Grab a Sneak Peek at a Dream Job with Unearthed

We all grew up with the dulcet tones of David Attenborough flowing through our teleboxes, inviting us to discover the extraordinary world around us. For many, he brought the great wilderness into our living room, showing us the savage, beautiful and startling nature of the earth. I know for me this inspired dreams of adventure. I imagined donning a safari suit, camera in hand, Attenborough by my side as we travelled the world documenting scary animals and unexplored lands.Ah dreams….

Imagine if you could, this year, jump on a plane and become David Attenborough for a month. Well, that’s the opportunity that Animal Planet’s new series of Unearthed: Film School Wild (premieres Monday 28th April at 9pm), is offering.

For those who missed the first season, Unearthed takes a group of aspiring wildlife filmmakers from all over the world and takes them with a film crew and mentors to Africa. There they are immersed in an intense and competitive crash course in documentary.

It is an incredibly attractive formula, blending the drama of wildlife documentary with the human interest of watching four completely inexperienced young people from all walks of life go through an intense four week training.

This opportunity was open to anyone and in fact none of the contestants were filmmakers to begin with. One of them, Mayuri, was a dentist from India.

I got to catch up with one of these lucky contestants, Amabel Adcock, for the inside scoop on how it feels to get up close and personal with great white sharks, elephants and penguins.

Unearthed: Film School Wild
When did you get back?
We got back in middle of August. We’ve been back for a bit of time now.

And how long were you there for?
We were there for four weeks exactly. It was amazing.

So, tell us, how did you first hear about Unearthed?

I watched the last series and thought it was quite interesting. I went onto the website and had a look and saw that they were looking for a 2nd series and I thought oh my god, you know, I’ll regret it forever if I don’t apply for that.

So you’re flying out on the aeroplane to Africa about to start this, what was going through your mind?

Sheer panic. I thought ‘what am earth am I doing?’ Obviously my whole overwhelming idea of the series was a mix of completely terrified and not knowing what was going to happen next and then really, really excited because you know what’s going to happen is probably going to be something quite incredible. And so for the whole experience I was quite terrified and quite excited.

And the other thing was I was terrified even of being in front of cameras. I mean it’s a really weird idea. I think in the beginning we are very different from how we appear in the end. But then you have to get over that and get on with why your really there.

So what was your first impression?

My first impression was seeing Seb (one of the other contestants) walk off the plane dressed like a zebra. In fact, obviously he turned out to be hysterical.

What most surprised you about being on Unearthed?

The amount of things we did. I didn’t think that would be possible. I thought we’d be in Shamwari National Park filming the wildlife there but one of the first things we did was be taken off to islands near cape town, shark diving,

I came away thinking I’d had half a dozen experiences that you’d be lucky to have once, all in four weeks. It was extraordinary.

What was the scariest thing you did?

Shark diving was the most scary. It was weird, it was incredible. I think I was one of the last to go down so I felt quite comfortable by the end but it was totally different. I mean you can kind of deal with animals on the ground because you are used to seeing them but underwater is so alien and it was pretty terrifying but fascinating.

What was your lowest point and why?

When we had to miss out on doing tasks (Unearthed pitches the contestants against each other, and each week one of them has to sit out of one of the tasks).I mean firstly finding out about that at the beginning, that was a bit of a blow. Finding out it wasn’t going to be like the first series. There was a twist to it.

Did that affect your relationship with the other contestants?

Actually we bonded incredibly well, and it was really brilliant. We got on so well. I think we were able to switich between the two. There was always that slight edge, you know if you’ve seen someone else finish their script an hour before you, you’d think oh god… but we had a very open relationship between the four of us. We just laughed and took the mickey out of each other.

If you could pick out the best moment, what would it be?

There’s too many. But I think going in the helicopter to the islands, just hanging out the side of the helicopter. You could see the whole South African coast line and then landing on this island where no one’s ever been and being surrounded by penguins.
I think one of the other amazing moments is just sitting on the jeep and an elephant walks next to you. It’s one of those moments that happens quite a lot but every time it does you think ‘this is the life’.

Has the experienced changed you?

It’s given me more confidence and hope. It gives you another drive to keep on going and keep trying to crack the industry which after a while can really get you down. And also I learnt a lot and I can always refer back to it now. But the confidence is the big change.

How was coming back to the UK- a welcome return or a sad departure?

It was a bit of both. I remember leaving and one of the crew looked at me and laughed and said ‘when are you coming back?’ and I said ‘as soon as possible.’

It was sad to say goodbye to the others but whenever you do something its always great to go home and tell people about it. You know, get back and show everyone my photos and tell everyone my stories, which I’m still doing now.

One of the judges, Harriet Nimo said: “It is so important to find new ideas for story telling and fresh perspectives, and this is even more crucial when trying to reach young people, today’s YouTube generation.” Is this something you’ve thought about? How do you think wildlife filmmaking can be brought into this new generation, are they interested?

When David Attenborough started TV was still just launching. Now it’s so established and there’s this whole new generation of digital media. That has to be embraced somehow.

Firstly I think you can really embrace all these different types of media but ultimately if you find a story that’s enchanting enough and fascinating enough, because you know for a lot of people, the kind of simple things that happen regularly in the African bush are actually fascinating and they’ve never even considered before. I think its just a way of making really telling stories and trying to really get them to a different sort of audience.

Would you recommend the experience to other budding young wildlife filmmakers?

100%. Definitely. If anything even if you decide you don’t want to be a wildlife filmmaker, you are going to have so much fun.

If this is your idea of a dream job then lucky you, because Animal Planet has also begun accepting applications for contestants to be featured on the third series. To learn more about the application process and eligibility, please visit www.animalplanet.co.uk/unearthed. The closing date for receipt of applications is 19 May 2008.

Check out the show this Monday at 9pm on Animal Planet and see Amabel’s adventure for yourself.

By McGee Noble

Strictly Baby Fight Club

This Channel 4 documentary from Cutting Edge has already inspired controversy in the UK, with many expressing disgust at what has been reported in the papers. Tonight we get the chance to see the documentary in full, and many of the people involved are adamant that they have been unfairly portrayed by the media.

Thai boxing has become increasingly popular in the UK. Now many people are concerned that the art is being taught to children as young as four. As well as being coached in the martial art they are taking part in pre-arranged fight tournaments (all legal with referees and doctors) in which they are encouraged to kick and wrestle their opponents to the floor.

Strictly Baby Fight Club tells the story of four families, each with a child destined for future success in the ring. Camera crews have been following them over a period of time to provide an insight into the lives of the children who take part in this controversial sport. The show also highlights the demise of youth football and other more tradititonal sports due to local councils selling pitches to land developers.

The parents of these juvenile fighters believe that the strict martial arts regime has given their children self-respect and discipline which is missing in so many young people today.

Strictly Baby Fight Club is an intriguing portrait of a sport which is growing steadily in popularity. Whether the show will change the opinions of the sport’s detractors remains to be seen.

Comedian Russell Brand Makes his US Film Debut

British comedian and renowned kook is on top of the world today as his film Forgetting Sarah Marshall tops U.S. box office charts.

Brand’s fame has long established itself on British shores with his autobiography My Booky Wook being nominated for Tesco Biography of the Year at the Galaxy British Book Awards along side such greats as Katie Price and Ewan McGregor.

Born in Essex in 1975, Brand has long lived a life of debauchery and controversy although it is his comic talent that brought him to fame in 2000 at the Hackney Comic Talent of the Year finals. While he did not win, this did get him the attention of agent John Noel and led to a stand up tour. In 2001 he became a VJ for MTV’s Dance Floor Chart but was fired after turning up to work dressed as Osama Bin Laden.

An ex heroin addict and alcoholic, Brand has been clean since 2003 and today he is a noted patron of addiction charity Focus.

His leap across the seas to the U.S. follows a chance meeting with American comedian Adam Sandler when they were both being interviewed on a U.K. chat show. They got on so well that Sandler asked if Brand would be interested in being in a movie. This led to an introduction to some U.S. studios and finally to Judd Apatrow, who was already quite famous for his string of hits including The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Superbad.

Apatrow liked Brand so much that he rewrote the British character in his upcoming movie to fit Brand’s personality. In Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Brand stars as an outrageous British rocker that many critics say completely steals the show, despite being up against such established actors as Jason Segel (Knocked Up, How I Met Your Mother) and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Heroes).

Not content with stealing the film, movie moguls also believe that the song ‘Inside of You’ that his character performs in the film could also top the U.S. charts.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is due for U.K. release on April 25th.

EastEnders Teaser

Lucy’s back and it’s like she’s never been away. This week Steven goes to great lengths to keep her away from Ian - maybe worried that he’ll hit her again. After all Steven and Lucy have a bond these days, especially since she passed him the gun with which he kidnapped Ian - and shot Jane. All of which raises the question: Steven or Lucy – who is crazier? Talking of crazy, Sean Slater’s on the rampage again. Can the Millers stand up to him? And who’ll be bad boy Sean’s next target? He’ll run out of victims if he carries on at this heady pace.

