Latest news with #OpenPlanetStudios
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Our Story with David Attenborough
The seemingly unstoppable David Attenborough has achieved more since hitting retirement age than most of us - let's be honest, all of us - will achieve in our entire lifetimes. This new immersive film is his second major project since turning 99 in May, following his more traditional documentary Ocean. Produced by Open Planet Studios, Our Story sees the Jerwood Gallery at the Natural History Museum transformed into a smaller version of the Lightroom in King's Cross (a sort of projection-based theatre). While 'immersive' is a word exhausted by overuse, 'immersive documentary' is emerging as a fairly distinct genre with clear hallmarks. As with the Lightroom's shows, Our Story is based around powerful digital projectors beaming the film onto the four walls of the space, wrapping around the surfaces so there are different images whichever direction you look. You are indeed immersed. It's still a narrative documentary film, in which Sir David tells us the story of the planet from fiery, lifeless rock to the advent of mankind to a possible future. Attenborough narrates, and appears at the start and end. There's a fair smattering of expectedly dazzling wildlife footage. But Our Story isn't really a nature doc in the style of Attenborough's most famous works, and rather than painstakingly captured original footage of animals, it uses pre-existing stuff plus heavy use of CGI to supplement its storytelling. Occasionally this feels like a minor letdown: though they're not trying to pretend they're anything else, some very obviously computer generated whales feel a little jarring in a documentary from the literal David Attenborough. For the most part, though, the graphics are used well to create dramatic vistas of space or primaeval Earth, or to offer more prosaic illustrations of Attenborough's words (collages of cave paintings or early depictions of agriculture). It will probably not shock you to learn that you can't tell the entire story of the planet Earth and mankind in any great detail in 50 minutes. But the Att-man knows what he's doing by this stage in his career, and works deftly with the time he has. A visually razzle-dazzly pre-life on Earth section; a gallop through the first four billion years of the planet before establishing that the appearance of man coincided with an unprecedented stable patch in the planet's climate; an explosion of nature footage to illustrate this; bringing himself into it as he describes the world he was born into and how it's changed over his long, long life. Climate change is accepted as a part of the human story rather than laboured over bombastically; which works, because the question of doing something about it is raised not as a hypothetical but an inevitability. And it ends on a hopeful note: the whales are an illustration of how humans can influence the planet for the better, populations of the aquatic giants having bounced back since humanity took concerted action to save them. A projected cityscape of a hypothetical low carbon future London is another dose of optimism. Whether or not Attenborough feels as optimistic about the future as he professes to be here, it's a more inspiring note to end on – particularly for young audiences – than declaring it's too late and we're all doomed. The final image of the show isn't a spectacular vista of space or nature, but a life-size Attenborough, sitting in his study: it looks like he's in the room with us. I wouldn't put it past him to still be presenting documentaries in 10 years' time, but there is something haunting about the sense of his physical presence – the show feels like a time capsule already, wisdom designed to live on after he's gone.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
What it's REALLY like to work with Sir David Attenborough as star launches show ‘that's like stepping into his films'
The immersive show is even narrated by him SHOW TIME What it's REALLY like to work with Sir David Attenborough as star launches show 'that's like stepping into his films' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE British legend that is Sir David Attenborough has launched a new attraction that feels like stepping straight into his documentaries. From watching a pack of gazelles try to outpace a hungry lion to a lost baby elephant finding their way back to the pack - I fell in love with nature and conservation thanks to my first Attenborough film. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 13 It's the first time the Natural History Museum has shown an immersive experience like this Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The stunning location: London's Natural History museum Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The stunning visuals were ten times better than watching TV at home Credit: Jenna Stevens And when I heard he was narrating an epic new 360 experience at London's Natural History Museum, I knew I had to go. With 24 projectors, 50 speakers and 5 screens later, Our Story with David Attenborough is now opening its doors to the public. It's an immersive experience created by Open Planet Studios (the company that's worked with Sir David to make films like Ocean) alongside the Natural History Museum, a big team of experts, and Sir David Attenborough himself. These powers have come together to create something that feels like stepping inside your TV screen into the world of the nature documentary. I walked into the room and picked my seat, with enough space for about 100 people at a time. With the show projected onto all the walls that surround you, it feels a bit like a 360-degree cinema experience. The show begins in space. The room is dark, as projected stars rush over your body, and you zoom past the planets of our solar system. You eventually reach earth - and what happens next is a 50-minute deep dive into the history of life on our planet. From the first ever microscopic signs of life, to jellyfish, to the moon landing, you watch how life on earth has adapted and evolved into all sorts of wondrous forms. Now I'm not the most