www.saragroen.com

Bring Back the Man

2008-09-16T18:47:00.001+10:00

So the next Bond instalment is almost upon us. Picking up where Casino Royale left off, Quantum of Solace promises the usual 007 prerequisites of danger, betrayal, and forbidden love.

It’s what we’ve come to expect of a brand that has become a genre in itself. A formula that has stood the test of time by adapting to the times – politically and socially.

And when it comes to the latter, Bond himself is the masculine zeitgeist. The man every woman wants, and every man wants to be - even before we know it ourselves.

Consider the turnaround in sentiment for Daniel Craig.

I wasn’t the only one to question his appointment in late 2005. Critics were thick on the ground. Could a 37 year-old English actor, little known outside his native Britain, take up the revered Bond mantle?

A sixth successor. And the first blonde.

Perhaps that’s what first threw me. The blonde hair – it didn’t look right. Then again, he just didn’t seem right altogether. It was hard to put my finger on at the time. But like most of my friends who fell for the new gritty version, I would soon learn that Bond is always ahead of the time.

Sure, Pierce Brosnan was good – he must have been doing something right to last four films. But in the wake of a 90s metrosexual onslaught, women were craving something more of their leading man, on and off screen. Something more… manly.

The relatively short-lived ideal of the modern male as someone who cared about fashion and skin care as much as women was losing steam. Just not with men.

Research shows that the international market for male skin care products has jumped 40 percent since 2001. Companies are investing huge amounts of money in men’s skincare including L’Oreal Paris, which hired Brosnan, to spruik its Men Expert skincare range.

And while men’s wanting to take of themselves is all good and well, I don’t want Bond telling me that “he’s worth it”. That’s a line reserved for his female counterpart Halle Berry.

It was the melting icing on the cake of the Brosnan Bond reign. And taking its place, a buffet of masculine grit a la Daniel Craig.

The new Bond doesn’t need fancy gadgets. He uses his bare bloody hands. He makes mistakes and he pays the price. He’s suave without trying. And the female clincher, he shows emotional vulnerability.

Like Christian Bale’s raw new Batman, Craig’s Bond is refreshingly flawed and that’s what makes him so appealing. He displays a brooding intensity that delves beyond the cinematic fantasy and a gritty realism that shows on his face.

Call me old fashioned, but rugged and weathered beats line-free on a man any day. A man who spends more time in front of the mirror than a woman? A smooth fore headed Bond? No thanks. Perfection is not the ideal. Bond should come rough and ready. And I keenly await his return on November 14.

The Final Bow

2008-04-01T13:54:00.003+11:00

Tuesday night marked the end of the road but Barry White was the perfect last stop.

Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe proved the ultimate finale song and I took to the stage for the last time feeling totally relaxed and ready to have fun.

I would have felt disappointed had we left any earlier because disco fever was without a doubt my favourite genre. Flares, hair, and glitter all round. What a way to go out!

It Takes Two has been an incredible journey exceeding my expectations on many different levels.

I knew it would be a fun experience but I had no idea it would be quite so challenging. And it would have been near impossible to get up there each week had it not been such a caring environment.

The cast and crew were very supportive of each other and I met so many great people led of course by the very talented and modest Adam Harvey.

Thanks for your support and don’t forget Adam is touring at the moment – all of the dates are on his website www.adamharvey.com.au. Enjoy the rest of the show and see you at the grand final on Tuesday 22 April.

True Colours

2008-03-16T16:13:00.007+11:00

Wow! That was some serious hair and make-up. My locks haven’t faced a crimping iron since the 1980s and as for the blue eye shadow and red lips… well let’s just say my true colours were definitely on full display.

Quite appropriate considering the song was certainly my toughest yet. It was a big turn around from the week before and my nerves came flowing back at full steam ahead, especially in those opening seconds. Channelling your nervous energy into a dance number is much easier than a slow and still song. And boy did I feel it!

But we lived to sing another week – phew! And I am so excited about pulling out the dance moves again. Disco will no doubt be one of my favourite genres and wait until you hear Adam – he has some serious low notes coming up (even for him!)

I have had so many songs swirling in my head the past few months so this week will be a welcome break before we return to the stage on Tuesday 25 March.

