Saturday 14th July, 2012  10.00am – 5.00pm, Marsland Nature Reserve, North Devon

Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers have teamed up with Devon Wildlife Trust to offer a unique opportunity to work alongside professional wildlife cameraman, Tim Shepherd, and producer, Sarah Pitt on a 1-Day Wildlife Filming course at the Trust’s beautiful Marsland Nature Reserve in north Devon.

The course is aimed at beginners in wildlife filming and those who have their own video cameras and want to improve their filming techniques.  The day will be spent in the scenic meadows of Marsland working in small groups.  The meadows are home to Britain’s largest butterfly, the silver washed fritillary and there’ll also be a chance to see moths drawn from the surrounding oak woodland and a rich diversity of other wildlife on the Reserve.

The day will be led by Tim Shepherd, a wildlife cameraman best known for his work on BBC’s Life and Frozen Planet programmes, Tim says:  I hope I can inspire other naturalists to have a go at filmmaking. It’s a great way to tell a story or get a message across.  Modern digital technology and the internet allow anyone to make and show high quality films. Even a one-day course like this can get you going in the right direction.

Gary Pilkington, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Senior Nature Reserves Officer (and a past Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers’ student), looks after Marsland Reserve. He says: I can’t think of a better place than Marsland for budding wildlife filmmakers to make a start and with expert guidance from Tim and Sarah, it should be a brilliant experience.

Filmmakers are encouraged to bring their own camera and a tripod although a limited amount of equipment will be available for use, including a variety of lenses suitable for DSLR cameras.

Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers will provide a short brief for filming designed to reflect the reserve at this time of year.  Filming should not be ad hoc, and the brief gives a purpose to the day.   The course will begin with a short talk from Tim and Sarah about the filming brief and how to approach storytelling and sequence building in wildlife filming. The tutors will review group work as sequences are shot.

PRICE: £99 (including lunch)

TUTORS:

• Producer: Sarah Pitt
• Cameraman: Tim Shepherd

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKING:

• If you’re interested in joining this course and would like to know more about it please contact us via e-mail or call Sarah on Mob: 07785 282411
• If you’d like to book a place on the course, please contact Devon Wildlife Trust on Tel: 01392 279244  or e-mail The Reception Team on contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org

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The Art of Editing: Saturday 19th May, 2012     9.00am – 6.00pm, Bristol

Filming is often seen as the most glamorous part of the filmmaking process …  but how do we turn what we’ve filmed into something with a story and a purpose – a film that people will want to watch?  That’s what editing is all about.

Editors are the unsung heroes of the filmmaking process. Generally we don’t know who they are and we rarely hear from them, but without their skills there wouldn’t be the wonderful variety of natural history programmes we watch on TV.  And if we’re editing what we shoot ourselves, then editors have a lot to teach us …

This masterclass is led by BAFTA and EMMY award-winning editor, Martin Elsbury.  Martin is one of Bristol’s most experienced and respected editors and a Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers tutor.

The day is an introduction to the creative aspects of the editing process and will begin with Martin’s unmissable illustrated talk outlining the history, purpose and art of editing. There’ll also be two practical demonstrations in which Martin will edit an interview and a short wildlife sequence.  These are designed to be interactive and students will be encouraged to voice their opinions and ask questions.

Over the course of the day you’ll discover, amongst other things, why certain shots work better together than others; how editing can change the sense and pace of a film and as a result the viewing experience; why a well cut sequence is more than the sum of its parts; and how you can begin working with your own material to produce something that has cohesion and a sense of developing narrative.

We’ll be working on Final Cut Pro but we do stress that this is not an editing software masterclass, but rather an introduction to the creative aspects of the editing process.

This masterclass will be held at Films@59, in one of their luxurious new cutting rooms on Whiteladies Road in Bristol.  It’s a central location easily reached by public transport from Temple Meads Railway Station or the Central Bus Station.

PRICE: £125 (including lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits!)

TUTORS:

• Producer: Karen Partridge
• Editor: Martin Elsbury

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKING:

• If you’re interested in joining this masterclass please contact us via emailor call Karen on 07866 528589

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On Saturday 24^th September Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers welcomed twenty-five guests to the Sawmill conference venue on the National Trust’s beautiful Tyntesfield estate for a day of personal, behind the scenes views of wildlife filmmaking from the presenters, producers and camerapeople who create the natural history films we watch on TV.

