Happy Christmas to all ASC members.
I¹m posting this brief update about the Science and Factual Filmmakers Network, to whet your appetites for 2011. The network has been fairly quiet this year but all for a good reason! Behind the scenes I have been busy trying to figure out how to build and strengthen what it does, and also set in place some new projects for 2011. I hope many of these will interest list members and look forward to your feedback.
A Shooter’s Guide to Making Science Films – This handy, pocket-sized Shooters Guide¹ is aimed at helping researchers create films about their work. The first edition will be published in time for university O Week¹ in mid-February, at which time it will be available in hard copy and also as a PDF download from the ANU website. If you have experience in film-making and would like to provide feedback on the draft version please let me know. You¹ll get a free copy and your name in the acknowledgments!
Training for beginning film-makers – Hands-on training sessions will be offered for beginning science film-makers, to provide basic skills and support and get people familiar with the process behind making a film. If you’re located in Canberra we’ll be kicking off first with some free sessions at ANU, subsidised by the Colleges of Science. Other sessions will be offered progressively during the year, depending on interest and institutional support. If you¹d like to see some film training sessions come to your area/ institution, please let me know.
The Science Film Challenge Thanks to ANU we¹ll be offering a new science and factual film-making competition for individuals or teams, with some great prizes of cash and equipment attached. Based on our current funding, you’ll need to include at least one member from the ANU community on your team! So get networking now, or contact me if you’d like to be put in touch with researchers on campus. Alternately, if you¹d like to offer this type of competition across your own networks/institution, then please get in touch.
Help needed!
This Network needs mentors, sponsors and supporters. The purpose of the network is to help emerging film-makers create and complete science-related projects, and to assist researchers to tell their stories through film, video and mashups. The idea is to make resources and opportunities available to as wide a subset of interested people as possible, and create pathways into science media production. This all depends on sourcing external support and assistance, which can help to nurture new talent and provide guidance and advice. So, if you can offer ideas, provide resources or funding, have opportunities coming up that network members should know about, or would be willing to share your experiences with us in 2011, please let me know about it.
2010 member highlights
And of course the year would not be complete without a quick mention of some stellar work done by Network members, who are all beginning film-makers. If I’ve missed you off the list – apologies! Please let me know and I’ll do a second round in the new year.
Congratulations! To Claire Ferrugia for her film The Mars Bar Challenge, which was developed during last year¹s Science Filmmaking Challenge and won best student film at this year’s Scinema Festival.
High fives! To Lish and Nick Fejer who are about to launch Green It Yourself – thanks to the British Council’s Big Green Idea award, this website will feature lots of excellent videos about how to make your home more green-friendly. http://greenityourself.com.au/
Thumbs up! To Sara Rawlinson and the RSES team at ANU, who bravely filmed Seismology on the Move, which is all about the trials and tribulations of being out in the field. This 6min short will be available for viewing online early next year.
That¹s all for 2010! Have a great Christmas break, and see you in the New Year Cheers
Bobby Cerini Consultant in Science Communication & PhD Candidate
The Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) A Centre for the National Commission of UNESCO
The Australian National University Building 38A Physics Link Canberra, ACT 0200 Australia CRICOS provider 00120C
Email: bobby.cerini@anu.edu.au Web: http://cpas.anu.edu.au
Telephone: 0415 032 701 or (02) 6125 7634
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