Welcome to CoveBear.com! - Kate Marshall Graphics 2003-2005

Atlanta area video production company, Kate Marshall Graphics, Inc. found itself on the winners' list recently when they received a congratulatory email from Houston, Texas. Their one-hour nature documentary program entitled "Season of the Bear, Volume I: American Black Bear" has won the "Bronze Remi Award" at the 36th Annual WorldFest International Film and Video Competition, in Houston, Texas. The Remi Awards are named after the famous painter Frederick Remington, who captured the independent spirit of the American West. "Nature and Wildlife" was the category. "We were thrilled to be on the winning list with Discovery Communications, National Geographic and the others," says Kate. "This documentary was a very tough project, and it's nice to know that people deemed it worthy of an award."

Kate feels that education and factual information about black bears is the key to understanding bears’ needs and behaviors. “Few people know how we all impact bear populations through littering and storing garbage incorrectly, destroying forests by overuse and fires, over-developing wild areas, building roads that cut off habitat ranges, destroying food sources and denning sites such as old trees, killing bears or creating orphaned cubs through vehicle accidents and illegally hunting them for hides or ancient medicinal purposes. Everyone can make a difference. This documentary program can introduce you to the wonder of black bears.”

The nature footage for this wonderful video was obtained over a 6-year period from Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico and Colorado.

This video program will be followed by Volume II, which will focus on black bear babies. It will include unusual footage of baby black bears in the den with their mother, as well as baby cubs in the wild, nursing, playing, eating, and just being bears.

REVIEWS

“SEASON OF THE BEAR, Volume I: American Black Bear”

“This video is the best I have seen about the American Black Bear. Managing bears in an environment with an increasing human population is creating some significant problems for wildlife managers. I am particularly impressed that the issue of hunting was addressed from the biological perspective. It is obvious that many hours were spent in the field to catch bears being bears in their natural environment. The photography is superb!” Paul L. Davidson, Executive Director, Black Bear Conservation Committee

"This is the most comprehensive wildlife video I have seen. The time and effort that went into the making of this program brought out facts about black bears that I have never before seen in video or read in books. It is truly fascinating for both children and adults. It is also obviously a real labor of love." Gloria Johnson, Founder, Cougar Ridge Center, Inc.

Click here to see some of the other wildlife winners at WorldFest International Film Festival 2003!

Video Production / Post-Production

KMG continues with Corporate and Scientific Video Projects

2004

Wildlife Photography

“Bear Photography for Earth Day Poster” – "TEDDY BEAR"

Copyright 2003 was chosen for inclusion on the 2004 Earth Day Poster in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. "Our Vanishing Wild Coastal Wetlands of Louisiana." Photograph selected by Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, April 2004.

Wildlife Journalism

CoveBear articles and photography appeared in various newspapers in the Southeast. Articles included fall colors of North Georgia, info about Lake Lanier, Black Bear information, and 2004 Autumn Events Calendar for North Georgia.

2005

Group Wildlife Presentations

CoveBear Wildlife and Wildlands Presentations were offered to interested groups. Topics included black bears and the importance of good habitat.

Wildlife Documentary Production AWARD

for "Season of the Bear, Volume II: Black Bear Cubs"

Shown: “SILVER REMI AWARD” – "CRYSTAL VISION AWARD"

38th Annual WorldFest International Film Festival

Houston, Texas, April 2005

Category: Ecology, Environment, and Conservation Documentary

"A Good Story, Told Well"

PRESS RELEASE: SUMMER 2005

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TAGS KATE MARSHALL GRAPHICS FOR THE SILVER AWARD

Lightning strikes twice for this north-Atlanta area production company, Kate Marshall Graphics, Inc. Their one-hour nature documentary program entitled "Season of the Bear, Volume II: Black Bear Cubs" has won the prestigious "Silver Remi Award" at the 38th Annual WorldFest International Film Festival, in Houston, Texas. The Remi Awards are named after the famous painter Frederick Remington, who captured the independent spirit of the American West. "Ecology, Environment, and Conservation" was the category.