Learning to Climb Trees

Producer, Karen Partridge, began the day Walking with Lions … Using photographs and film clips she introduced the audience to some of the lions (and people) she met during her time working as the location producer on two series of Lion Country for ITV.  From the cubs’ first tentative steps out into the bush, through learning to climb trees, becoming confident around water and ultimately to hunting for themselves, it was a journey full of big personalities and big adventures.  Lion Country followed the work of David Youldon and his team at the African Lion and Environmental Research Trust based in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Stephen Moss, producer, naturalist, author and broadcaster, gave an insightful and often humorous account of working with some of our best known presenters.  He revealed how stories are filmed and the planning that goes into ensuring they make it to screen.  What emerged is that it’s certainly not all smooth going.  So what does a producer do when his presenter is being dive-bombed by Great Skuas (known as Bonxies) on the Shetland Islands and seems none too happy about it?

The day continued warm and sunny and all the guests were happy to join wildlife cameraman, John Waters (better known as Mr Meerkat), and National Trust wildlife warden, Darren Mait, on a walk through the beautiful grounds of Tyntesfield.  Earlier in the day John had set up a filming hide on the edge of woodland and as part of the walk revealed how he would use this essential piece of kit to get close to animals in the wild.  Darren Mait probably knows the wildlife of Tyntesfield better than anyone else and shared his expert knowledge of and enthusiasm for the wide variety of species that call this place home.

Television presenter, Mike Dilger, is probably best known as one of the wildlife experts on The One Show, but he’s also an avid birder, an inveterate and curious traveller and the world record holder of the dubious Most Snails on the Face.  He regaled his audience with stories of the trials and tribulations of working as a wildlife presenter.  Never one to be daunted by a challenge, Mike revealed some of the mishaps and triumphs of his career from working with unpredictable animals (and people) to the perils of live broadcasts.

Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers were pleased to welcome two of our former filmmaking student to Wild! Behind the Scenes.  We think they enjoyed themselves!

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Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers have teamed up with the National Trust at Tyntesfield to provide a packed day of presentations and demonstrations that will take you Behind the Scenes of many of our most popular wildlife programmes.

Come and spend a wonderful day at the National Trust’s stunning Tyntesfield Estate, just seven miles from Bristol, and meet some of the presenters and producers whose close encounters with animals around the world make the wildlife films you watch on TV.

Wildlife Presenter, Mike Dilger, will be revealing The Trials and Tribulations of a Wildlife Presenter – everything you ever wanted to know about life as a wildlife presenter, but were afraid to ask …   Mike is probably best known for his work on The One Show but he’s also co-presented Nature’s Top 40 and Nature’s Calendar on BBC2 and C Beebies Autumnwatch and Springwatch.  Mike is also the current World Record Holder of The Most Snails on the Face and in 2010 he beat the opposition to become Wild Brain of Britain.
Wildlife Producer, Stephen Moss, will be taking you Behind the Scenes at the BBC Natural History Unit and revealing the stories behind some of his favourite wildlife sequences.  Stephen is a naturalist, an author, a broadcaster and a television producer.  He was instrumental in setting up Springwatch on BBC2 and his many credits include Big Cat Diary, The Nature of Britain and Birds Britannia.  He’s worked with some of our best-loved presenters including Bill Oddie and Alan Titchmarsh.

In Filming Close Encounters of the Wild Kind, wildlife Cameraman, John Waters, will be taking you out on to the Tyntesfield Estate to demonstrate some of the tricks of the trade that have helped him get close to animals in the wild.  John will also be joined by Tyntesfield’s Wildlife Warden, Darren Mait, who’ll reveal what makes Tyntesfield such a special place for wildlife.

John Waters has been filming wildlife for more than 20 years and his work has taken him from the Arctic to the tropical rainforest and almost every environment inbetween.  But he’s probably best known as Mr Meerkat for his work on the popular series Meerkat Manor.

Over the past two years Wildlife Producer, Karen Partridge, has spent a lot of time Walking with Lions in Africa for ITV’s Lion Country.  She’ll be introducing you to some of the lions she met, revealing how the films were made (and letting you in on some of the things that didn’t quite go to plan) and explaining why the African lion is in such trouble.  Karen is an award-winning producer with a passion for wildlife and more than 14 years experience of making natural history films. She’s made programmes for BBC, ITV, Discovery, Animals Planet and National Geographic and she’s worked with all the cute and cuddly from killer bees to crocodiles and alligators.

