Projects in Production
Documentary on the wildlife of Turkmenistan
Back To The Planet has been asked to act as consultants in the production of a documentary on the wildlife of Turkmenistan in association with the BBC Word Service Trust. Back To The Planet’s Director of Photography Simon visited Turkmenistan in March to meet with dignitaries and begin development of the project.
The endangered Persian Leopard is found in some areas of forest and mountain terrain in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan, formerly a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, borders Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and meets the Caspian Sea to the West. The country is over 80% desert with high mountain ranges reaching almost 3000m. As consultants to this project, Back To The Planet will advise a production team from Turkmenistan in the techniques of wildlife documentary film production. The documentary is due to be broadcast in Turkmenistan.
The documentary will include the wildlife of the Badkhyz Nature Reserve, in the South of the country, close to the border of Iran. The wildlife of this reserve include eagles, mountain sheep, gazelle, caracal, wild horse and hyena as well as endemic plant species.
Watch this page for updates as the project develops.
Webcast for AEA Environmental Consultancy
Back To The Planet has been commissioned to produce a webcast for the environmental consultancy company AEA, on their Cross Compliance website. Through the website, AEA provide guidance to landowners and farmers on environmental management issues such as livestock tracing, pollution, nitrate levels, animal welfare and legislation.
The interactive webcast will be filmed in the Back To The Planet studio, broadcasting live to to 100 registrants and including an online Q & A session.
Bristol, UK’s Green Capital goes to COP15
On the 10th December 2009, Back To The Planet travelled in a camper van to Copenhagen. We were to film a number of people who had taken the same journey, by different modes of transport to take part in the events surrounding the UN Climate Change Summit – COP15. We previously filmed them in and around the south west region and our aim was to highlight why people from all walks of life were compelled to attend this unique event.
Contributors to the film include Councilor Barbara Janke, who has been heavily involved with promoting green issues in Bristol and who traveled to Copenhagen to be involved in discussions at local Government level. Rowena and Peter who cycled to Copenhagen on a tandem in order to raise awareness through the Christian Aid campaign, the need for action on climate change. And a group of activists as they joined peaceful demonstrations throughout the city to draw attention to the issues they feel were being ignored by the world leaders.
The stories of these individuals, as well as others who took part in direct action in Copenhagen, joined the talks as a youth delegate or joined the march to show their solidarity for the cause are captured in this compelling documentary.
Although COP15 is an important element of this documentary, featuring key players in the green scene of Britain’s Green Capital – Bristol is paramount. Footage of events around the city that contribute to the continued impact of this hub of environmental activity and awareness as Bristol prepares it’s next bid for European Green Capital.
Filming is still taking place to complete this documentary. When completed it will be made available on various websites and screened in a Bristol location. Watch this space for screening dates. You can see a trailer for the COP15 film here.
Marketing presentation for Outlook Expeditions
Back To The Planet is developing a new marketing presentation to inspire and enthuse parents and pupils about the benefits and impacts of an expedition abroad with Outlook Expeditions. The video content will provide a real insight into the preparations for the expeditions and what to expect on these life-changing trips abroad. Named in the top 50 fastest growing companies in Wales for a third year, Outlook Expeditions is leading the field in life changing expeditions and adventures for schools.
Outlook Expeditions lead groups of students on adventure courses in the UK and expedition trips to over 35 countries worldwide and has head quarters in North Wales. The expeditions vary depending on the goals of the group, usually comprising a trekking trip be it through the jungle, on camels, in canoes or up a mountain followed by a project working to benefit the local community.
Back To The Planet successfully won the contract with Outlook to create new video material for their inspirational presentations. The videos will provide a real insight into the benefits and impacts of the expeditions as parents and students find out more about these life changing trips abroad.
Outlook Expeditions appreciate the value of using video as a powerful marketing tool, allowing them to show the personal stories of participants in previous expeditions and how their experiences have impacted their lives. Through video, the expeditions can really come alive and will excite and inspire future participants in their fund raising and preparation.
As an ethically guided company, Outlook Expeditions promotes environmental awareness and responsible travel, with each expedition making a positive impact in the communities and countries visited. The company supports the 1% for the planet campaign, donating 1% of it’s revenue to conservation projects around the globe.
Back To The Planet is currently shooting film footage and developing the graphic design elements of this production.
The 21st Century Tribe
Back To The Planet is developing a documentary featuring the story of Chief Almir of the Surui tribe in the Amazon Rainforest. The forests of their tribal land in the Rondonia region of Brazil are threatened by illegal logging. As is Chief Almir’s life. This documentary tells his story and follows his campaign to become the first indigenous Brazilian to stand as a Federal Deputy.
Almir Narayamogo has been campaigning for over 15 years to protect his native land from the logging industry. The Surui people of the state of Rondonia in Brazil have felt the threat from illegal loggers for decades. They regards themselves as custodians of the forest and say if it disappears, the forest will disappear with them.
Chief Almir and his tribe are now the first rainforest inhabitants to use satellite and internet technology in their fight against illegal logging. They use GPS and Google Earth to map and monitor their homeland and to present images and information about logging to the Brazilian and international authorities.
Almir is determined to show the world the problems they face and his fight to save the Amazon Rainforest. Armed with his charisma and credibility, Chief Almir has recently spoken at COP15, met with Prince Charles in the UK, Al Gore and other environmental luminaries, all who support the Surui’s campaign.
And now Chief Almir has another fight on his hands. He is hoping to be able to stand as a candidate for Federal Deputy for his state of Rondonia this year. No indigenous person has ever been able to achieve this; if he does, history will be made and the tide of destruction in the Amazon may be halted.
The video below shows how the Surui people have used satellite technology to forward their campaign to stop illegal logging on their lands.
Back To The Planet is currently developing this documentary, watch this space for more news on this production.
Natural England Marine Campaign Video
Back To The Planet was commissioned to edit film footage shot around the country for Natural England’s marine campaign. The footage was shot in a filming booth where members of the public could give their thoughts on the importance of the marine environment. This film follows two previous films edited by Back To The Planet.
- Basking shark, John Dory and Mackerel, all found in the waters around the UK
The short videos feature members of the public, Natural England staff and television presenters Monty Halls and Paul Rose giving their thoughts on the importance of the marine environment. The camera was set up in a film booth to capture sound bites with many different of points of view but all focusing on the sea and marine habitats around Britain.
Film footage was shot at the Dive Show 2009, the Thames Festival, the Festival of Nature in Bristol and other various locations around the UK. You can watch previously edited videos for the Natural England Marine Campaign in our portfolio.