'We love our Geopark' Viral Film Launch

The stunning natural heritage of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham has taken a starring role in a short film about the English Riviera Geopark. The ‘We Love Our Geopark’ film is aimed at educating and building awareness of UNESCO’s first Urban Global Geopark.

Commissioned by Torbay’s Culture and Environment Partnership, the short film is the result of 8 months hard work by a partnership delivery team, and showcases the Geopark at its very best. Directed and animated by Bex Glover at Seven Studios and shot by local South Devon College student Jonathan Palfrey, the film combines animation and live action with impressive results.

The film traces the unique geology of the area from the formation of the planet 4.6 Billion years ago and how our rocks have driven and guided the jobs we do, the industries we support and our relationship with our local environment. Talented local youngster Millie Day (aged 10) from the Torbay Acting Factory provides the “voice of the Geopark”. The film is very much about making the Geopark accessible to as many people as possible while showcasing our beautiful bay.

“We love our Geopark” will be distributed through a variety of different media. The film will be available as part of an education pack to Torbay schools, uploaded onto YouTube, and distributed through a wide range of social networking sites.

The film can also be viewed on both the English Riviera Geopark www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk and the English Riviera Tourist Board websites. Local businesses, attractions, accommodation providers and relevant groups are being invited to put the film on their websites and send the link out to their mailing lists. The Herald Express will also be hosting the film on their website.

In what is being heralded as a unique, powerful and exciting initiative, the combined social networking force of more than 3000 Torbay Council employees will be harnessed to truly launch the film into cyber space. On Friday 12th February, the council will temporarily unblock all social networking sites for all members of staff – the first time this has ever happened!

Torbay Council staff are being asked to embrace Web 2.0 to share the film with friends and family across all social networking platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, My Space and StumbleUpon. The result will be a viral punch into cyberspace, leading to thousands of people across the world getting to enjoy the film and discover more about the English Riviera Geopark.

In another quirky move, the ‘We Love Our Geopark’ will be premiered in a truly underground location – Kents Cavern prehistoric caves! As one of the three English Riviera Geopark Visitor Centres, the showcaves will provide the perfect setting for the VIP premiere.

Patron of the English Riviera Geopark, BBC’s Dr Iain Stewart said: “If a picture is worth a thousand words then a film must be worth a million, especially if the subject matter is as photogenic as the English Riviera Geopark. This film is the perfect vehicle for introducing people to the outstanding natural heritage of the English Riviera and for encouraging them to explore the Geopark further.”

Nick Powe, chair of the English Riviera Geopark Organisation said: “I am delighted that Kents Cavern has been selected to premiere this remarkable film. The images, and the wonderful narration, capture exactly what the Geopark is all about. Watching the film, you can’t help but be amazed at how special and beautiful this area really is. But what’s great about the film is the fantastic introduction it gives young people to the outstanding geological heritage, right on their doorstep, in the English Riviera Global Geopark.

Mayor of Torbay Nick Bye said: “This film is a wonderful promotion for the English Riviera Geopark and I am delighted that it was created by a partnership involving many talented local residents. This short film is an invaluable medium for marketing both the Geopark and the English Riviera and showcases our stunning natural heritage at its best. Well done to everyone involved in this exciting project.”

For more information visit http://www.englishrivierageopark.org.uk/