I’m in Java, Indonesia, filming a documentary on the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa – read part one and part two here. We have spent the last two days filming on and around Anak Krakatau. The boat ride out from the mainland takes about three hours, and we are accompanied by dolphins and the occasional flying … Continue reading
Author Archives: Nick
Krakatoa revealed? Part two
I’m in Java, Indonesia, filming a documentary on the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa – read part one here. Today was a day of mixed blessings. It started well, with filming at the 4th point lighthouse destroyed originally by the 1883 tsunami and rebuilt two years later – such was the importance of the spice trade … Continue reading
Krakatoa revealed?
So, here I am in Java, Indonesia (again) on my way to shoot a documentary (again) with Pioneer Productions ( I must say I thought they would be sick of me by now) on the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. The series is called Top Ten Natural Disasters – Indonesia. On the flight out, in between … Continue reading
Notes from a small volcanic island: Part 2
One of the most time consuming things about filming outdoors is the walking shot. Speaking to camera interview style is mostly achieved easily after just a few takes. But the seemingly trivial and non-technical activity of filming me walking takes an inordinate amount of time. Yes, walking. From all angles and directions. Walking into shot, … Continue reading
Notes from a small volcanic island
Early start from Gatwick to Tenerife, but greeted on lading with warm sun and blue skies. We are here for three days to film a documentary for the Weather Channel on volcanoes and their effects on the earths climate. Apparently the US meteorological community and weather watchers in general have got a taste for volcanoes … Continue reading
Communicating geology in the digital age
When the news broke on Friday that a new Icelandic eruption could be on the way, it didn’t take long for it to spread. This hasn’t always been the case. In its early years, the physics of geological communication was simple – involving nothing more than oscillations of pressure transmitted through a gas – talking. Continue reading
Etna, Stromboli and smelly tshirts part 3: Volcanomics
Nick Petford updates us on his National Geographic filming trip in Italy… Once Catania airport reopened, we flew the short hop to Naples four hours behind schedule, and enjoyed fantastic views of Etna’s summit, Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands. In the summer, you can take a ferry straight from Stromboli to Naples, but unfortunately … Continue reading
Etna, Stromboli and smelly tshirts: part 2
Filming is just about wrapped up here – we had a good morning shoot on the flanks of Stromboli yesterday, now the weather has cleared. The hydrofoil back to Messina stopped off at all the main Aeolian islands, then we hopped in a taxi to Catania airport for a 21.30 hrs flight to Naples. We … Continue reading
Filming on location – Etna, Stromboli and smelly tshirts…
It is hard sometimes to overestimate the amount of time spent faffing around when making a documentary (or any kind of filming for that matter). I am currently on location in southern Italy making a documentary commissioned by National Geographic and produced by Pioneer Productions, a UK firm run out of London and set up … Continue reading
The Geological Society Blog 