it would uniquely Consult/The Hollywood Reporter found that over 50 percent disrupt and halt the theatrical distribution business these past of respondents would likely purchase a film ticket within a sixteen months.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact Investing in the Creative Economy: Diving Deep Into Ethical Fashion, Sustainable Food and Social Impact Media
    Impact Investing in the Creative Economy: diving deep into Ethical Fashion, Sustainable Food and Social Impact Media Creatve people solve problems. Increasingly, In an efort to demystfy the creatve economy they are doing it beyond the studio, the for impact investors, impact fund managers and theater and the concert hall. Creatve people other stakeholders, this report dives deep into are harnessing the power of business and the three large and growing consumer industries marketplace to scale and sustain their ideas. within the creatve economy: fashion, food and media. These industries share the capacity to Many of the businesses that artsts, designers intrigue, engage, educate and actvate more and other creatves start balance fnancial mindful consumers so that the benefts of proftability with concern for the planet, ethical and sustainable supply chains and the their workers, and their community. These full power of media to drive positve change can socially-focused companies seek capital from be realized. impact investors who understand the power of art, design, culture, heritage and creatvity to Creatve Economy Defned drive positve environmental and social impact. Together, investors and entrepreneurs can The “creatve economy” was defned by John grow the creatve economy to become more Howkins in 2001 as a new way of thinking and inclusive, equitable and sustainable. doing that revitalizes manufacturing, services, retailing, and entertainment industries with A Creatvity Lens: Impact Investng in the Creatve Economy 1 a focus on individual talent or skill, and art, The Opportunity culture, design, and innovaton. Concern by consumers about how their food, Today, creatve economy defnitons are clothes and entertainment are produced has typically ted to eforts to measure economic grown signifcantly in recent years.
    [Show full text]
  • Pression Meaning “Allah Willing.”
    Insha’Allah Democracy Insha’Allah: pronounced In-SHAH-lah. Arabic language expression meaning “Allah willing.” LOGLINE Former Pakistani President Musharraf, despite having a legacy as a dictator and being charged with treason, returns to Pakistan and runs for president. SHORT SYNOPSIS In Insha'Allah Democracy, filmmaker Mohammed Naqvi chronicles his journey as a first-time voter in Pakistan. When Mo was 19, General Pervez Musharraf staged a coup d’etat that saw him in power until his exile in 2008. With the country growing increasingly unstable and sectarian, Mo chose to back Musharraf and his supposedly secular liberal platform. But as this wry satire explores, backing military dictatorship is never a good idea. Gaining remarkable access to former dictator Musharraf, the film questions if democracy is truly possible in Pakistan. Through moving first-person accounts and vivid footage, the film offers a compelling portrait of the contradictions and complexities of a nascent democratic process in a country recovering from a long history of military rule. Presented by 64th Street Media, Mighty Engine and Impact Partners PRESS CONTACT PRODUCER CONTACT idemocracyfi[email protected] Mohammed Ali Naqvi [email protected] WORLDWIDE SALES Cristine Platt Dewey Managing Director | ro*co Films International Mo Naqvi Films cristine.platt.dewey@rocofilms.com 80 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 8, Sausalito, CA 94965, Impact Partners USA Tel. 415.332.6471 | Fax 415.332.6798 Insha’Allah Democracy http://www.rocofilms.com/ @idemocracyfilm @idemocracyfilm @idemocracyfilm AWARDS FESTIVALS FULL SYNOPSIS Growing up as a Shia Muslim minority in Pakistan, I saw members of my family and community being targeted by right-wing Islamist extremists.