Meanwhile at the Vic, Roxy is acting oddly. Even more oddly than usual… But then, after sleeping with her sister’s main squeeze, she would be feeling more than a little odd - especially after she has an examination at the hospital. Things are going to get extremely tough for Roxy very soon. Pat has had her heart broken by the death of Frank - and now has had her leg broken after being knocked down accidentally by Roxy (it’s not Roxy’s week, is it?) At the hospital, something sinister looks set to occur in Pat’s cubicle.

Elsewhere Ben hopes that Phil doesn’t find out about his dancing exam, while Roxy and Peggy try to reassure Ben that real men do dance. Of course Phil would beg to differ on that point. Bianca is broke and is struggling to find another job in Walford. Yes, the carefree wild-child of yesterday has well and truly been replaced by the downtrodden single mum we see before us now. Scheming Clare has tricked Bradley into a very dodgy visit. Will it all end in tears?

Neighbours Teaser

Toadie is a Ramsay Street resident who has never been lucky in love. Always the joker, he never seemed to get the girl. From his early obsession with Steph Scully to his fling with married Maggie Hancock, Toadie always ended up a shoulder to cry on rather than the man of anyone’s dreams. After a string of failed relationships Toadie appeared to have finally hit the jackpot when he married Dione Bliss. However, in one of the biggest tragedies to rock Ramsay Street, he was distracted by a kiss from his new missus and drove their car off a cliff. Oops. Now though, his luck might be about to change. When Libby learns that Steph has kept news of her divorce from Toadie, she forces her friend to ask herself if she sees Toadie as a friend or a lover. Meanwhile Toadie fears they are on the verge of breaking up. Matters come to a head when Steph returns from Shepparton and stuns everybody by declaring that she wants to marry Toadie. The neighbourhood celebrates the news but Libby and Valda wonder if Steph is ready for such a big step.

A bidding war breaks out as the auction of the Timmins’ house gets underway. The Parkers intend to make a bid, as do Carmella and Marco who see the house as a place where they can raise baby Chloe. But the Ramsay Street locals are outbid by smooth lawyer Tim Collins who plans to build three houses on the site. Just when it seems Tim is about to get his hands on the property, Steve loses his cool and makes a shock bid way above his budget. A furious Miranda confronts her husband and accuses him of him putting their future on the line. As the pair trade insults that cannot be taken back, their marriage seems to be in danger of falling apart.

Elsewhere Elle is tormented by disturbing flashbacks of the roof collapsing at the dance party. Riley suspects she is hiding the extent of her trauma so he challenges her to re-enter the crumbling warehouse to prove she does not have a problem. But Riley’s plan backfires…

Emmerdale Teaser

Poor old Pollard is shocked to his very core when he receives a blackmail letter containing incriminating photos of him with Rosalind. But who on earth could have sent it? To find out Pollard lies in wait for the culprit after dishing up the blackmail cash. Seeing Val, Pollard jumps to the conclusion that she is the blackmailer. As it becomes clear that he has got the wrong end of the stick, Pollard tries to explain himself and inadvertently lets the cat out of the bag by mentioning Rosalind. Horrified at what he has done, he begs her forgiveness saying that he loves her deeply. But will Val ever be able to forgive her fiance?

Elsewhere, Greg tells Mel that they need to go to the hospital to get some answers. Mel reluctantly agrees but it is clear she is terrified. At the hospital the doctor admits that there is a possibility that Arthur could be Laurel and Ashley’s baby and that they need to do a DNA test. Fearing the worst, Mel decides to flee the village with Arthur and persuades Greg to leave with them. Shadrach agrees to drive the couple to the airport, unaware of what they are up to. Back at the village, Ashley twigs what’s going on when he sees Jake loading Mel and Greg’s suitcases. Will he get to the airport in time to stop the couple leaving the country with his possible son?

As Gennie and her mother Brenda are leaving Paddy’s they witness a drunken Shadrach being led home by Lisa and Zak. Will Gennie introduce her adoptive mother to an inebriated Shadrach or will she snub the Dingles? When Donna tells Viv that there is still no news on Freddie, Viv is distraught and asserts that if the police aren’t going to do anything about finding Freddie, she will have to take matters into her own hands.

Hollyoaks Teaser

Calvin struck up a relationship with Carmel McQueen and started dating after he rescued Carmel’s ring from a drain. Now Carmel may well end up wearing his ring on her finger. Calvin has been missing Carmel like crazy in the wake of their tiff, and when they bump into each other Calvin is stunned as Carmel asks him to marry her. Meanwhile Sasha is avoiding Calvin like the plague. She’s worried that he’ll be able to tell that she’s been back on the gear. Michaela sees a wasted Sasha and Fletch at the park and pities her foolish friends.

