|
 |
|
|
Director's PicksGood films and documentaries are of course best viewed in their entirety. However, some film segments are naturally better than others. The composition and flow just come together in such a way that makes it more impressive, and memorable. Presented here are some of Leif Joslyn's favorite segments that he has picked from his ten years of producing nature documentaries. From English Ivy; managing an invasive alien species (2006)
English Ivy in the Redwood Ecosystem Leif comments, “The coast redwoods are a world apart and it was a complete joy to piece together a little montage in honor of this ecosystem. And perhaps it was overkill to include this vignette as another warning after everything else, like rats nesting in ivy. But the redwood ecosystem and its namesake was indeed the central reason we undertook this 3 year project in the first place. Leif comments, “As a conclusion to the series I felt the need to call attention to the question of the modern city, the concrete jungle where most people now live. I use the culture of gardening as the link between nature and the city, and how society might recover a stronger land ethic.” From Voices from the Front; World Trade Organization Protests Dec. 1999.Seattle Troubadour, and David Suzuki on limits to growth Leif's comments, “My hats off to the troubadour and one of my few heroes, David Suzuki, for calling attention to the reality of ecological limits.” Who is this Corporate Bad Guy? Leif comments, “Following the comments of a young lady who might appear naive, I challenge the protestors a little bit with a more conservative view. I pose a few tough questions to be sure, but they do not hold up so well in defense of the corporate boosters.” A Message from Nature's Spectrum Leif comments, “My kind of ad. One that more Americans ought to take to heart.” From Brooms; managing invasive alien shrubs
Public Service Announcement with Jack Hanna Leif comments, “It was great of Jack Hanna to perform this PSA for us. Just a shame that no one of the project partners thought to use it! Also unfortunate that the recommended site www.volunteerconnections.org now seems kaput. However, the need for volunteers in land restoration and many other concerns remains as important as ever! Leif comments, “I enjoyed presenting the life cycle of all the invasive plants I covered. There are dynamic interactions going on with other life forms and this will continue to change over time. I admit, I am guilty of biophilia. And notice I do not call the brooms ugly! However, the purpose of the film was to draw attention to this group of shrubs as invasive and a strong agent of change, and so after this rather unbiased segment, I return to the theme that these plants may need some management in our remnant natural areas. From Yellow Starthistle; managing an invasive alien species
Public Service Announcement with John Walsh Leif comments, “I crafted several PSAs with John Walsh of America's Most Wanted. There are snappier versions but this 45 segment piece still delivers a great message. I was very please with his support.” Introduction with Leif Joslyn on changing California Leif comments, “We all know there is nothing much more certain than change. However, the rate and scale of change makes all the difference. It is the difference between a gentle rain and a tsunami. I present to viewers that while changes in California are inevitable, not all change is necessarily desirable or unavoidable This of course is true with those changes brought about by people and which affect people, now or in the future.” From Pampas Grass; managing an invasive alien species
Results. The Crystal Springs fountain thistle... Leif comments. “It's amazing what people can do when they put their heart into it, and how much good work is being done in protecting and restoring our parks and preserves that goes completely unnoticed by the general public.” From Plant Invaders; a threat to California's remnant natural areas
Pangaea and the quilts of life Leif Comments, “It is quite exciting to think about the rich and unique fabrics of life once found in various parts of the world. This took a great deal of time to come about. Millions of years, more or less. Now these regional distinctions are being greatly blurred or completely erased. All in a few centuries or mere decades by the hand of man, and those species that thrive with all this homogenization. That is rather shocking if you think about it. It represents an upheaval, a great form of global change.” |