Award-winning filmmakers and photographers are to visit the University of Cumbria virtually.
Joining the University of Cumbria’s Institute of the Arts for its upcoming wildlife filmmaking and photography industry day online on Thursday are:
- Sophie Darlington – Credits include 2021’s Perfect Planet (BBC), Seven Worlds (BBC), Our Planet (Netflix), Dynasties (BBC) and Earth Live (National Geographic).
- Raquel Toniolo, who is recognised for her work filming tribes around the world in some of the world’s most hostile and remote locations.
- Conservation filmmaker Nina Constable, whose work appears on TV networks and in festivals around the world.
- Founder of rewilding charity SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, Peter Cairns who is an experienced environmental communicator, nature tourism operator and a Senior Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.
Sophie said: “Wildlife filmmaking is a hugely rewarding career choice, and one I’ve been lucky enough to be part of for over 30 years. I’ve seen immense changes in our industry and my hope is, by taking part in this event at University of Cumbria, I can give a personal view on some of those. We will also discuss how we keep relevant, and most importantly, what we can do to encourage more diverse voices into this industry.”
Raquel: “I wished I could have met more industry peers when I was in uni, to open my mind about the realities of sector and what the career path progression could looked like. Today, sharing my own journey and experiences of working on presenter-led wildlife and environmental programmes, with a new generation of filmmakers, is my little way of offering that perspective. Their boundless enthusiasm, ambition and energy are a tonic.”
Students Zoe Hofman and Rachel Owen are excited about the opportunity of learning from industry figures and helping to organise the event by being hosts of the panel discussion with the expert speakers.
Rachel said: “It’s great to have the chance to get answers to questions from people who are making their living in the sector that I’ve been studying for the last few years. Personally, I’m thrilled at how many women will be appearing at the event and to hear about their experiences in what can be a very male-dominated industry.
“Many students will find this event really useful moving forward as we enter the industry in a post-COVID world – especially as we’ve not been able to undertake work experience opportunities that we might have liked to do last summer in order to boost our CVs.”
BA (Hons) wildlife media lecturer and one of the key organisers of the event, Bettina Talbot, who is based at the university’s dedicated arts campus in Carlisle, said: “We are delighted that our guest speakers will spark dynamic debate whilst illustrating their skills and creative careers, providing invaluable insight and inspiration to our current and future learners.
“The online nature of the day provides fresh opportunities for us to welcome guests and speakers from far and wide, one of whom is breaking from her own on-location filming commitments to take part.”