A few weeks ago, stupid Ste was caught stealing a purse and lied that he needed money for Leah’s leukaemia so he wouldn’t get into trouble. The fib quickly spread out of his control, and Ste and Amy began raking in money as they wondered when everyone would find out the truth. Now Amy decides to go along with Ste’s plan to pretend that Leah has recovered from leukaemia, but insists they tell Mike first - which could be a bad move…

Elsewhere, Max presents Steph with a portfolio of pictures, but since Steph has been worrying about an audition instead of putting her efforts into making Tom a costume, Max is left feeling disgruntled. But not as disgruntled as Steph would be if she new that Newt had ruined her portfolio. Newt feels a little guilty about this but Eli shows no remorse and hides the portfolio under Newt’s bed. Steph searches high and low for it, taking no notice of Max as he talks about Tom and marriage lessons.

Jacqui and Dom remain uncomfortable in each other’s company. Tina and Tony pick up on the animosity and insist that they all spend the day together.

Coronation Street Teaser

Maria has lost the baby and isn’t telling anyone about it. But Audrey, to whom Maria has fled, finds some very disturbing things in Maria’s overnight bag. But Audrey’s shock is nothing compared to Liam’s when a midwife turns up at the house looking for Maria to check that she is okay after the stillbirth. On the day of the baby’s funeral, Maria is insisting that she won’t attend. Audrey tries to convince her that it’s a bad idea but Maria is sure she’ll make things worse with Liam by going. Carla offers her support to Liam and accompanies him to the church. Will Maria change her mind and be there to bury her son?

The Corrie writers probably started working on a credit crunch crisis storyline as soon as the subprime mess spread to the UK. And here it is. Ashley arrives home from work to find Claire in a state of panic cutting up their bank and credit cards. She explains that someone has cleared out their accounts and she can’t get to see the bank until tomorrow. She is stunned when Ashley tells her that no one has got access to their accounts - he has used all the money to shore up the business. He assures her they will work it out. Yeah right.

Marcus is delighted by the early return of Sean, whose protestations that he just wanted to come home don’t ring true. It isn’t long before Marcus discovers the real reason Sean has caught an early flight home. At the detention centre, dotty David is delighted when Tina turns up for her visit. The two are nervous with each other and he is still unsure of why she’s come to see him. Does she want to give it another go? If she does, she’s as crazy as he is… Gail is determined to get to the bottom of her mum’s meetings with Ted Paige and quizzes Rita on what’s been going on.

Rock Rivals Hotting Up

As we near the final of Rock Rivals it all seems to be going wrong for Mal, with Karina looking as though she has the upper hand. However, this is TV and this is Rock Rivals where nothing goes to plan, and it’s difficult to see where the plot will go next.

Michelle Collins and ex-Coronation Street star Sean Gallagher star in this tongue in cheek swipe at the popular reality TV shows Pop Idol and X Factor. Quite who is supposed to be Simon Cowell is a bit of a mystery. Rock Rivals is from the same stable as Footballers Wives, Bad Girls and Waterloo Road, and has attracted decent viewing numbers during its current run. Whether it is the kind of show which can return to the screens next year remains to be seen.

However, tonight’s episode is something of a first for mainstream TV with viewers encouraged to vote for their winner on the ITV website. When voting has been counted ITV will show one of two endings which are already in the can – each containing a twist in the plot.

On a wider note, it’s refreshing to see ex-soap stars appearing in something other than The Bill, which seems to be the first port of call for many. Michelle Collins has been one of the more successful ex-soap stars, and after this performance it looks as though Sean Gallagher will have a bright career ahead of him as well. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for these two stars.

Lindsay Lohan in Lesbian Rumours

Lindsay Lohan has set gossip mills rolling about her relationship with new BFF Samantha Ronsen.

The pair have been partying at the Beatrice Inn and the Hawaiian Tropic Zone over the weekend but trouble brewed when Ashely Olsen attempted to strike up a conversation with Sam. Witnesses say that Lindsay was furious, shouting “get your 15 year old ‘full house’ a** away from my girlfriend!”

To make things weirder, sources say that Lohan is so taken with Ronson that she has created a facebook profile with the name Lindsay Ronson.

DJ Sam Ronson is the sister of esteemed music producer Mark Ronson who has worked with a slew of celebrities including our very own Amy Winehouse.

Samantha Ronson also gained notoriety through her lawsuit against celebrity blogger Perez Hilton for his claim that she owned the cocaine found in Lindsay Lohan’s car after her car accident in LA in May last year. Althought the case was thrown out of court and Ronson ordered to pay Perez nearly $85,00, she is attempting to relaunch the case.

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