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WildFilmHistory » Home » Films » Supersense: Sixth Sense

Supersense: Sixth Sense  (1988)

Filming an imprinted starling from a car for Supersense

The first of six episodes in the Supersense series, Sixth Sense journeys through the world's open plains, grasslands, ponds, rivers and oceans, providing a comprehensive and intriguing exploration of animal senses.

Award-winning cameraman John Downer employs a number of innovative filming techniques to shed light on this fascinating topic. By superimposing computer effects over animal footage, the extraordinary world of animal perception is brought to life. Rats appear red as snakes lock-in on their position using infra-red sensing, we 'see' the electrical impulses emitted as a platypus locates its prey, and contour lines arc along the sea bed indicating the magnetic fields dolphins use for navigation.

Widely acclaimed for its stunning special effects, Supersense is classed as one of the most innovative and visually arresting representations of an animal's point of view.

Copyright holder

Copyright Holder: BBC - Natural History Unit
Address: c/o BBC Motion Gallery
Room E251
Woodlands
80 Wood Lane
London
W12 0TT
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8433 2861 / 2
Email: motiongallery.uk@bbc.co.uk
Website: http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com

Film credits

Writer: John Downer
Producer: John Downer
Photography: Martin Dohrn
Photography: Alan Hayward
Dubbing Mixer: Peter Hicks
Photography: David Parer
Photography: Mike Richards
Narrator: Andrew Sachs
Sound: Ann Tearle
Sound: Mary Whitby-James
Sound: Andrew Wilson
Assistant Producer: Nigel Marven
Research: Rupert Barrington
Photography: Gavin Thurston
Production Assistant: Liz Appleby
Visual Effects: Dave Jervis
Assistant Producer: Mark Jacobs
Photography: Jeff Goodman
Photography: Rick Price
Music: Paul Hardcastle
Title Design: Bob Cosford
Visual Effects: Andrew Mead
VT (video tape) Editor: David Channing
Research: Andrew Kitchener
Film Editor: Peter Brownlee
Production Company: BBC - Natural History Unit
Associated Broadcaster: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Associated Broadcaster: Coronet Films
Clips
Super senses
Super senses
Using the seabed's magnetic map
Using the seabed's magnetic map
Electric by name, electric by nature
Electric by name, electric by nature
Homing in on the hot stuff
Homing in on the hot stuff
Stills
John Downer with imprinted teal to film in flight for Supersense
John Downer with imprinted teal to film in...
John Downer filming imprinted teal from parascender for Supersense
John Downer filming imprinted teal from parascender...
Clive Hall preparing remote camera for Supersense
Clive Hall preparing remote camera for Supersense
Remote camera used to film aerial shots and dangerous animals for Supersense
Remote camera used to film aerial shots and...
Filming an imprinted starling from a car for Supersense
Filming an imprinted starling from a car...