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GTC Workshop: Meet the Wildlife Filmmakers

John Waters with Meerkat

A unique one-day workshop has been organised for the Guild of Television Cameramen by Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers. 'Meet the Wildlife Filmmakers' will be held on June 28 at the Avon Wildlife Trust's Folly Farm Reserve in Chew Valley, Bristol. Bristol has long been associated with top-class wildlife filmmaking. The BBC 's Natural History Unit is based there as well as independent production companies specialising in this fascinating and difficult area of filming.

Drawing on the skills and experience of leading practitioners in natural history filmmaking, the workshop will provide an insight into the intricacies of and secrets behind the craft. It will explain how to maximise chances of filming wild animals successfully using field craft skills and a hide. Innovative camera techniques, using both time-lapse and macro photography, will be demonstrated. Wildlife legislation, as it relates to the handling and filming of wild creatures will be introduced. A session entitled 'Sequence building ' will illustrate the wide variety of visual and sound material needed to construct a meaningful wildlife sequence within a compelling overall storyline.

Karen Partridge has produced acclaimed programmes for the BBC

The workshop is being arranged with the help of Sarah Pitt, an experienced producer and co-founder of Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers. Tutors taking part are Karen Partridge, Mike Salisbury, Tim Shepherd and John Waters.

Karen Partridge has produced acclaimed programmes for the BBC, Discovery, Animal Planet, National Geographic and PBS in the USA. Mike Salisbury OBE has produced five David Attenborough series for the BBC. Tim Shepherd is an Emmy and RTS award-winner for cinematography on 'The Private Life of Plants' and 'The Human Body' series, as well as being the adviser behind many of the stunning time-lapse and motion-control sequences in those programmes. John Waters is a Somerset-based cameraman who has worked on more than 60 TV productions, including the David Attenborough series 'The Private Life of Plants', 'The Life of Birds'. 'Planet Earth', 'The Natural World' and 'Meerkat Manor'

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Varicam equipment from Panasonic, along with Fujinon stabilising lenses and Tripods from Vinten

In addition to the technical aspects of filming in the wild, delegates will have the opportunity to learn about sequence-building, storytelling and wildlife legislation. They also be able to test, in the field, Varicam camera equipment from Panasonic, along with Fujinon stabilising lenses from Pyser-SGI and tripods from Vinten.

GTC workshops are free to GTC members. Non members are welcome, space permitting, but will be subject to an entrance fee. The Guild of Television Cameramen invites applications for membership from anyone employed as a television camera operator or in any associated occupation.

To reserve places, email GTC Workshops Coordinator Clive North on workshops.07@gtc.org.uk. Places will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

About the Guild of Television Cameramen

Formed in 1972, the Guild of Television Cameramen has over 1,000 members in countries as far afield as Australia, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and the USA. The majority work in aspects of television ranging from corporate video production through news and current-affairs, sports and light entertainment, to documentary and drama. The GTC is a non-profit-making organisation run by a council of volunteer television professionals. It is financed by subscription from its members as well as sponsorship from equipment manufacturers and suppliers. As a result, the GTC offers a channel for manufacturers to consult with working cameramen when designing new equipment. The GTC is an authoritative source of advice and information on all matters concerning television content production. Its aim is to preserve the professional status of television cameramen and to advance standards and expertise within the profession.

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Guild of Television Cameramen