MEDIA AND POST PRODUCTION FOR SCIENCE TODAY

Science Today was an interdisciplinary science news program than ran for over 50 years. Created and curated by the California Academy of Sciences, Kira worked with the Science Today team from 2011-2018 when she was employed by the museum.

Unless otherwise noted Kira is the primary video editor, sound editor, motion graphics designer, prepared the content for 4-screen exhibit display and web distributions for these select pieces. In other productions Kira acted as field audio / b-roll shooter, interviewer, setup or breakdown 3-point lighting and audio for interviews.

Molly Michelson is the primary Producer for all Science Today branded pieces including those featured here. Nick Perez is the primary Video Cameraperson, Video Editor, Interview Cameraperson and Voice Over recording artist for the Science Today team. The Science Today advisory board consists of representatives of different departments deciding on science newsworthy content. Unless otherwise noted the Science Today team writes these pieces. 

Additional responsibilities included generating custom scientifically accurate motion graphics and 2D graphics, as well as gathering scientific research, imagery, video, and audio while understanding digital copyright laws and usage rights. Shooting indoor and outdoors using DSLR cameras with multiple lenses was required, as well as shooting time-lapse for both full dome and DSLR HD video. Lighting, sound and video for live interviews was required as well as on-location recording including portable field lighting and audio recording. 

Shortest production turnaround for Science Today is one week, while longer projects can span up to a year collecting footage.

Series of videos on Dr. Nathalie Nagalingum's work with cycads one of oldest plant species and critically endangered. There's a whole black market for selling them illegally. Dr Nagalingum just won a NSF grant (less than 10% of applicants win) and we'll be doing a series of videos on endangered plants as part of her NSF grant. 

Highly endangered cycads fetch a high price and the ancient plants are being stolen at an alarming rate. Academy scientist (and cycad expert) Nathalie Nagalingum explains what is being done to protect the plants from poachers.
Cycads-a plant that's been around since the dinosaurs-are the most endangered group on the planet. Academy scientist Nathalie Nagalingum plans to save them using DNA. - - - The California Academy of Sciences is the only place in the world with an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and four-story rainforest all under one roof.
Cycads rely on pollinating insects and nutrient-providing cyanobacteria. - - - The California Academy of Sciences is the only place in the world with an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and four-story rainforest all under one roof. Visit us online to learn more and to get tickets: http://www.calacademy.org. Connect with us!
Academy scientist Nathalie Nagalingum loves cycads-plants that have existed on Earth since before the dinosaurs. But exactly how old are the plants that we see today? - - - The California Academy of Sciences is the only place in the world with an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, and four-story rainforest all under one roof.