In June last year six students (and a writer from BBC Countryfile Magazine) joined Bristol Wildlife Filmmakers’ Introduction to Wildlife Filmmaking course at Folly Farm. Working in two groups they were tasked with making short films focusing on Folly’s wild flower meadows. 
They were ably assisted by cameraman Tim Shepherd, and made good use of his skills and knowledge as both a macro-specialist and botanist. The weather was glorious throughout – sun cream and hats were a necessity – and was even kind enough to provide a filmic sunset over the Chew Valley and, for those who got out of bed early enough, a beautiful sunrise the next morning.
Cameraman, John Waters, joined Tim on the first day to help students get to grips with the tripods, jib, lenses and cameras – encouraging everyone to change all settings to manual rather than auto mode – and to introduce them to the many uses of the humble bean bag.
Hard work and quiet observation paid off during filming and the students captured some stunning images of butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other mini-beasts to be found on the wide variety of flowers in the meadows and along the woodland edge. The experience was also a useful lesson in ecology as it became clear that it is nectar in the countryside that sustains the insect pollinators we depend on for so much of the food we eat.
And on that subject… Saturday evening in the nearby Pony and Trap pub was especially delicious (chunky chips to die for) with the addition of good conversation and humour. With thoughts of wildlife never far away, as dusk approached everyone returned to Folly Farm in the hope of glimpsing the Reserve’s badgers. And they didn’t let us down, coming out on cue to forage and play around the entrance to their sett before heading out to Folly’s meadows and woodland for the night.
Editor, Rob Harrington’s encouraging and enthusiastic patience was instrumental in helping both groups of students to organise their footage, decide on their final narrative and structure and to edit their finished films.
Making a short film in three days is hard work but it’s also enormous fun and a great way to spend time getting just that bit closer to the natural world.
