Donna Matrazzo - The Writing Works

Portfolio: Wildlife

Tracking Pacific Walrus: Expedition to the Chukchi Sea
Project. Tracking Pacific Walrus: Expedition to the Chukchi Sea
Client. U.S. Geological Survey

This film focuses on the plight of the Arctic walrus today as a result of shrinking summer sea ice due to climate change. Scientists are studying the causes and effects, including haul-outs of 30,000 walrus.
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 The Bug Gallery
Project. The Bug Gallery
Client. Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AL, Canada

Fifteen films, 30 to 90 seconds each, introduce exhibit-goers to the extraordinarily complex, wonderful and strange world of social insects around the globe.
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Northern Spotted Owl
Project. Northern Spotted Owl
Client. Oregon Forest Resources Institute

A 16-page booklet in OFRI's "Wildlife in Oregon's Managed Forests" series. It covers the natural history of the owl, current population status, key findings on habitat characteristics and threats, and habitat conservation strategies.
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 Graceful Giants: Gray Whales of the North Pacific
Project. Graceful Giants: Gray Whales of the North Pacific
Client. Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon

The screen is filled with the surfacing of elegant flukes, whales feeding and tending their young as the grays migrate from Baja to the Arctic. The history of whaling is explored, and fascinating facts about the gray whale (its heart is the size of a baboon) describe the natural history of these coastal leviathans.
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 Precipice of Survival: The California Sea Otter
Project. Precipice of Survival: The California Sea Otter
Client. U.S. Geological Survey

A one-hour broadcast film that traces the history of sea otters since the maritime fur trade to current threats to the population. An unprecedented study using cutting-edge technology includes a unique team of scientists from various agencies and organizations like the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
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Flights of Fancy: Seabirds of the Oregon Coast
Project. Flights of Fancy: Seabirds of the Oregon Coast
Client. Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon

Scenes of birds in the wild are combined with behind-the-scenes aquarium footage to illustrate the extraordinary lives of the Rhinoceros Auklet, Pigeon Guillemot, Common Murre, Tufted Puffin and Oystercatchers.
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 Myth of the Man-Eaters: The Sharks of the Oregon Coast
Project. Myth of the Man-Eaters: The Sharks of the Oregon Coast
Client. Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, Oregon

A film described as "a public relations promo for sharks." It attempts to dispel the widespread view of sharks as man-eating monsters, and educates viewers about the biology and intriguing lives of the various species of sharks -- nearly all of which are harmless to humans -- along the Oregon coast.
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The Incredible Journey and other films about salmon
Project. The Incredible Journey and other films about salmon
Client. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Seven two-minute films were produced for Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. They're viewed via a series of monitors built into cabinets along the wall leading into the dam's Fish Viewing Room. They educate visitors about the biology of anadromous fish, the complex problems facing fisheries, some of the work in helping fish survive, and how to identify fish passing through the fish ladder.
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Wildlife Watch weekly newspaper series
Project. Wildlife Watch weekly newspaper series
Client. The Oregonian, NW Outdoors magazine

A weekly illustrated series that featured one local species of bird, mammal, fish or insect, citing its scientific name, size, color, habitat and fascinating facts.
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