Frozen Planet - Wednesdays @ 9 BBC1

Mickeroo · 10-11-2011 2:18am

Dave! wrote: »

It's on the Beeb now lads

Another good watch tonight. Getting the footage of the Orca hunting the Minke Whale was pretty impressive, I doubt thats something thats been filmed much before if at all.

They seem to be throwing in an obligatory vicious encounter between two animals every week. The polar bears in the first episode, the elephant seals last week and now the fur seals this week ripping chunks from eachother.

Gotta say though, the bits following the film crews at the end of each episode have been great each week, possibly my favourite part of it at the moment. Seeing them next to the male polar bear really put into perspective the size of the creature, and seeing the Orca trying to tip the boat like they did the ice makes me wonder if they would be more ready to eat us than we think :pac:

Mickeroo · 15-11-2011 2:36pm

Here's an interesting one, and it shows you what a sad state of affairs the media in some countries are in, particularly the US:

The BBC has dropped a climate change episode from its wildlife series Frozen Planet to help the show sell better abroad.

British viewers will see seven episodes, the last of which deals with global warming and the threat to the natural world posed by man.

However, viewers in other countries, including the United States, will only see six episodes.

The environmental programme has been relegated by the BBC to an “optional extra” alongside a behind-the-scenes documentary which foreign networks can ignore.

Campaigners said the decision not to incorporate the episode on global warming as part of the main package was “unhelpful”.

They added that it would allow those countries which are sceptical of climate change to “censor” the issue.

I'm pretty saddened to see the BBC actually go ahead with a move like that, but I suppose it makes sense from a business point of view

Source.

steddyeddy · 15-11-2011 10:30pm

Mickeroo wrote: »

Here's an interesting one, and it shows you what a sad state of affairs the media in some countries are in, particularly the US:

I'm pretty saddened to see the BBC actually go ahead with a move like that, but I suppose it makes sense from a business point of view

Source.

The BBC have always tried to avoid "pushing" their opinions on people. According to Sir David It was his idea to have an episode on climate change!

16-11-2011 9:32pm

On again in half an hour, really have enjoyed it so far. Always been a fan of nature shows but this one is top of my list. Some excellent cameos

Galvasean · 17-11-2011 5:26pm

Adam Khor wrote: »

What will we do when David Attenborough is gone?

We will record him saying every word there is so that when he is gone we can edit in his narration.

amacachi · 17-11-2011 5:31pm

Adam Khor wrote: »

What will we do when David Attenborough is gone?

Maybe get the same producers, directors, researchers and cameramen who do the bulk of the work to do some stuff?

Galvasean · 18-11-2011 1:07am

Galvasean wrote: »

We will record him saying every word there is so that when he is gone we can edit in his narration.

Was listening to the radio today and they did just that - used stock words of him narrating the mating habits of Dublin nightclubbers.

Giruilla · 18-11-2011 12:06pm

I've a question about the caterpillar in the spring episode:

How do they know the catepillar was alive for 14 years?
Was the caterpillar(s) shown in the show the same one each year? How could they keep track of the same one??

Mickeroo · 18-11-2011 3:19pm

Giruilla wrote: »

I've a question about the caterpillar in the spring episode:

How do they know the catepillar was alive for 14 years?
Was the caterpillar(s) shown in the show the same one each year? How could they keep track of the same one??

I would imagine they had filmed a few caterpillars in the one season hoping one would be at the end of its lifecycle and then present it as a few years in the life of one. Although I do remember hearing the series took 4 years to make so it is plausible that they filmed the same one/few 4 years in a row.

As for the 14 years, well that is what the lifecycle is known to be so they would have just figured that was how long it had been alive, although apparently a study has revised that figure to 7 years rather than 14. The study seems to predate the show from what I gather so its possible they just went with saying 14 years to make it more impressive/awe inspiring for the viewer.

Giruilla · 18-11-2011 3:40pm

Mickeroo wrote: »

I would imagine they had filmed a few caterpillars in the one season hoping one would be at the end of its lifecycle and then present it as a few years in the life of one. Although I do remember hearing the series took 4 years to make so it is plausible that they filmed the same one/few 4 years in a row.

As for the 14 years, well that is what the lifecycle is known to be so they would have just figured that was how long it had been alive, although apparently a study has revised that figure to 7 years rather than 14. The study seems to predate the show from what I gather so its possible they just went with saying 14 years to make it more impressive/awe inspiring for the viewer.

Yeah that seems likely. Is there a scientific method to accurately tell the age of an animal or insect?

I'm pretty blown away by the series so far and have only seen the first two episodes!

steddyeddy · 19-11-2011 1:58am

Giruilla wrote: »

Yeah that seems likely. Is there a scientific method to accurately tell the age of an animal or insect?

I'm pretty blown away by the series so far and have only seen the first two episodes!

Depends on the animal some creatures are impossible to accuratly age. Sometimes the animals teeth can be a good indication.