Two awards for two bear documentaries in two years (Volume I: American Black Bear won the Bronze in 2003) have brought international attention to this small company with the big heart, and there is talk of a third program in this series. Research and photography for both spanned eight years. Read more about bears at www.covebear.com.

Kate feels that understanding bears’ needs and behaviors is critical to managing for bears and people in bear territory.

“Containing extremely rare footage of newborn baby bears in the winter den and long sequences of wild bear behavior in the Appalachian Mountains, this program takes us on a journey through the first year of a bear cub’s life. We see the world through their young eyes and come to understand the life of a bear. We see their comical antics, their problem-solving techniques, and their survival skills. We become aware of how intelligent these bears really are. We also see the need to conserve wild places so that bears will have a place in which to live. Habitat fragmentation is illustrated in this program and habitat conservation is stressed. Without escape cover, wildlife corridors, and mature forests, black bears are in peril.”

With award-winning photography this educational program uses 2D/3D computer-generated animations to illustrate facts about bear development and the causes of habitat fragmentation. It also introduces us to the folks from the Appalachian Bear Center and the U.S. Geological Survey in Tennessee, the Black Bear Conservation Committee in Louisiana, and Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Georgia. These organizations help black bears either by restoration, rescue, education, research, rehabilitation, or with luck, the release of injured or orphaned bears back to the wild.

Kate continues, ”The presence of bears in an area indicates that the ecosystem is healthy and can sustain a large diversity of animals. Bears are a symbol of America’s wilderness and have a special place in our history. Bears hold a fascination for us that no other predator does. They instill awe and respect. They pull us into their world.”

REVIEWS

"The video was wonderful. The photography, interviews, background music and all was a joy to watch. Well done - and impressive since it took years and different settings with bears, etc....I know you get joy out of it because your audience certainly does!" Mike Bennett, Georgia

"I was already a fan of "Season of the Bear, Volume I: American Black Bear" but Kate and Al have really outdone themselves with the production of "Season of the Bear, Volume II: Black Bear Cubs." The rare footage of the newborn cubs in the den with their mother is breathtaking. I believe that Volume II will be a best seller in my shop and I am proud to have Kate and Al as my featured artists." Judi Boggs, Owner, "Bears Den" shop in Dahlonega, Georgia

"Lots of great footage of bears! I felt like I was really getting to know them, as one would watching them in the wild...I realize now why teddy bears exist..." Judge at International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, Montana

"Wow! Very cool news! Congratulations, Al and Kate!" Chuck Baker, Senior Director of Corporate Communications, NewTek, Inc.

"Congratulations! Glad to hear of the recognition for your great videos!" Dr. Chris Barret, Systems Engineer, George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA, Alabama

"WOW - such great news! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations BIG TIME! What a powerhouse of a documentary!" John Derych, founding member, American Bear Association, Wild Bear Photographer, New York

"There is a lot of very good black bear footage here...the shots of newborn bears in the den were outstanding!" Judge at International Wildlife Film Festival at Missoula, Montana

"Congratulations, Kate! It is an excellent documentary and I'm not at all surprised it won." David C. Powell, Forest Silviculturist, Umatilla National Forest, Oregon

"The narration was well done and Kate was articulate. I enjoyed her style very much. Her narration was very clear." Judge at International Wildlife Film Festival at Missoula, Montana

"I'm so proud of you! I truly believe in you, what you do, and where you will go." Gloria Johnson, Founder, Cougar Ridge Center, Inc., Cougar Educator, Florida

"Congrats Al !!!!" Jim Capillo, CW Television Productions, Massachusetts

"It's great...I really like the footage of the cubs in the den and the interactions with the mom. The bears feeding high in trees and the female feeding the acorns to the cub was also really interesting. I have never seen that on film before!" Dr. Frank van Manen, Research Ecologist, Tennessee