Join us on Saturday 24^th September at Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48  1NX

Cost: £66.50 per person or £20.00 (11-17 year olds with full-paying adult) Includes lunch in the Cow Barn Restaurant

Places are limited so booking is essential.  To book call the National Trust booking line on 0844 2491895 or visit the National Trust website:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

For more information contact:  Katie Laidlaw of the National Trust Tel: 01275 461963  E-Mail: katie.laidlaw@nationaltrust.org.uk or Karen Partridge of Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers  E-Mail: info@bristolwildfilm.co.uk

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On Friday 3^rd June Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers welcomed fifteen students to Folly Farm to begin the packed weekend of workshops, hands-on filming and editing that make up our Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking course.

© Darin Smith

The theme of this year’s summer course at Folly Farm in Somerset was Badgers and Butterflies.  Folly Farm has two great wildlife assets that come into their own at this time of year.  Its beautiful wildflower meadows have never been spoilt by the use of fertilisers or pesticides and the profusion of flowers brim with insect life.   And its badgers come out of their sett to forage, groom and play whilst there is still light in the sky, so are clearly visible to those happy to sit quietly and wait.  But first came lunch and an opportunity to meet fellow students and tutors.

© Rob Harrington

Students were allocated into four teams and each team tasked with coming up with an outline for a film loosely based around a filming brief. The idea was that each team would use the creativity and imagination of its members to produce four very different films.  Camera tutors Tim Shepherd and John Waters, gave everyone an overview of the cameras (Sony Z7 and Sony Z1), tripods, jib and other equipment they would be using.  And with the sun shining and the swallows flying there was an opportunity for everyone to go outside and get to grips with operating the cameras, working with the different lenses and handling the jib and tripods.   Following a workshop exploring sequence building (accompanied by tea and freshly baked cakes) students and tutors walked up to Folly’s wildflower meadows to get a sense of the place they would be filming tomorrow – and some inspiration for their films.

After dinner editor, Martin Elsbury, gave a wonderful talk on the Art of Editing complete with film clips of the first known moving footage and the first example of an edit in a film.  Two teams then set off for the woodland with a Z7 camera and an infra-red camera and monitor (a specialist camera for use in low light conditions) to film the badgers, whilst the remaining students stayed behind to enjoy some of the many delights Folly Farm has to offer.   The badgers were very co-operative, came out on cue and stayed around the sett long enough to entertain and delight all.

Later that evening one of the researchers at Avon Wildlife Trust was setting humane traps for great crested newts as part of an ongoing research programme.  A number of filmmaking students joined her very early the next morning to discover what she had caught and watched as she released these rarest of amphibians back into the natural environment of Folly Farm’s beautiful pond.

The weather held for the filming on Saturday and using specialist macro-lenses, jib, mini-tripods and beanbags the students filmed an amazing variety of shots down amongst the flowers in the meadows, including rarities such as slipper and bee orchids.  And patience and observation paid off as some wonderful insect behaviour was captured in sharp focus.  Tutors, cameraman Tim Shepherd and producer Steve Nicholls, also made their on-camera debuts, Steve starring as himself in The Entomologist …

It was just as well that we were all inside for workshops and editing on Sunday because the weather changed dramatically and the rain came down.  Editors, Martin Elsbury and Rob Harrington worked patiently and tirelessly with students to produce their finished short films and producers, Sarah Pitt and Karen Partridge explored the importance of research, the ethics of filming animals in the wild and developing storyline and narrative structure in films.

Whilst Martin and Rob were preparing all the finished films for their final screenings, senior sound supervisor at the BBC, Dave Parkinson, offered the students (and some of the tutors) an invaluable and entertaining insight into recording sound for wildlife films and gave advice on microphones and gathering sound in the field.

As ever, the food was wonderful and Folly Farm a truly an inspirational place to be for a weekend.  And the films weren’t bad either!

Some Student Comments:

I just wanted to say that the course was inspirational and I have come home with a list of things the Botanic Garden should have and also ideas about short films we could be making.

Excellent. Top quality professionals sharing their skills with us.  They provided a mass of valuable information and inspirational guidance and fellow students came from a huge range of backgrounds but sharing passion and enthusiasm.

Absolutely awesome.  I was really happy about the level of personal learning despite a huge variety of skills with other attendees. Tutors were amazing about splitting their time.  I don’t want to leave!

