PROGRAMMING UPDATE: DON'T MENTION THE WAR
What better place than Dresden to focus on programs about WWII bombings as a device to examine the evolution of storytelling techniques across national boundaries and generations?
Like every other perennial favourite of WWII history, the stories of both Nazi and Allied bombings - whether those of London, Coventry, Berlin or Dresden - have been told and retold many times. The challenge for program makers is to find new ways of retelling the same old stories, a new slant, a new angle, or possibly a new gimmick. In "Don't Mention the War" - we will look at an array of program clips and analyse a few of the outstanding ones in depth.
The session will be moderated by Alan Hayling, former head of BBC documentaries and Channel 4 commissioning editor, and now editorial director of Renegade.
PRIVATE TOUR OF FRAUENKIRCHE FOR DELEGATES
Thanks to generous arrangements by Host Broadcaster ZDF, WCSFP delegates will have exclusive access to one of Dresden's most famous landmarks, the Frauenkirche. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. After 13 years of rebuilding, the church was re-consecrated in October 2005. Delegates will be treated to a private tour and organ concert, a rare treat unavailable to the general public. More information about this special event will be available leading up to this year's Congress.
APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR WELLCOME TRUST MENTORING PROGRAM
The Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent offers eight promising science professionals a unique opportunity to participate in the Congress, with the additional benefits of mentoring and networking with the top executives and creative minds in the industry. Applications are now being accepted with a final deadline of October 8.
PROGRAMMING ANNOUNCEMENT! BLUE CHIP MEETS SILICON CHIP
Take real images captured with highly-specialized lenses and new imaging techniques, add some state of the art special effects, and watch as the evolution in science and natural history program making unfolds. In Dresden, producer and cameraman Martin Dohrn (Ammonite, UK) will show delegates how he and his team captured night footage of lions that is so astounding, even scientists with years of expertise have had to rethink their ideas about the animal's behaviour.
If you have achieved some stunning, never-seen-before sequences with the help of specialist equipment or innovative combinations of technology, we invite you to share your experiences with WCSFP delegates. Please email us with details before August 31.
WCSFP 2009 EVENT PHOTOS
View a Flickr slideshow of images from the 2009 WCSFP in Melbourne, Australia.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
The Congress is on Twitter. Follow us @WCSFP for updates on this year's event.
