Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Frozen Planet BBC, NHU A world distributed television series about the polar regions, with associated spin of programmes and large multimedia presence.  (Frozen Planet – BBC NHU)

Outline
Frozen Planet – Series overview Frozen Planet will be the ultimate portrait of the earth's Polar Regions. In brief, it will comprise: • 6 x 1 hour programmes: • Programme 1 – Introduction including why we have polar regions • Programme 2 – Spring • Programme 3 – Early Summer • Programme 4 – Late Summer • Programme 5 – Winter • Programme 6 – People and the Poles • Storylines – following 4 key characters: Polar Bear and Arctic Wolf in the north; Adelie Penguins and Wandering Albatross in the south • Research and story lining currently underway • Filming from Feb 2008 – June 2010 • Delivery and transmission - late 2010

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Potential Exposure for Partners It is likely that any team we spend time with in the field will get exposure on our website. The extent of any potential exposure will obviously depend on the extent of any partnership, but we anticipate that a major partner, e.g. the Royal Navy or BAS, could, subject to the BBC’s editorial guidelines, be featured in a variety of ways, including: • Programme 6 – this will concentrate on people and their relationships with the Polar Regions, including indigenous people, explorers and science. • Programme “7” – we expect to produce a one hour BBC 1 special on climate change related to the Polar Regions. • “Making of” – at the end of each programme there will be a 10 minute, “behind the scenes” making of that explains what went into making the series • Multimedia – major new website(s) expected from June 2008 that could include science behind the series, blogs from the field and links to external (non-BBC) websites. • Spin-off programming – we are currently exploring the potential of other programming ideas connected to the series that might include, for example: • “Living with Penguins” - diary format show following life at 3 separate penguin colonies and the scientists that study them • “Ice Jobs” – series featuring people with extraordinary jobs in the poles. • “Season in the South” – observational documentary about HMS Endurance and her work supporting BAS science. • Education – through links with BBC Education we are looking to explore the potential of curriculum based programming and web information relating to the polar regions

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Partnerships with outside organisations will be critical to the success of this series, so we are currently in discussions with most of the major polar organisations, including: • British Antarctic Survey • Royal Navy (BBC is minor stakeholder in HMS Endurance) • Danish Polar Institute • Royal Danish Navy • Norwegian Polar Institute • National Science Foundation • NOAA • NASA • US Fish and Game • Australian Antarctic Division • Antarctic New Zealand • Polar Shelf • Fisheries and Oceans, Canada

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We will be in the field between 02/08 and 06/10. We anticipate wide coverage of both polar regions.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/08 - 05/10            
Antarctic: 09/08 - 04/10            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We are operating in a wide range of environments and thus will be using a broad range of logistics. Ice-breaker, Ice strengthened research ship, Helicopters, Snow terrain vehicles, Existing field stations, Fuel depots, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Fixed wing transport aircraft, Satellites , Ice drilling capability. We are already talking to IPY projects about sharing these recourses and our own resources will be shared wherever possible and feasible.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave behind a DVD set for sale worldwide documenting our poles and a leading multimedia website. It is also likely the series will have a book and will be repeated many times worldwide

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

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

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?
This is a new independent project, which happens to be taking place at the same time as IPY

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will use the BBC Natural History Units normal working procedures and will be self managed and organised by an experienced team

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This is the main focus of our project; Communication will begin online from spring/summer 2008

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
We are not expecting to gather significant amounts of data, we will work on sharing our footage and any observations with the appropriate scientists we are working through

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project is funded by the BBC and its co-production partners. This money is internationally sourced

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Matthew Swarbrick
BBC Natural History Unit
Whiteladies Road
Bristol
BS8 2LR
UK

Tel: 0117 974 7832
Mobile: 0778 631 6413
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation