Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Imageworks Multimedia Production and Documentation for Science Use and for Education & Outreach Compliance  (Imageworks Multimedia Production Services for Education and Outreach Compliance)

Outline
PREMISE: The effectiveness of the knowledge transfer from IPY scientists to world-wide scientific and lay communities will be, in large measure, dependent upon the extent to which scientists and those engaged in education and outreach activities, make full use of visual representation as part of their communications process. This is particularly evident when targeting the lay community where science is often perceived as something abstract and not connected to their daily environment. The generally esoteric nature of the science enterprises involved, coupled with geographic characteristics that are unfamiliar to most, presents uncommon challenges for IPY education and outreach efforts. E&O CHALLENGES: As IPY project scientists prepare to comply with the stipulation to incorporate an outreach and education component, many scientists will struggle with how to incorporate a process that will allow them to do this both effectively and economically while appealing to a wide audience base. Perhaps of equal importance is the necessity to cultivate scientists for posterity. Admittedly, the methods used to communicate with the existing science student community will be secondary since students will have a greater appetite for the concepts, and will assimilate the information more readily. But how do we maximize efforts toward attracting new scientists? SOLUTIONS The use of visual media has long been recognized as a superior form of communication over other methods, and while this axiom probably needs little convincing in view of our modern visual propensities, it does underscore its importance, especially at a time when the messages that will emerge from IPY will mandate an early and thorough understanding if we expect world-wide cooperation. Imageworks Productions specializes in multimedia communications. The term multimedia describes a number of diverse technologies that allow visual, audio, and printed media to be combined in new ways for the purpose of communicating. PERFORMANCE 1. We will provide on-site videographic and photographic (still photography) services at the polar project site to be used for both scientific purposes as well as for Education & Outreach compliance purposes. 2. As required, we will also perform related services such as editing, scriptwriting, voiceover audio, and formatting for distribution and web-broadcast purposes. 3. We will work as the project’s Education and Outreach material-gathering facility or in concert with existing E&O facilities and clearinghouses to afford them, otherwise, unavailable media in an effort to help them maximize their efforts. In essence, we help the project tell their story. We create a virtual tour of the project. Our goal is to visually capture the purpose and importance of the science investigation with on-site footage of the operation, the technology involved, and with personal interviews with the principal scientists for key insights. While professionals, we are not independent film producers with commercial intent. The captured visual assets reflect only the goals of the project and will be the proprietary property of the project for selection, use and distribution as deemed appropriate by the project fro E&O purposes. Our on-site participation is sensitive to the project’s personnel and budgetary constraints. The on-site work is performed by one (1) individual to minimize the preclusion of other desired scientific personnel, and to minimize accommodation impact and overall cost.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
As a multimedia asset-producing service, it is an instrument for IPY scientists to document their investigations in the interest of the project itself, as well in their efforts to comply with their Education and Outreach requirements. The collected multimedia assets will also serve as a resource for IPY EOC activities as defined in the IPY EOC Subcommittee’s Terms of Reference. Since the service focuses on current projects, the material gathered will address, not only the advancement of earlier technologies, but also new technologies. This current information will be essential in communicating, on a world-wide basis, new discoveries and insights about existing and projected global conditions that will ultimately influence our behaviour and destiny as a planet. The extensive use of visuals provides a highly effective communications and educational tool.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
No formal international collaboration has been established to date, however, the service is offered internationally. For languages other than English, translation for written and/or voiceover documentation will require the services of professional translators /voiceover talent to be engaged as the specific need arises. We hope to collaborate with IPY EOC Subcommittee to a large extent, as well as organizations such as ID No. 44 Polar Presentation & Education Toolkit (PET) and other archival/clearinghouse facilities.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The field service is not bound to a geographic location. The field service is made available in any polar region. Certain services, however, will occur away from the polar field location as respects post-production development i.e. videographic / photographic editing, formatting, and written documentation to be used for education and outreach purposes as well as scientific purposes.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 10/06 – 12/2010            
Antarctic: 10/06 – 12/2010            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The support / facilities are minimal. The majority of the needed equipment is provided by Imageworks. There will be instances where certain locations will require specialized equipment and /or there will be a need to have redundancy of equipment items. Such expenses will be born by the hiring project as well as expenses such as video tape and similar supplies. All travel, provisions, and on-site living accommodations are also to be incurred by the project as would be afforded any member of the project team. Internet / FTP satellite uplink from Imageworks computers for far-line media and data storage will be essential for fault tolerance and protection of media.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Collected multimedia material, including motion media, still photography and written documentation, serve as excellent assets that would facilitate the goals of any education and outreach program, but in particular, IPY E&O programs whose expressed role includes the coordination of E&O efforts for IPY scientific endeavours. These multimedia assets can be contributed (subject to project approval, proprietary rights, and copyright) to organizations that specialize in the archival and distribution of such assets publicly and within learning institutions. From an education and outreach perspective, the uses are numerous and their value immeasurable and long-lasting.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Pending.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes

While not a component of an existing activity, this service is designed to assist IPY projects comply with existing Education and Outreach requirements and to complement IPY E&O organizations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized and managed by Edward Curley, Imageworks, who will conduct all media gathering activities on-site as well as all post-production activities to be conducted off-site at Imageworks facilities in Naperville, Illinois. Edward Curley will act as the focal point for distribution of media assets.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
IPY Education, Outreach, and Communication is the primary theme of this proposal.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Imageworks will arrange for all distribution of acquired media to designated organizations including, but not limited to, hosting scientific investigators, learning institutions, IPY E&O organizations, media archival facilities, clearinghouses, others.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Given the IPY stipulation that projects provide for an Education an Outreach component, it is presumed that field projects have allocated funding for such purposes. It is anticipated, therefore, the funding would come from the individual projects who engage this service. We will also seek small funding from such organizations as the National Science Foundation and others for the funding of redundant and specialized equipment.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Chief Executive Edward Curley
Imageworks Productions, LLC
825 Rockbridge Drive, Naperville,
Illinois
60540
USA

Tel: 630.305.3400
Mobile: no
Fax: 630.305.0943
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation