"Sir David Attenborough's Four-Decade Journey: Sharing Unforgettable Tales from Our Expeditions Together"
Flicking Through the Waves with Sir David Attenborough: A Producer's Fond Recollections
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a living legend? Keith Scholey, a long-time collaborator of Sir David Attenborough, shares his most cherished memories as the broadcasting genius turns 99.
Who would've thought that when Scholey first crossed paths with Attenborough in 1983, the esteemed natural documentarian was nearing the twilight of his first career? Attenborough, then in his fifties, had a glorious run as director of programming at the BBC in the '60s and '70s before transitioning to presentation. Scholey, still in his twenties at the time, now in his late sixties, is unfazed by speculation about life after Attenborough. "I've grown past the constant questions about whether this is the last of Sir David," he quips, "It's been going on for twenty years. I no longer bother with such musings."
Magical, timeless - Scholey describes Attenborough as an unchanging phenomenon, seemingly untouched by the march of time. "In so many ways, he's frozen in time, particularly in his intellect. He remains as sharp as a tack." But Scholey admits a certain gravity hangs over their interactions, underscored by the knowledge that time is Limited.
Fast forward to the present, Scholey has been busy working on Ocean with David Attenborough, a documentary co-production that finds Attenborough raising his voice in support of marine conservation. The film, Scholey notes, is a "passionate plea by Sir David" as he grapples with his own mortality.
Ocean with David Attenborough: The Climate-conscious Crusader's Last Stand
Ocean with David Attenborough calls upon the United Nations Ocean Conference in June to commit to the goal of protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. With dramatic orchestral crescendos and hauntingly close-up shots of trawlers, Attenborough uses his narrative skills to convey the urgent need for action. The vestiges of Attenborough's approach to climate change advocacy can be seen in earlier works such as 2021's The Year the Earth Changed and the iconic Blue Planet series. Attenborough's influence has even extended to persuading British investors to adopt more sustainable and ethical investing practices, leading to a surge in funding for environmental projects.
The making of the film was not without its challenges. Contingency plans were put in place in case Attenborough passed away during production, although Scholey admits that the untimely departure of Attenborough was never a real concern.
Naturally, the announcement of Attenborough's impending retirement has been met with widespread sentimentality in the media. Social media posts containing poignant quotes from Attenborough have gone viral, drawing hundreds of crying emojis in response. Scholey, however, prefers to reminisce about the pleasures of working with Attenborough throughout his career rather than focusing on thevb broadcaster's swan song. Despite multiple requests, Scholey has no plans to work on a posthumous series with Attenborough. "Never, no. David doesn't concerns himself with looking back," he explains.
A remarkable anecdote from the filming of Ocean with David Attenborough serves as a testament to Attenborough's unwavering dedication to his craft. Just before the credits roll, Attenborough delivers a heartfelt monologue about the need to protect the ocean to save humanity. The shot, capturing Attenborough standing alone on a cliff, was captured in below-freezing temperatures on the Jurassic Coast during the dead of winter. Scholey and Toby Nowlan, co-director, recall the dramatic scene, noting that it was a considerable challenge to create the perfect conditions for the shot.
Contrary to his gentle demeanor, Attenborough is less enamored with the trappings of celebrity status. "He really struggled with the whole celeb thing," says Scholey. "He doesn't care about David Attenborough. He's fundamentally interested in the world beyond him, including people." But according to Scholey, Attenborough is an exceptional broadcaster who understands the medium and excels at adapting to different audiences.
Much of the filming for Ocean with David Attenborough took place in the UK, showcasing the country's underappreciated marine ecosystems and the potential for recovery through conservation efforts. "It's not some pristine Pacific island," says Scholey, "We're talking about the grey English Channel with its groynes and mud flats." Despite the more mundane surroundings, the film offers some surprising facts, such as the discovery that sea grass absorbs carbon dioxide 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.
In closing, it's impossible not to reflect on the fact that this might be Attenborough's final project. But Scholey has a lifetime of memories to cherish, like the time when a lumbering elephant strolled past Attenborough during an early collaboration. "David turned to me and asked if the elephant was friendly," Scholey recounts, "We just stood there, amazed, as this enormous beast ambled by. If only the elephants of the world were as friendly as Sir David Attenborough."
Ocean with David Attenborough is in cinemas now. Show your support for a sustainable future by backing the Blue Marine Foundation's campaign to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas as part of the film's efforts towards protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. bluemarinefoundation.com
[1] - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/30/david-attenborough-supports-call-for-greater-marine-protection-declaring-oceans-in-crisis[2] - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/20/ocean-david-attenborough-review-world-suffering-legendary-broadcaster[3] - http://davidattenborough.com/[4] - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59745364[5] - https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/ocean-cast-keith-scholey-interview-david-attenborough-film-science-a9895581.html
- Sir David Attenborough, now in his late sixties, has been working with Keith Scholey, a producer who first collaborated with him in 1983, despite speculation about Attenborough's retirement.
- Recently, Attenborough has been focusing on climate change advocacy, such as in the movies-and-tv project Ocean with David Attenborough, where he calls upon celebrities and the United Nations to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
- Scholey, while sharing fond memories of working with Attenborough, has no plans to work on a posthumous series, recognizing Attenborough's focus on the world beyond himself rather than looking back.
- In the making of Ocean with David Attenborough, Attenborough demonstrated his unwavering dedication to his craft, even braving below-freezing temperatures on the Jurassic Coast during the filming of a heartfelt monologue about the need to protect the ocean.
