Never has the time been more critical for film-making to help make a difference to the natural world. This book shows you how. A complete 'how to' guide, aimed at both film-makers and conservationists who want to use film as a tool for conservation. Covers all pre-production activities including how to raise funds. How to choose and use the filming equipment you need, plus a guide to post-production. Explores reaching audiences, organising screenings, using social media, monitoring effectiveness and ethical considerations. Features case studies from leading conservation film-makers including Mike Pandey, Rob Stewart (Sharkwater and Revolution), Will Anderson (Hugh's Fish Fight) and Shekar Dattatri. Describes how organisations use film effectively in conservation; including Greenpeace, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Great Apes Film Initiative (GAFI). 'For all of us who care about the environment and wildlife, and want to make a difference, this is an important book.' Jane Goodall, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace 'This book is of enormous value to everyone involved in conservation' Lee Durrell, Honorary Director, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust 'Conservation Film-making is a richly nourishing book, a professional tour de force, and a compelling argument that films, when made according to the best practices contained in this book, can make a huge and positive difference to the world in which we live.' Professor Chris Palmer, Director of the Center for Environmental Filmmaking 'This terrific book will become the bible for everyone determined to fly in the face of everything-is-wonderful-and-happy natural history programmes and show, instead, that conservation can be awe-inspiring and watchable, too.' Mark Carwardine, Conservationist 'Conservation Film-making is a detailed and well-researched 'how to' guide, but it is more than that - it's a good read! It should be read by everyone involved in conservation, to understand better how film could - indeed should - be used.' Ian Redmond

This book is an introduction to the world of science and natural history filmmaking. Most books on filmmaking discuss ways to become an independent filmmaker. Yet, working in science and natural history is unique. This book fills a void in education in this field. It gives insight about getting into the industry via National Geographic and Discovery as well as breaking into the world of Youtube. To make science films in any of these venues you need a recipe for success. This book helps you make your own recipe depending on your goals.

Longtime producer Palmer provides an in-depth look at wild animals on film, covering the history of wildlife documentaries, safety issues, and the never-ending pressure to obtain the money shot. Marlin Perkins, Jacques Cousteau, Steve Irwin, Timothy Treadwell, and many other familiar names are discussed along with their work, accidents, and in some cases, untimely deaths. Palmer is highly critical of Irwin, and offers fascinating revelations about game farms used by exploitative filmmakers and photographers looking for easy shots and willing to use caged animals to obtain them. He also considers the subliminal messages of many wildlife films, considering everything from Shark Week to Happy Feet and how they manipulate audiences toward preset conclusions about animal behavior. In all this is an engaging and exceedingly timely look at a form of entertainment the public has long taken for granted and which, as Palmer points out, really needs a fresh and careful reconsideration.

The unique book by Piers Warren, packed with guidance and advice for aspiring makers of natural history films Foreword by Jeffery Boswall Described as 'long-overdue' and 'much-needed', this is not just an essential book for newcomers and wannabes - the fascinating case studies of well-known individuals, and unique discussion of the future of the industry from top professionals, make this an important read for those already working in the fields of wildlife, underwater and conservation film. There has never been a careers guide to the wildlife film industry before, and this book covers all aspects of working in this genre. Author Piers Warren explains how wildlife films are made, describes the variety of jobs and how to get started, and then supplies information on education and training, wildlife film festivals, organisations and projects. The section 'The Future of the Industry' involves no-holds-barred views from individuals with a wide variety of experience of wildlife films - combining to produce a fascinating and eye-opening vision of the future of wildlife programming.

Documentary film can encompass anything from Robert Flaherty's pioneering ethnography Nanook of the North to Michael Moore's anti-Iraq War polemic Fahrenheit 9/11, from Dziga Vertov's artful Soviet propaganda piece Man with a Movie Camera to Luc Jacquet's heart-tugging wildlife epic March of the Penguins. In this concise, crisply written guide, Patricia Aufderheide takes readers along the diverse paths of documentary history and charts the lively, often fierce debates among filmmakers and scholars about the best ways to represent reality and to tell the truths worth telling. Beginning with an overview of the central issues of documentary filmmaking--its definitions and purposes, its forms and founders--Aufderheide focuses on several of its key subgenres, including public affairs films, government propaganda (particularly the works produced during World War II), historical documentaries, and nature films. Her thematic approach allows readers to enter the subject matter through the kinds of films that first attracted them to documentaries, and it permits her to make connections between eras, as well as revealing the ongoing nature of documentary's core controversies involving objectivity, advocacy, and bias. Interwoven throughout are discussions of the ethical and practical considerations that arise with every aspect of documentary production. A particularly useful feature of the book is an appended list of "100 great documentaries" that anyone with a serious interest in the genre should see. Drawing on the author's four decades of experience as a film scholar and critic, this book is the perfect introduction not just for teachers and students but also for all thoughtful filmgoers and for those who aspire to make documentaries themselves. About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

As technology advances rapidly and viewers' options increase, this book presents a fascinating exploration of the future of the wildlife film-making industry. Its unique collection of views and advice make this book an invaluable resource for everyone who wishes to succeed as a wildlife film-maker in years to come. With articles from many leading figures in the industry and case studies of numerous skilled practitioners.

"Storytelling through entertainment is one of the most powerful forms of mass communication--informing, enlightening, and inspiring audiences to get involved. Filmmaking for Change shows artists how to produce movies that matter--from story ideas to production, film festivals to distribution."--Back cover.