The Jackson Wild Media Lab (JWML) Digital Edition, is a cross-disciplinary virtual science filmmaking workshop that brings scientists and media creators together to learn from leaders in the profession and work together to develop effective tools to communicate about science, nature, and conservation with diverse audiences across the world’s evolving media platforms.
Each Media Lab fellow will come into the workshop with a story idea. Throughout the week, they will get a crash course in the science of science communication, storytelling, pitching, writing, distribution, and the business of documentary film production. Fellows will walk away with a ready-to-pitch treatment deck and budget, a stronger professional network with peers and industry professionals, and an opportunity to move their idea from pitch into production.
This highly competitive program will accept up to 12 domestic and international fellows, who will receive a study stipend and a full pass to the 2020 Jackson Wild Summit (September 28 - October 2, 2020).
The Jackson Wild Media Lab is a collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Day's Edge Productions.
Each Media Lab fellow will come into the workshop with a story idea. Throughout the week, they will get a crash course in the science of science communication, storytelling, pitching, writing, distribution, and the business of documentary film production. Fellows will walk away with a ready-to-pitch treatment deck and budget, a stronger professional network with peers and industry professionals, and an opportunity to move their idea from pitch into production.
This highly competitive program will accept up to 12 domestic and international fellows, who will receive a study stipend and a full pass to the 2020 Jackson Wild Summit (September 28 - October 2, 2020).
The Jackson Wild Media Lab is a collaboration with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and Day's Edge Productions.
Important Dates
Applications open:
July 6, 2020
Application deadline:
August 5, 2020 (11:59pm PST)
Jackson Wild Media Lab:
September 21 - September 25, 2020
July 6, 2020
Application deadline:
August 5, 2020 (11:59pm PST)
Jackson Wild Media Lab:
September 21 - September 25, 2020
About the Workshop
Media Lab Fellows will directly engage with industry leaders, from network executives at major broadcasters and chief editors of web platforms to world-renowned directors and science communicators. In addition to intensive lectures, fellows will work in small groups to develop their idea. In those groups, they will meet with mentors and instructors to brainstorm their story, practice their pitch, and hash out the details of their project. They will work together and with the mentors and instructors to create and refine a longer written treatment, production plan, justification, budget, and verbal presentation of their concept.
By the end, each fellow will have a ready-to-pitch treatment and deck they can
pitch to the industry’s relevant commissioners. In a special session during the Jackson Wild Summit, workshop participants will digitally pitch their idea to a room full of commissioners and production companies, with the goal to move the pitch into production.
By the end, each fellow will have a ready-to-pitch treatment and deck they can
pitch to the industry’s relevant commissioners. In a special session during the Jackson Wild Summit, workshop participants will digitally pitch their idea to a room full of commissioners and production companies, with the goal to move the pitch into production.
Industry Mentors
Over the course of the Media Lab, we will present sessions with industry leaders on topics such as: The Business of Documentary Production, Creating for YouTube and Digital Platforms, The Art of the Pitch, The Science of Effective Science Communication, Storytelling, Impact Campaigns, Project Funding, and Writing.
Over the course of the Media Lab, we will present sessions with industry leaders on topics such as: The Business of Documentary Production, Creating for YouTube and Digital Platforms, The Art of the Pitch, The Science of Effective Science Communication, Storytelling, Impact Campaigns, Project Funding, and Writing.
Award-Winning Filmmakers
Instructors Nate Dappen and Neil Losin will lead the group through the workshop and facilitate the creation of participants’ ready-to-pitch treatment decks. After earning PhDs in biology in 2012, Nate and Neil left academia to start Day’s Edge Productions, an award-winning production company that specializes in telling stories about science, nature, conservation, and adventure for television, web, and classrooms. Passionate filmmakers committed to the art and science of effective storytelling, they have led science and conservation filmmaking workshops at Jackson Hole, the International Wildlife Film Festival, Science Media Awards and Summit (in the) Hub, and the American Conservation Film Festival, as well as immersive field courses with leading universities and research centers in the U.S. and abroad.
Instructors Nate Dappen and Neil Losin will lead the group through the workshop and facilitate the creation of participants’ ready-to-pitch treatment decks. After earning PhDs in biology in 2012, Nate and Neil left academia to start Day’s Edge Productions, an award-winning production company that specializes in telling stories about science, nature, conservation, and adventure for television, web, and classrooms. Passionate filmmakers committed to the art and science of effective storytelling, they have led science and conservation filmmaking workshops at Jackson Hole, the International Wildlife Film Festival, Science Media Awards and Summit (in the) Hub, and the American Conservation Film Festival, as well as immersive field courses with leading universities and research centers in the U.S. and abroad.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal participants include:
- STEM or Conservation Students or Early Career Professionals including undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, professors, and researchers who are interested in using visual media to expand their science communication efforts.
- Early Career Journalists or Filmmakers or graduate/undergraduate journalism students with an interest in science or wildlife/conservation filmmaking.
- Professional Communicators and Storytellers from the science, natural history, or conservation communities, including university PIOs, media specialists at NGOs, and others who have an interest in expanding their visual media skill sets.
The Schedule
Monday, Sept 21: Jackson Wild Media Lab begins
Monday, Sept 28: Jackson Wild Summit begins
TBD: Pitch Day during the Jackson Wild Summit
Monday, Sept 28: Jackson Wild Summit begins
TBD: Pitch Day during the Jackson Wild Summit
Participants Receive
- Full access registration to the 2020 Jackson Wild Summit (including special additional mentor opportunities alongside Jackson Wild board members and sponsors)
- Modest study stipend for participation