Invaluable. Well thought out and well executed. The first step on the journey of my dream

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On a bitterly cold Thursday morning at the end of January, Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers welcomed sixteen students from all over the UK to the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust’s Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire.

This was the first day of a two-day filming course designed to show students how to get the best shots from their video cameras and how to use these shots to tell compelling wildlife stories.

© James Lees

In January Slimbridge really comes into its own with huge numbers of birds arriving for the winter – from the famous wild Bewick swans to the thousands of water birds attracted to the reserve’s flooded marshes.  Slimbridge in winter is a magical place for any aspiring wildlife filmmaker.

All the students were eager to get out onto the reserve with the cameras, but before braving the cold they opted for hot tea and the production workshop led by tutors, Karen Partridge and Sarah Pitt. It focused on sequence building and was designed to introduce everyone to the basics of film grammar and to get them thinking about what to do before picking up the camera. Planning a shoot is a real skill and shooting with purpose is the best way to approach any filming challenge. It always saves time (and heartache) when it comes to putting everything together to create a visual story that others will want to watch.

Working in four groups of four, with the theory fresh in their minds, and filming briefs firmly in their hands, it was time for the students to get to grips with the cameras.  Camera tutors, John Waters and Robin Smith, took everyone expertly through the 20 Golden Rules of Camerawork from camera set-up (manual is always preferable to auto!) through composition and shot-length to the variety of shots needed to bring sequences to life.  Then it was out on to the reserve to learn about filming from hides – a necessity to avoid disturbing the birds but often frustrating – and to get to grips with the long lens.  All wildlife filming comes with its own set of challenges and the ability to think laterally is an essential part of the filmmakers tool-kit!

Friday was an early start (7 o’clock, so barely light at this time of year) to give everyone the chance to observe the wild Bewick swans coming in for the first swan feed of the day, and one group the opportunity to film Julia Newth, the Slimbridge Swan Recorder, at work.  The day was cold but bright, and the students spent the rest of the morning filming in winter sunshine.  Following a warming lunch (overlooking the flamingo pond), it was back to the Slimbridge Centre for the four tutors to review and discuss all the footage shot and answer questions from the students.

The two days of the course were dedicated to filming and learning about the kind and variety of shots needed to make any sequence or film work effectively.  Now the students wanted to know how their shots would go together and what they might convey … but that’s editing … another story altogether …

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We were featured recently in the November 2010 edition of BBC Countryfile Magazine. You can read the full article or see the feature spread as it appeared when the magazine went on sale.

Huge thanks to Jo Tinsley, features editor of Countryfile Magazine and Eleanor Daniel who took part in our Summer 2010 wildlife filmmaking course.

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In June last year six students (and a writer from BBC Countryfile Magazine) joined Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers’ Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking course at Folly Farm. Working in two groups they were tasked with making short films focusing on Folly’s wild flower meadows. They were ably assisted by cameraman Tim Shepherd, and made good use of his skills and knowledge as both a macro-specialist and botanist. The weather was glorious throughout – sun cream and hats were a necessity – and was even kind enough to provide a filmic sunset over the Chew Valley and, for those who got out of bed early enough, a beautiful sunrise the next morning.

Cameraman, John Waters, joined Tim on the first day to help students get to grips with the tripods, jib, lenses and cameras – encouraging everyone to change all settings to manual rather than auto mode – and to introduce them to the many uses of the humble bean bag.

Hard work and quiet observation paid off during filming and the students captured some stunning images of butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other mini-beasts to be found on the wide variety of flowers in the meadows and along the woodland edge. The experience was also a useful lesson in ecology as it became clear that it is nectar in the countryside that sustains the insect pollinators we depend on for so much of the food we eat.

And on that subject… Saturday evening in the nearby Pony and Trap pub was especially delicious (chunky chips to die for) with the addition of good conversation and humour. With thoughts of wildlife never far away, as dusk approached everyone returned to Folly Farm in the hope of glimpsing the Reserve’s badgers. And they didn’t let us down, coming out on cue to forage and play around the entrance to their sett before heading out to Folly’s meadows and woodland for the night.

Editor, Rob Harrington’s encouraging and enthusiastic patience was instrumental in helping both groups of students to organise their footage, decide on their final narrative and structure and to edit their finished films.

Making a short film in three days is hard work but it’s also enormous fun and a great way to spend time getting just that bit closer to the natural world.

