TV Natural History Documentaries?

[Peter_Naylor]

Hello all, i am in my third year now at university and I'm in the process of writing my dissertation. It is all about the Natural History Documentary and the way society is becoming more and more attracted to them. Why is this? What is it we love or maybe not love about them? Do they cause inspiration or are they just seen as insights from the world around us?
If you have the time it would be really appreciated if you could try and answer some of these questions from your personal experiences.

Thanks Again
Pete

[Stomperone]

My personal view point is that stuck with the decision to watch eastenders,a repeat of eastenders, corri, another repeat of eastenders, emmerdale, a catch up of eastenders, xfactor, a repeat of xfactor, football, behind the scenes xfactor,a repeat of the eastenders catch up,extra factor, and "I'm at the bottom of my career get me out of here" or watching a natural history/geology program then it has to be natural history/geology. I watch them to escape .. To learn about the world around me and to learn about the wildlife that for so long I have taken for granted.. Each time I watch a program,even it is about the same species I find I learn just a little more.

[Peter_Naylor]

thats brilliant i think you may of summed it up!

[agrumpycow]

I agree with the comments made by Stomperone.
I think society as a whole is getting more and more interested in the world around us as documentaries (and the web) provide everyone with information and experiences many people wouldn't normally have access to. The advances in technology allowing some things to be filmed that haven't been seen before, The Blue Planet comes to mind, also intrigues people.

[Mike B]

Sitting in a hide recently, I heard the WWT and Autumnwatch take a bashing.
Bill Oddie for his egotism and WWT for feeding the reserves.
The latter may not be immediately obvious but by feeding, wildfowl are drawn from the surrounding area, thus lakes and reservoirs are denuded of their natural heritage forcing those who wish to see this type of natural history to pay to visit a reserve.

[The Black Rabbit]

Stomperone makes a very valid, but amusing point.
I think (hope) people are tiring of tv programs about the police, or any one of a dozen or so detectives, or hospitals. Can't they think of anything new?!

I think (hope) as a population these days, we are realising that the environment is of utmost importance to us, especially in a state of flux, as it seems to be, now.

One can watch NH documentaries these days, and see creatures on our television sets at home, that we've never seen before, and in all probability, never will, and this continues.

Technological advances in the sector mean that these images are closer, more detailed, and shot in unique ways, never thought possible, even a few years ago.
Even if one isn't particularly interested in the subject, a program like, for example, "The Blue Planet" can take one's breath away, purely for the photographic skills and imagery. That certainly is the case more and more.
HD TV will probably only help that current trend.

Animals are shot in their natural environment more and more, meaning natural behaviour more often than not - all that is improving constantly also - take Autumn/Spring watch for example - unobtrusive cameras everywhere!

Doug

[mh68]

Originally Posted by The Black Rabbit

Stomperone makes a very valid, but amusing point.
I think (hope) people are tiring of tv programs about the police, or any one of a dozen or so detectives, or hospitals. Can't they think of anything new?!

I think (hope) as a population these days, we are realising that the environment is of utmost importance to us, especially in a state of flux, as it seems to be, now.

One can watch NH documentaries these days, and see creatures on our television sets at home, that we've never seen before, and in all probability, never will, and this continues.

Technological advances in the sector mean that these images are closer, more detailed, and shot in unique ways, never thought possible, even a few years ago.
Even if one isn't particularly interested in the subject, a program like, for example, "The Blue Planet" can take one's breath away, purely for the photographic skills and imagery. That certainly is the case more and more.
HD TV will probably only help that current trend.

Animals are shot in their natural environment more and more, meaning natural behaviour more often than not - all that is improving constantly also - take Autumn/Spring watch for example - unobtrusive cameras everywhere!

Doug

I think youve hit the nail on the head Doug - the much more watchable NH programmes these days draw viewers who dont necessarily have the same level of interest as we do on here.The quality (and content) of the filmwork has come on in leaps and bounds.

