[pondhead]

Hi, Wildone, Vichillman and Cabbage. During a search for signs of my film about the Tobermory otter, this forum came up! I am pleased to read that you enjoyed the film Wildone. It was really a test screening hence the tiny little poster in the co-op. Hi Cabbage, yep the Tobermory otter was remarkable for a wild animal. I have seen a few otters but non like this creature. It was remarkable how well it adapted to living alongside people and learned how to shake off any unwanted attention - it was very cleaver that way. The distillery cats seemed envious of the fish it caught and often followed it. Even though it was about a lot it often was missing or hard to spot. I think Gordon Buchanan kept missing it when he was here. I could have bribed the otter to get some close up footage but those encounters would have been different, I wanted to observe it rather than get the quick hit and run encounters. When it did come close I avoided staring at it because I'm sure that looks a bit like stalking to an otter. My appearing disinterest paid off. Sometimes it would come up beside me, so close that I could not focus the camera. It must seem rather silly spending a year following an otter but its quite addictive stuff especially if your making a film. Its likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks for the comments.

[cabbage]

Hi, Wildone, Vichillman and Cabbage. During a search for signs of my film about the Tobermory otter, this forum came up! I am pleased to read that you enjoyed the film Wildone. It was really a test screening hence the tiny little poster in the co-op. Hi Cabbage, yep the Tobermory otter was remarkable for a wild animal. I have seen a few otters but non like this creature. It was remarkable how well it adapted to living alongside people and learned how to shake off any unwanted attention - it was very cleaver that way. The distillery cats seemed envious of the fish it caught and often followed it. Even though it was about a lot it often was missing or hard to spot. I think Gordon Buchanan kept missing it when he was here. I could have bribed the otter to get some close up footage but those encounters would have been different, I wanted to observe it rather than get the quick hit and run encounters. When it did come close I avoided staring at it because I'm sure that looks a bit like stalking to an otter. My appearing disinterest paid off. Sometimes it would come up beside me, so close that I could not focus the camera. It must seem rather silly spending a year following an otter but its quite addictive stuff especially if your making a film. Its likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Thanks for the comments.

Hi Pondhead - welcome to the forum, do feel free to stick around, I know I would love to hear any stories you have of Mull's wildlife.

I Have to admit that I haven't actually seen your film it wasn't on while were in Tobermory, I've only seen the clips on youtube that wildone pointed us towards (for anyone who hasn't noticed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh8D_zWwgaE&feature=channel takes you to another clip from the film, this time in sunshine!!!! ) Is there any way to see the full film? Will it be coming soon to a multiplex near me?

I love the footage I've seen the Otter is beautiful and I'm incredibly jealous of the time you obviously got to spend with him - a year spent following him doesn't sound silly in the slightest to me it sounds like heaven! Well maybe not in the rain

[pondhead]

Hi Cabbage,
Its not surprising you haven't seen it because I am stumped as to what to do with the film. I have only screened it 3 times so far. Its a project that came out of the blue as otters generally don't make themselves available for filming in towns. They are often about but very hard to see. Even with the Tobermory Otter filming it was tough. I think it works out at about 4 seconds a day which sounds bad but my seemingly poor rate was due to my replacing footage with better footage over time. It has to become something of an obsession or you will get nothing. I thought it could end at any time but it went on longer than I expected, a year. So what to do with the film? My idea was to do screenings during the summer to provide an evening activity in the hall or the art centre here in Tobermory - and it looks fantastic on the big screen. Not much help for you but Mull is visited by lot of people who are interested in such things so I hope it may find an audience. I have tried DVD's before but found it tough selling something in a box and copies ends up in B and B's on Mull so people are able to watch it for free. Free is ok but I need some return to fund future projects. ( how often do you buy films once you have seen it? ) I'm also unsure if many people further afield are that interested in a 50 minute film about the life of Tobermory's urban otter, hence my little screenings on Mull. If your in Tobermory next summer you may see it and find that there is a lot of sunshine in my film!