One of National Geographic's top writer/producers, David Hamlin, shows clips from War Elephants and discusses the stories behind the film. In Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, elephants are in crisis. Years of civil war and ivory poaching have left them frightened and hostile toward humans. The world's foremost elephant researcher Dr. Joyce Poole works to build trust and retrain the animals away from their violent behavior.
Erin Wanner, Animal Planet's Senior Director of Production & Executive Producer, reveals the back story on what went into creating the upcoming three-part miniseries Battleground: Rhino Wars premiering at 9 pm (ET/PT) on Thursday, March 7. The programs reveal the conflict between blood-thirsty poachers and one of South Africa's anti-poaching units, which has recruited former and current US special forces to stop the illegal, lucrative trade of rhino horns. Cameras reveal a bloody war that these elite U.S. warriors find themselves fighting, in an area where both rhinos and people protecting them are being slaughtered with increasing regularity.
Veteran wildlife film producer Chris Palmer's controversial book, Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom, has been widely praised. Now it has been turned into a film for public television. Hosted by National Geographic emerging explorer and filmmaker Alexandra Cousteau, the film takes a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of natural history filmmaking and shows the reality behind the lens.
Chris will introduce the film and answer questions. He will also screen the winners of this year's Eco-Comedy Video Competition sponsored by the AU's Center for Environmental Filmmaking and the Sierra Club.
A number of short student films will be shown followed by a discussion with the filmmakers on the opportunities and challenges in environmental filmmaking. The panel, moderated by Sandy Cannon-Brown will include Sarah Gulick, Sylvia Johnson, Erin Finicane, Ana Sotela, Brian Kelley, and Jenny Stratton.
Clips and discussion moderated by Chris Palmer, featuring Stephanie Flack, Potomac River Project Director, The Nature Conservancy; Angelica Das, Associate Director, Center for Social Media; and Vanessa Serrao, Director of Digital Media and Communications, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. How do we produce films that make a difference? This panel, by showing clips from inspiring films, explores ways we can turn films into action at both the policy and personal levels.
The Life and Times of Adrian Cowell
This is a memorial tribute to the award-winning documentary filmmaker of the Amazon. Following a screening of Adrian Cowell's Decade of Destruction film series, which revealed the pressures that led to the greatest destruction of tropical forest ever, Barbara Bramble, Senior Advisor for International Climate and Energy, National Wildlife Federation, will discuss Adrian's life and work with Steve Schwartzman, Director of Forest Policy, Environmental Defense Fund and Adrian's daughter Boojie Cowell.
True Wolf: The Amazing Story of a Wolf called Koani
True Wolf (USA, 2012, 76 min.) This is the story of a wolf called Koani, who, with the help of her human companions, became an ambassador for her species, traveling the country to help raise awareness about wolves and challenge both the age-old perception of the Big Bad Wolf and the New Age portrayal of the wolf as a noble savage. Directed by Rob Whitehair; produced by Pam Voth; executive producers Chris Palmer and Bruce Weide. Discussion with filmmakers Chris Palmer and Bruce Weide follows screening.
Stories from the Wilderness
Last year, SOC grad students Sarah Gulick, Sylvia Johnson, and Erin Finicane were on a mission: to go into National Park Service Wilderness areas and bring back stories from the wild. Braving the elements, they produced a video series that captures the diversity of an American Wilderness experience. We invite you to join us for a screening of the series followed by a discussion about the valuable role film plays in protecting these wild lands. The three student filmmakers will be accompanied by Garry Oye, National Park Service's Chief of Wilderness Stewardship, and Chuck Dunkerly, Executive Producer of the series and Producer/Director at the Harpers Ferry Center.