    [Show full text]
  • Pr-Dvd-Holdings-As-Of-September-18
    CALL # LOCATION TITLE AUTHOR BINGE BOX COMEDIES prmnd Comedies binge box (includes Airplane! --Ferris Bueller's Day Off --The First Wives Club --Happy Gilmore)[videorecording] / Princeton Public Library. BINGE BOX CONCERTS AND MUSICIANSprmnd Concerts and musicians binge box (Includes Brad Paisley: Life Amplified Live Tour, Live from WV --Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters --John Sebastian Presents Folk Rewind: My Music --Roy Orbison and Friends: Black and White Night)[videorecording] / Princeton Public Library. BINGE BOX MUSICALS prmnd Musicals binge box (includes Mamma Mia! --Moulin Rouge --Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella [DVD] --West Side Story) [videorecording] / Princeton Public Library. BINGE BOX ROMANTIC COMEDIESprmnd Romantic comedies binge box (includes Hitch --P.S. I Love You --The Wedding Date --While You Were Sleeping)[videorecording] / Princeton Public Library. DVD 001.942 ALI DISC 1-3 prmdv Aliens, abductions & extraordinary sightings [videorecording]. DVD 001.942 BES prmdv Best of ancient aliens [videorecording] / A&E Television Networks History executive producer, Kevin Burns. DVD 004.09 CRE prmdv The creation of the computer [videorecording] / executive producer, Bob Jaffe written and produced by Donald Sellers created by Bruce Nash History channel executive producers, Charlie Maday, Gerald W. Abrams Jaffe Productions Hearst Entertainment Television in association with the History Channel. DVD 133.3 UNE DISC 1-2 prmdv The unexplained [videorecording] / produced by Towers Productions, Inc. for A&E Network executive producer, Michael Cascio. DVD 158.2 WEL prmdv We'll meet again [videorecording] / producers, Simon Harries [and three others] director, Ashok Prasad [and five others]. DVD 158.2 WEL prmdv We'll meet again. Season 2 [videorecording] / director, Luc Tremoulet producer, Page Shepherd.
    [Show full text]
  • Netflix and Changes in the Hollywood Film Industry 넷플릭스와 할리우드
    ISSN 2635-8875 / e-ISSN 2672-0124 산업융합연구 제18권 제5호 pp. 36-41, 2020 DOI : https://doi.org/10.22678/JIC.2020.18.5.036 Netflix and Changes in the Hollywood Film Industry Jeong-Suk Joo Associate Professor, Dept. of International Trade, Jungwon University 넷플릭스와 할리우드 영화산업의 변화 주정숙 중원대학교 국제통상학과 부교수 Abstract This paper aims to explore and shed light on how the rise of streaming services has been affecting the media landscape in the recent years by looking at the conflicts between the Hollywood film industry and Netflix. It especially examines Netflix’s disregard for the theatrical release, as it is the most portentous issue that could reshape the film industry, and Hollywood’s opposition to it as revealed through the 2019 Academy Awards where the issue was brought into sharp relief. At the same time, this paper also questions whether theatrical distribution makes a film any more cinematic by examining how Hollywood film production has been largely concentrated on tentpoles and franchises, while Netflix has been producing diverse films often shunned by the studios. In this light, it concludes the changes wrought by Netflix, including its bypassing of the theatrical release, are not likely to be reversed. Key Words : Netflix, Streaming service, Hollywood, Film industry, Netflix films 요 약 본 논문은 할리우드 영화산업과 넷플릭스 간 갈등의 고찰을 통해 스트리밍 서비스의 부상이 미디어 지형에 어떠한 영향을 미쳐왔는지 밝히고자 한다. 특히 영화산업의 재편을 가져올 수 있는 가장 중요한 문제로써 극장을 거치지 않고 자사 플랫폼에 영화를 공개하는 넷플릭스의 개봉방식을 살펴보고 이에 대한 반발이 크게 불거진 2019 년 아카데미 영화제를 중심으로 할리우드의 반대를 살펴본다.
    [Show full text]
  • The Big Draw International Festival: Drawn to Life Saturday, October 5, 2019
    PRESS RELEASE The Walt Disney Family Museum Celebrates The Big Draw International Festival: Drawn to Life Saturday, October 5, 2019 San Francisco, October 1, 2019—The Walt Disney Family Museum is delighted to once again host The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing festival. This annual, museum-wide community event will take place on OctoBer 5 and celeBrates Walt Disney’s contriButions to visual arts. In connection with this year’s “Drawn to Life” theme, experience special drawing sessions exploring nature- inspired art, create a care card for someone who needs a smile, learn how to draw Mickey Mouse, and more. Don’t miss film screenings of Disneynature’s Chimpanzee (2012) and Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out (2015), then connect back to stories told in our main galleries and in our special exhiBition, Mickey Mouse: From Walt to the World. This year, we are proud to partner with The Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots and Shoots. Founded by Goodall in 1991, Roots and Shoots is a youth service program for young people of all ages, whose mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and Beliefs, and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a Better place for people, other animals, and the environment. In partnership with Caltrain and SamTrans, The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to offer free general admission to riders and employees, upon showing their Caltrain/SamTrans ticket or employee ID to the museum’s Ticket Desk. Riders and employees will also receive 15% off in the Museum Store.