And now that summer has finally decided to make an appearance in Sydney… the beach is looking very nice indeed this weekend! Have a great Easter and see you for a little Disco fever soon.

All Shook Up

2008-03-08T21:10:00.007+11:00

I turned a corner last Tuesday night. For the first time I felt totally relaxed. My hands weren’t shaking. Gone were the nerves.

And I owe it all to the King - nothing like a little Elvis to loosen things up.

The entire performance felt so natural. I didn’t have to think about the moves or the words. And when my two minutes was up I didn’t want to leave the stage.

As a hunk a hunk a burning love came to an end all I could think about was dancing up a storm in that gorgeous swing skirt – all seven layers of it!

The fun started at our Sunday dance session as Adam and I attempted to shake, rattle, and roll our way through Burning Love.

Our choreographer Alana had already worked out quite a few moves, but it was certainly a work in progress and even Adam’s lovely Mum contributed a step or two.

On Monday we threw in a few extra hours of practice to make sure we were ready for our first stage run through.

During this time we usually trial our costumes and the first thing I noticed was my sliding pair of stiletto heels. Within minutes the wardrobe department was onto it - whipping the shoes off to be gripped.

They do an incredible job of putting our outfits together each week – creating a variety of looks within a specific genre while also considering things like dance moves and where the mic pack will fit.

By the time we took to the stage on Tuesday night I felt totally prepared. Adam and I knew it could very well be our last dance and keeping that in mind (rather than worrying about the song or moves) certainly helped me to relax. I managed to do exactly what I had hoped – let loose on the stage and simply have fun.

Our next song presents quite a few new challenges because once again it is a totally different style and pace. So far we’ve covered swing, rock, country, rock `n’ roll and now 80s Gold!

In terms of our song choices we are always one week ahead. By Tuesday each couple has already selected and workshopped the next song (despite the fact one singing duo will be leaving that night).

We choose four songs within each genre, but the final decision is out of our hands. It depends on the mix of music (fast or slow), what each couple performed the week prior, the level of difficulty, and whether the song will suit our voices while also revealing something new.

So much thought and consideration goes into every show and as you could imagine there are many people working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a slick production.

Each week I look forward to working with such a great cast and crew and it’s sad to think it could all be over in a flash. But in the meantime I’m making the most of it. Bring on the blue eye shadow and shoulder pads!

Doing Time For Patsy Cline

2008-02-29T14:40:00.009+11:00

I finally had the guts to watch the show back last night.

To be honest I was quite nervous about reliving the experience (like they say you are your own worst critic).

But from beginning to end I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

From Grease through to This Kiss, I thought the entire cast (and crew) put on a great show and most importantly we all had a blast!

Yes my nerves got a hold of me again and my pitch was far from perfect, but what an opportunity – performing a Patsy Cline number with such a remarkable country crooner.

It was particularly special to have my Mum in the audience. If `you are your own worst critic’ then surely as Slim Dusty wrote in 1966 `you can never do wrong in a mother’s eyes.’

Each week we survive is icing on top of the cake and next Tuesday we’ll be serving up a feast of rock and roll.

I actually saw Adam perform the song a few weeks ago at his gig in Albury and he rocked the stage.

It’s going to take some serious choreography so this Sunday we’ll be put through our dancing paces. Then on Monday we have a good half an hour or so to rehearse on stage before the final run through on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s amazing how much time and effort goes into a two minute performance. From song selection through to movement classes and wardrobe, the lead up is as much fun as the actual show.

But of course the hardest bit is actually forgetting everything you've learnt when it comes to the night - throwing it all out the window and just letting loose on stage.

I think our next song will be the perfect opportunity to do just that!

Scraping Through

2008-02-23T17:21:00.008+11:00

When I left Saturday Disney almost three years ago, I thought my days of crazy characters and outfits had sadly come to an end. But all that changed on Tuesday night.

Strapping on my air guitar and thrashing it out on stage to Powderfinger was the ultimate thrill. Not to mention presenting the weather for the six o’clock news in my rock chick getup.

I also had the pleasure of watching Adam perform in Albury last week. He is such a natural performer and it was great to see him on stage. When he invited me up to sing, the audience made me feel very welcome so I felt quite relaxed.

We sang one of my all time favourites and I felt spoilt having the opportunity to sing it on stage with Adam. Next week you’ll see us perform it again for the country genre – I can’t wait!

