Posted by Chris O'Reilly on September 1, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Has anyone been watching the BBC's 'Wildest Dreams' TV show? Its
effectively a nature-based 'reality TV' show where The Apprentice meets David Attenborough (not literally, but get the gist)? Contestants are given various wildlife film-making tasks to perform and each week one person is voted off until the final round consisting of three competitors. A winner is chosen from the three for a job in the BBC's Natural History Unit.
Initially sceptical, I persevered with the show and largely, it does what it says on the tin - it's a reality game show. But is it also a vehicle for conservation?
Out of the blue, a recent episode featured a story about hippos that were starving to death in Kenya because of seasonal weather shifts put down to climate change. This programme is aired in a 'prime-time' slot.
This got me to thinking about us nature photographers and conservation. Could there be scope for a programme based on us and would this be a good vehicle to promote wildlife conservation? Who from UKNP would be interested in such a programme – say, staff-photographer with the RSPB first prize? Indeed, how about a ‘collective nature conversation campaign’, featuring the work of UKNP photographers?
‘Wildest Dreams’ has (only) generated about 3 million viewers per show (a 16% share of the soap audience)- not great! Interestingly though, the BBC’s research shows an ‘appreciation index’ of 84 out of 100 amongst people who have found the show.
It may not be ‘high brow’ conservation but anything that puts the natural world on the radar of 'Joe Bloggs' has to be a good thing, right?
Apologies to those who dislike ‘off topic’ posts. C&C welcome from the rest (please feel free to berate me! ).
I would love to do something like this, but because of my very large size (size of a hippo really) I can not walk very far, most of my photography is done within a few hundred yard radius of my car, unless there are seats around, that extends my range, I don't think many places would be interested in people with limited abilities, where this sort of thing is concerned.
Dani
Posted by Ian Butler on September 1, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Hi Chris
To be completely honest I feel that this was programme was a complete let down. I for one, applied to be on it, primarily, to get a chance to work at the NHU. I thought I had enough experience to have what it takes to get on something like this, so you can imagine my dismay when I found out that it was a reality TV show and not those who have already got the experience and just wanted a chance tp prove themselves... As I wasnt chosen to be on the programme, I was expecting a lot of zoologists, biologists and the like, to have out 'knowledged' and 'experienced' me. I was sadly disapointed when I watched the first programme and the rest for that matter.
Anyway, rant over, I continued to watch the programme, as it sort of interested me. I think looking at the content of the conservation issues shown, there would be a gap in the market for photographers to get into. I remember watching Andy Rouses programmes on TV, when I was a teenager and I thoroughly enjoyed these, going to different places, seeing different species etc etc
Something like this would be beneficial where the viewers, could travel around the world, following the photographer on a search for rare or endangered species, or commoner species that are threatened from different things like the hippos and the seasonal changes causing drought. It would bring a lot of worldwide problems right to the viewers doorstep. As with everything of this scale, a lot of research would have to go into it but it is a definate possibility. Whether this would be a worldwide topic or just a local UK or european one, I for one would definately watch it and would love to be involved in it aswell. There is definately enough scope amongst the photographers on this forum alone to carry it out.
Wild wonders of Europe springs to mind. Although it is an absolutely fantastic idea and the photographs that have been taken are truly phenominal, can you imagine creating this as a TV programme?? I reckon it would attract a lot more viewers than the Wildest Dreams!
Im sure this will create a lot of comments. Be interesting to see what others think.
I think the concept of the show was great but I think we are all looking at it through wildlife photographers eyes not as ordinary members of the public which is who I think this is primarily aimed at,so if that means Joe public are viewing it and getting something out of it to take their interest further then surely thats a good thing,I think thats the reason why Mr Knowles is hosting it and not a known wildlife presenter(house wives favourite!)_
I was suprised to see Lucy sent home last week. I thought she was going to win it.