Giruilla · 19-11-2011 8:13pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

Depends on the animal some creatures are impossible to accuratly age. Sometimes the animals teeth can be a good indication.

I'm pretty ignorant on biology matters sorry, but is there no 'carbon dating' style equivalent measure on cells?

Mickeroo · 19-11-2011 8:20pm

Giruilla wrote: »

I'm pretty ignorant on biology matters sorry, but is there no 'carbon dating' style equivalent measure on cells?

I seem to remember reading if they can get a sample of skin or other such tissue they can discern the age by analysing something called pentosidine?

I'm no expert either though

steddyeddy · 19-11-2011 8:58pm

Giruilla wrote: »

I'm pretty ignorant on biology matters sorry, but is there no 'carbon dating' style equivalent measure on cells?

Dont be sorry mate! As mickeroo said one of the methods used is measuring pentosidine. The accumulation of said molecule in a animals tissues over there years can give some idea of a creatures age. Its not entirely reliable with all animals though. Its mainly used on birds. Creatures such as arthropods and those of the class insecta dont live long enough in order for a large amount of pentosidine to build up in their tissues.

Giruilla · 20-11-2011 10:56am

steddyeddy wrote: »

Dont be sorry mate! As mickeroo said one of the methods used is measuring pentosidine. The accumulation of said molecule in a animals tissues over there years can give some idea of a creatures age. Its not entirely reliable with all animals though. Its mainly used on birds. Creatures such as arthropods and those of the class insecta dont live long enough in order for a large amount of pentosidine to build up in their tissues.

Very interesting, I never knew that.

Bsal · 23-11-2011 11:08pm

Another incredible episode, the Bison and the Wolves was something else, anyone notice the wolf eating the snow to re-hydrate.

Dave! · 23-11-2011 11:10pm

Yeah that wolf vs. bison behind the scenes footage was amazing. Imagine being so close to that - for over an hour! :eek: Heart-breaking to watch

23-11-2011 11:11pm

Bsal wrote: »

Another incredible episode, the Bison and the Wolves was something else, anyone notice the wolf eating the snow to re-hydrate.

Really was, I thought the Bison had her in the initial encounter as he flung her around like a rag doll! There were some amazing shots in the episode tonight in general.

Mickeroo · 23-11-2011 11:46pm

Bsal wrote: »

Another incredible episode, the Bison and the Wolves was something else, anyone notice the wolf eating the snow to re-hydrate.

Yeah I saw he was eating something alright. Was an extremely intense scene I have to say. I thought the footage of the polar bear cubs being born in the den extremely powerful too.

ppink · 24-11-2011 11:47pm

I never would have thought that the wolves were so tough! Incredibly tough.
why did the male not help her I wonder? was he injured

Giruilla · 28-11-2011 10:09am

I had my hand to my mouth and was almost welling up watching the wolf take on and get thrown around by the bison.. what an amazing show. Its so harrowing to watch knowing that the wolf can't give up after spending so much energy already.

I guess the male was just afraid of getting hurt.

littlebug · 01-12-2011 12:16pm

I missed last week but that was another great episode last night. I was surprised by the size of the walrus.
The lengths some people have to go to to get food really makes me appreciate the corner shop

The Black Oil · 01-12-2011 4:48pm

Sigh...

Mickeroo · 01-12-2011 6:03pm

Black Oil wrote: »

Sigh...

Yea its a bit ridiculous, posted something about it earlier in the thread, but what can they do when a large portion of the viewing public in the states think climate change is a fairy tale, bbc stil has to make money, athough i'd be more of the opinion they should be leading by example.

Galvasean · 05-12-2011 10:34pm

From my reading the BBC offered the global warming themed episode as an optional extra akin to the 'making of' episodes'. I think it was the US networks that declined to show it.
IIRC when Walking With Beasts was aired in the US the scene depicting two Australopithecus mating was cut.

Mickeroo · 06-12-2011 1:01am

Galvasean wrote: »

IIRC when Walking With Beasts was aired in the US the scene depicting two Australopithecus mating was cut.

I guess thats considered pornography in some parts :eek:

Mickeroo · 07-12-2011 8:36pm

Last episode tonight folks

Galvasean · 08-12-2011 12:07am

I missed the first ep and decided not to watch any others but am buying the BluRay so I can watch it ALL on Christmas day.

Mickeroo · 08-12-2011 1:32am

Galvasean wrote: »

I missed the first ep and decided not to watch any others but am buying the BluRay so I can watch it ALL on Christmas day.

You're in for a treat man, should look unbelievable in HD too. Hope there's plenty of production diaries on it too.

08-12-2011 7:47am

Mickeroo wrote: »

You're in for a treat man, should look unbelievable in HD too. Hope there's plenty of production diaries on it too.

Indeed they've all been amazing tv!

Frozen Planet - Wednesdays @ 9 BBC1

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