Mark H

[PMG]

Originally Posted by Mike B

Sitting in a hide recently, I heard the WWT and Autumnwatch take a bashing.
Bill Oddie for his egotism and WWT for feeding the reserves.
The latter may not be immediately obvious but by feeding, wildfowl are drawn from the surrounding area, thus lakes and reservoirs are denuded of their natural heritage forcing those who wish to see this type of natural history to pay to visit a reserve.

That maybe so but there are not that many lakes and reservoirs that contain enough food to support large numbers of geese, swans and wildfowl which use WWT reserves. The birds could then be forced to find somewhere else to winter, which might see them going to Ireland or continuing to the warmer continent, thus next to none wintering in Britain. The ones that remain on smaller lakes, flashes, small park lakes, farming fields etc would then be without protection and open to being shot, catapulted and any number of other cruel acts that happen when outside of protected areas.

People who object to these reserve on the grounds of paying to get in are missing the point. In the North West there are only two Martin Mere and Caerlaverock. In between there are dozens of places and reserves supporting and protecting these types of birds for free - Pennington Flash, Wigan Flashes, Mere Sands, Ribble Marshes, Abram Flashes, the Cheshire Meres, Hodbarrow and so on where birds have a degree of protection and some natural food - so no-one is forced to pay entry to the Wildfowl Trust Reserves just to see birds. Birders learn the skills of visiting likely places and finding their 'own' birds to watch. For people who become interested from programmes like Autumnwatch, which is aimed at getting non-birders outside to find out that they too can enjoy wildlife, then a visit to a WWT reserve is a logical step in the learning process. Some folk may never get beyond a nicely dressed visit in good shoes on tarmac paths around the hides to see the whoopers, followed by lunch in the cafe - if they have enjoyed it their way then that's all that needs saying. Their money is protecting the birds and those of us dressed in camo (and I'm one!) who like to ferret out our own birds and sneak around the open countryside filled with knowledge and fieldcraft and a big camera, might have nothing to photgraph if it were not for these WWT reserves keeping birds in the general area.

Pauline

[smartie]

I, too, agree with Doug. But I wonder if we are the best people to answer the question of why society in general is becoming more interested. We're all interested in wildlife already, or we wouldn't be here. I can see that there is more of a general interest in the environment these days, and that the BBC in particular is trying to get people off their couches and into the outdoors. I guess we all hope the interest in the environment is leading people to do more than just watch the programmes, and that the nature programmes are getting them out of doors with their own binoculars. But I can't help being reminded of how many people avidly watch TV cookery programmes without ever cooking any fresh food themselves...

[Peter_Naylor]

Thanks everybody these are great, keep them coming, rant away!

[Hobjob]

I suspect that the attention that global warming is receiving is also making people much more aware of the fragility of our invironment, coupled with the excellent wildlife TV series.

People also have much more leisure time, and increasing awareness of the need to maintain health, much more spending power coupled with the releative reduction in the cost of binos and cameras.

Schools no longer teach biology as I was taught 45 years ago, it is taught in relation to the whole ecology, interdependency etc..

Thre are also vastly more reserves around, which some of us oldies may in sense regret, in that we regret they are necessary as we remember the flocks of birds on the winter stubble, thick luxuriant hedgerows, farm ponds etc. etc..

and so on ..........

[paulchandler6]

I have always watched NH documentaries on TV. So much better than all the rest of **** on TV.
As the environment is being bought to the forefront of the publics concern the majority of people have started to take an interest in wildlife and what goes on around them. Sadly not the majority of younger people. They still seemed to be gripped by the reality TV shows that abound at the moment.
Also the quality of wildlife film making is excellent these day and with a 1st class presentation make them so much more watchable..

Paul

[Peter_Naylor]

thank you everybody!!!!

[Andrew WCS]

Peter,

You may be interested to know that BBC's The Blue Planet is now touring the country as a live show.

It might be interesting for your dissertation to show how the shows are so popular that they are now even entering other areas of life...the show is playing at Wembley Arena, Nottingham Arena, Manchester GMEX and the concert halls in Cardiff and Birmingham.

More here video link

As a lover of all natural history shows, I think the reason we love them so much is purely because they are the best things on television. So much television these days is taken up with Pop Factor and X Idol or Big Celebrity's Brother Get Me Out Of Here that it's increasingly hard to find a reason to turn the television on.

