Shark callers star in BBC documentary

NEW Ireland province’s shark-callers will star in a blockbuster BBC documentary series to be launched next year.
A television crew from the United Kingdom, led by marine biologist and BBC assistant producer Charlotte Scott, flew into Port Moresby last Wednesday and are now in New Ireland  to shoot  footage for the forthcoming flagship Human Planet  natural history documentary. Cameraman Richard Wollocombe, field assistant James Moore and Papua New Guinean fixer Jonathan Teko, accompanied her.
British High Commissioner to PNG, David Dunn, said the country’s rich cultural diversity continues to woo documentary producers from around the world including the BBC.
“Papua New Guinea’s breathtaking natural beauty and cultural diversity continues to attract documentary producers to our shores.
The BBC, having already established a long relationship with PNG dating back to the David Attenborough era, will now embark on another project that when completed would showcase New Ireland and PNG to a global audience.
“This year alone we’ve had more than 50 BBC personnel on the ground, shooting various films and showcasing to the world the unique and wonderfully diverse culture and flora and fauna of PNG,” he said.
In a treat for British Graduates Society of PNG, (BGSPNG) members in Port Moresby, Ms Scott also gave a presentation on the complexities, resource and effort required in the making of a natural history masterpiece.
Her presentation included a “sneak preview” of BBC’s new Human Planet documentary series scheduled for launching in December 2010.
The series is being produced in HD (high definition) and will incorporate the latest cinematic features of the film.
Speaking on her PNG assignment, she added: “It’s great to be here in PNG,  which  really  is  a  natural history mecca for film crews.”
“I am really looking forward to sensitively filming the ancient ritual of shark calling which  will fascinate our viewers from all over the world and give them an insight  into  PNG’s amazing cultural diversity.
“We are looking forward to our trip to New Ireland and meeting Papua New Guineans and gaining a better understanding of their unique culture and traditions.” Ms Scott said.