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Introduction
to Wildlife Film-making
 These
weekends, in the heart of Norfolk, provide a unique hands-on introduction
to wildlife film-making. The sessions cover all aspects of wildlife
film-making with opportunities for filming wildlife at the Animal
Ark and Country Park (formerly the
Norfolk Wildlife Centre). Wildlife you will see and film at the
park include otters, meerkats, wallabies, peacocks, whooper swans
and much more. The pictures on this page show some of the wildlife
at the park.
This
course is the perfect start for those wishing to work in the wildlife
film-making industry, whether as a camera operator, producer, researcher,
script-writer, presenter and so on. It is also suitable for those
wishing to pursue wildlife film-making as a fascinating hobby.
 Professional
wildlife film-makers with a wide range of experience will be your
guides and tutors throughout the weekend. You will find it a fun
and valuable experience, and will enjoy mixing with other people
enthused by wildlife films. Accommodation will be camping in your
own tent at the Animal
Ark and Country Park, or there are nearby bed and breakfasts
if you prefer. Breakfast and evening meals will also be provided
at the park and there is a cafe for snacks/lunches.
No experience
is required, but it is recommended that you bring a camcorder, however
basic, for use during the course.
Itinerary
 Friday:
Aim to arrive at least by 6pm in time to put up your tent before
the evening meal.
7pm - evening meal served (no problem if you arrive later)
8pm - introductory chat - who we are, who you are, and what we will
be doing this weekend.
9pm - relax around the camp fire
Saturday:
8am - breakfast
9am - introduction to the wildlife film business with video examples
– the variety of approaches and productions
10am - the role of the producer and team - who does what - tips
for success
11am - one hour guided tour of the park to orientate yourselves
12am - intro to cameras, formats, lenses, support systems and techniques
for working in the field
1pm - lunch at park cafe
2pm - brief on filming tasks at the centre
2.30pm - working in small groups you will be given tasks and have
one and a half hours to film three different subjects
4pm - view footage shot - critique and advice
5pm - tea-break
5.30pm - script-writing and narrating
6.30pm - free time
7pm - evening meal served - if the weather is good this will be
a barbecue.
As darkness falls there will be a demonstration of infra-red camera
technology and a further chance to view footage shot during the
day
 Sunday:
8am - breakfast
9am - the importance of the soundtrack and sound recording techniques
10am - markets and finance, the future of the industry, making money
from your productions/footage.
11.30am - further filming tasks building on what was learnt the
day before
1pm - lunch at park cafe
1.30pm - view footage shot - critique and advice
3pm - how to get started in the business and careers advice, conservation
aspects plus intro to Filmmakers for Conservation, ethics in wildlife
film-making, final questions and answers
4pm - course ends - pack tents etc
Tutors
 Piers
Warren - Principal of Wildeye - Piers is well
known throughout the wildlife film-making industry as the editor
of Wildlife Film News and producer of wildlife-film.com,
which he created in the 1990s. With a strong background in biology,
education and conservation, he has had a lifelong passion for wildlife
films and has a wide knowledge of natural history. He cut his teeth
in the industry as a sound engineer and multi-media producer, running
a studio for many years. He is one of the founders of the international
organisation Filmmakers
for Conservation and was Vice President for the first three
years. Piers is the author of many magazine features and several
books including Careers
in Wildlife Film-making and Go
Wild with Your Camcorder - How to Make Wildlife Films.
Mike
Linley (pictured left) - Mike was a producer and scientific
advisor to Survival the Internationally acclaimed wildlife programme
making company from 1980 until its demise in 2001. During this time
he filmed and produced over 60 documentaries, many of which won
major International awards. He also researched, wrote and produced
over 200 wildlife programmes for children including the series Animals
in Action. He then formed Hairy
Frog Productions, an independent wildlife production company. Since then he has worked on productions for Granada, National Geographic and Discovery/Animal Planet.
Booking
Information
 Costs:
£195 per person
This includes tuition, entrance to Park, camping, breakfast and
evening meals (the park has a snack cafe for lunches).
Forthcoming
Dates:
These courses will resume in May 2011 - dates to be announced
To be informed of future courses please add your email address in the column on the right to receive Wildeye Bulletins.
.
Booking:
If the home page shows that there are places available for the course of your choice - please complete the online application form and send in your deposit/fee as detailed.
Staff and students - 2-4 July 2010
Staff and students - 4-6 June 2010
Staff and students - 14-16 May 2010
Click
here for photos of staff and students from previous year's courses
 Thanks
to the following companies for loaning equipment for the training:
Vinten -
tripods
Wildlife
Watching Supplies - camouflaged accessories and hides
Olympus - Linear PCM Recorder LS-11
Rycote
- windshields, windjammers etc
SCV
London - Fostex recorders and microphones
Deben
- camouflage clothing
Gardenature
- bird box camera
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Comments
from previous participants:
"
'THANK YOU' for such a clear insight into the world of wildlife
film making. We have all come away stimulated by the wealth
of extensive information so openly provided. Not only has it been
a great education and a memorable experience, it's been an enormously
fun weekend.
Many
thanks for taking the time and putting so much effort into producing
a course that is both encouraging and inspirational
to new Wildlife Film Makers. You have offered an opportunity with
this insight and have provided a great basis to move forward from.
I have certainly come away eager and enthused to continue this
work.
Thanks
for a truly wonderful weekend and like all the best things in
life you've left us wanting more !
Thanks
for such a fantastic weekend. It was inspirational. I learnt so
much in such a short time. It really did exceed my expectations.
To have such fantastic mentors sharing their knowledge, experience
and insights was just wonderful,
and I would definitely like to come to further training weekends
or weeks!
This
Wildeye training weekend was put simply, incredible. To be in
a place with so many
great people as devoted to wildlife as myself was a tremendous
experience. I have come away fully equipped to tackle the industry
with vital information that you can only
get from such experienced, positive and open producers
and cameramen as can be found on this course. Worth double the
price I paid. And the food was out of this world!
I
wanted to thank you for your time, effort, hospitality and
most importantly a head start in the industry..... You even answered
questions I didn't know I had!
Thank
you so much for a truly inspirational weekend, it confirmed and
strengthened my interest in the business. ... I havent been this
excited about anything for a long time.
As
a complete beginner I didnt feel out of my depth and it was really
useful to gain insight into a range of aspects of the
wildlife film industry as well as camera work
The
strength of the
conservation message was incredibly refreshing and welcome, and
a real spur to try and help to get things going in this field,
whether novice or professional. The manner in which you made us
all feel truly comfortable with the subject matter, regardless
of experience, is something I personally very much appreciated.
I am still amazed we managed to cover so much
in such a short space of time."
 
For
news of wildlife film courses, equipment for sale, footage
required and jobs offered,
add your email address
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