The cinema as "time-capsule": using film to capture vanishing worlds

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At the beginning of the twentieth century, filmmakers and scientists saw in cinema the potential to permanently capture the natural world. Today, global concern for disappearing habitats, landscapes and species owes much to high-profile documentaries. Young people often experience their first encounters with climate change or environmentalism through documentaries, on the news, or on social media. This project, which is informed by Max Long's PhD research into the history of nature films, science communication and environmental history, will offer participants a unique and fun film-based experience exploring the relationship between cinema and climate activism. The project also draws on Dr. Amy Cutler's research into nature films and her extensive public engagement experience.The project consists of a series of practice-based research activities, divided into two parts:1. A film screening and two-way discussion delivered by Max Long and Amy Cutler.2. A two-day film-making workshop delivered by 104 Films, a session about archival footage, and a visit to Cambridge Botanic Garden.The screening and discussion will engage young people in a fun activity where they will think about and discuss film's ability to represent, describe and preserve natural and other environments. After watching three or four short films, they will take part in a facilitated, two-way conversation, asking questions like:- Are films a good way to mobilise people to climate action?- What kinds of images are more powerful/shocking/emotive?- Can we learn anything about science by watching films?- Can a film truly "capture" a place, animal, plant or climate? At the end of the session, participants will work in small groups to devise an idea for a "time-capsule" film. They will discuss how they would communicate their feelings about their surroundings to someone or something that has never seen them - for example someone from the past, the future, or from another planet. How might this film convince someone to "care" about what is shown? The project's second part consists of a two-day filmmaking workshop designed for 8-10 young people, selected from Widening Participation's Insight+ programme. Students will bring their ideas for a film "time-capsule" to life, collaborating in the production of a short film. Deciding the focus, content and style of the film will be entirely up to the participants. The task will be to use cinema's potential to its full extent, thinking carefully about film's capacity to both represent the natural world and to encourage audiences to act in its defence. Participants will be mentored by a team of professional filmmakers and educators. They will guide them through the process of making a film using expert equipment, techniques and software. This workshop has been designed in collaboration with 104 Films, who have extensive experience in working with young people and deliver the BFI's Film Academy workshop in Cambridge. In addition to the filmmaking workshop, the group will spend an afternoon at Cambridge Botanic Garden. With the help of an expert botanist, they will learn about the impacts of climate change on plants and fungi locally and around the world. The Botanic Garden may also serve as a filming location. While participants will shoot new footage and choose their own storyline and format, they will also be encouraged to use archival images. Max Long and Amy Cutler will lead an activity about archives, what they tell us about historical climates and environments, and how they can be re-used. In this session, participants will be introduced to a series of tools which will enable them to research and discover existing footage which could be used in their film. At the end of the project, participants will have made a professionally produced short film which will be viewable online. They will also be supported in submitting the film to festivals like Watersprite, a Cambridge-based festival.