Alice Geary | Wildlife Filmmaking Student | Bristol, UK
Bristol based Alice Geary first began documenting ocean stories after learning that 20% of children in the UK have never seen the sea. As an individual who lived far from the sea herself (in Leicestershire), and was only able to visit during the summers, Alice felt like these golden moments were truly deserved by everyone. As a Zoology student Alice finally got to experience the magic of our seas regularly, and wanted to share these life changing moments with those who were unable to experience them due to variables out of their control. She decided to document her story to help more children experience a day at the seaside. Currently, she is completing a Masters degree in Wildlife Filmmaking in partnership with the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol.
What is a typical day like for you?
I am currently doing a Masters degree in Wildlife Filmmaking in partnership with the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol. This means that I spend my days doing a variety of fun things including lots of filming, editing and planning for future projects. When I am not studying I love to travel, exercise, play music and spend time with my loved ones.
Alice is our OCL Storyteller Grant 2022 runner up, receiving a small sum of money to go towards her latest project:
The main story that I am currently producing is 'Finally I Sea'. Finally I Sea is an emotional portrait of a child who has never been given the opportunity to experience the magic of the ocean. It is an intimate, human led story which will use interviews, raw conversations with children and beautiful shots of the British coast to paint a picture of how important it is for children to have the opportunity to experience the natural world. This story follows Omie Dale, an activist and swimming instructor, taking a young girl from London to see the ocean for the very first time. It will be a simple, feel-good film focussing on the joy that a day by the ocean can create, whilst also having a deeper, underlying message: children in the world today are the most important generation in the fight to protect our planet, yet they are the least exposed to it. They have become unfairly disconnected from the nature surrounding them.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
I grew up in a small village in Leicestershire which is the furthest point from the sea in the UK. This meant that when I was lucky enough to visit Cornwall most summers with my family, I was always incredibly excited to be close to the ocean. I loved exploring the coastal landscape. Rock pooling, finding shells along the shore and swimming in the sea were all experiences that really stuck with me and are the root for my love of the oceans today.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I went to the University of Bristol to study Zoology. I was fortunate enough to be living in the hub of wildlife filmmaking which meant that I was able to do a lot of work experience for companies that are doing great work. I then worked as a natural history researcher during lockdown, before starting my Wildlife Filmmaking masters.
What do you value most in life?
I value a lot of things in life, but top of my list would have to be my loved ones, their health and new and exciting experiences.
What brings you the most joy?
New experiences with loved ones.
Who/what currently inspires you?
I am very inspired by new, young filmmakers and photographers who are finding novel ways to tell important environmental stories which are engaging new audiences. In particular, my course mates on the Wildlife Filmmaking MA are doing an amazing job of this.
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
I'm sure many of us could write a dissertation on what needs to change in the world today, but working on 'Finally I Sea' has pushed my focus onto the younger generation who are vital in the fight for our planet. A lot of work needs to be done to allow more children to spend time by the ocean. Train companies giving out free tickets each year or the cost of living being reduced would play a huge part in this, and would give young children the chance to experience, connect to and fall in love with the ocean.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?
I really enjoy documentaries that are intimate as they often enable an audience to bond with the protagonist, meaning that the films message can be more emotive. Documentaries that do this very well are 'Lowland Kids' and 'M6nths'.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I would love to tell stories that inspire people and elicit genuine change and action for the better of our planet. Younger generations have the right to experience all of our incredible flora and fauna.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an ocean Storyteller?
Storytelling is versatile. It can be done in many different ways, by many different people. It can often feel like you have to have travelled the world in order to be able to speak about our oceans, but that isn't true. If you come across a story that you're passionate about, tell it in any form that you can and it will be worth it, I promise.
INSTAGRAM: @alicegearyfilms
GOFUNDME: www.gofundme.com/f/finally-i-sea