Posted by jack chapman on September 1, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I did see an episode of this about a month back and to be frank thought it utter rubbish. Just another crappy reality TV show with a thin veneer of wildlife. Not one aspect of the show I saw was credible: the competitors seem to have no knowledge of wildlife; the judges are neither well known or proven authorities on the subject; the quality of filming is poor and the wildlife is all in Africa, reinforcing the idea in everyone’s mind that you only get wildlife in Africa. Not to mention the image of lots of white people dressed in khaki running around in a game reserve is not one that I think nature photography/filming should be fostering and one that makes me slightly uneasy also. I mean if they going to get people who have no experience with wildlife filming why not get locals to do it. Not to say there is anything wrong with the format though, if done right it could work but I think most importantly the filming actually has to be of a high standard.
You may have guessed from the above that i'm not a fan.
Jack
Posted by Rob Howard on September 1, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I've been watching, to support a friend on another forum, Anna, she won it and relocates to Bristol in 2 weeks .
As a programme on the whole, though, I'm sure there are people out there who didnt even know it was taking place and have more experience than the people on the show. But well done to Anna, and good luck As far as doing something on the Photography front, I would be up for that.
Regards
Rob
Posted by Peter Cairns on September 1, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Chris, good topic as always (I've told you you're wasted),
Wild Wonders of Europe caught the imagination of Nat Geo. and it was only a personnel issue (WWE not NGS) that scuppered it. Myself and colleagues are working on a project that in many ways uses WWE as a model but involves TV. Not much meat on the bones just yet but ingredients coming together and would be great to get NPN members involved. More later.
The problem is that 'reality' shows are generally about people, and, more often than not, less about the circumstances that the people find themselves in which are generally relegated to the status of 'the props' (and in this case that was the wildlife). Yes the circumstances are important but in the context of tv it often takes a back seat to the 'human drama' aspect as that it is usually what people (the average viewer) can relate to - other people.
Ian B above was never going to be chosen - if you're too skilled you make poor tv - if you're a numpty you're in with a chance.
Friends of mine living in rural Harris (Western Isles) were rather upset by the Castaway programme of a few years back that made Ben Fogle a household name. The cast of the reality show had their dramas and crises all over the press, with their 'stoic' and 'heroic' fortitude in coping with the 'horrendous weather' etc etc being praised.
My friends pointed out wryly that they had to cope with those conditions ALL the time, without anyone's assistance or praise and what was being shown on tv as pioneering stuff was everyday life for them and most folks on the islands, adding that there was no chance THEY would be allowed on such a programme because they were already demonstrating they could cope, and the tv producers wanted people who couldn't - better entertainment value.
Posted by Paul Thomas on September 1, 2009 at 5:51 PM
I'm really enjoying Wildest Dreams. 3 million is quite a good audience figure in this day and age. The competition idea is interesting but the first prize ought to be something better than staff photographer for the RSPB. Being forced to photograph birds all day should be the booby prize
Paul
Posted by David Taylor on September 1, 2009 at 6:39 PM
'Booby prize'? That's a bird isn't it? But I know what you mean. I'll get my anorak.
Discussion
10 replieseffectively a nature-based 'reality TV' show where The Apprentice meets David Attenborough (not literally, but get the gist)? Contestants are given various wildlife film-making tasks to perform and each week one person is voted off until the final round consisting of three competitors. A winner is chosen from the three for a job in the BBC's Natural History Unit.
Initially sceptical, I persevered with the show and largely, it does what it says on the tin - it's a reality game show. But is it also a vehicle for conservation?
Out of the blue, a recent episode featured a story about hippos that were starving to death in Kenya because of seasonal weather shifts put down to climate change. This programme is aired in a 'prime-time' slot.
This got me to thinking about us nature photographers and conservation. Could there be scope for a programme based on us and would this be a good vehicle to promote wildlife conservation? Who from UKNP would be interested in such a programme – say, staff-photographer with the RSPB first prize? Indeed, how about a ‘collective nature conversation campaign’, featuring the work of UKNP photographers?