My nerves weren’t as bad last week so hopefully that’ll only improve. Although I have to admit the elimination process was very nerve-wracking, especially when we were the last three on stage. I thought it was all over.

Several thoughts flashed through my mind. Firstly, what a shame Adam and I wouldn’t have the chance to perform country given it’s his thing. Secondly, my Mum (who lives in Dubai) had just emailed to tell me she was flying over to watch me perform the following week. And thirdly, I was having too much fun to leave!

Thankfully we made it through and I think last week taught me a good lesson. Obviously song choice is really important and even though I love Powderfinger, the song didn’t really give me the chance to show off much vocal range. All that thrashing on stage also made it quite hard to sing!

Next week’s song is simple, but incredibly beautiful and emotional. Every time I hear it I feel her pain and that's what I hope to portray. This Tuesday it’s all about the music.

Shaking it Out

2008-02-14T19:54:00.008+11:00

Well I finally managed to get some sleep last night after almost three days of feverish insomnia. Thank goodness! I was beginning to think Fever had left an indelible mark on my brain – how many more times could I replay that song in my head.

As you could imagine, it was quite a build up to the first show. We had three days of rehearsals, culminating in a final dress rehearsal that finished just three hours before the real deal.

My nervous energy was well and truly building by that stage. The rate at which I was downing the mini-chocolate bars and lollies in the green room probably didn’t help. Nor did seeing everyone else on stage – what an impressive group of performers!

It was quite a relief when show time finally came around. And being second in the line-up meant I could relax early in the piece.

When I first took to the stage, I was surprised at how relaxed I felt. Unfortunately it didn’t last long or rather my hands didn’t last long. To be honest I didn’t feel nervous, but my hands told a different story. In fact I was forced to grab the microphone with two hands just to control my shaking!

Nonetheless I was happy with our performance. It was certainly challenging, but I had a lot of fun on stage with Adam. He is a very calming mentor and his words of encouragement made such a difference. Not to mention his beautifil voice.

Next week we’ll be rocking it out on stage and I can’t wait to do something more up beat. I didn’t realise how exposed I’d feel at the beginning of Fever. The band seemed so quiet and I had to be so controlled with my movements.

Hopefully next week my hands will be too busy playing air guitar to shake!

It Takes Two

2008-02-10T20:24:00.000+11:00

So I’m sitting in my hotel room enjoying a steak and trying to catch up on a few emails. The television is on quietly in the background and has so far served only as a faint distraction. But my ears prick up as a familiar chorus kicks in.

I look up to catch the final seconds of an ad for It Takes Two and the super at the bottom of the screen sends a nervous shiver down my spine. It says `LIVE TO MILLIONS.’

That was an hour or so ago and I’ve now followed up my steak with one and a half chocolate bars. I deserve it after such a rigorous day of rehearsals ahead of my first performance on It Takes Two.

In less than 48 hours I’ll be singing live on national television. It’s a daunting thought but my nerves only add to the excitement. I know I’m going to have a ball!

Today was our first day of rehearsals since we all got together several weeks ago to shoot the promos and publicity shots. My partner Adam `country singing sensation’ Harvey has been a busy beaver these past few weeks (he won Album of the Year at the Golden Guitars) so we haven’t had much time to rehearse together.

Fortunately I have a copy of his vocals on CD so I can practice lots without him even being there! In fact the drive to and from work has proven to be invaluable rehearsal time, although I’ve had a few strange looks at the traffic lights.

Adam has an incredible voice – it is so deep and mellow. I have to admit I wasn’t really familiar with his work but I have since given his album a workout on my iPod. I am already learning so much from him, especially in terms of relaxing my voice or as he says `being lazy with it’ rather than just sticking to the song as I know it.

Anyway, I’ll try my best to do just that along with working the stage and negotiating my high heels and fending off my nerves this Tuesday night at around 7.30pm. While I can’t reveal our first song, it’s one of my all time favourites and I hope you enjoy it because we’ve had a lot of fun putting it together. Thanks for your support!

Warming world, cooling debate

2008-02-10T19:38:00.000+11:00

Yes it’s been a very long time since my last rambling. In fact it was more than a year ago I posted my immediate thoughts after seeing An Inconvenient Truth. But it seems much longer considering how quickly the climate change debate gathered steam.

