The Watchman

Overview

"The Watchman" (previously "Legacy"), is a story about wildlife artist Tich Ncube, who creates artworks of Zimbabwe's Big 5, with the aim of bringing attention to their plight. Despite his phenomenal talent, Tich doesn't receive much recognition for the extraordinary work he does for conservation.

 

This film will follow Tich as he works on a new piece for his first solo exhibition, in partnership with David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF), which will be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. 

 

Hi!!

I'm Alicia Hayden, a wildlife artist and writer currently studying for a Master’s in Wildlife Filmmaking at The University of the West of England, in partnership with the BBC Natural History Unit. As part of the Master’s, we are required to produce a 12-minute, broadcast quality short film, which will be screened to industry experts in late 2022, Bristol.

 

Growing up in rural North Yorkshire has meant I have always loved the natural world, and I have always gravitated to the arts as a way of expressing myself, and my feelings about nature. Since the age of 13, I have aspired to work in the wildlife film industry, as it combines all of my passions in life - conservation, wildlife, art, writing, and photography!

 

I really want to create films which make a difference to society by giving a voice to people who do extraordinary work for wildlife conservation. I met Tich Ncube on the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's Wildlife Artist Panel in 2021, and I was instantly inspired by his enthusiasm and knowledge for Zimbabwe's wildlife, and his desire to protect it through art.

 

 

Meet Tich!

Tichaona Ncube (The Watchman ) is a wildlife artist from Victoria Falls, who creates beautiful works of art based on Zimbabwe's Big 5. His pieces showcase the beauty of Zimbabwe's ecology, but they also showcase the threat of extinction faced by all of the species which live there.

 

He is such an engaging and inspiring young man, and his wildlife artwork is phenomenal - yet despite this, very few people know about Tich, and the valuable work he does for Zimbabwe's wildlife. I hope that "Legacy" will draw attention to Tich, and help him get the recognition he deserves for his stunning work - in particular through his UK exhibition, in partnership with the DSWF.

 

The Exhibition

Tich's exhibition will be held in May 2022 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. It will be Tich's first solo exhibition, and will be to a mixture of local people and international tourists; Tich is so excited to have the opportunity to see what people think of his work for the first time!

 

 

The Impact

"The Watchman" has two main aims:

1) To highlight the valuable impact Tich's artwork has on Zimbabwe's wildlife, and help him achieve the recognition he deserves by telling his story.

2) To draw attention to the plight of Zimbabwe's Big 5, with a focus on Elephants - which are one of Tich's main subjects when he paints in the bush.

 

Why Donate?

Your donation will go towards the production costs of this film, which include but are not limited to:

 

As a thank you for supporting my film, I have got a few different rewards available! All rewards will be sent out after my film has been completed (summer 2022) - so please keep an eye out for an email asking for your address so I can send physical rewards to you!

 

I am so grateful for any support you are able to give, and I can't wait to show you the finished film!

 

If I am unable to go to Zimbabwe due to unforeseen circumstances, the funds will be used to produce an alternate 12-minute film as part of my Master's on a similar topic.

 

The Crew

Alicia Hayden

 

I am the director/producer, camera operator, editor, and animator of "The Watchman". As well as being an artist and a filmmaker, I also have a degree in Biological Sciences, and I love writing poetry inspired by the natural world!

 

Jacob Burley

 

Jacob will be second camera operator and my sound assistant while we film in Zimbabwe! He is also studying for a Master's in Wildlife Filmmaking at UWE, and alongside the degree he is a comedian and theatre manager.

All wildlife artworks © Tichaona Ncube