Synopsis for General Audiences
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Over millions of years, geologic forces caused massive changes, completely altering the terrain. Today, the continent of Antarctica holds the evidence of that ancient world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past—including the fossils of those distinctive dinosaurs like Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus.
Viewers of all ages will enjoy meeting the newest dinosaurs and other creatures in the film. Beyond presenting the reassembled skeletal structures on the giant screen, the film uses computer graphics to recreate the spectacular appearance and movement of the newly-discovered species.
The backdrop of the story, however, goes beyond the dinosaurs to showcase the powerful forces of geologic change over time. Concepts like plate tectonics and continental drift come vividly to life as dynamic animations reveal the breakup of Pangaea into pieces including the southern landmass of Gondwana from which the continent known today as Antarctica will later emerge.
The film also offers a glimpse into the world of scientific field research. A diverse team of archaeologists and paleobotanists travels to Antarctica in search of new evidence of the past. Their journey has many legs—first to New Zealand, then to McMurdo Station on the Antarctic icefield, and finally to Shackleton Glacier camp, their home for the season. From there, they venture even further by helicopter to remote sites for short stays of exploration. It’s rough and risky work, but their methods are careful and deliberate, designed to increase their odds of success.
In the end, while memories of the film’s fascinating creatures will linger, it is perhaps the images of the continent itself, with its magnificent and breathtaking vistas, and its powerful story of transformation over time, that will leave the deepest impression.
Abbreviated Version – 100 words
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Today, the continent holds evidence of that world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past—including the fossils of those distinctive creatures. Viewers of all ages will enjoy meeting the newest dinosaurs, like Cryolophosaurus, and other creatures in the film—as well as the dedicated scientists who explore the warming continent to find them.
Short Version – 50 words
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world where dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures once roamed freely in a lush landscape. As the climate changes again today, melting Antarctic ice is allowing discovery of the continent’s history—including the fossils of new dinosaurs.
Synopsis for Families
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Today, the continent of Antarctica holds the evidence of that ancient world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past—including the fossils of those distinctive dinosaurs.
Viewers of all ages will enjoy meeting the newest dinosaurs, like Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus, and other creatures in the film — as well as the dedicated scientists who explore the warming continent to find them and understand their habitat. Beyond presenting the reassembled skeletal structures on the giant screen, the film uses computer graphics to recreate the spectacular appearance and movement of the newly-discovered species.
Some are bizarre and fearsome reptiles, like the meat-eating Erythrosuchus with its huge jaw and deadly bite. Others, like the plant-eating Lystrosaurus with its clownish feet and horned beaks, are more likely to prompt giggles than gasps when they appear onscreen.
While memories of these fascinating creatures will linger, it is perhaps the images of the continent itself, with its magnificent and breathtaking vistas, and its powerful story of transformation over time, that will leave the deepest impression.
Abbreviated Version – 100 words
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Today, the continent holds evidence of that world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past — including the fossils of those distinctive dinosaurs. Viewers of all ages will enjoy meeting the newest dinosaurs, like Cryolophosaurus, and other creatures in the film—as well as the dedicated scientists who explore the warming continent to find them.
Short Version – 50 words
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world where dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures once roamed freely in a lush landscape. As the climate changes again today, melting Antarctic ice is allowing discovery of the continent’s history—including the fossils of new dinosaurs.
Synopsis for Educators
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Over millions of years, geologic forces caused massive changes, completely altering the terrain. Today, the continent of Antarctica holds the evidence of that ancient world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past — including the fossils of those distinctive dinosaurs like Cryolophosaurus.
Viewers of all ages will enjoy meeting the newest dinosaurs and other creatures in the film — as well as the scientists who explore the warming continent to find them and understand their habitat. Beyond presenting the reassembled skeletal structures on the giant screen, the film uses computer graphics to recreate the appearance and movement of the archaeological discoveries.
The backdrop of the story, however, goes beyond the dinosaurs to showcase the powerful forces of geologic change over time. Concepts like plate tectonics and continental drift come vividly to life as dynamic animations reveal the breakup of Pangaea into pieces including the southern landmass of Gondwana from which the continent known today as Antarctica will later emerge.
The film also offers a glimpse into the world of scientific field research. A diverse team of archaeologists and paleobotanists travels to Antarctica in search of new evidence of the past. Their journey has many legs — first to New Zealand, then to McMurdo Station on the Antarctic icefield, and finally to Shackleton Glacier camp, their home for the season. From there, they venture even further by helicopter to remote sites for short stays of exploration. It’s rough and risky work, but their methods are careful and deliberate, designed to increase their odds of success.
Abbreviated Version – 100 words
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world where dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures once roamed freely in a lush landscape. Over millions of years, geologic forces caused massive changes, completely altering the terrain. As the climate changes again today, melting Antarctic ice is allowing discovery of the continent’s history—including the fossils of distinctive new dinosaurs like Cryolophosaurus. The film also offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of scientific field research as a diverse team of archaeologists and paleobotanists travel to Antarctica in search of new evidence of the past.
Short Version – 50 words
"Dinosaurs of Antarctica" tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world where dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures once roamed freely in a lush landscape. As the climate changes again today, melting Antarctic ice is allowing discovery of the continent’s history—including the fossils of new dinosaurs.
