Production Notes
WildSide’s artistic approach is in line with its mission: when people learn about wild & beautiful places, they will want to protect them. Our viewers experience these locations through beautiful wildlife and nature photography, vicariously traveling with the host as well as interviews and conversations with locals and guides. Throughout all runs the subtle wit of the host.
Filming from bush planes, boats, kayaks and even ziplines in addition to the more traditional tripod, hand-held & palm held, WildSide utilizes a variety of cameras and visual approaches. Relying on state-of-the-art production & broadcast cameras as the workhorses, waterproof handheld cameras, vehicle mounted, underwater & handheld GoPros are also used to bring the viewer to each experience. All six of the show’s episodes are filmed on location outdoors.
Music and natural sound support and drive each segment in perfect amounts. Expert use of a very diverse and extensive music library provides support and direction where music is needed. Natural sound gathered on location draws viewers in to join the journey.
There’s an immediacy to the style of WildSide. We are on board as host Nick Mollé kayaks through thinning primary and secondary forests and drives 4 wheelers in search of grizzly bears preparing for shorter winters. And we travel along with guides and experts as Nick asks intriguing and probing questions about everything from Australian brumbies, oyster farming in Alaska to species preservation in Costa Rica’s national parks.
WildSide not only presents anecdotal firsthand discussions but also incorporates interviews with experts on climate change and preservation and the science behind these major issues. This education affords both a sense of urgency and hope. Urgency that steps must be taken. Hope and assurance that not all is lost and that these places will endure.
All four episodes of WildSide are complete within themselves, but also build upon each other. Each incorporates objectively beautiful scenes, the immediacy of the subjective handheld documentary and expert editing and sound design.
Previously on PBS
Nature of the Beasts
A Walk in the Park with Nick Mollé: Nature of the Beasts follows Nick as he travels through the park on foot and on snowshoe. He captures its natural beauty and showcases its diverse flora and fauna, including the pika – a cousin to the rabbit – as well as marmots, moose, and more.
THE LIVING DREAM
This is the story of a National Park.
For centuries human beings have been visiting this inspirational place. In 1915 we gave it the name Rocky Mountain National Park. Native Americans came here for spiritual renewal. Mountain men came dreaming of furs and gold - they found something else.
Dreams have been made, lost and made again in this extraordinary place.
A Walk in the Park: Rivers of the Rockies
Rivers of the Rockies explores the rivers of the northern Colorado Rocky Mountains including the mighty Colorado River and the life it supports in Rocky Mountain National Park. Tracing the source of our streams, Rivers takes us to some of the most beautiful and inspirational destinations from the top of the Rockies to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
Solar Car: The Secrets of RA7
Witness first hand the 2009 World Solar Challenge held in Australia's outback where teams of students from around the world compete in a journey from northern to southern Australia cutting across this vast continent from Darwin to Adelaide.
Their task is to build a vehicle powered by solar energy and drive it on an incredible journey that covers 1800 miles. Will they make it?
Introduction by Robert Duvall
A Walk in the Park: Birds Without Borders
Birds Without Borders examines the habits of four species of small birds while exploring the newly discovered relationship between Rocky Mountain National Park and the national parks and preserves of Costa Rica.
Over one hundred and fifty species of birds share these ecosystems. Fifty of them nest in Colorado and migrate to Costa Rica. These four were chosen because they were best suited to tell this story.
