Bozeman News

Website highlights environmental documentary films

TERRA: Natural Science Filmmaking Nominated for Webby

By Lucia Stewart, 4-24-07

Since there are limited outlets for short environmental films in the mainstream, a group of Montana State University film students launched Terra, described as a web-based independent Discovery Channel.

“As people are continuing to wake-up on their need to understand the environment, there has become more of a push for green filmmaking,” said Eric Bendick, Terra’s series producer. “We need to continue this green renaissance focusing on science, natural history and environmental issues.”

Currently, Terra is nominated for a Webby award — similar to the Oscars for the Internet —recognized for its video content created for web distribution. Selected out of 8,000 submissions, Terra is currently ranked in the No. 1 position for the People’s Voice in the student category. Click here to vote.

Focusing on environmental, natural history and science issues, Terra contains many documentary films relevant to Western issues, such as: The Last Run, focusing on declining Northern California Salmon populations; Black Tale, how the whirling disease is affecting Yellowstone biology; and Saving the Grizzly, the first DNA study of the grizzly in Glacier National Park.

Created under a non-profit sector of Montana State University, Terra launched with the initial expectation of 1000 downloads a day after one year of launching the site. Terra has far exceeded its expectation with 1500 downloads a day in just 18 short months.

There are many reasons for Terra’s popularity. “Video on the web is very exciting right now,” said Bendick. “It’s coming into its own.

“Second reason is it’s actually quite affordable to do with the technology and easy to distribute to a worldwide audience. The overhead is so much less that is allows you to be flexible and deliver something cool for not a lot of money.

“But most importantly, there is so many issues that are making people wake up, such as climate change and price of gasoline, that people are realizing the need to be learning more about the environment and the natural world.”

The 6-year-old MSU graduate science and nature documentary film program was the first of its kind in the world, and has produced award-winning filmmakers. Quite a few of the student projects end up on Terra, although it’s open to independent filmmakers as well.

Currently, there is a review process for the weekly video posting, but in a few months Terra will allow filmmakers to post their own films.

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