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting 30% of the Planet for Nature: Costs, Benefits and Economic Implications
    Protecting 30% of the planet for nature: costs, benefits and economic implications Working paper analysing the economic implications of the proposed 30% target for areal protection in the draft post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Anthony Waldron1; Vanessa Adams2; James Allan3; Andy Arnell4; Greg Asner5; Scott Atkinson6; Alessandro Baccini7; Jonathan EM Baillie8; Andrew Balmford1; J Austin Beau9; Luke Brander10; Eduardo Brondizio11; Aaron Bruner12; Neil Burgess4; K Burkart13; Stuart Butchart14; Rio Button15; Roman Carrasco16; William Cheung17; Villy Christensen18; Andy Clements19; Marta Coll20; Moreno di Marco21; Marine Deguignet4; Eric Dinerstein22; Erle Ellis23; Florian Eppink24; Jamison Ervin25; Anita Escobedo26; John Fa27; Alvaro Fernandes-Llamazares28; Sanjiv Fernando22; Shinichiro Fujimori29; Beth Fulton30; Stephen Garnett31; James Gerber32; David Gill33; Trisha Gopalakrishna34; Nathan Hahn22; Ben Halpern35; Tomoko Hasegawa36; Petr Havlik37; Vuokko Heikinheimo28; Ryan Heneghan38; Ella Henry39; Florian Humpenoder40; Harry Jonas41; Kendall Jones42; Lucas Joppa43; A.R. Joshi44; Martin Jung37; Naomi Kingston4; Carissa Klein45; Tamas Krisztin37; Vicky Lam46; David Leclere39; Peter Lindsey47; Harvey Locke48; TE Lovejoy49; Philip Madgwick50; Yadvinder Malhi34; Pernilla Malmer51; Martine Maron52; Juan Mayorga53; Hans van Meijl54; Dan Miller55; Zsolt Molnar56; Nathaniel Mueller57; Nibedita Mukherjee1; Robin Naidoo58; Katia Nakamura59; Prakash Nepal60; RF Noss61; Beth O’Leary62; D Olson63; Juliano Palcios Abrantes64; Midori Paxton65; Alexander
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Movie Catalog © Warner Bros
    1-800-876-5577 www.swank.com Swank Motion Pictures,Inc. Swank Motion 2013 Movie Catalog 2013 Movie © Warner Bros. © 2013 Disney © TriStar Pictures © Warner Bros. © NBC Universal © Columbia Pictures Industries, ©Inc. Summit Entertainment 2013 Movie Catalog Movie 2013 Inc. Pictures, Motion Swank 1-800-876-5577 www.swank.com MOVIES Swank Motion Pictures,Inc. Swank Motion 2013 Movie Catalog 2013 Movie © New Line Cinema © 2013 Disney © Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. © Warner Bros. © 2013 Disney/Pixar © Summit Entertainment Promote Your movie event! Ask about FREE promotional materials to help make your next movie event a success! 2013 Movie Catalog 2013 Movie Catalog TABLE OF CONTENTS New Releases ......................................................... 1-34 Swank has rights to the largest collection of movies from the top Coming Soon .............................................................35 Hollywood & independent studios. Whether it’s blockbuster movies, All Time Favorites .............................................36-39 action and suspense, comedies or classic films,Swank has them all! Event Calendar .........................................................40 Sat., June 16th - 8:00pm Classics ...................................................................41-42 Disney 2012 © Date Night ........................................................... 43-44 TABLE TENT Sat., June 16th - 8:00pm TM & © Marvel & Subs 1-800-876-5577 | www.swank.com Environmental Films .............................................. 45 FLYER Faith-Based
    [Show full text]
  • MEDIA RELEASE 26 November 2015
    MEDIA RELEASE 26 November 2015 Peter Gash to attend The GBR Special Screening with Sir David Attenborough Managing Director of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, Peter Gash, was delighted to receive an invitation to the special screening of Sir David Attenborough’s landmark series ‘The Great Barrier Reef’ being held in London next week. “It was a very unexpected pleasure and a great honour to receive an invitation to attend the special screening of the Great Barrier Reef documentary in London so how could I say no? Sir David Attenborough is a world renowned naturalist and documentary maker and I would love the opportunity to meet with Sir David and have a chat to him about the Great Barrier Reef. I know that he fell in love with Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef when he first visited many years ago, just like I did, so I’m glad that he was able to come back to do a documentary showcasing this incredible eco-system.” “As the current leaseholder and custodian of Lady Elliot Island, I am very excited to be going to London as an ambassador of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. As a pilot, I have also had the privilege of visiting many parts of the Great Barrier Reef over the past 25 years and I must say that it never ceases to amaze me. I can’t wait for the rest of the world to be able to see the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef through Sir David Attenborough’s eyes,” said Mr Gash. Lady Elliot is a true coral cay located on the southern tip of Australia’s World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, 80kms north-east of Bundaberg, just north of Fraser Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Amazon Adventure 3D Press Kit