scientific of people - I only knew the basics of evolutionary history from school. Britain's 'Tiger King' Dr Terry Moore stars in Snow Leopards of Leafy London doc 13 It was surreal to see Sir David speak directly to you Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 From scorching hot planets to freezing cold, you begin with a journey through the solar system Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The first signs of life on planet earth: microbes Credit: Jenna Stevens But my favourite thing about the show is that it wasn't just pretty animations. Whilst you're being wowed by the visuals, you're also learning about history and the latest science. There's this particular scene that shows how fungi began to grow on earth. Glowing, cartoon-like mushrooms illuminate the screens, climbing over the walls and building pathways onto the floor. "Those mushrooms are based on time-lapse footage of real mushrooms" says Victoria Bromley, director-producer at Open Planet Studios. "And there's a point where we asked 'Do they look too Disney? Are people even going to believe that that's real?'" "But the original footage actually looks like that. Nature is just so unbelievable". That's what makes this immersive experience so different to others I've been to before. It's not a flashy lights show - you're watching modern scientific discoveries come to life before your eyes. After spanning thousands of years, the show soon reaches animal life. 13 I thought the mushrooms looked like a Willy Wonka creation - but they were based on real science Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 Observing the apes made me feel like I was in the heart of the jungle Credit: Jenna Stevens You're met with a gorilla who feels like they are making direct eye contact with you, and a mother and baby whale dance past the screens which surround you. Whilst the gorilla footage is taken from real shoots with Sir David, the whales were designed with whale behaviour experts, and even whale-noise specialists (yes - that's a thing). Listening to David Attenborough excitedly describe the animals around you was way better than watching the documentaries at home. "What's so lovely about Sir David is that he still has this childlike delight in nature" says Victoria. "I see it in my kids, that fascination with a bug or butterfly. Fossils he adores. It's his ability to bring that enthusiasm, and share it with people". Victoria has been able to work with Sir David on multiple projects and films, and still remembers the first time they worked together. "To get in touch with Sir David, you had to handwrite him a letter. He didn't have email. So I wrote him this letter with all my hopes and dreams". "He loves pangolins, so I wrote and said we're doing this documentary, would you consider doing it? "Then I didn't hear anything, and one day someone came over and said Victoria Bromley, we've got a letter for you'." 13 Sir David has hope for the future, even after all the devastation he has seen Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The 'fixing our broken planet' section next door has useful tips on what we can do to help the environment Credit: Jenna Stevens Now, after years of collaborations, they have worked together once again to create this exhibit: Our Story. As the show turns to humans, Sir David runs through the highs and lows of human life on earth - everything from cave drawings to climate change. And in a heart-warming ending that genuinely got me choked up, Sir David shared how after a near century-long career, he is filled with hope for the future. "Let's use our dazzling minds for good" he says. "And work with the world instead of against it". What a hero. Walking out of the viewing room, I felt moved and inspired, but it was also a real shock to the system. It felt like when the credits start to roll at the cinema, and you remember that you have a real life to go back to after losing yourself for an afternoon. (Can't I just stay, watch the gorillas and listen to David forever? Please?) The exhibit is open to the public from Thursday 19th June. Tickets for adults are £20, with tickets for children aged 4-16 priced at £10. If you're a student, you can get in for £16. If you happen to be a member of the museum, you get 50 per cent off. There's multiple showings a day, starting every hour on the hour. There's also an option to book in for a 'relaxed' viewing, a smaller capacity designed for neurodivergent visitors. 13 The giant whale skeleton in the Natural History Museum is fittingly called 'Hope' Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 Of course I had to go visit the famous roaring T-Rex after the show Credit: Jenna Stevens
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
What it's REALLY like to work with Sir David Attenborough as star launches show ‘that's like stepping into his films'
THE British legend that is Sir David Attenborough has launched a new attraction that feels like stepping straight into his documentaries. From watching a pack of gazelles try to outpace a hungry 13 It's the first time the Natural History Museum has shown an immersive experience like this Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The stunning location: London's Natural History museum Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The stunning visuals were ten times better than watching TV at home Credit: Jenna Stevens And when I heard he was narrating an epic new 360 experience at London's Natural History Museum, I knew I had to go. With 24 projectors, 50 speakers and 5 screens later, Our Story with David Attenborough is now opening its doors to the public. It's an immersive experience created by Open Planet Studios (the company that's worked with Sir David to make films like Ocean ) alongside the Natural History Museum, a big team of experts, and Sir David Attenborough himself. These powers have come together to create something that feels like stepping inside your TV screen into the world of the nature documentary. Read more on UK attractions I walked into the room and picked my seat, with enough space for about 100 people at a time. With the show projected onto all the walls that