Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Project Borneo 3D: An Action Movie

A ground-breaking 3D-action movie about saving the orangutan in Borneo was recently initiated by an Australian-based company. Award-winning Queensland production company Virgo Productions, in collaboration with National Geographic Entertainment, is making this 3D Action documentary entitled Project Borneo 3D. The idea for the project was born when a Microsoft online poll revealed deforestation and climate change as the number one concern amongst young people.

Cathy Henkel, (The Burning Season, The Man who Stole my Mother’s Face) will produce and direct Project Borneo 3D: An Action Movie, to be shot by acclaimed cinematographer Don McAlpine (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Wolverine) and Paul Nichola (Cane Toads: The Conquest 3D). This project is groundbreaking in a number of ways, one of which is the way it's being financed, which is essentially through social capital markets and private investors, as well as corporate and business sponsors and crowd funding. These are ambitions usually reserved for Hollywood blockbusters, but apparently there are more similarities between Project Borneo 3D and Avatar than just specially devised technology.

Project Borneo is currently looking for 10 adventurous, passionate and courageous leaders (aged 18 - 35) to feature in a 3D film and a 6-part TV series. These 'real life action heroes' will live in the jungle in Borneo for 5 months, work with acclaimed scientist Dr Willie Smits and Orangutan Outreach, and report to millions of young people across the globe, connected via Microsoft's Partners in Learning and the social action network, Taking ITGlobal, which runs the DeforestACTION campaign. They will cohabitate, rehabilitate rainforest and construct the largest orang-utan sanctuary in the world – all while starring as action heroes in the 3D film.

The location for the movie will primarily be at the Marakei area in Sintang, a district in the interior of West Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, where much of the original forest has already been cut or burned down. The Marakei area is close to the border of Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo, and consists of an ex-logging area.

Applicants has to upload a 90-second video clip to the company via the site anactionmovie.com explaining why they want to go to Borneo and what contribution they have made to the environment. No previous experience in film-making is required although people who actually care about the planet and have done something in the past to demonstrate that are preferred. It was mentioned that a place for one Australian, one American and one Chinese action hero in the film had been guaranteed. Submissions have been extended to 10 April 2011 due to popular demand. The final 10 recruits will be announced on 1st May 1 2011, and filming commencing 1st July 2011.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"Project Borneo 3D" will be a triple-win for the endangered orangutan, the global climate, and the rural communities that have depended on these rich forest ecosystems for generations. Please join this meaningful campaign, whether through applying to be a project leader or by getting involved in the DeforestAction project at home from your computer.

An example 90-120s project leader video application can be found here

Together we will make a difference!
www.deforestaction.com
www.redapes.org