who else in this forum is doing nature & natural history docs?

[Friedrich Moser]

Salut Denis,

I am convinced it will be a great tool for wildlife. I'll be shooting Redcode RAW 4k as often as I can, and the high-speed shots at 2k/100fps (if/when enabled, there are threads about it).
Why 4k? For my archive, because as I'm not specialized, my topics will constantly change (except: mountains) for TV-productions, but there are always smaller projects for institutional purposes (info-points etc.) in between, that are made for big screens. Offering 4k makes me more competitive. And my archive will outdate more slowly.
Regarding slow-motion I count very much on the development of appropriate software for NLE-plugins and on further developments by RED.

BTW, will some of you nat-hist-people show up @IBC? I plan to be there on Friday 7th. Would be nice to have a coffee or beer with you!

Regards, Friedrich

[Mike Peters]

I'm with a New Zealand NGO which is trying to get into natural history about NZ biodiversity. Been going for 3 years and making slow but steady progress. Bush Telly is linked to a national NGO with a good network of support amoungst conservationists. We have done one 20 minute doco and filmed bits for a number of others to be completed. Our biggest challenge has been good sound, light and camera support. Will have nailed those problems in a few months, and so the challenge then becomes getting a decent camera or two.

Till we can raise the $$, the effort will be pre production, and putting together a storyboard for each program (powerpoints). So far we have around 60 programs we want to make about NZ native plants and animals.

We are planning lots of oral history with conservation participants, and then telling the stories with all the neat stuff (birds, landscape, insects etc).

I love doing this stuff. Our small crew is learning a hell of a lot along the way. We have put a lot of the audio stuff up as internet radio programs in the meantime.

[Ken Corben]

We are planning lots of oral history with conservation participants, and then telling the stories with all the neat stuff (birds, landscape, insects etc).

BRILLIANT! Mike this is an outstanding idea and project goal. I highly recommend that you, if you haven't already, purchase GENESIS (2005) directed by Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou, who previously created another acclaimed scientific documentary, Microcosmos. Study this film OVER AND OVER, set the bar for your images with REDONE based on their work and build upon their unique oral history technique and you will create programming that inspires (and sells). You will notice they use a significant amount of studio set ups with the more challenging creature behaviors and I think it works well even if the audience believes it is "in the wild." Besides, only maddogs and Englishmen (BBC) actually live in a tree for weeks at a time to get one 30 second shot (I kid the Brits. They are often my inspiration to push the envelope on my next project).

Here's a link with info and a trailer. This film is a must see for all NH filmmakers:

http://video.barnesandnoble.com/sear...n=821575536257

I love doing this stuff. Our small crew is learning a hell of a lot along the way. We have put a lot of the audio stuff up as internet radio programs in the meantime.

The audio is as important as the video for your films. Glad to hear you are aware of that. I too love doing this stuff and look forward to seeing some of your results.

BTW - If I were in NZ I'd be working my way into Peter Jackson's 4K studio for posting my Redone originated NZ docos. Never know, might find an interesting mentor or two their?

Sharky

[Mike Peters]

Hi Sharkguy
I get a lot of inspiration from BBC Bristol's work. Planet Earth is on the telly tonight - so I know what I'll be doing. I have seen Microcosmos - its truly inspiring.

Interesting what you say about setting the bar. When we started, we were just a bunch of conservationists planting native trees, who wanted to get some natural history programming for NZ. Our govt had just sold off NHNZ who then had to make stuff for the US market. It was a very sad day for NZ conservation.

So in 2001, we got hold of an old S-VHS camera, $10 mic from Dick Smith and a cassett tape recorder and went out there and gave it a go. It was the right way to start but the results were pretty terrible.

So we just kept going at it, learning on the job. Luckely we had quite a few good photograhers (mainly old botanists) who knew a thing about good pictures. No one in the official world believed we could do this, but we kept going. Finally convinced someone to hand over some $$$$ and started getting decent gear. We built a good edit computer and spent a hell of a lot on audio equipment. We also built everything we possibly could. Our crappy 2nd hand photo tripod got replaced by an excellent 2nd hand vinten 8. Etc etc. We found the better gear, meant we could raise the standards of what we could do, which enabled us to raise more $$.

The radio program was a very good decision. We know have a separate radio unit and are planning to rapidly increase the amount of radio programming content. We go to a lot of public talks, record the audio and combine it with the slide show images. Its really important - some of these speakers are living treasures, having spent a lifetime on some specialised area and their talks need to be recorded for the future generations.

Early this year we all went over the early filmed stuff, looked at a few old NHNZ programs to compare and biffed 95% of what we had done. I think next year we will probably do the same. But at least we have got more of an appreciation of the standards we need to work to.

Right now, we are building a 6m pipe camera crane for canopy shots, table dolly for macro shots. I'd love to find out how to make a probescope. It must be possible. Its only a periscope, with a macrolense isn't it?. I've never seen one except on the web but it looks very useful.

Yeh we figured out that a lot will have to be filmed in someones bedroom or garage. Forest floor plus blue screen on the kitchen table. Oh well - I guess we will have to make a ton of aquariums from recycled glass shelving, and learn how not to kill the little critters.

Anyway plenty to look forward to. I can see why you lot all love this stuff. Its just wonderful and so much fun.

Thanks for your encouragement.

[Ken Corben]

Mike,

You're welcome.

Hope to see you at either Wildscreen in Bristol or JHWFF in Jackson Hole with your work.

Sharky

http://www.wildscreenfestival.org/
http://www.jhfestival.org/

[Lauri Kettunen]

My interest in RED is also and only because the production of nature docs of northern Scandinavia. RED brings at least three significant advantages to me. Firstly, 4K format means that what is shot today can be fully exploited in the future. During the years I've been filming birds, animals, and landscapes, there has been many unique situations which cannot be repeated. Having such material in SD 4:3 format creates nowadays a sigh. Secondly, the four audio channels makes it possible to make modern multichannel audio. And third, since it is quite difficult to revert the choice of Canon lenses made years ago, the possibility to shoot with the existing lenses with the Birger EF-adapter is a very wellcome wellcome feature.

[Mike Peters]

What lenses would be people recommend using with RED One for natural history work. I take it from the forum 6that many people are planning to use their existing older lenses eg:

Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L

Would you go manual or digital lens? My thought was to start looking for used lenses in good condition.

What would you use for Macro work?

[Brice Ansel]

What lenses would be people recommend using with RED One for natural history work.
What would you use for Macro work?

Nikon Micro 60mm
an example of it's use here
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19223
Best regards
Brice

[Dave Blackham]

We work on Wildlife too. Id be very interested in views on lens set ups and prefered shooting resolutions.

Dave
UK