Phil Savoie
MS, Boston University, 1991, College of Communication, Department of Film & Television
BS, Southern Connecticut State University, 1988, Biology

Associate Professor of Science & Natural History Filmmaking
Program of Science & Natural History Filmmaking

Office: 229 VCB
Phone: 994-6228
savoie@montana.edu

Personal Website: www.philsavoie.com

Short Bio :

Phil Savoie is an experienced producer of nature and science TV, most recently as a staff filmmaker at the BBC Natural History Unit for the past eleven years producing, directing, shooting and writing long form nature documentaries. He has filmed everything from Presidents to snowflakes and elephants to ants, on every continent, in every environment and weather condition. Prior to working for the BBC he helped establish the Discovery Channels first natural history production department, assessing treatments and commissioning original projects from filmmakers around the world. His experience as a program maker and broadcast insider in both the U.S. and British systems is uncommon and offers novel insight into all aspects of television and film. His client list includes ABC, NBC, PBS, NHK, ZDF, CBC, ORF, National Geographic, Discovery, Apple Computer, CineMuse, Banana Republic, Yale University, Boston University, Montreal Science Museum and the Smithsonian Institute. To learn more and to view film clips please log on to www.philsavoie.com.

Currently Teaching:

Teaching; Production Technique MTA 510, Production Field Technique MTA 511, Production Methods and Studies MTA 512, Advanced Production Practices MTA 552, Master Thesis Advisor MTA 590, Assistant Director, Graduate Program of Science and Natural History Filmmaking

Recent Work:

• Produced, directed, wrote and shot BIG SKY BEARS, a 50 minute film for International broadcast following two bear cubs growing up in Montana's Rocky Mountains, commissioned by BBC 2 and the Discovery Channel.
  
  
• 35mm motion control time-lapse cinematography for the BBC PLANET EARTH series
  
  
• Produced, directed and contributed cinematography for WILD AFRICA and ANDES TO AMAZON, 2 HDTV shorts for Apple showcasing internet High Definition video streaming.

• “Big Sky Bears” 50 min. BBC/Discovery 2006 Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematography
  
• “Planet Earth” 50 min. x 10 Series BBC 2005/6 - Technical Advisor, Cinematography
  
• “Deep Jungle” 50min. x 3 Series Granada/PBS 2005 Cinematography
  
• “A Moose Named Madeline” 50 min. BBC/Discovery 2004 Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematography
  
• “Journey of Life” 50 min. x 5 Series BBC/PBS 2004 Cinematography
  
• “Attenboroughs’ Amber Time Machine” 50 min. BBC/PBS 2004 Director,
  Cinematography
  
• “Hotel Heliconia” 50 min. BBC 2002 Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematography
  
• “Life of Mammals” 50 min. x 10 Series BBC 2002 Cinematography
  
• “Congo” 50 min. x 3 Series Scorer/BBC/Discovery 2001 Director, Cinematography
  
• “Wild Africa” 50 min. x 5 Series BBC 2001 Cinematography
  
• “Andes to Amazon” 50 min. x 4 Series BBC 2000 Cinematography
  
• “When the North Wind Blows” 50 min. BBC 2000 Director, Cinematography
  
• “Battle of the Sexes” 30 min. x 6 Series BBC 1998 Producer, Director, Cinematography, Writer
  
• “Spirits of the Jaguar” 50 min. x 4 Series BBC/PBS 1996 Producer, Writer, Director, Researcher, Cinematography
  
• “Wild Discovery” 50 min. x 16 Broadcast Strand Discovery Productions Unit 1994/95 Strand Development, Strand Manager/Assistant Producer
  
• “White Sands” 10 min. Short National Geographic TV 1994 Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematography

New Media:

• “Andes to Amazon” 4 min. NAB Showcase/ HD Internet short for Apple Computer/BBC Motion Gallery 2005 Producer, Director, Cinematography (team) http://www.apple.com/quicktime/guide/hd/bbc-andes.html
  
• "Wild Africa" 4 min. NAB Showcase/ HD Internet short for Apple Computer/ BBC Motion Gallery 2005 Producer, Director, Cinematography (team) http://www.apple.com/quicktime/guide/hd/bbc-africa.html

Achievements & Awards:

• Finalist Best of Festival, Best Cinematography - Valvert International Wildlife Film Festival, Brussels "A Moose Named Madeline" 2005
  
• Finalist Best of Festival, Merit Award for Animal Behavior, Merit Award for Music, Merit Award for Use of Natural Sound - International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula "A Moose Named Madeline" 2004
  
• Finalist Best of Earth Sciences - Wildscreen “Attenboroughs’ Amber Time Machine” 2004
  
• Special Award for Cinematography & Contribution to Biology - Festival de l'Oiseau France "Hotel Heliconia" 2003
  
• Special Jury Award for Cinematography - Wildlife Film Festival Japan "Hotel Heliconia" 2003
  
• Finalist Best of Festival, Merit Award for Cinematography, Merit Award for Educational Value - International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula "Hotel Heliconia" 2003
  
• EMMY Nomination - Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Cinematography - Academy of Television Arts & Sciences "Congo" 2001
  
• BAFTA Nomination - Best Cinematography Factual Television Craft, camera team British Academy of Film and Television Arts "Wild Africa" series 2001
  
• Award for Scientific Content, International Wildlife Film Festival Missoula, Montana "Spirits of the Jaguar" 1996
  
• Boston University Student Academy Award; ‘Redstone Showcase Cinema Award’ Eastman Kodak, Boston Globe Film critics, and Boston Museum of Fine Arts “The Fireflies Light” 1990

Professional Interests:

Nature & Science documentary, Location cinematography, New media, HDTV, & Internet broadcasting