Great Apes Film Initiative, Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Am J Primatol. 2010 May;72(5):462-6. doi: 10.1002/ajp.20749.
Wildlife films have become an integral part of broadcast schedules in developed countries. As charismatic mammals, primates are frequently the focus of the wildlife filmmaker's attention. Yet the people watching these films tend to be situated on different continents from the species concerned. Communities in primate habitat countries are unlikely to ever have the opportunity to gain such an insight into the species with which they share their environment and the threats these species face. Over recent years, an increasing number of filmmakers are realizing the importance of reaching local audiences through film for conservation purposes. Published research on the impact films can have on eliciting conservation action in developed or developing countries is minimal. The perceived power of wildlife films to change attitudes and behaviors is largely based on anecdotal evidence. This commentary highlights the on-going debate regarding the conservation impact of wildlife films, discusses the work of various NGOs that are using films for conservation purposes in habitat countries and makes recommendations with regards to the film type and situational context necessary to promote positive conservation behavior in communities. Bespoke conservation films convey a specific message to a specific audience at a particular point in time. If produced by trained local conservation educators, these films are likely to have the biggest impact. Films must be shown as a part of a conservation education program that incorporates other education materials and group discussion so that the desired conservation message can be clearly defined and reinforced. Audiences should not be made to feel disillusioned, depressed or vilified by the content of wildlife films. Rather films should increase support for conservation and empower people to act. Once enthusiasm for specific conservation actions has been created, practical assistance and follow-up support is necessary to ensure ideas are implemented.
野生动物电影已成为发达国家广播节目安排的一个组成部分。作为具有超凡魅力的哺乳动物，灵长类动物经常成为野生动物电影制作人关注的焦点。然而，观看这些电影的人往往与相关物种身处不同的大陆。在灵长类动物栖息地国家的社区，他们不太可能有机会深入了解与他们共享环境的物种，以及这些物种所面临的威胁。近年来，越来越多的电影制作人意识到通过电影向当地观众传达保护信息的重要性。关于电影在发达国家或发展中国家激发保护行动的影响的已发表研究很少。人们普遍认为野生动物电影有改变态度和行为的力量，主要基于传闻证据。本评论强调了关于野生动物电影保护影响的持续争论，讨论了各种非政府组织在栖息地国家使用电影进行保护工作的情况，并就促进社区中积极保护行为所需的电影类型和情境背景提出了建议。定制的保护电影会向特定的观众在特定的时间传达特定的信息。如果由经过培训的当地保护教育工作者制作，这些电影可能会产生最大的影响。电影必须作为保护教育计划的一部分播放，该计划结合了其他教育材料和小组讨论，以便可以清楚地定义和加强所需的保护信息。不应该让观众感到对野生动物电影的内容感到失望、沮丧或被诽谤。相反，电影应该增加对保护的支持，并赋予人们采取行动的权力。一旦激发了对特定保护行动的热情，就需要提供实际的援助和后续支持，以确保想法得以实施。