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In June last year Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers hosted a Meet the Wildlife Filmmakers Day for the Guild of TV Cameramen (GTC) at Folly Farm. It was an opportunity for documentary cameramen who don’t normally film wildlife to get an insight into the vagaries of working with animals and plants…

121. Clive North: Producer, Mike Salisbury, Talking to GTC Members about a Lifetime of Producing Natural History Films – 28-Jun-2010

Nearly forty GTC members travelled from all over the country to Folly Farm’s beautiful 250-acre nature reserve in the Chew Valley, south of Bristol. Here they were able to bask in glorious sunshine, explore some of the delights of the reserve and share the filming experiences of cameramen John Waters and Tim Shepherd and wildlife producer Mike Salisbury, best known for his work with David Attenborough on series such as: Lost Worlds Vanished Lives, The Private Life of Plants, The Life of Birds, The Life of Mammals and most recently Life in the Undergrowth.

118. Clive North: Cameraman, John Waters, talking to GTC Members in Folly Farm Reserve’s traditional wodland – 28-Jun-2010

John Waters (better known as Mr Meerkat for his work on the popular series Meerkat Manor) talked about Capturing Close Encounters with wildlife. He discussed the techniques, field craft and lateral thinking often required to get you close to your subject – including a group of apparently rioting chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania. Later, out in Folly Farm’s ancient woodland, John showed small groups of GTC members how to set up a filming hide and talked about the pro and cons of using hides to film animals in the wild.

125. Clive North: Cameraman, Tim Shepherd, Demonstrating Lights for Filming Time-Lapse Plant Growth – 28-Jun-2010

Tim Shepherd won an Emmy and RTS awards for cinematography on The Private Life of Plants and The Human Body series and is renowned for his spectacular time-lapse and time-interval filming work. Tim gave a wonderful insight into how he films plants growing, flowering, seeding and even travelling – sequences that have changed our perception of the plant species that share our world. He also demonstrated how he filmed the 60-second awe-inspiring shot of plants from all seasons growing and flowering in succession, which opened the plants programme in the BBC Life series.

Mike Salisbury, OBE, is best known for his 30 years of service with the BBC’s Natural History Unit in Bristol. During this time he produced numerous wildlife programmes including five series with David Attenborough. Mike revealed the secrets behind some of his favourite sequences and detailed the meticulous planning and research (and the large element of luck!) that go into capturing stories that live on in the viewers memory long after the programmes have been broadcast.

123. Clive North: GTC Meet the Wildlife Filmmakers Lunch – 28-Jun-2010

126. Clive North: Cameraman, Tim Shepherd, Talking about Filming Time-Lapse Footage of Plants – 28-Jun-2010

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Fri 3rd – Sun 5th June, 2011

Badgers and Butterflies: If you’re passionate about wildlife and want to learn the secrets of filmmaking from the world’s leading experts, then this is the course for you.
Join us for three wonderful days in a 250-acre nature reserve at Folly Farm in unspoilt Somerset.

© Darin Smith

This summer course from June 3rd to 5th will include filming badgers at dusk as they forage for food and daytime filming in Folly Farm’s beautiful wildflower meadows. Unspoilt by pesticides and fertilisers they brim with flowers that attract bees and butterflies.

© Sarah Whalley

Working on location in small groups you’ll gain hands-on filming experience  and learn about the field craft that will bring you closer to animals. Working alongside professional cameramen and editors you’ll get the chance to shoot and edit your own film – a film you can keep forever.  We’ll introduce you to the ethics and legal implications of filming wild animals and there’ll be an opportunity to have one-to-one sessions with tutors to discuss your own film projects and ideas.

Evenings are for enjoying great food cooked using fabulous local, organic produce – all washed down with Tales from the Bush presented by guest speakers from wildlife filmmaking’s elite. Come nightfall, it’s a room with a view over Avon Wildlife Trust’s Folly Farm Reserve, and comfy, spacious en suite accommodation.

Come and enjoy the great team spirit, wonderful catering, stunning location and opportunity to learn wildlife filmmaking skills from the professionals. This isn’t just a course, it’s an experience to remember with a film to remember it by.

Feedback from our previous courses has been outstanding. One student found it a:

‘life-changing, inspiring experience, something that will stay with me forever. It’s re-established my passion and inspiration for wildlife filmmaking, nature, wildlife and conservation’.

