Immersive 3D experience brings the history of wildlife filmmaking to life
Press release issued:
Visitors to the University of Bristol’s virtual museum The Uncertain Space can now explore how the BBC has created some of TV’s greatest wildlife and natural history documentaries.
Using images and clips from the Wildfilm Archive, which is held by the University’s Special Collections Library, the new immersive 3D experience called Wildfilm Located will be launched today [Monday 3 March] to celebrate the United Nations World Wildlife Day.
This unique digital archive offers over 100 hours of exclusive interviews with some of the most influential figures in natural history filmmaking, including Sir David Attenborough plus world class filmmakers Heinz Sielmann, Des and Jen Bartlett, Barry Paine and Colin Willock.
The experience transports visitors into a virtual recreation of the BBC Bristol editing hut where many of the greatest wildlife documentaries were crafted. Through this interactive 3D environment, users can discover rare behind-the-scenes stories of technical innovations and personal insights from pioneers of wildlife filmmaking.
Stephen Gray, Head of Research Support, created the new virtual exhibition for The Uncertain Space in collaboration with a group of autistic adults. He said: “Visitors navigate through the space, uncovering biographical details, production techniques, and historical context, making these unique stories more accessible and engaging than before.
“My research explores how 3D digital experiences can improve engagement with historical archives. Wildlife Located offers users a more intuitive way to explore digital archives. This approach reinforces connections between historical material, helping people to understand the interwoven stories of wildlife filmmaking.”
Wildfilm Located is part of the Uncertain Space, the University of Bristol’s virtual museum. The Uncertain Space is hosted by the University’s Library and is designed as a sustainable and evolving platform for exhibition, teaching and research. The virtual Museum isn’t restricted to University collections, it features virtual exhibitions created in partnership with Bristol City Museum and Spike Island arts space.
About the Wildlife film collections
The Wildlife film archive at the University of Bristol holds an extensive collection of material documenting the evolution of natural history filmmaking, including:
Oral histories – over 100 hours of interviews with leading filmmakers, UNESCO’s UK Memory of the World Register
Production materials – scripts, research notes, photographs and behind the scenes content
Wildlife films- rare footage tracing the history of nature documentaries from 1895 onwards
Sound recordings - BBC radio programmes, natural soundscapes and documentary soundtracks
Archival materials from events and film festivals like Wildscreen.
About Special Collections
The University of Bristol’s Special Collections look after a wide range of unique material, including archives, rare books, photos and audiovisual collections. We support students, staff and the public to research, learn and find inspiration.
Arts and Social Sciences Library, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TJ. Find us on the University Google map. Our Reading Room and Seminar Room are located on the 1st Floor.
Our normal Reading Room opening times are Tuesday – Friday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm
