On October 15, the “Science Popularization Audiovisual Creators Conference” was held as part of the Beijing Documentaries Week series, organized by the Science Audiovisual Promotion Committee of the China Radio and Television Social Organizations Federation and the Scientific Documentary Professional Committee of the Capital Documentary Development Association, with support from Beijing Broadcasting Corp. and the Central New Film Group.
The conference aimed to enhance the quality of science popularization audiovisual production in China, improve public recognition of outstanding works, elevate the technical skills of creators, and boost the promotional effectiveness of excellent science programs. Leaders from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Publicity Department of the National Radio and Television Administration, the relevant committees of the China Radio and Television Federation, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio and Television, along with representatives from various universities and media outlets, attended the event. Creators from television stations, film and television production institutions, and online media gathered to discuss trends in science popularization audiovisual creation, share dissemination techniques, and exchange production experiences.
Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Wu Hequan opened the conference with a speech highlighting the social significance and scientific value of science audiovisual works. He stated, “An outstanding science audiovisual piece can present complex scientific principles to the audience through carefully composed visual narratives and accessible commentary. In this new media era, short videos have emerged as a favored format, elevating science communication to new heights through their convenience, immediacy, and interactivity. The science communication creators in China are diligently working away, embodying the spirit of collective effort. Through their lenses, they capture science, share knowledge, and ignite public enthusiasm for science, making the field of science popularization more accessible and widespread.”
Beijing Municipal Bureau of Radio and Television Deputy Director Kong Jianhua emphasized the importance of combining science popularization with audiovisual mediums. He pointed out, “Science dissemination is a way of spreading civilization, while audiovisual content is an innovative carrier. With the combination of technology, art, and academic rigor, there’s great potential in science audiovisual creation. The collaborative efforts of the Science Audiovisual Committee with local organizations, particularly with the Capital Documentary Development Association and the Beijing Documentaries Week, is an intriguing exploration. By using art to convey scientific ideas, disseminate knowledge, and foster scientific thinking, we see numerous benefits. The pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty is the unwavering goal of science audiovisual works.”
Sun Suchuan, the president of the Science Audiovisual Promotion Committee, welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude for the efforts of science audiovisual creators. “Your dedication contributes positively to enhancing the scientific literacy of the public. We must leverage television and radio resources to organize various forms of science audiovisual activities, disseminating scientific knowledge and making learning a part of everyday life. This will significantly enhance our nation’s scientific awareness and understanding, fulfilling our commitment to promote technology and innovation development.”
The event served as a platform for practitioners in the science audiovisual sector, fostering exchanges between different regions and institutions for experience sharing, resource collaboration, and project partnerships. Notable content leaders, science advocates, and renowned producers from various media organizations participated in discussions about current developments, industry traits, and creative experiences in science audiovisual work, offering insights and suggestions for future practices.
Chen Yuren, chairman of the Shanghai Society of Film and Television Technology, highlighted the unprecedented transformation and development opportunities facing science audiovisual creation. “We will utilize our strengths through various formats, including exhibitions, lectures, training, and competitions, to present complex scientific knowledge in an understandable manner, bridging the public with the world of technology.”
Li Jun, deputy general manager of Suzhou Television, discussed the station’s commitment to addressing local cultural needs. “Suzhou TV will focus on branding, technological innovation, and cooperative advantages while employing multimedia communication and diverse partnerships to innovate science audiovisual models and content.”
Dr. Liang Yan from the University of Science and Technology of China shared his production experiences with the program “Science is Beautiful,” emphasizing the importance of using macro photography techniques to capture chemical reactions, presenting the microscopic world vividly.
Kong Weina, deputy director of the Film Production Center at the World-Wide Broadcasting Center, spoke on telling compelling scientific stories internationally: “We must use technology as a medium, supported by a professional team, to showcase new modes of national scientific engineering and effectively create and disseminate science content, thus sharing our scientific narratives and amplifying China’s voice.”
Additionally, the conference announced a new media initiative, “Audiovisual Science Popularization,” aimed at elevating noteworthy science creators and their works by regularly evaluating high-quality short videos from over 1,000 science accounts across the web. Chi Jianxin, chairman of Beijing Discovery Documentary Media, stated, “We will strengthen connections with science audiovisual creators, providing them with more support to foster a thriving creative environment.”
Attendees included a selection of recent science short video creators who participated in discussions and received commemorative awards.
The conference also saw the release of the “2023 Recommended List of Science Documentaries” by the Capital Documentary Development Association’s Professional Committee. This list, created through rigorous evaluations by experts focused on the science documentary genre, showcases outstanding productions that reflect significant social and educational value.
Zhang Li, chairman of this committee, remarked, “Each excellent science piece is like a seed sown in the audience’s hearts, sparking their curiosity. However, there’s still limitless potential for development in science documentaries, and we must explore new creative modes that infuse emotion and depth into our works.”
In a bid to foster closer connections with the audience and expand the reach of scientific knowledge, a societal public welfare sharing plan for science documentaries was also launched. The initiative aims to bring science documentary creators and protagonists closer to the public through exhibitions and discussions at bookstores, cultural spaces, universities, and communities throughout Beijing, encouraging community participation in science dissemination activities.