    Amazon Adventure 3D Press Kit SK Films: Facebook/Instagram/Youtube: Amber Hawtin @AmazonAdventureFilm Director, Sales & Marketing Twitter: @SKFilms Phone: 416.367.0440 ext. 3033 Cell: 416.930.5524 Email: [email protected] Website: www.amazonadventurefilm.com 1 National Press Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AMAZON ADVENTURE 3D BRINGS AN EPIC AND INSPIRATIONAL STORY SET IN THE HEART OF THE AMAZON RAINFOREST TO IMAX® SCREENS WITH ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ON APRIL 18th. April 2017 -- SK Films, an award-winning producer and distributor of natural history entertainment, and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, the acclaimed film production unit of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, announced today the IMAX/Giant Screen film AMAZON ADVENTURE will launch on April 18, 2017 at the World Premiere event at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The film traces the extraordinary journey of naturalist and explorer Henry Walter Bates - the most influential scientist you’ve never heard of – who provided “the beautiful proof” to Charles Darwin for his then controversial theory of natural selection, the scientific explanation for the development of life on Earth. As a young man, Bates risked his life for science during his 11-year expedition into the Amazon rainforest. AMAZON ADVENTURE is a compelling detective story of peril, perseverance and, ultimately, success, drawing audiences into the fascinating world of animal mimicry, the astonishing phenomenon where one animal adopts the look of another, gaining an advantage to survive. "The Giant Screen is the ideal format to take audiences to places that they might not normally go and to see amazing creatures they might not normally see,” said Executive Producer Jonathan Barker, CEO of SK Films.
    [Show full text]
  • RRS Sir David Attenborough Attenborough Biological Sampling Nets for Ecosystems and a New Polar Research Ship for Britain Biodiversity Research
    RRS Sir David RRS Sir David Attenborough Attenborough Biological sampling nets for ecosystems and A new polar research ship for Britain biodiversity research RRS Sir David Attenborough In 2021 will be ready for service. Commissioned by NERC, built by Cammell Laird and A new polar operated by the British Antarctic Survey, the new ship Clean air and aerosol research ship is a next-generation polar marine science platform sampling technology for Britain for UK research in both Antarctica and the Arctic. State-of-the-art onboard facilities and future-proof Science in polar environments containerised laboratories RRS Sir David Attenborough, with its wide range of on this world-leading specialist laboratories, facilities and instruments, will science platform will offer be capable of supporting scientists from many different new research opportunities areas of expertise. These multi-disciplinary research for the UK’s polar scientists cruises will generate new knowledge and understanding who strive to make sense about the societal implications of environmental change of our changing world for from the atmosphere to the sea bed. the benefit of society. Understanding our world The new ship will New technologies and techniques are revolutionising ensure Britain’s continued ship-based research. Remotely-operated vehicles go position as a world leader under the polar ice to capture data that sheds new light in polar science. on possible implications of rapid and sudden ice mass loss. Sophisticated instruments and equipment capture important data to reveal the impact of environmental change on marine biodiversity. Polar Science UK science in Operational capability Antarctica RRS Sir David Attenborough for Planet Earth RRS Sir David can spend up to 60 days at Attenborough sea unsupported.
    [Show full text]