Geological sciences professor advises filmmakers

March 4, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Joe Meert may not be a movie star, but what this geologist knows about the history of the Earth was essential in making a new film on that topic.

The University of Florida geological sciences associate professor was a scientific consultant on “Earth: Making of a Planet.” After premiering recently on TV in the United Kingdom, the computer-animated film will air for the first time in the U.S. at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 6, on the National Geographic Channel. Check the listings on their websites for additional broadcasts.

Produced by two award-winning companies, Pioneer Productions of London and Handel Productions of Montreal, the two-hour special shows how life developed on Earth from microscopic organisms to the complexities of the humans, plants and animals living today. Although the film uses some scientific language, it is intended for a nontechnical audience.

Meert became involved when Pioneer’s head researcher Lindsey Truman contacted him to get scientific details on the triggering of the “snowball Earth” phenomenon after reading a paper on this topic by his research group published in the journal Nature in 2004.

“That led to a long conversation and they began to contact me about other parts of the show, particularly the first 45 minutes of programming on the early Earth and then later about the breakup of Pangea and the formation of Middle Eastern oil fields,” he said.

He assisted Truman and assistant producer Zoe Elliot last summer and fall via phone and e-mail. Once the sections of the film using his information were completed, he previewed clips for technical accuracy.

“I have often thought it would be great to actually go back and see the events unfold in Earth history and the CGI animations in the film come close to fulfilling that dream,” Meert said. Now everyone curious about how Earth developed through time can share this experience by watching this show.

For those who don’t get the channels broadcasting this special, the film is available on YouTube. Labeled “The Story of Earth – National Geographic” here, the link for the first part of the film is here. Links to the other five segments appear on the right side of the page. The film should also be available on DVD soon.