Page 21 - Fujifilm Exposure_1 Michelle Pfeiffer_ok

E agles are an elusive breed noted for random thing. You go out with a very carefully
the dogged pursuit of their prey as well as having a wily intelligence. In fact, not unlike natural historians who found a comfortable habitat on
our television screens a long time ago. John Downer, a producer-director
currently absorbed in the making of Eagles, the first documentary of these noble birds for over 15 years, is a typical example of the species.
Far from being a case of simply putting the camera down in front of his chosen sub- ject, Downer reveals how the making of a natural history film is a painstaking and meticulously planned process. “It’s not a
considered view of what you want to achieve and then you bring your knowledge of the animals you’re filming to bear in order to capture that on film. We tend to shoot lots of film as well - about 40 minutes worth for every minute that appears on screen.”
Such dedication and patience is com- mon to others of Downer’s breed, as is their unquenchable enthusiasm for the subject.
“If you lose that sense of wonder,” he says, “you’ve had it. One of the most amaz- ing experiences for me was shooting bald eagles in Alaska last year.
“But what we couldn’t guarantee was a week of spectacularly fine weather and the
whole imagery came together quite amaz- ingly beyond the actual behaviour we were coming to see - basically, some eagles squabbling over fish. It’s these moments you live for.” ■
Eagles is originated on Fujicolor Motion Picture Negative.
Photo Above: Black Eagle (Aquila verreauxi) in Zimbabwe’s Matopos National Park
W hen The Aristocracy was screened Such pressing matters decided, the aristo-
earlier this year on BBC2 it proved a genuine ratings hit picking up an audience of between four and 4.9 million viewers. Yet it seems such an
obvious idea you wonder why no-one else has done it. In fact, only two series have taken such a close look at the top end of the socio-economic scale. The other one was 15 years ago.
The success of this latest probe has naturally thrilled producer (and the BBC’s Deputy Head of Features in Bristol) Sam Organ for whom it was a labour of love. “I felt tracing the history of these people was worth doing and filled a great gap. I thought their first-hand accounts were worth preserving.”
As if the magnificence of some of the surroundings wasn’t intimidating enough, there were certain technical considerations for Organ and his team to take on board as well.
“With these locations and settings,” he says, “we wanted to give the programmes a very glossy look. We thought about shooting on Super 16 but with the archive footage we’d also be using that just wouldn’t have worked so we settled for Fuji’s 16mm film in full frame.”
crats themselves proved far less of a problem for the programme makers. “Absolutely,” Organ agrees, “because if these people have one partic- ular skill, it’s their great charm.” ■
The Aristocracy is originated on Fujicolor 16mm Film Stock.
John Downer on the nature trail with Eagles
FOR THE BIRDS
ForTheToffs...
BBC2 scores major hit with The Aristocracy
Photos Top: Lady Aberdeen and above: Sir Charles and Lady Wolsely in The Aristocracy
television