Wild Film Festival Scotland offers young people the chance to chance to do real-life nature filming with Simon Goodall
Young people are being invited to join professional filmmaker Simon Goodall on location in Dumfries and Galloway to learn how to make their own wildlife films.
The events are part of the Wild Young Film Makers project which is encouraging 12 to 25 year olds living in the region to make short films to be screened at the new Wild Film Festival Scotland (WFFS) in March.
The four free half-day outdoor workshops will take place at the Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve on Saturday, 10 December and at the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave Garden and Estate on Sunday, 11 December.
Simon, who runs the National Trust for Scotland nature conservation film unit, said: “To make a wildlife documentary you need to get outdoors and start observing the natural world. So we are inviting Dumfries’ aspiring filmmakers to join me, and some local rangers, to learn how to film a wildlife or conservation documentary sequence in two of the most beautiful settings in the region.
“There is a lot of wildlife to see on these estates during winter and I will be providing hints and tips on stalking wildlife, filming interviews, and the tools of the trade.”
Simon’s work for the NTS has involved everything from dangling off cliffs on St Kilda to film thousands of seabirds to filming tiny underwater battling beasties in Aberdeenshire.
Participants should bring along their own cameras – but remember that the video feature on a smartphone will be just fine.
During November Simon led successful indoor workshops around the region. But the outdoor sessions will be a chance to get out and do some real-life filmmaking.
Ed Forrest, Project Manager for the Southern Upland Partnership which has led the partnership of local wildlife groups which set up WFFS, said: “This is a rare chance to learn from a professional who will be passing on his knowledge and experience about how to make short wildlife movies that people will love to watch.
“One of the brilliant things about Dumfries and Galloway is there is so much wildlife, so many different habitats and a whole host of opportunities for young people to develop their skills as filmmakers.
“We are really looking forward to screening the films people enter for the Wild Young Film Makers project at the festival in March – and hope that it might help inspire a new generation of filmmakers.”
About the outdoor workshops
Places are free but limited so must be booked in advance.
- Session 1: Saturday 10 December. Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve 9.30-12.00 morning session.
- Session 2: Saturday 10 December. Mersehead RSPB Nature Reserve 12.30-3.30 afternoon session.
- Session 3: Sunday 11 December. The National Trust for Scotland Threave Garden and Estate 9.30-12.00 morning session
- Session 4: Sunday 11 December. The National Trust for Scotland Threave Garden and Estate 12.30-3.30pm afternoon session
For full details and to secure a place contact Sid Ambrose WFFS Producer on 07407 062419 or 01671 404143, or at [email protected].
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive promptly for each session and wear suitable warm clothes, we will build in breaks to each session so you might want to bring a hot flask and sandwich.
The Wild Young Film Makers project is an opportunity to be part of a festival that celebrates the very best wildlife film and photography. WFFS will take place in Dumfries from 24 to 26 March 2017 and Wild Young Film Makers films will be shown alongside work from the world’s top wildlife filmmakers.
The project has two age categories which are 12-14 and 15-25. Films can be from 30 seconds to eight minutes. Submissions are welcome in five categories:
- presenter-led films
- films featuring youth actors
- films featuring voice overs
- films featuring soundtracks only
- films comprised of any combination of the above.
The film can be animated. Subjects can include wildlife, plants, topography, geography, habitat, climate and weather – but they have to be shot in Dumfries and Galloway. You do not need to have taken part in Simon’s sessions to submit a film.
WFFS is part-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Union – LEADER 2014-2020 programme and supported by D&G Council Major Events Fund, the Holywood Trust and EON. Follow us at www.facebook.com/WildFilmFestival/ and see www.wildfilmfestivalscotland.co.uk.
