ISFRYN FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS
Join FILMMAKER BEVIS BOWDEN FOR A WORKSHOP IN NATURAL HISTORY FILMMAKING
The natural world is all around us but capturing it on camera presents us with many challenges. Join me for a one-day workshop to gain an insight into the wonderful world of wildlife filmmaking. But wildlife is elusive and often requires many hours of waiting for just a single moment. To improve our odds we will be joined by professional Falconer David Hughes with his birds of prey, and you will be able to film David and his birds in the Fellows’ Garden at Merton College.
This will be an opportunity for you to film the birds of prey up close and also in flight. With practical instruction the day is designed to introduce you to some of the current techniques and technologies in wildlife filmmaking. The workshops are intended for all levels of expertise and the curious. We can focus on the elements of filmmaking that interest you.
EXAMPLES OF TECHNIQUE TALKING POINTS
Throughout the day I will introduce you to broader filmmaking techniques including: Permission to film, access and rights of way; Choosing a subject to film, hiding in the landscape and using hides and camouflage; Managing the camera in the field and protecting the camera from the elements; Camera settings, slow motion and choosing the correct white balance; Lens choice, prime or zoom, framing and aspect ratios; Shot selection, wide or close and how to build a sequence and create narrative; Approaches to focus, manual and assisted; Audio field recording and microphone choice.
Filming Falconer David Hughes with a European Eagle Owl during Wildlife Filmmaking workshop ‘Birds in Flight’ at Merton College, Oxford University.
EQUIPMENT
We will use my professional camera unit for the workshop - the same camera I use for much of my professional work. If you have your own camera, whether it be a DSLR, or a phone I encourage you to bring it. Becoming familiar and dexterous with a camera is essential when capturing a subject that often doesn’t wait. We will also discuss additional tools available to us as filmmakers, how these technologies can enhance your filmmaking vision, and how best to deploy them.
EDITING
At the end of the day, we will review the material we have shot using the industry’s leading non-linear editor DaVinci Resolve. If you are new to editing, this is a creative and exciting process. I will introduce you to colour correction and achieving the full potential of what you have shot.
Filming a European Eagle Owl during Wildlife Filmmaking workshop ‘Birds in Flight’ at Merton College, Oxford University.
WEATHER
We will be out for much of the day. Though wind and rain can bring drama and lyricism to our subject it can make filming challenging. So come prepared.
Filming a European Eagle Owl during Wildlife Filmmaking workshop ‘Birds in Flight’ at Merton College, Oxford University.
WHERE TO FIND ME
The workshop will be based from the Music Room (above the Gardeners’ shed by the Warden’s Gate) at the bottom of the Fellows’ Garden at Merton College.
The workshops will take place on a Saturday on the following dates: 3rd February, 17th February and 2nd March 2023.
The day will start at 9.30am. We will take a break for lunch. When it becomes too dark to film we will return to the studio to review what we have filmed during the day.
Spaces are limited to 6 per workshop.
GET IN TOUCH
If you would like to attend, please email me with your preferred date at:
bevis.bowden@merton.ox.ac.uk or bevisbowdenfilms@gmail.com
I very much look forward to meeting you and taking part in this exciting day.
Bevis Bowden
Filming a Harris Hawk during Wildlife Filmmaking workshop ‘Birds in Flight’ at Merton College, Oxford University.
ABOUT ME
I am an active, commissioned filmmaker, working predominantly in long and short documentary forms and natural history. I have made films for both national and international broadcasters, arts organisations, museums and festivals. I have worked with both individual artists and commercial clients. I have delivered training for BBC Arts New Creatives, Channel Four Random Acts and Screen South.
I graduated from Central Saint Martins with a Fine Art degree in Filmmaking.
I am located amongst the beautiful rolling hills of Mid Wales. The location offers a multitude of possibilities, year round, to test and inspire - from neighbouring SSSI open moorland to the intimacy of ancient field systems, hidden pools and the day to day activities of an upland hill farm.
The location has been the basis for my ongoing natural history film series Observations from Isfryn.
The beautiful black and white photos of the workshop were taken by Krzysztof Jaros.