‘Wildest Dreams’ has (only) generated about 3 million viewers per show (a 16% share of the soap audience)- not great! Interestingly though, the BBC’s research shows an ‘appreciation index’ of 84 out of 100 amongst people who have found the show.
It may not be ‘high brow’ conservation but anything that puts the natural world on the radar of 'Joe Bloggs' has to be a good thing, right?
Apologies to those who dislike ‘off topic’ posts. C&C welcome from the rest (please feel free to berate me!
Cheers,
Chris
Dani
To be completely honest I feel that this was programme was a complete let down. I for one, applied to be on it, primarily, to get a chance to work at the NHU. I thought I had enough experience to have what it takes to get on something like this, so you can imagine my dismay when I found out that it was a reality TV show and not those who have already got the experience and just wanted a chance tp prove themselves... As I wasnt chosen to be on the programme, I was expecting a lot of zoologists, biologists and the like, to have out 'knowledged' and 'experienced' me. I was sadly disapointed when I watched the first programme and the rest for that matter.
Anyway, rant over, I continued to watch the programme, as it sort of interested me. I think looking at the content of the conservation issues shown, there would be a gap in the market for photographers to get into. I remember watching Andy Rouses programmes on TV, when I was a teenager and I thoroughly enjoyed these, going to different places, seeing different species etc etc
Something like this would be beneficial where the viewers, could travel around the world, following the photographer on a search for rare or endangered species, or commoner species that are threatened from different things like the hippos and the seasonal changes causing drought. It would bring a lot of worldwide problems right to the viewers doorstep. As with everything of this scale, a lot of research would have to go into it but it is a definate possibility. Whether this would be a worldwide topic or just a local UK or european one, I for one would definately watch it and would love to be involved in it aswell. There is definately enough scope amongst the photographers on this forum alone to carry it out.
Wild wonders of Europe springs to mind. Although it is an absolutely fantastic idea and the photographs that have been taken are truly phenominal, can you imagine creating this as a TV programme?? I reckon it would attract a lot more viewers than the Wildest Dreams!
Im sure this will create a lot of comments. Be interesting to see what others think.
Cheers
Ian
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
You may have guessed from the above that i'm not a fan.
Jack
As a programme on the whole, though, I'm sure there are people out there who didnt even know it was taking place and have more experience than the people on the show. But well done to Anna, and good luck
Regards
Rob
Wild Wonders of Europe caught the imagination of Nat Geo. and it was only a personnel issue (WWE not NGS) that scuppered it. Myself and colleagues are working on a project that in many ways uses WWE as a model but involves TV. Not much meat on the bones just yet but ingredients coming together and would be great to get NPN members involved. More later.
Pete
Peter Cairns
www.northshots.com
The problem is that 'reality' shows are generally about people, and, more often than not, less about the circumstances that the people find themselves in which are generally relegated to the status of 'the props' (and in this case that was the wildlife). Yes the circumstances are important but in the context of tv it often takes a back seat to the 'human drama' aspect as that it is usually what people (the average viewer) can relate to - other people.
Ian B above was never going to be chosen - if you're too skilled you make poor tv - if you're a numpty you're in with a chance.
Friends of mine living in rural Harris (Western Isles) were rather upset by the Castaway programme of a few years back that made Ben Fogle a household name. The cast of the reality show had their dramas and crises all over the press, with their 'stoic' and 'heroic' fortitude in coping with the 'horrendous weather' etc etc being praised.
My friends pointed out wryly that they had to cope with those conditions ALL the time, without anyone's assistance or praise and what was being shown on tv as pioneering stuff was everyday life for them and most folks on the islands, adding that there was no chance THEY would be allowed on such a programme because they were already demonstrating they could cope, and the tv producers wanted people who couldn't - better entertainment value.
Paul