The Problems And Challenges Of Communicating Science In Wildlife Films On Television

Abstract

This thesis discusses the challenges inherent in the communication of science through wildlife films screened on television. The work is prefaced with a broad literature review that establishes why it is useful to communicate science through film on television. Drawing on research by BOUMAN (1999) a framework is developed which provides the basis for an analysis of four wildlife films for their scientific value. One of the films, a 25-minute natural history documentary called 'The Wild Wet', is the creative component of this thesis and was co-produced with the author's film partner Joshua Mayo. The film portrays the unique strategies that animals and plants have evolved to survive in Australia's tropical rainforest.