Within months of its release, the film had stirred a new wave of eco-consciousness. Green was the new black and everyone seemed to be jumping on the bandwagon at full steam ahead.

As outlined in my last entry, the fact that sustainability and conservation issues are now firmly in our psyche can only be a good thing. It’s in the back of my mind everyday – when I turn on the dishwasher or washing machine, have a shower, or brush my teeth.

No doubt you’ve experienced green guilt at having left a light on unnecessarily or used the dryer when you could have really waited for a sunny day.

That’s not the point. My unease lies within a broader framework. I know I’m eating some if not more of my words here, but it was alarming how quickly the debate shifted - especially in terms of its political and scientific discourse.

Yes climate change is alarming. But surely an issue of such magnitude and impact deserves continued rigorous debate. Many scientists still claim we’re being misled.

I’m not saying we are. But perhaps the debate was defined too narrowly too quickly.

In fact there’s a lot of evidence against human causation in global warming. The Carbon Sense Coalition (http://www.carbon-sense.com/) is one such alternative, and a quick look at some of its scientific reports reveals a very different and compelling view.

These scientists claim that the doctrine acceptance of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) reports `blocks learned discussion’ and brings `little credit to the scientific community.’

And while climate scientists are claiming the debate is over, `space scientists and others are making quite remarkable progress in showing that global warming is almost entirely due to natural causes.’

Global warming is scary and yes we need to take action. But for an issue of such enduring impact, it seems a little concerning that so many of us (including myself) were unfamiliar with it even a year ago.

Do we blame the government for not bringing it to our attention... or is it an indictment of our society that it takes a film (effective but perhaps not necessarily scientifically impartial) for us to sit up and take notice?

The issue here isn’t global warming. I appreciate the immense scientific research of institutions such as the IPCC and CSIRO – and the evidence backing the role of humans in global warming. But I think the debate may have been prematurely hijacked. In my last posting, I wrote that education is the most important tool in any debate. But it’s about educating yourself on both sides of the debate. Besides, you don’t want your words to end up biting you on your blog.

An Inconvenient Truth

2006-09-13T16:28:00.000+10:00

Last Sunday night I set my alarm with the intention of braving brisk conditions for an early morning run. It poured for most of the weekend in Sydney and my few attempts at exercise were thwarted with incessant rain and gale force winds. Such was the case yet again on Monday morning! There’s no doubt we’ve had some strange weather of late. The 107.2 millimetres of rain that fell at Observatory Hill last Thursday achieved a new September record (previously set back in 1883) and parts of Sydney received more than their September average in just a few hours. Ironic perhaps that these uncharacteristic weather conditions were the impetus for an indoors Sunday afternoon lesson in global warming courtesy of Al Gore.

An Inconvenient Truth has received widespread attention since its premiere at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Davis Guggenheim and starring former United States Vice President Al Gore, this documentary presents a powerful argument for global warming and its predicted and devastating effects for the earth and human life. Coupling scientific fact with emotive imagery, much of the information is delivered clearly and succinctly via a multimedia presentation given by Gore. The slideshow is interspersed with brief clips that recount personal events in his life and provide some insight into his motivation.

While the film has generally been well received and its message applauded, it has inevitably attracted some criticism. This stems primarily from an established division in scientific opinion. Most scientists are in agreement with Gore, claiming that global warming is real and contributing to extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, storms, and the melting of the polar ice caps. Contrary to this argument is a belief in the earth’s natural climate variability and inconclusive evidence for the influence of human activity on climate change. Also in contention is the film’s assertion of scientific consensus. Such are the claims of Richard Lindzen, Professor of Atmospheric Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who states that `there is no scientific consensus on global warming’. In a recent interview with Fox News, Lindzen claimed that Gore and other global warming scientists had created `a climate of fear’ by exaggerating the facts. I agree with him to some extent on the former point, but this `climate of fear’ seems more than warranted.