Life in Cold Blood, The Blue Planet and Planet Earth are programmes which have been the labour of love for those of worked on them for many years (7 in the case of The Blue Planet). It comes across in what we see. Passion, love and dedication make for good television.

[Fritillary]

There was a nasty comentary about TV natural history programs this Sunday in Sunday Telegraph. Did somebody look at it? I found the newspaper in the train station and read it. The "journalist" (I just cannot remember the name) said that there was a saturation of natural history programs in TV , and that english people have an obsession with nature. The commentary made me to be angry and almost wanted to send a letter to the journalist.

As Stomperone (message 2) has very well said, there is a real obssesion about soups, dancing, singing and getting the perfect body, that the few well done natural history programs are like little islands to have a break of al tv rubbish.

And the reality is that english people are sadly loosing their love for nature and these wonderful programs may give some support to maintain or even increase the number of people interested in nature. We need more people interested if we want to conserve what we have in this momment.

[stripee]

Natural history documentaries are one of the more intelligent types of programmes...so much TV is almost unwatchable, well is unwatchable and although TV is about entertainment, information about the natural world can be brought to a wider audience who may never see the wildlife shown. It can help to develop more awareness of wildlife not just for the people involved with it professionally. Wildlife needs this interest for its survival. And as has been said, most of us have a need to relate to nature somehow.
Some people, though, see an interest in animals as unnatural, ie humans should always take priority,and they are worried that they may have to make sacrifices in their lifestyles or it's all preaching and hair shirts Although I agree with humans having needs obviously, unless we take care of our wildlife of which we are a part (not seperate!) then ultimately we will suffer. The young must engage with wildlife to carry on for future generations - it's very important that they are encouraged, and TV can help to do this...
Other countries may laugh at the British "love of animals" but actually young people in other countries are beginning to see the point as well. So I believe that wildlife TV progs are very, very important, as long as the quality is good

[Adam Cheeseman]

In addition to comments on the quality of today's television, I would also add that for many of the younger indoor orientated generations, even the British wildlife programmes are seen as 'exotic' just because kids don't get out and play and notice their surrounds as much as they used to 25-30+ years ago. Effectively, they have become totally detached from their natural surroundings and documentaries provide the escapism? and information for those with an interest in wildlife.

Cheers,

Adam

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Fritillary

The commentary made me to be angry and almost wanted to send a letter to the journalist.

Why almost? Go on, write one of those bristling Dear Sir letters!

Cheers,

Adam

[Fritillary]

mmm why not?? isnt it??

Well sometimes I stop because I am a foreigner and my english is not perfect, but finally, it will be nice that a foreigner complains about these "pseudojournalists"

I think as a journalist, people should have the intelligence of separating their personal views of the ones from society. But since I see in several newspapers, a lot of them dont have idea of what they do

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Andrew WCS

You may be interested to know that BBC's The Blue Planet is now touring the country as a live show...the show is playing at Wembley Arena, Nottingham Arena, Manchester GMEX and the concert halls in Cardiff and Birmingham.

More here video link

Well I was certainly interested, got my tickets and went to the Wembley show last night. It was excellent - the huge screen brought the images to life in a way that the TV in the living room can't really manage and the BBC Concert Orchestra were outstanding. Plus (and don't tell Dan Salter) it was presented by Kate Humble!

So Andrew, you may have only made one post and then disappeared, but it was a quality contribution - thank-you!

Dave P.

[peterjclarke]

Originally Posted by Peter_Naylor

Hello all, i am in my third year now at university and I'm in the process of writing my dissertation. It is all about the Natural History Documentary and the way society is becoming more and more attracted to them. Why is this? What is it we love or maybe not love about them? Do they cause inspiration or are they just seen as insights from the world around us?
If you have the time it would be really appreciated if you could try and answer some of these questions from your personal experiences.

Thanks Again
Pete

Peter, this sounds interesting because I'm writing my dissertation on a similar theme. I'm final year studying photography at college and I'm looking at how natural history photography and film making can be beneficial to the environment and nature. I'll keep looking at this post in the coming weeks.
Peter