Serious Amazon: Sending editors into the rain forest.

Multi-award winning "Serious" returns to the screens with a new series, 'Serious Amazon', which follows eight young adventurers as they trek through the rainforest to help rare monkeys and dolphins.

BBC Post Production pioneered new ways of working with CBBC to make the programme. Editor, Chris Groom was sent into the Amazon to edit reports for Newsround, Xchange and on BBC One. His work involved cutting packages in the field for quick turn around and setting up satellite links back to London so material could be transmitted direct from the rain forest.

Having an editor out in the field to log shots, edit and provide technical support and set up satellite links, freed up the production team to concentrate on the intricacies of the shoot. It also meant that when Chris came to edit the full series, back in the UK, it was much faster, as he was already familiar with the material: "I knew the children and the stories, so could quickly pull the best programmes together" explains Chris.

The small production team comprised of two producer/directors, a camera operator and a dedicated sound person. The role of the editor became integrated in to the production team, with huge involvement in the process from start to finish. Chris edited on an Avid Xpress Pro Lap top with material which came from a J30 and DV Cam. Chris comments: "It was great to work so closely with the production team. It meant the edit was integrated seamlessly into the production process. I'm really proud of the material I cut out there, as well as the editing for the main programmes - it was well worth all the mossie bites!" 'Serious Amazon' transmits on Saturday and Sunday on CBBC and on CBBC One on Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm. The first episode transmitted on Saturday 25th February. The series will be followed by 'Serious Andes' due to be filmed in August 2006.

Further information on BBC Post Production can be found at: www.bbcresources.com/postproduction

BBC Post Production
Tel: +44 (0) 208 225 7702
Email: postproduction@bbc.co.uk

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