Although scientific contention is inevitable, the extent of dissension is an important issue. Opponents of Gore appear to be firmly in the minority. But journalistic standards of fairness and balanced reporting can lead to biased coverage by presenting this scepticism in equal magnitude. A 2004 US study revealed that when it comes to US media coverage of global warming, balanced reporting of both sides of the story can `actually be a form of informational bias’. This is likely to be the case for any expert opposing mainstream opinion. An opinion headline on the front cover of The Australian this week titled `Why Gore is Wrong’ expressed the unpopular albeit scientifically plausible views of Climatologist William Kininmonth. He claims the debate lacks `rational analysis of some scientific facts’ and accuses Gore and others of waging a scare campaign.

Pitting a handful of prominent scientists against each other serves only as a distraction to the facts. The scientific consensus is clearly expressed in the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and generally supported by climate scientists around the world (see links below). Geochemist Eric Steig of realclimate.org, an objective online commentary that was a recipient of the Scientific American 2005 Science and Technology Web Awards, argues that the science in the film is `remarkably up to date with reference to some of the very latest research’. Despite a few small errors he concludes that Gore, for the most part, got the science right. And he isn’t alone. The Economist, in a special report on climate change, claims that in the past five years, `the science has tended to confirm the idea that something serious is happening’. It maintains that the uncertainty surrounding climate change argues for action, not inaction.

An Inconvenient Truth is a call to action and more significantly, one over which we have some control. Unlike other global threats such as terrorism, we have the resources and ability to make an immediate difference through our everyday actions. These are presented during the credits and include simple methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: switch to green power, plant more trees, recycle, only use the dishwasher with a full load and use the energy saving setting, support local farmers markets and try to eat organic food, buy recycled paper products, catch public transport, and walk wherever possible. These and other suggestions are outlined at www.climatecrisis.net, along with further information and links.

So take a look and learn how you can make a few simple changes for the sake of our environment. Spread the word and encourage as many people as possible to see this film. And most importantly, continue to educate yourself and others on the topic. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon in any debate. I left the cinema feeling shocked and saddened, but also empowered. I recalled a mantra stuck to my pin board at home - `the moment of power is in the present.’ It has always served me well and more poignantly now than ever. Despite research showing that a 60 per cent cut in Australia’s emissions is compatible with strong economic growth, the issue of climate change policy on the Australian economy persists. In the meantime, take charge! Implementing simple changes such as those mentioned above can only be a good thing for the environment, local communities, and indeed ourselves.

Links

New Scientist

Real Climate

Climate Change Science

IPCC

Australian Academy of Science

The Sydney Morning Herald

Spiegel Online

Science-Fiction Becomes Reality

2006-08-23T19:49:00.000+10:00

Few stories can touch you like that of a medical feat such as this – the world’s first laboratory grown bladder. Reading back over some of my previous posts, I noticed the term `incredible’ has often been used to describe my technological encounters and this story warrants yet another dose of the superlative. Seeing organs grown right before your eyes is mind-blowing, especially when you consider the implications of this medical triumph and its capacity to change lives. As of January this year, the organ transplant waiting list in Australia totalled 1716 and almost 54 times that in the United States at 91 568. Reducing those figures with organs grown from the patient’s own cells is revolutionary.

The concept evokes a strong sense of familiarity. As a recurring theme in science-fiction films such as `The Island’ (2005), a remake of the 1976 classic `Logan’s Run’, it almost seems surreal. But the science of tissue engineering is not new. It was coined back in 1986 when Dr Joseph Vacanti proposed a scaffold made out of bio-absorbable material as a means of growing a three-dimensional organ. The cells could be seeded along the model or scaffold, where they'd continue to grow and develop into a fully functioning organ. This was the process used by Dr Anthony Atala in his development of the first successful laboratory-grown bladder at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in North Carolina.

Although extremely complex, the procedure actually sounds quite simple in theory. First, a small biopsy is taken from the patient’s organ. In the lab, growth factors are added to enable the cells to multiply outside the body. This nutrient rich solution is placed in a bioreactor, a device that replicates the homeostatic environment of a human being required for cell growth. While it can take years to develop and perfect these growth factors, the correct solution is powerful enough to cause a group of cells about one centimetre in size to multiply to fill a football field in about 60 days. The multiplied cells are seeded onto a collagen scaffold and returned to the bioreactor, where they continue to grow. Finally, about 7-8 weeks after the biopsy, the model is implanted into the body where it eventually degrades as the new organ or tissue integrates with the body.

