Christina came over to North Berwick a couple of months ago and worked with me to produce a book video for The Storm Leopard which is now posted on YouTube. Chistina is an artist with a uniquely expressive style that combines beauty with emotion. It is a magic combination which connects her audio, graphic, animation, video and musical compositions.
Rather than making a simple promotional trailer, we wanted to express the motivations that drove me to make the journey across Africa and the even longer journey of writing Storm Leopard – a cogent mix of enchantment with Africa, passion for wild places and irresistible challenge to understand the environmental crisis. It was my first attempt at trying to express such things on video (which shows, despite Christina’s patience and skill) but I hope it may at least give a flavour of what was going on.
Most of the images are from the book or my own collection, but a few are “borrowed” from elsewhere usually to bring home a message. I hope you will forgive me for any transgressions. I’d be happy to have your feedback.
We hope you enjoy the video. Many thanks to Catherine for giving me the idea in the first place, to Des for technical help with de-hissing the audio track, and to all others who helped with the production in one way or another.
Hi Martyn
I loved the video. Hearing the words of the old timer: “they will all disappear one day. Every single wild place” is chiiling. It inspired me to immediately write a song/poem, called “Careless”. All 6 verses and the chorus took 10 minutes. That´s a record for me! So thankyou. Whenever I perform the song I will credit it to you and your book.
By the way, this is a lovely site.
Keep up the good work!
Lorrie at the Lake of Constance, Germany
hey Lorrie of the Lake of Constance,
That is brilliant. I mean totally BRILLIANT.
I am looking forward to hearing you perform the song.
Martyn of the Firth of Forth, Scotland
Waiting eagerly for the next thoughtful MGM insight and/or creative endeavor….
hey Kirk,
It’s been awhile; problem is I’ve been thinking – no funny comments please!! And the more I think the less inclined I am to write. Best solution I’ve been offered so far involves a log fire, a hammock, the sea and a month without any distractions…