Storytelling scientists are
beaming in to Dunedin to discuss the art of merging science
fact, fiction, and documentary truth, at a University of
Otago convention this week.
The inaugural Scienceteller Festival, to celebrate the 10th
anniversary of the university's Centre for Science
Communication, is attracting renowned film-makers, writers,
playwrights and scientists for a five-day gathering.
From the physics of Star Trek to NASA-commissioned
works, the festival will also feature writing workshops,
documentary and film-making screenings, exhibitions and
lectures from several guest speakers.
Otago Science Communication director Professor Lloyd Davis
said the centre was conceived to fill a communication niche
and the Scienceteller Festival was a timely reminder of the
success which had developed.
"This festival will be unique - there is nothing quite like
it in the world." Set up in 2001, the centre was created to
take graduates from zoology and other disciplines to "top up"
their skills so they were able to direct people, use a camera
and stories, and make films.
Before that, "people making natural history documentaries
either came from TV pathways with the technical skills but
little real knowledge of animals, or they were zoology or
botany graduates with great knowledge and no real idea of
film-making".
Many of the centre's graduates have gone on to work at
Dunedin's NHNZ.
NHNZ is involved with the ScienceTeller Festival, hosting one
of the event's social highlights with a function on
Wednesday.
The festival features "world-renowned" storytellers of
science and New Zealand luminaries, as well as competitions
in film, poetry, songs, photographs and written stories. The
ScienceTeller Festival runs from tomorrow until Saturday.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.