A full programme of panel discussions, workshop and film screenings has been organised, click here to see the schedule.
Read below more about the panel discussions and workshops below.
Panel Discussions to look forward to:
- Pushing the Boundaries
Where is the line drawn between man and beast? And what happens if you cross that invisible line? We get inside the heads of wildlife celebrities who have pushed the boundaries, to find out more about their emotional journey. We ask how they overcome the fear to dive, live and film amongst some of the most fearsome creatures on earth to tell unforgettable stories.
- This is Africa – A local guide to filming in Africa
Local and international filmmakers and producers talk about their filming experiences in Africa, the problems they encounter and the solutions that transpire. Panellists will discuss what filmmakers need to know about filming in Africa, and the red tape that they can encounter. Ultimately it’s about being forewarned and how to deal with negative experiences that may be encountered.
- From the Horse’s Mouth – What Commissioner’s Want
Every Broadcaster has a different target audience. Here’s your chance to find out what the different Broadcasters are looking for. Is their target market young or old, male or female skewed? Are they looking for series or 1 hour specials? Valuable information will be shared which can affect how you pitch your ideas.
- Wild Talk Soap Box - Open Pitching Session
This is your opportunity to pitch to the big shots! Wild Talk Africa will open up the floor to delegates, who will have 5 minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of experienced Commissioning Editors. The panel will offer invaluable feedback and constructive criticism to help the participants to hone their ideas. And when you’re pitching to a group of funders looking for exciting stories, you never know what could be commissioned. These sessions are also a favourite for audiences, as new stories and projects are presented for the first time. A pitching workshop is held the day before to assist participants with presentation skills when pitching.
- 3D Production and Workflow
In this panel, the most knowledgeable and experienced in 3D film production will shed light on this exciting format, and take the audience through the 3D production process. Damon Foster will speak about the production for 3D crocodile epic “Dragon’s Feast”, Jared Haviga and Eduardo da Veiga, who has recently worked on Judge Dredd as Quality Check for 3D footage and Graham Wallington on WildEarth media for live 3D podcast.
- Through the Lens
You took your camera where!? Wildlife Cameramen have been known to stretch technological limits to get the shots. Working in extreme conditions can be tough on the cameras and you have to make sure you have the right gear for the job! A selected group of DOP’s will discuss their most extreme shooting scenarios (think deserts, icebergs, underground caves, rainforests and the tops of the highest mountains in the world), Hear about the camera equipment that they used and the problems that arose and see clips of what they came home with.
- Filmmaking Blueprint of The Great Tide with Hugh Pearson
Every successful film has a blueprint, a design that can be outlined to reveal the elements that drive its accomplishment. Following a screening of the film from the Nature’s Great Events series, Hugh Pearson will uncover the secrets of producing breathtaking blue chip films.
- Saving the World – One Film at a time
Wildlife Filmmakers make their living showcasing the natural world, but are they doing enough? Often conservation messages are watered down in favour of entertainment, so is there a way to entertain and inspire change? We invite a diverse panel ranging from wildlife film producers who have mastered combining conservation and nail-biting entertainment, investigative journalists who manage to uncover the issues while still keeping the audiences on the edge of their seats and the activists who believe that filmmakers have a powerful weapon to influence opinions. Getting down to the nitty-gritty of the responsibilities of the wildlife filmmaker and breaking down the boundaries between conservation, journalism and film we define how we can package natural history programming that is not only cracking telly, but also a vehicle to foster active conservation.
- Beyond TV: Distribution and Broadcasting
Today, cross-platform distribution is something every filmmaker should be considering. From public access websites, digital magazines, mobile TV, IPTV and video on demand sites - there are a multitude of new mediums available to filmmakers. This panel presents pioneers from the industry who are going beyond traditional avenues and bringing their content to the world in new dynamic ways. They will also look at innovative content licensing and the considerations that need to be addressed when making content for the internet and mobile platforms.
- Speed dating with Commissioning Editors
Sweaty palms, nervous tension, just you and your 3 minute date... except this isn’t the love of your life, rather the commissioner of your dreams! It’s always tough to get face to face with a Commissioner, and Commissioning Editors’ time is often used up by lengthy meetings that can tire them out. This speed dating pitch session takes away many of the inconveniences of pitching, while providing a perfect space to cut to the chase and present your idea.
- Filmmaking Blueprint of Echo – An Unforgettable Elephant with Mike Birkhead
Every successful film has a blueprint, a design that can be outlined to reveal the elements that drive its accomplishment. Following a screening of the film, Mike Birkhead will share an analysis of the filmmaking process which led to this remarkable film, which weaves past and present into a heart moving tale of Echo and her family.
- You need the funds – how to get it
How do filmmakers access funds? What are the criteria to follow? What are the common mistakes made? Each funder will outline what they can offer and give guidelines to delegates. With Julia Nzimande from The DTI, Basil Ford from The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Simon Hansen from Inspired Minority Pictures, Neiloe Khunyeli from the NFVF, and chaired by Steven Markovitz.