surround you, it feels a bit like a 360-degree cinema experience. The show begins in space. The room is dark, as projected stars rush over your body, and you zoom past the planets of our solar system. You eventually reach earth - and what happens next is a 50-minute deep dive into the history of life on our planet. Most read in News Travel From the first ever microscopic signs of life, to jellyfish, to the moon landing, you watch how life on earth has adapted and evolved into all sorts of wondrous forms. Now I'm not the most scientific of people - I only knew the basics of evolutionary history from school. Britain's 'Tiger King' Dr Terry Moore stars in Snow Leopards of Leafy London doc 13 It was surreal to see Sir David speak directly to you Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 From scorching hot planets to freezing cold, you begin with a journey through the solar system Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The first signs of life on planet earth: microbes Credit: Jenna Stevens But my favourite thing about the show is that it wasn't just pretty animations. Whilst you're being wowed by the visuals, you're also learning about history and the latest There's this particular scene that shows how Glowing, cartoon-like mushrooms illuminate the screens, climbing over the walls and building pathways onto the floor. "Those mushrooms are based on time-lapse footage of real mushrooms" says Victoria Bromley, director-producer at Open Planet Studios . "And there's a point where we asked 'Do they look too Disney ? Are people even going to believe that that's real?'" "But the original footage actually looks like that. Nature is just so unbelievable". That's what makes this immersive experience so different to others I've been to before. It's not a flashy lights show - you're watching modern scientific discoveries come to life before your eyes. After spanning thousands of years, the show soon reaches animal life. 13 I thought the mushrooms looked like a Willy Wonka creation - but they were based on real science Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 Observing the apes made me feel like I was in the heart of the jungle Credit: Jenna Stevens You're met with a Whilst the gorilla footage is taken from Listening to David Attenborough excitedly describe the animals around you was way better than watching the documentaries at home. "What's so lovely about Sir David is that he still has this childlike delight in nature" says Victoria. "I see it in my kids, that fascination with a bug or Victoria has been able to work with Sir David on multiple projects and films, and still remembers the first time they worked together. "To get in touch with Sir David, you had to handwrite him a letter. He didn't have email. So I wrote him this letter with all my hopes and dreams". "He loves pangolins, so I wrote and said we're doing this documentary, would you consider doing it? "Then I didn't hear anything, and one day someone came over and said Victoria Bromley, we've got a letter for you'." 13 Sir David has hope for the future, even after all the devastation he has seen Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The 'fixing our broken planet' section next door has useful tips on what we can do to help the environment Credit: Jenna Stevens Now, after years of collaborations, they have worked together once again to create this exhibit: Our Story . As the show turns to humans, Sir David runs through the highs and lows of human life on earth - everything from And in a heart-warming ending that genuinely got me choked up, Sir David shared how after a near century-long career, he is filled with hope for the future. "Let's use our dazzling minds for good" he says. "And work with the world instead of against it". What a hero. Walking out of the viewing room, I felt moved and inspired, but it was also a real shock to the system. It felt like when the credits start to roll at the cinema, and you remember that you have a real life to go back to after losing yourself for an afternoon. (Can't I just stay, watch the gorillas and listen to David forever? Please?) The exhibit is open to the public from Thursday 19th June. Tickets for adults are £20, with tickets for children aged 4-16 priced at £10. If you're a student, you can get in for £16. If you happen to be a member of the museum, you get 50 per cent off. There's multiple showings a day, starting every hour on the hour. There's also an option to book in for a 'relaxed' viewing, a smaller capacity designed for neurodivergent visitors. 13 The giant whale skeleton in the Natural History Museum is fittingly called 'Hope' Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 Of course I had to go visit the famous roaring T-Rex after the show Credit: Jenna Stevens 13 The visual experience really makes a trip to the Natural History Museum complete Credit: Jenna Stevens
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
What it's REALLY like to work with Sir David Attenborough as star launches show ‘that's like stepping into his films'
THE British legend that is Sir David Attenborough has launched a new attraction that feels like stepping straight into his documentaries. From watching a pack of gazelles try to outpace a hungry lion to a lost baby elephant finding their way back to the pack - I fell in love with nature and conservation thanks to my first Attenborough film. 13 13 13 And when I heard he was narrating an epic new 360 experience at London 's Natural History Museum, I knew I had to go. With 24 projectors, 50 speakers and 5 screens later, Our Story with David Attenborough is now opening its doors to the public. It's an immersive experience created by Open Planet Studios (the company that's worked with Sir David to make films like Ocean) alongside the Natural History Museum, a big team of experts, and Sir David Attenborough himself. These powers have come together to create something that feels like stepping inside your TV screen into the world of the nature documentary. I walked into the room and picked my seat, with enough space for about 100 people at a time. With the show projected onto all the walls that surround you, it feels