"Go for the gold! Well done!" Diana Warren, Account Manager, Wildlife Conservation Magazine, New York

"I think you have given an awesome gift to bear lovers." Lisa Stewart, Curator, Appalachian Bear Center, Tennessee

"A lovely film, great description of ecosystems and habitats!...Unique animal behavior in the den...some great parts!...There were some great graphics in this program...The presenters were great - they were prepared so they relayed their information at a good, energized clip..." Judge at International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, Montana

"The Black Bear Cubs video is GREAT! The other was really good, but this one is even better. I haven't seen anything to compare anytime lately. Kate and Al, you have done a remarkable job with this latest work. Kudos to both of you. Congratulations!" Paul Davidson, Executive Director, Black Bear Conservation Committee, Louisiana-Mississippi-Arkansas-East Texas

"Fabulous footage!!! You must have had great fun collecting it. Season of the Bear, Volume II: Black Bear Cubs had a well directed script too. Well done!" Sylvia Dolson, Executive Director, Get Bear Smart Society, British Columbia, Canada

Click here to see some of the other conservation winners at WorldFest International Film Festival 2005!

Wildlife Documentary Production

article from Knoxville News-Sentinel, 2005

Wildlife Stock Footage Production

White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation: Strengthening Shared Governance and Citizen Stewardship - Sponsored by Office of the President of the United States of America, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our stock footage of black bears in the wild was chosen by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for inclusion on a short video regarding conservation. A presentation was delivered by Paul Davidson of the Black Bear Conservation Committee. August 2005, St. Louis, Missouri.

Wildlife Journalism

CoveBear articles and photography appeared in various newspapers in the Southeast.

Educational / Community Outreach - Tennessee

CoveBear documentaries and other bear items were donated to the huge fundraising event to raise awareness for the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend, Tennessee. The center will house an auditorium, a museum, classrooms, and an outdoor amphitheatre. This center will devote much of its history to the people who once lived in the area of the GSMNP, and to their culture. There will also be a Native American gallery and a pioneer gallery.

A Presentation Bear Binder was created and presented to Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, Tennessee, for use as a visual aid in group presentations. Only a few photos of wild bears at the center exist, and those were taken for documentation purposes by official center staff. Since photography by the public is prohibited at the center, the addition of wild bear photos obtained in the southeastern mountains was provided for the already wonderful bear presentations given by Lisa Stewart, Curator.

Wildlife Photography

“Bear Photography for Black Bear Management Handbook”

"SEPTEMBER BEAR," "ACROBAT, " AND "TREEHOUSE" were chosen for inclusion in this beautiful Black Bear Conservation Committee publication. Funding for this book was provided by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Joe W. & Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation, Entergy Corporation, and Summerlee Foundation. The publication is available at www.bbcc.org and is in a PDF format for you to print and read about the restoration of the Louisiana Black Bear in Louisiana, Mississippi, South Arkansas, and East Texas.

Our photos appear on pages iv, 13, and 82. Other photos in this book were by Paul Davidson (BBCC), Dave Telesco (BBCC), Maria Davidson (Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries), Bob Dennie (Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries), Frank van Manen (Southern Appalachian Field Branch, University of Tennessee, U.S. Geological Survey), Bill Ford (Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries), Patti Faulkner (Mississippi Black Bear Restoration Task Force), Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Mississippi Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Kelsey Burguess, Don Anderson, Keith Weaver, Mike Staten, Kent Hersey, Holly Martorello, Kyle van Why, Kim Annis, Sweeney Enterprises, Ken Richkus, Tarleton State University, Purdue University, Mississippi State University, Fort Hays State University, Virginia Tech, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, University of Tennessee, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Center for Wildlife Information, U.S. Dept. of Transportation, U.S. Dept of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service and more. Published 2005.

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