- Cutting Natural History, as defined by the Editors of the ROSCAR Finalist Films. Presented by the South African Guild of Editors (SAGE)
In this Q&A session, Editors will reveal the creative filmmaking and post-techniques used to help cement their projects as ROSCAR Finalists. They will divulge the latest information about post-production workflows as well as the changing deliverable requirements for natural history and animal programming. Plus they will give an insight into the endless ways of telling stories as well as their relationships with Producers and Writers in the cutting room. They may also let slip a few tricks of the trade along the way!
Workshops to look forward to:
Should you be interested in attending any of the following workshops, please register by emailing geta@wildtalkafrica.com be sure to list all the workshops you wish to attend. Entrance is free, however, there are limited places available.
-
Newcomer’s Workshop with Andrew Jackson, Head, BBC Natural History Unit
This workshop is designed for delegates, especially Newcomers, to learn how to get the most out of the Festival. It is an informative and valuable interactive session where delegates will learn how to network effectively. Newcomers will get insight and advice on how to maximise their meetings with Commissioners and attract interest in their projects.
-
Talk by Wildlife TV Presenter Michaela Strachan followed by Q&A with Jo Sarsby from Jo Sarsby Management
Ever wanted to be a wildlife presenter? Here’s an opportunity to meet Michaela Strachan, a well known wildlife presenter and hear her anecdotal account, both funny and factual, from all her years of being a wildlife presenter. After the talk, both Michaela and Jo Sarsby, who specialises in promoting factual television presenters, will take questions from the group. Included will be tips on how to start in the industry, and what it takes to be a wildlife presenter.
-
Apple Editing Workshop, Working with Final Cut Pro with Mike Brennan
The editing Master Class presented by Apple will showcase Apple’s creative suite as well as offer the editors and producers a chance to ask questions and find working solutions. It will also inform editors on how to integrate valuable and seamless work flows and highlight features on Apple’s software. An absolute must for editors and producers alike!
-
Shooting for 3D with Marius van Straaten, Visual Impact
A practical workshop which shows delegates what it takes to shoot 3D wildlife in the field. The workshop will bring delegates up to speed regarding 3D techniques for camera work and the future of 3D. The lecturers will dissect work they have done in 3D explaining exactly how the effect was achieved and will also cover how to plan a 3D shoot, make different rigs available and advise what the best options are for wildlife filmmakers.
-
Scriptwriting Workshop with Janet van Eeden, co-writer of the Screenplay for White Lion
A good story is what every Commissioning Editor is looking for. It’s what keeps viewers on the edge of their seats and ensures that they come back for more. A master class in scriptwriting and storytelling, will take the delegates through the scriptwriting process, the features of a good script and the creative process. By learning a little theory and analysing successful stories, the delegates will emerge from the workshop better equipped to extract the drama from their ideas and formulate award- winning scripts.
-
Adding Value: Music, Colour and Sound with Kim Krause, Greg Kocovaos, Kevin Smuts
So you’ve made a good film, how can you make it great? Music, Colour Grading and Sound Design is what separates the best from the mediocre in the world of filmmaking. Delegates will learn from the experts on how to take their film to the next level by enhancing the recorded material. The workshop will give producers an in-depth view of how to deliver sound in 5.1 and will explore the benefits and value that an original score can add to a film. Producers will also get a chance to learn about improving the look of their HD material through the grading tools available in post production.
-
Pitching Workshop with Ellen Windemuth, CEO, Off the Fence
Calling filmmakers and producers, prepare yourself for an open pitching session to a panel of broadcasters, commissioning editors and funders. This workshop provides valuable tips on presentation skills that will enable you to deliver your best presentation ever.
-
Marketing Now with Sebastian Stent, Touchlab
You don’t need money to market your film. The web offers more than an alternative distribution model. It offers producers the platform to market their products using blogs, forums and web platforms like Twitter and Facebook to attract and create audiences and fans. The internet has opened up new ways of launching productions, producers and film projects. Sebastian will inform producers on how they can maximise exposure and interest in their products and profiles in new and exciting ways.
-
Shoot for Success with Mark van Wijk, Independent Filmmaker - Sponsored by NHK
Mark will present illustrative film clips and examples covering a diverse range of subjects, including shooting styles, working for camera angles, sequence shooting and multi-tasking. Also included in the workshop is planning wildlife shoots, ethics, working with producers and editors, and how to maximise your chances of getting the perfect shot.
-
How to pass QC with Cedric Robertson and Kobus Kruger of e.tv
Passing Quality Control can sometimes be a minefield. Each broadcaster has a complex and involved list of technical specifications to decipher, but have no fear there are ways to detect potential landmines. This workshop will help you to interpret the delivery specifications and provide a checklist of interpreting HD formats, audio standards, legal colour parameters and a range of other need-to-know details when prepping your production for QC.
-
Storytelling in 13 Parts with Mark Wild
Once you have storytelling formula that works, a series has the potential to run for many seasons. There are outstanding series from the wildlife world such as Meerkat Manor and Big Cat Diaries, blue-chip wonders such as BBC’s Earth, action-packed series’s such as Whale Wars and not forgetting the long running low budgeters such as Wildlife SOS and 50/50. But what are the magic ingredients that give these and other successful series’s life and what storytelling devices do you employ to turn on the magic?
|
Accommodation
