The following links identify a variety of online resources that may assist conservation scientists interested in developing film projects.
Filmmakers for Conservation
“Filmmakers For Conservation is a global community of passionate people who work in, or have an association with, the global film and television industry. The organization was born almost a decade ago out of a growing sense of frustration among many producers and directors that there was very little funding and airtime being made available for films that dealt with conservation and the environment.”
Resources:
-Opportunity to exchange with a network of professionals through events, an online forum, and other media.
-A news feed, including information on upcoming film festivals and other events of interest to conservation filmmakers.
-Guides and online manuals, including a advice for beginning filmmakers, a code of ethics, and sustainability guidelines.
Center for Environmental Filmmaking at American University
The CEF “trains students to produce films and new media that focus attention on the need to conserve the environment in a way that is effective as well as ethically sound, educationally powerful, and entertaining.”
Resources:
-Training through courses, including the Classroom in the Wild, which is a hands-on field course that covers the range of skills that filmmakers draw upon in the production of a conservation film.
-Numerous publications, including “Shooting in the Wild”.
Science and Natural History Filmmaking program at Montana State University
The program works to “train students with formal education and experience in science, engineering, or technology to become professional filmmakers.” The program also organizes the Element Film Festival.
Resources:
-Training through numerous graduate-level courses.
Wildeye International School of Wildlife Film-making
Wildeye offers a range of “educational opportunities in the form of short specialist courses in Norfolk, UK, and longer overseas opportunities.”
Resources:
-Numerous courses on technical filmmaking skills, as well as production.
-A bulletin on film events, career opportunities, and other news.
-Several publications, including “Go Wild with Your Camcorder”.
Wildlife-film
The website is a clearinghouse of news, resources, and information of interest to filmmakers and others in the filmmaking industry.
Resources:
-Wildlife Film News, a monthly newsletter.
-Networking opportunities for members.
-Resources for employers and job-seekers through the website’s “Freelancer” section.
Greening the Screen
“The Greening the Screen sustainability toolkit is full of ideas and examples intended to encourage the screen production industry to use its creativity to seek win-win solutions that deliver both screen success and protection of New Zealand’s natural, historical and cultural heritage.” While the toolkit focuses on New Zealand, many guidelines are broadly applicable.
Resources:
-Extensive examples and ideas for environmentally-friendly practices in the film production industry.
American Conservation Film Festival
“The American Conservation Film Festival is an annual event held in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, a vibrant arts community 70 miles west of the nation's capital. The ACFF features films from a diverse group of conservation filmmakers from around the world.”
Resources:
-Opportunities to network with a variety of professionals involved in conservation films.
-Workshops on general production as well as technical aspects of filmmaking.
ScienceFilm
“At ScienceFilm, our mission is to train scientists, conservationists, NGO’s, and nature enthusiasts to communicate science and natural history by telling compelling stories and creating professional-quality videos. We offer short immersion workshops in science and natural history filmmaking. We can teach you the storytelling and technical skills you need to craft visual narratives, no experience necessary.”
-Intensive one week trainings for hands on learning of filming, editing and production
-Learn philosophy behind documentary film making
National Geographic
“Our Explorers are the heart of National Geographic, and we are eager to help you tell your story to the world. Explore this site for both technical tips and content guidelines that will improve your media and outreach.”
-Web resource with many tips and examples videos.
-Covers broad range of communication techniques from one the largest outlets of nature television in the world.