UCL People and Nature Lab Seminar

In person at UCL East Marshgate Lecture Theatre 118

Email [email protected] for more details

Director's statement: “Wetland habitats were not on my radar prior to this project and it has been fascinating researching them and learning more about theirquirks and characteristics, alongside their scientific function. Putting that on screen has been a wonderful challenge. This has ended upbeing a wonderfully revealing project and I think this is my most personal film to date.Collaborating with Mark Rylance on this project continues to be a very special experience. Working together on the initial drafts of thestory helped unlock new textures and themes that have totally transformed the end product. His generosity and care towards thecharacters and story has been a joy to participate in. They say ‘don’t meet your heroes.’, but I’m very pleased to have ignored that advice.This intersection of science and art is an increasingly urgent part of our culture of storytelling. Now, more than ever, we need stories thatwill inspire audiences to acknowledge and exist in nature. Not apart from it. On the Edge are a company working at this intersection and Icould not have hoped for a better team to have partnered with. Their trust and support has been vital to getting this project made. I hopethis film entertains and inspires audiences, whilst also encouraging them to go and explore their local wetlands.”

Bio: is an award-winning writer, director and environmental campaigner from South London. He trained at the BRIT School and The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and has since written and directed a feature length film, short films and several pieces for TV. In 2018 Jack wrote, directed and produced ‘Alex’s Dream’, starring Alex Lawther and Emma Corrin. The following year he wrote and directed the political satire ‘Extinction’, starring Academy Award winner Emma Thompson. Jack developed ‘Extinction’ into a six-part series for BBC Studiosand directed his first feature-length project, ‘Goodbye, Hello’, in Los Angeles for No Good Films. In 2023 he directed Academy Award Winner Mark Rylance in an ecological film, ‘Spirit of Place’, which won numerous awards and qualified for the BAFTA’s, BIFA’s and Academy Awards, In early 2024, Jack wrote and directed ‘More Flames’ for Adam McKay’s Yellow Dot Studios, which stars Phoebe Dynevor and Bella Ramsey. Alongside ongoing TV commitments, Jack is developing several feature-length scripts with various producers and companies. He hates writing about himself in the third person."

Tom Fewins joined WWT in October 2018 as Head of Policy & Advocacy.He leads the Trust’s policy and advocacy on key wetland-related issues with a wide range of stakeholders including Government, politicians, businesses and wider civil society. This includes WWT’s calls for a Blue Recovery, creating 100,000ha of wildlife-rich wetlands to help address the climate, biodiversity and wellbeing crises.Before joining WWT, Tom worked in policy and public affairs roles at the Canal & River Trust, Ramblers and RSPB. He has also worked at Defra and for MPs in Parliament.

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