Press release from AIDC
The National Geographic Channel AIDC Keynote Address 2011 to the gathering of Australian and international factual film and television professionals will be delivered by pioneer oceanographer and explorer, David Gallo.
Mr Gallo is Director of Special Projects at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and works closely with scientists and engineers at the forefront of global exploration and discovery.
He is active in undersea investigation (sometimes in partnership with legendary Titanic-hunter Robert Ballard) and was one of the first oceanographers to use a combination of manned submersibles and robots to map the ocean world with unprecedented clarity and detail.
He was a co-expedition leader during an exploration of the RMS Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck, using Russian Mir subs. Last August Gallo was part of a trip to the Titanic to optically map the entire site.
Though the prime purpose was archaeological, eventually a 3D model of the Titanic wreck will be placed on the internet for all to see.
Gallo is passionate about exploration and discovery and dedicated to communicating the importance of science and engineering to the public-at-large. He maintains close working relationships with scientists, filmmakers, and media broadcasters.
Joost den Hartog, AIDC Director says, “At the basis of a great documentary lies a great story. David has many of those to tell, stories about the deep seas, the Titanic, submarines and 3D technology. His address will have all the derring-do of childhood dreams of adventure. We are excited about presenting this Keynote Address in partnership with National Geographic Channel”.
While attending AIDC Gallo will also be a key participant in Science Exchange.
The aim of Science Exchange is to create collaborative science-documentary projects for the internet, television and/or feature documentary release. Scientists from around the world have been requested to submit ideas for potential projects.
During Science Exchange two teams, each comprising of a national broadcaster (either ABC or SBS), an international broadcaster, a producer, and a well-known science communicator will workshop two of these ideas and each create a three-minute, animated pitch for a science factual program.
After 24 hours the two teams will pitch their ideas to the delegates at AIDC.