New Technology to Overcome Great Challenges:
Shooting Video for the Manu Biosphere Project, Amazon 2009
Photo: Steve Normandin works building specialized lighting systems for the video at the Edison Exploratorium
The Manu biosphere project was documented in HD and SD video with interviews collected in Lima, Cusco, and from deep within the Amazon Rainforest. We will document lives of remote native peoples and their local medicines, and show the effects of Gold Mines in the area.
Madre De Dios River
There are a number of major logistical challenges to this project:
-High humidity and adverse climate threaten to disable or destroy video equipment
-No electric power for long periods of time will make it difficult to operate using standard equipment
-Remote camp locations - days from the nearest air strip or road will make it vital to keep away from natural dangers such as poisonous plants and animals. Even minor injuries in the field can become major problems.
Special solar panel arrays, custom waterproof lighting, and other prototype devices made video possible from this corner of the earth. Daniel W. Whelan helped solve the technical aspects of power problems and Steve Normandin and John D. Harnden Jr. (GE) worked on the custom built lighting system.
Custom low power portable lights.
Thin film solar array in use on the riverbanks where there was plenty of light.
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