a bit like a 360-degree cinema experience. The show begins in space. The room is dark, as projected stars rush over your body, and you zoom past the planets of our solar system. You eventually reach earth - and what happens next is a 50-minute deep dive into the history of life on our planet. From the first ever microscopic signs of life, to jellyfish, to the moon landing, you watch how life on earth has adapted and evolved into all sorts of wondrous forms. Now I'm not the most scientific of people - I only knew the basics of evolutionary history from school. Britain's 'Tiger King' Dr Terry Moore stars in Snow Leopards of Leafy London doc 13 13 13 But my favourite thing about the show is that it wasn't just pretty animations. Whilst you're being wowed by the visuals, you're also learning about history and the latest science. There's this particular scene that shows how fungi began to grow on earth. Glowing, cartoon-like mushrooms illuminate the screens, climbing over the walls and building pathways onto the floor. "Those mushrooms are based on time-lapse footage of real mushrooms" says Victoria Bromley, director-producer at Open Planet Studios. "And there's a point where we asked 'Do they look too Disney? Are people even going to believe that that's real?'" "But the original footage actually looks like that. Nature is just so unbelievable". That's what makes this immersive experience so different to others I've been to before. It's not a flashy lights show - you're watching modern scientific discoveries come to life before your eyes. After spanning thousands of years, the show soon reaches animal life. 13 13 You're met with a gorilla who feels like they are making direct eye contact with you, and a mother and baby whale dance past the screens which surround you. Whilst the gorilla footage is taken from real shoots with Sir David, the whales were designed with whale behaviour experts, and even whale-noise specialists (yes - that's a thing). Listening to David Attenborough excitedly describe the animals around you was way better than watching the documentaries at home. "What's so lovely about Sir David is that he still has this childlike delight in nature" says Victoria. "I see it in my kids, that fascination with a bug or butterfly. Fossils he adores. It's his ability to bring that enthusiasm, and share it with people". Victoria has been able to work with Sir David on multiple projects and films, and still remembers the first time they worked together. "To get in touch with Sir David, you had to handwrite him a letter. He didn't have email. So I wrote him this letter with all my hopes and dreams". "He loves pangolins, so I wrote and said we're doing this documentary, would you consider doing it? "Then I didn't hear anything, and one day someone came over and said Victoria Bromley, we've got a letter for you'." 13 13 Now, after years of collaborations, they have worked together once again to create this exhibit: Our Story. As the show turns to humans, Sir David runs through the highs and lows of human life on earth - everything from cave drawings to climate change. And in a heart-warming ending that genuinely got me choked up, Sir David shared how after a near century-long career, he is filled with hope for the future. "Let's use our dazzling minds for good" he says. "And work with the world instead of against it". What a hero. Walking out of the viewing room, I felt moved and inspired, but it was also a real shock to the system. It felt like when the credits start to roll at the cinema, and you remember that you have a real life to go back to after losing yourself for an afternoon. (Can't I just stay, watch the gorillas and listen to David forever? Please?) The exhibit is open to the public from Thursday 19th June. Tickets for adults are £20, with tickets for children aged 4-16 priced at £10. If you're a student, you can get in for £16. If you happen to be a member of the museum, you get 50 per cent off. There's multiple showings a day, starting every hour on the hour. There's also an option to book in for a 'relaxed' viewing, a smaller capacity designed for neurodivergent visitors. 13 13 13
Condé Nast Traveler
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
On Location: ‘Ocean with David Attenborough' Takes Us From the Red Sea to Hawaii
British broadcaster and biologist, David Attenborough, has been the undisputed voice of conservation in the UK and across the world for decades. He's narrated over 100 documentaries about the natural world, including blockbuster series like Life on Earth, The Blue Planet, and Planet Earth, which all revealed never-before-seen footage of our environment and the secret lives of the wildlife we share it with. This year, the presenter celebrated his 99th birthday and marked the milestone with the release of new feature-length documentary Ocean with David Attenborough, co-produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios. Pitched as his most important message to decision-makers yet, the documentary uncovers the human destruction of the ocean while exploring the ways in which we can heal it. Released ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8, and the United Nations Ocean Conference that takes place from June 9 to 13 in Nice, France, the film is a message of hope that the team behind it believes highlights the oceans' plight through groundbreaking cinematography and Attenborough's voice of authority. Toby Nowlan and David Attenborough on location while filming OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH. (Credit: Conor McDonnell) Conor McDonnell 'It's David Attenborough's story of the ocean for the world and, ultimately, its capabilities of recovery, which is the most exciting take home of the whole thing,' says director Toby Nowlan, who has worked with Attenborough for the past 16 years. 'This is a hopeful message that if we protect a third of the ocean, then the rest of it will fill up with life again, which will be a win for every living thing on earth—for a stable climate, a breathable atmosphere, for our fisheries, conservationists, all marine life, and for the three billion people that rely on the ocean to eat.'
