Spirit of the Arctic

SPIRIT OF THE ARCTIC is an audio-visual DVD produced from 1,252 authentic natural sounds recorded in Alaska and 280 stunning still images of Alaskan wildlife in their natural habitats. The only text in the 39-minute program appears at the beginning over an image of the northern lights and is read by an Inupiat elder. At the top and bottom of the screen, images of some of the Alaska wildlife highlighted in the DVD appear as thumbnails. These images are shown full-size as part of a “fly-over” animation of the Alaskan landscape, traversing 9 eco-regions starting in spring and circling the seasons to the following spring. The featured Alaskan eco-regions are: Denali-Interior, Southeast Panhandle, Prince William Sound, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Island Chain, Bering Sea, Brooks Range, North Slope, and Arctic Ocean Coast.

 

For each of these 9 eco-regions, 5-13 wildlife species in their respective habitats are presented as sequences of images, linked by camera movements designed to create a motion-picture impression. These image sequences that are tied together geographically, come alive with accurate, authentic, and elaborate digital natural recordings, mixed in surround sound to create a unique audio-visual journey though Alaska.

 

The program soundtrack includes instrumental music and the voices of internationally acclaimed Native American and Alaskan sound artists, plus traditional songs sung by 3 generations of Native Alaskan women. The DVD menu features the introductory text in both English and Japanese. A program booklet includes the scientific names of each species depicted, notes about the audio recordings used to create the surround soundtrack, and information about the program’s audio and visual artists and technical professionals.

 

English & Japanese Language Options. Booklet includes Japanese translation.