PRICE:

• £506 (including VAT at the new 20% rate)
• Includes 2 nights accommodation at the beautiful Folly Farm Centre, all meals and expert tuition and equipment. This price is based on two participants sharing accommodation. If you would like to book a single occupancy room there is an additional surcharge of £35
• Minimum of 16 participants. Avon Wildlife Trust and Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers reserve the right to cancel the course two weeks before the start date if this minimum number has not been reached. We will update participants on the numbers booked one month before the course is due to begin.
• Terms of Trade for this course are as those for Avon Wildlife Trust

Book now

TUTORS:

• Producer: Karen Partridge and Steve Nicholls
• Cameramen: Tim Shepherd and John Waters
• Editors: Rob Harrington and Martin Elsbury

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKING A COURSE:

For general enquiries about courses please contact us via e mail or call us on 07785 282411.

If you’re interested in joining this course please contact Jo Morris on 0117 9177270

Note: We assign tutors to courses well ahead of time but because they are all working wildlife filmmakers, we may have to make changes subject to their availability. Rest assured that we have a large reserve of experience and talent to draw upon!

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Thursday 27th January – Friday 28th January 2011

Enjoy a New Year break in the company of thousands of wintering and migrant birds and discover how to get the best wildlife shots out of your video camera.

Peter Scott, the man David Attenborough called ‘the patron saint of conservation’, filmed birds around the world but his home was at Slimbridge and he welcomed thousands of people to the wildfowl reserve he created. Now, for the first time since those early days, we are able to connect people and wildlife through the camera lens once again.

Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers have teamed up with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to offer a unique opportunity to learn wildlife filming skills at Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire.

You’ll work on location in a small team alongside experienced wildlife cameramen and producers.

You’ll learn some of the field craft skills that will help you get closer to animals in the wild (including the challenges of filming in hides) and will get plenty of hands-on filming experience. You’ll see how to gather good quality moving images. It not about ‘point and shoot’, but rather the range and variety of shots you need to create sequences or short films that are engaging and meaningful. We’ll give you an insight into the art of good storytelling and there will be valuable information on the ethics of filming wildlife and the legal implications of filming animals in the wild.

© James Lees

There will be opportunities to film the huge numbers of migrant birds on the reserve which is on the shores of the Severn Estuary. It is here that the famous wild Bewick swans can be seen and many other huge flocks of ducks and geese. The mass roosting of starlings also provide a breathtaking visual spectacle. Of Slimbridge residents, you may wish to uncover the remarkable story of the Hawaiian goose, saved from extinction by Peter Scott in the 1950s or film the new arrivals, the North American otters that delight visitors throughout the year.

PRICE:

• NB This course has now past.

TUTORS:

• Producer: Karen Partridge and Sarah Pitt
• Cameramen: Robin Smith and John Waters

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKING A COURSE:

For general enquiries about courses please contact us via e mail or call us on 07785 282411.

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We are a group of professional filmmakers who produce wildlife films for television channels around the world. We include producers, directors, camera-people and editors. We want to share our skills and inspire people of all ages to engage with nature through filmmaking.

Our courses are designed to be fun and informative – a chance to meet others enthused and inspired by nature, to socialise with industry professionals and to discover how to transfer your passion for wildlife to the screen.

We welcome complete beginners and those who have some experience of filming but want to learn more about the challenges of filming wildlife.

We work on location and our courses are timed to co-incide with a variety of wildlife events.  In 2010 Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers have teamed up with Avon Wildlife Trust to offer two courses based at the beautiful Folly Farm Centre in North Somerset.

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The 3 day Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking course is based at Avon Wildlife Trust’s Folly Farm Centre set amid a stunning 250 acre nature reserve in North Somerset’s beautiful Chew Valley. More than 100 acres of the reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of the national significance of its wildlife habitats and species, especially its ancient woods, wildflower meadows, bats, butterflies and barn owls.

[mappress]

7. Sarah Pitt: Folly Farm Accommodation Twin Bedroom – 24-Nov-2008

Folly Farm Centre provides a high standard of accommodation with comfortable and spacious bedrooms that overlook the nature reserve and Chew Valley Lake. The centre was opened in May 2008 after a £3 million restoration and redevelopment of the Georgian farmhouse at the heart of the nature reserve. The centre is powered by a bio-mass boiler and bio-paints have been used throughout.

Meals are home-cooked using organic, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are eaten in the Dairy Restaurant and tea, coffee and snacks are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

For further information and booking enquires, contact enquiries@follyfarm.org or call 01275 331590.

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