Films

On assignment with Kristin Davis and Game Rangers International

2018 has been a full year; a year of change and growth as we have started working on longer format films alongside our usual workload producing short films, commercials and social media content.

We have been working on two very exciting longer format projects, which we are currently pitching to broadcast partners. We will share news on this soon, but for now we just wanted to give you all an update on what we have been up to recently.

The Black Bean team embarked on an assignment for Kristin Davis, filming in Zambia and documenting the work being done by Game Rangers International. It was an amazing trip, this team is dedicated and inspiring and led by Rachael Murton.
An elephant keeper at GRI out with elephant calves for their morning walk.
Rachael Murton attending morning handover - where keepers update one another on the progress of the elephant calves in their care.
We were privileged to visit the release facility at Kafue National Park where we experienced the herd of orphaned elephants head out into the wild park each day and return to their bomas and keepers at night. When they are ready and confident, these orphans no longer come back and are effectively wild and rehabilitated. An amazing process. Elephants are incredibly smart.
A beautiful bond is formed between the elephant orphans and their keepers.
Little #43 on his morning walk with his keeper Oscar.

They are working so hard, to protect the wildlife and wilderness areas in Zambia and are an exceptionally skilled, organized and dedicated team. They rescue and rehabilitate orphaned elephants, and are the only organization in Zambia able to do this. So if an elephant is poached and her calf is orphaned, or a calf is left alone due to other circumstances, they are the only team equipped to help. They conduct extensive research, and this sets them apart from others doing similar work. They are unique in this way – researching their elephants from day one and compiling monthly reports. 

It is an eye opening and educational experience for these youngsters to be around these baby elephants and learn more about them.
Elephants calves are so difficult to rear, once they lose their mothers, the elephants at this nursery are only given names once it is more certain that they will live. Hence why some elephants are still called by a number, like #43. As she is the 43rd elephant to be rescued and cared for by GRI.
Elephant orphans walking in a single file with their keepers.
A herd of calves enjoying a walk with one of the keepers.

We were privileged to visit the release facility in Kafue National Park, the second largest national park in Africa. It was amazing to see the herd of orphaned elephants here that head out into the wild park each day, and then return to their bomas at night. Once they are confident, and ready – they stop coming back at night and permanently remain in Kafue National Park. These elephants are fitted with collars, monitored and tracked after their release. An amazing process – they are doing excellent work! 

Every day heroes who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife - Scouts at work in Kafue National Park. 
Out in the field with the scouts, we had the pleasure of seeing them in action.
Elephant orphans at Game Rangers International elephant nursery receiving a bottle from their keepers.

They are also very involved in protecting wilderness areas, and other wildlife by funding and managing teams of scouts that patrol and protect wildlife. They work closely with the national parks in Zambia. As well as this, they work with the communities, in various ways and we briefly were able to be a part of this too and film a day in the communities that border Kafue National Park.

Enjoy this short behind-the-scenes video from Zambia.

Some of the women that were part of this film shoot, from Game Rangers International and Black Bean Productions. Great to work together on something we are all passionate about - elephant conservation.
This was an amazing trip. Having the honor to be part of this hard working, exceptionally skilled team and so dedicated to protecting the wildlife and wilderness areas in Zambia. 

We have a new team member, Dumi Sibanda

They are also very involved in protecting wilderness areas, and other wildlife by funding and managing teams of scouts that patrol and protect wildlife. They work closely with the national parks in Zambia. As well as this, they work with the communities, in various ways and we briefly were able to be a part of this too and film a day in the communities that border Kafue National Park.

Get to know Dumi better and watch this short video.

From now until the end of this year we are flat out busy and look forward to sharing some insight into other 2018 projects we are working on.

Thanks for reading our update!
Team Black Bean

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