Conservation Video - Making an Impact

Hey folks,

I just posted in the Conservation forum (Shark Finning on the Frontier thread), a short conservation video assembled from the shark finning footage i shot in Raja this December. To view the thread, got to:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...mp;#entry113494

You can also view my video directly at:

http://www.bluespheremedia.com/shark-conservation.html

I would like to start a seperate thread discussing "best practices" (shooting, editing, music, message) for assembling conservation oriented videos. Ultimately, this is the reason I am in the business...to make a difference using my video as a powerful visual tool.

We can use my video (simple and to the point) as a starting point, as well any other content people might want to share. As ocean conservation is my passion, I really want to master this aspect of the profession. So much time is dedicated to the beauty of the oceans because all of us here love it and are drawn to it. The darker side can be more challenging because (1) it just isn't that pleasant to spend so much time looking at this stuff, (2) thers isn't much of a financial incentive to do it, and (3) the material can be hard to come by. That being said, i beleive that all of us who either derive income (full or part time), or gain enrichment from diving and filming underwater, have an obligation to use our skills to preserve the marine habitats we so enjoy.

Anyway, please take a look at the video and share any related or unrelated thoughts here.

Shawn

Shawn, that's a great clip there mate.

Well done and keep up the good work.

Any chance of getting a link to a larger version so we can play it at our Cinema Nights?

Cheers

How big do you want? What format? Just PM me and we can get you set up...spread the word brother!

good job Shawn. sounds like a perfect way to test my new download manager...

Hey Shawn,

That's just an excellent video. The early flashes of foreshadowing, the juxtaposition of life and carnage, the sharp editing, the powerful tracking shots. Just excellent. Can we podcast it? (I'll PM you....)

I also think that posting it to GooTube would be a great way to reach even more folks. The more ways, the better.

ShiftingBaselines.org is/has been hosting a PSA video contest (see DiveFilm Podcast Video Episode 23), and they have some really good stuff on their Flix pages, but they're looking for 60 second PSA-type vids. Still, a great selection of conservation vids by all kinds of video producers, including folks very new to video (like some of the Scripps Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation students who have written, directed and produced several great entries).

Keep up the great work, Shawn!

Mary Lynn

Hey folks,

 

I just posted in the Conservation forum (Shark Finning on the Frontier thread), a short conservation video assembled from the shark finning footage i shot in Raja this December. To view the thread, got to:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showt...mp;#entry113494

 

You can also view my video directly at:

http://www.bluespheremedia.com/shark-conservation.html

 

I would like to start a seperate thread discussing "best practices" (shooting, editing, music, message) for assembling conservation oriented videos. Ultimately, this is the reason I am in the business...to make a difference using my video as a powerful visual tool.

 

We can use my video (simple and to the point) as a starting point, as well any other content people might want to share. As ocean conservation is my passion, I really want to master this aspect of the profession. So much time is dedicated to the beauty of the oceans because all of us here love it and are drawn to it. The darker side can be more challenging because (1) it just isn't that pleasant to spend so much time looking at this stuff, (2) thers isn't much of a financial incentive to do it, and (3) the material can be hard to come by. That being said, i beleive that all of us who either derive income (full or part time), or gain enrichment from diving and filming underwater, have an obligation to use our skills to preserve the marine habitats we so enjoy.

 

Anyway, please take a look at the video and share any related or unrelated thoughts here.

 

Shawn

Shawn

Is it ok for me to use the link to your video in some of my communications with people/companies when discussing this issue?

also i'd like to add a link to it from my site if you don't mind?

/paul

Mary,

Great ideas. I'll look for your PM and let's talk about some options.

Paul,

Please feel free to use this link whenever you need and link to you site is great.

-shawn

Haunting and disturbing footage, and one powerful message

That being said, i beleive that all of us who either derive income (full or part time), or gain enrichment from diving and filming underwater, have an obligation to use our skills to preserve the marine habitats we so enjoy.

Very well said, and I could not agree with you more.

Folks,

Based on some excellent feedback, i have updated the video to provide more info and some cleaner cuts.

take a peak and offer any feedback:

http://www.bluespheremedia.com/shark-conservation.html

thanks,

shawn

Any time a film gets your emotions up it must be good. It did and it is.

Steve B)

Shawn,

Fantastic effort. As Steve points out it all about emotion, and you film is very effective.

Congrats

Hey, great job Shawn. I love it! With your permission, I have a copy glued to my hard drive to show everybody I run into why they should not eat shark fin in Singapore

Thanks,

Justin

That was great man u did a very good job. Although I dont eat shark meat (religous thing) but I think this could really effect the people who do specially in East Asia and Arab countries around the Persian Gulf. Keep up the good work

Thanks,

Mohammad Tavakoli

If anyone lives or works in the Pacific Northwest and is interested in joining the fight.....

2007 Georgia Basin Puget Sound Research Conference

Vancouver, British Columbia March 26-29, 2007

Knowledge for the Salish Sea:

Toward Collaborative Transboundary Solutions

REQUEST FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL FILM SUBMISSIONS

Organizers of the 2007 Georgia Basin Puget Sound Research Conference are seeking submissions from environmental filmmakers for documentaries, narratives, and shorts focused on marine conservation topics. Selected films will be screened during a special evening film session on March 27 2007 at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.

This will be the 8th premier research conference in the transboundary region hosted by the Georgia Basin Action Plan and the Puget Sound Action Team. The event draws approximately 1000 delegates – scientists, First Nations and tribal government representatives, resource managers, community leaders, policy makers, educators and students – together to share scientific information concerning the condition and management of the shared Georgia Basin Puget Sound region. The event will feature oral presentations, workshops, posters, special evening events, and guest plenary speakers. This is the first time that the conference will feature a session featuring environmental films. The evening film screening will feature approximately three hours worth of films addressing topics of relevance to Puget Sound/Georgia Basin marine conservation efforts.

We are soliciting films that fall into one or both of the following two categories:

• Films that address key marine conservation issues in the Puget Sound/Georgia Basin ecosystem, such as decline in marine species (mammals, birds, invertebrates, plants, etc); loss of habitat; and human impacts to the ecosystem, including climate change, stormwater runoff, toxic contamination, etc.

• Films that address estuarine and marine conservation issues that have relevance for the Puget Sound/Georgia basin ecosystem but may not highlight specific issues here. These films could address key marine conservation issues elsewhere in the world.

For more information, please contact Hilary Culverwell, Puget Sound Action Team, hculverwell@psat.wa.gov or 360-676-2233.

Deadline

Entries must be postmarked by Friday, February 16, 2007 and mailed to:

Sarah Brace

Puget Sound Action Team

PO Box 40900

Olympia, WA 98504-0900

Entries must include:

• 1-page summary that includes

o Title of film

o Country of origin

o Year of production

o Running time

o Director / Producer name and contact info (phone number and e-mail)

o Brief synopsis of film

• NTSC VHS tape or DVD with name and contact information written on tape or disc; associated publicity materials optional

• If you want your entry returned, also include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

While there is no minimum or maximum length for submissions, screening time is limited and shorter pieces may have a better chance of being accepted. English or English subtitles only, please.