Pioneering mini-beast series wins BBC2 slot

Transmission details: BBC2, Monday 23 June – Friday 4 July, 7.30am

A new 15 minute episode each day from the 10-part Bristol-made nature series SMALLTALK DIARIES that’s just been nominated for three Wildscreen Panda Awards

A ground-breaking nature tv series by the Bristol-based production company Ammonite, is to get a daily airing on BBC2 from June 23 as part of the channel’s contribution to National Insect Week.

SMALLTALK DIARIES uses a pioneering blend of macro-photography, computer graphics, animation and humour to introduce the mini-beasts that can be found in most back gardens and playgrounds. But its has proved such a hit with tv critics and viewers of all ages that BBC2 plans to screen a different 15 minute episode every weekday at 7.30am from Monday 23 June to Friday 4 July.

Producer/director and chief cameraman MARTIN DOHRN came up with the idea for after he developed the equipment used to capture the unprecedented close-ups of smaller life-forms that turned the BBC’s LIFE IN THE UNDERGROWTH series into a international best-seller and award-winner. He realised the same kit could be developed further to win fans for the invertebrates - ants, bees, bugs, flies, slugs, roaches, snails, spiders, wasps and woodlice - that rarely win wildlife popularity contests but which are an essential and every day part of life on Earth.

To help with identification and characterisation, Martin and the Ammonite team worked with the computer graphics and television special effects company, Big Squid, also of Bristol, to animate the faces of the mini-beasts, and on an imaginary ‘translation lens’ that allows the animals to explain the highly-detailed and often hitherto-unfilmed shots of their behaviour.

Martin Dohrn says: “It’s a methodology that hasn’t really been seen before in natural history which is odd given that wildlife film and animation are Bristol’s two great media strengths but we’ve been thrilled by reaction from audiences of all ages. It turns out that very many people are fascinated by micro-nature, especially when it is explained in fine detail and with personality and humour.”

The pioneering qualities of the series were recognised again this week SMALLTALK DIARIES was short-listed in three categories – best script, best series and best innovation - for Wildscreen, the world’s biggest festival of wildlife film and television.

To see all 10 episodes of SMALLTALK DIARIES tune to BBC2 every weekday at 7.30am from Monday 23 June to Friday 4 July. For find out more about the episodes and characters, see: www.smalltalkdiaries.com or view an excerpt at www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mvhtjfdhSg

National Insect Week runs from Monday 23 June to Sunday 29 June. For more details see: www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

For more info about SMALL TALK DIARIES including pix, clips or interviews:

Hilary Prosser – 0117 942 1102/ 07900 970929; hilaryprosser@tantraweb.co.uk

Pam Beddard – 0117 987 0442/ 07767 621207; pam.beddard@btinternet.com

For more info about BBC programmes & schedules, please contact:

BBC Television Publicity - 020 8576 9900; publicity.frontdesk@bbc.co.uk

For more info about NATIONAL INSECT WEEK, please contact:

Liz Powell, 01423 567111/07837 718638; liz@cicada-comms.com