"These days it's simply not good enough to use the old response... "If people know about it they'll care for it and do something". Wrong. They'll just go on being conned that it's all perfect out there, with endless jungles, immaculate Masai Maras, and untouched oceans. What planet are they on about" - Richard Brock

Richard Brock worked in the BBC Natural History Unit for 35 years producing, among others, the highly successful Life on Earth and Living Planet series. Concerned by the lack of willingness to address the current state of the environment he left the BBC and started his own independent production company Living Planet Productions.

Living Planet Productions has made over 100 films on a wide range of environmental topics and as his archive of films and footage mounted up, Richard felt that there was something more that could be done with this resource than sitting in an archive film library.

He decided to set up the Brock Initiative, to use his archive of footage, and to ask others to do the same, to create new programs, not made for a general TV audience, but made for those who are really connected to the situation in hand: local communities, decision makers, even that one fisherman who uses dynamite fishing over that one coral reef.

The programmes that Richard and his Brock Initiative colleagues make are not for broadcast to western audiences demanding BIG productions – he often shows films to people who have never watched television. The effort comes in showing the right thing, to the right people, in the right way, and not about expensive effects, top quality cameras or cutting edge effects.

As Richard says “It’s about reaching those who have a direct impact; reaching those who can make the difference.”

A letter to FFC from Richard in 2007

“This is a belated thanks to FFC and those who have helped and supported me over the years -<br>from the BBC Natural History Unit onwards to The Brock Initiative. The FFC 2006 Award, presented at Wildscreen, was an unexpected honour that has brought renewed confidence to me for what I try to do for the planet along with others, the "Bright Green Sparks".

My Award predecessors Alan Root from Kenya and Hardy Jones in the USA mean that I am the first UK recipient to be similarly honoured. But the task is increasingly global and I offer this message to FFC and all those who might respond with their skills and commitment.

2007 is going to be a crucial year for Planet Earth. From almost every possible angle its survival is in the spotlight. That is good news born from the bad news. The media, now, from local newspapers to global TV, to individual mobile phones, to Hollywood is eventually telling us the truth. Undoubtedly the fascination and wonder created by David Attenborough and others, since Life on Earth (and before) up to Planet Earth has built up worldwide concern for the planet's future. From then to now, we have been witness, and created witness, to a remarkable place in space. As observers, and as deliverers, of that unique spot in the universe, can we help it more? With images as strong as that drowning, dying polar bear in Planet Earth being seen worldwide we are now in a political position of influence as never before, May I suggest in 2007, we all use our cooperative historical, visual and audio, personal powers to help a planet that has given us so much and to which we owe so much more? I am saying we, as filmmakers, communicators and broadcasters can be the ones that really can help.

Richard Brock 2007

For more about The Brock Initiative: http://www.brockinitiative.org/

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