magiclanternmedia.ca

Grade levels: Adult

  • Snow Sense

    It seems the media is full of Extreme stuff. Extreme sports, extreme makeovers, extreme cars, even extreme shampoo!
    Snow Sense is a TV documentary that looks at the flip side of the hype to uncover the dangers that lurk beyond the ski/snowboard boundary ropes. In recent winters, more skiers and boarders have been getting into trouble in the out-of-bounds areas than ever before. People with years of experience as well as eager novices in extreme mode are at risk. An entertaining program with an important message: if you want to explore the backcountry take a course, get the gear, get some experience, and get some Snow Sense. The point is tragically illustrated with actual footage of the aftermath of an avalanche where three people in a guided, heli-ski group lost their lives. Shot at Whistler, BC, the film also includes stunning backcountry skiing and snowboarding footage, as well as the men and women of the Whistler Mountain Pro Ski Patrol doing search and rescue, avalanche forecasting and control.

  • The Sustainable Forest and the New Forest Economy

    The Sustainable Forest and the New Forest Economy is three, 20 minute programs written by Ray Travers, professional forester and Chair of the Eco-forestry Institute Society, and award-winning filmmaker, Edward Homer. The three part series is a practical guide for anyone interested in sustainable forestry, eco-certification and marketing of eco-certified wood products: from the forest to the finished product.
    Part One: “The Sustainable Forest”– looks at how all of the systems in the forest interact; soil, wildlife, and different types of trees. This first segment features Merve Wilkinson and his Wildwood Forest in BC, which is a fantastic example of the potential for selective logging. Also covered in this first segment: planning the road system, promoting, and using woodpeckers and birds for insect control and natural regeneration.
    Part Two: “Harvesting the Timber” — looks at calculating the volume to be harvested in a selective forest as well as a second growth forest. This segment covers; criteria for selection, falling trees in a sustainable forest, skidding the trees with small skidders and horses with ecoforester, Bob Woods.
    Part Three: “Eco-Certification and the New Forest Economy”– looks at Al Hopwood’s woodlot, one of the first woodlots in Canada to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). We tour Al’s operation and he explains the FSC certification process and benefits. We follow the first shipment of eco-certified logs to Sarita Furniture in Port Alberni, BC, a value-added mill that is also certified by FSC.

  • Vancouver Island Marmots – A Critically Endangered Species

    This documentary chronicles the plight of the Vancouver Island Marmot – the rarest mammal in North America – and the efforts of the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team. With as few as 100 animals left, this distinct species of marmot (that only exist on Vancouver Island, BC) is an Endangered Species in Canada. Shot on the mountains of Vancouver Island, the program travels with the recovery team biologists as they observe, trap and tag animals for a captive breeding program at the Toronto Zoo. The film includes rare footage of marmots in their natural sub-alpine habitat. One of the colonies profiled is now extirpated. The natural sub-alpine colonies have all but vanished.
    There is an update at the end of the film that explains the current status of the animals and lets people know how they can get involved by adopting a marmot, and where to find them on the internet.

  • Whistler Mountain – From Wilderness to World Class

    This documentary chronicles the plight of the Vancouver Island Marmot – the rarest mammal in North America – and the efforts of the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team. With as few as 100 animals left, this distinct species of marmot (that only exist on Vancouver Island, BC) is an Endangered Species in Canada. Shot on the mountains of Vancouver Island, the program travels with the recovery team biologists as they observe, trap and tag animals for a captive breeding program at the Toronto Zoo. The film includes rare footage of marmots in their natural sub-alpine habitat. One of the colonies profiled is now extirpated. The natural sub-alpine colonies have all but vanished.
    There is an update at the end of the film that explains the current status of the animals and lets people know how they can get involved by adopting a marmot, and where to find them on the internet.

  • Wildwood: One Tree at a Time

    When Merve Wilkinson decided to “selectively” log his 136 acre Wildwood forest (on Vancouver Island, BC) back in 1939, his neighbours thought he was a fool. More than 60 years later, Merve is still logging the same forest and still making part of his living from it every year. His secret? Selective logging. Today, thousands of people come from all over the world to see the trees and talk with the man who has become legendary for creating a truly sustainable forest. The program follows Merve as he selects and harvests trees, instructs a group of eco-forestry students, and explains his methods and philosophy from a lifetime of experiences. The documentary also chronicles the history, and some of the challenges and controversy in the logging industry – from the Clayoquot road blockade to displaced loggers. Both sides are presented illustrating there are no quick and easy solutions.

  • A Child’s View of Death

    From childhood to adolescence, our concept of death changes. This program examines a child’s response to the death of another, coping with a terminal diagnosis in childhood, and adolescent attitudes and issues involving death.

  • Disc Golf – Beginners to Intermediate

    This video covers the basic grips and throws as well as some of the more sophisticated throws and playing strategies. Long-time disc golfer and aficionado, Nick Longo shows you how to get started with one basic disc and some of the beginner grips and throws that will get you to the target. Putting in Disc Golf (like regular golf) is important and Nick thoroughly explains techniques and the subtleties of getting the disc in the basket or hitting the tonal. Nick demonstrates grips and throwing techniques: The Power Throw, Backhand, Forehand, The Hook Thumb, The Hammer Throw and more. All the elements are explained in a step-by-step fashion.

  • Sudden Death

    “Unexpected death” can have especially traumatic effects. This program explains how professionals constantly exposed to unexpected death integrate it into their lives, discusses grief patterns among survivors, and reveals the psychological legacy of suicide.

  • Equine Serendipity

    This DVD is a horse lover’s delight. Segments include: an old fashioned wagon trek across the Western Canadian prairie (complete with buffalo), young foals running in the paddock with their moms for the first time, young riders at a 4-H Horse Camp and more. Filmed in rural Western Canada, people that enjoy “Equine” pursuits will love “Equine Serendipity”. Gentle acoustic guitar and stunning images from award-winning filmmaker Edward Homer will transport you to the world of horses.

  • Facing Mortality

    Sometimes we are confronted with experiences in life and we are forever changed. This program looks at life events that make us aware of our own mortality, the coping measures of professionals facing death in their line of work, and a society in denial – relying on workouts, cosmetic surgery and cryogenics to stay young.