| Sandesh Kadur |
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From behind his camera, Sandesh Kadur sees the world from a very different angle. Through the use of images both still and video, Sandesh tries to expose the need for conservation and encourages protection of the world's bio-diversity. Currently a Naturalist and Filmmaker at the Gorgas Science Foundation and working with the University of Texas at Brownsville, he has photographed and filmed countless species from the Cloud forests in Mexico to the Western Ghats of southern India. Where are you based? I am based at the Gorgas Science Foundation in Brownsville, Texas, although I am currently mostly in India right now working on various projects. What is it that you do in the film industry? How would you describe your job/s? Primarily I am a producer/cameraman/photographer and most recently a ‘presenter'. It's hard to describe really... it's a lot of work! But then again it's work that I love J Who or what inspired you to work in film and why cover nature and conservation issues? My mentor, Lawrence Lof - President of the Gorgas Science Foundation was instrumental in making me understand the power of film/media in conservation. The foundation's mission statement has always been, "conservation through education" and to that end I produce content that reflects the foundation's motto. What is your favourite place in nature? Hmmm, this is like asking me, "What's your favourite food?" But if you were to put a gun to my head, I'd probably have to stick to the two E's - El Cielo Biosphere Reserve - one of the northernmost cloud-forest regions in the Americas, and Eravikulam National Park - an absolute jewel amidst the Western Ghat mountain range of southern India. You've been given $10m for a conservation project of your choice. What would you use it for? Creating essential corridors and connecting islands of habitat in critical Biodiversity Hotspots. Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing our planet. What singular thing would you like to see done to try to solve this? I think it is crucial for stringent policy by world leaders to reduce pollution and promote the use of eco-friendly energy initiatives and sustainable use of resources. What has been your most memorable field experience whilst shooting films? The binding and most memorable field experience happened much before I even held a camera in my hand... It was a full moon night sitting on a tree by a waterhole when an elephant walked just below our dangling feet and few hours later a leopard walked underneath us in that lovely dappled moonlight and shadow. It's still one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had. Where do you see the planet in the next 20, 30 and 50 years? More crying babies, more unhappy people, worse traffic jams, less rain, more floods... I feel it's going to be a bumpy road ahead. Man is again reaching for the stars and plumbing the depths of the oceans. What area would you like to investigate? I'd love to spend time in the Eastern Himalayas. It's another biodiversity hotspot, and an area that's still incredibly wild and undiscovered. If you could show one film to the G8 world leaders, what would it be and why? Inconvenient Truth - If we are to influence the minds of policy makers then this documentary more than anything else has the power to make people think and sit up in their chairs and realise that there is an urgent problem at hand. What's the best advice you could give to a young filmmaker starting out in wildlife and conservation filmmaking? Keep your head down, push forward, fuel your passion with knowledge, surround yourself with the right people (and animals) and never lose sight of the goal post! What would you like to remembered for? I would like to be remembered for spreading the message of conservation and being a voice for places and creatures that didn't have one for themselves. Links:
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