The procedure overcomes the two major risks associated with previous treatment options. Firstly, the engineered bladders are grown from the patient’s own cells so there is no risk of rejection as is the case for organ donor recipients. An alternative treatment is to repair the non-functioning bladder tissue with tissue from the intestines, however this may lead to problems such as osteoporosis, kidney stone formation, and increased risk of cancer. This is because the intestine is designed to absorb nutrients, whereas the bladder is designed to excrete. Testing showed that the engineered bladders functioned as well as bladders that are repaired with intestine tissue, but with none of the ill effects.

Dr Atala is currently working to grow 20 different tissues and organs and believes that tissue engineers could one day grow a human heart. While the science needs further study before it can be widely used, additional clinical trials of the bladders are scheduled to begin later this year. Scientists hope that laboratory-grown organs could one day help solve the shortage of donated organs available for transplantation. After sharing in the passion and skill of these amazing scientists, I believe it’s only a matter of time.

Woman vs Robot

2006-08-16T22:23:00.000+10:00

I spent a lot of time with robots on my second trip filming overseas. Last week you met Madeleine, the swimming tetrapod. A while back in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, an incredible mine mapping robot escorted me 30 feet underground. And this week I battled it out with FA1 – the world’s first Fighting Android. As I’m sure you can imagine, it was a lot of fun albeit exhausting.

Our location was Virginia Beach, the fourth largest suburban city in North America. Best known for its oceanfront and resorts, the place was certainly in party-mode when we arrived in early May. It felt like one big frat party and there was no shortage of scantily clad guys and girls flaunting their fabulousness. Perhaps they would have been keen to go a few rounds with my new pal. If my tender gluteals were anything to go by, a few sparring sessions with the FA1 could definitely assist in the toning department.

More than just a punching bag, the Fighting Android also provides a fun fitness alternative for gym junkies. Its main aim however, is to reduce the risk of injury during boxing and martial arts training sessions. Simulating the movements of a human, FA1 embodies a life-like electromechanical device that moves backwards and forward, rotates, and dodges to the left and right. The device can throw an array of punches towards the fighter with either hand, including a straight punch, single or double jab, upper cut, right or left cross, hook, and various combinations of these. It typically throws these punches towards the head, torso or arm regions of the fighter. Alternatively, it can assume a defensive posture or throw a counter punching sequence towards the fighter. It may look a little unusual and stilted, but it feels incredibly realistic and puts up one heck of a challenge.

Its inventor, Luther Trawick, has spent the last 15 years trying to perfect his creation. Apparently the greatest challenge was simulating the twisting torso motion of a boxer – a problem he overcame using various devices, actuators (motors), and dummy limbs acquired from his local junkyard. Amazingly, one of the key advances in his years of tinkering was the discovery of windscreen wiper motors, which he used in replicating the side-to-side movements of a human (left to right). An impressive optional feature of the robot is the addition of impact recording sensors, which are placed at strategic locations (such as the face, chest, arms, and ribcage) and used to award points. Various point values are assigned for hitting different regions and the amount of force delivered by a punch. That information is fed into an added circuit and tallied on the computer screen to inform programming sequences and speed.

In terms of safety, the android is fully padded from head to toe as a means of protecting the fighter and itself from injury and damage. The fist is also contact sensitive and if too much force or resistance is applied, it retracts mechanically and electronically. This is the only feature I was unwilling to test myself, but there were a few close shaves and I have to admit it was a little unnerving. Although Luther assured me the punch would be minimal, I decided instead to push my dodging and punching skills to the limit. Twelve hours and many a sore muscle later, the round was over. In one corner, the Fighting Android stood defiant and indestructible. In the other, a body of jelly with only two things on her mind – a succulent steak and a good nights sleep. Both went down a treat.

The Good Life

2006-08-15T17:46:00.001+10:00

It's only my third posting and food once again dominates. No doubt most of you shared my excitement at the recent discovery of a chocolate that is actually good for your heart. Not so much a discovery but the culmination of fifteen years of research. Time very well spent. This story was always going to be a favourite, combining two undeniably alluring topics - chocolate and Brazil. The first of two stories filmed in one hectic Brazilian week (the other story on Brazil's alternative fuel aired a few weeks ago), it was based at the Mars Cocoa Bean Research Farm in Ilheus, a major city located in the southern coastal region of Bahia (430 km south of Salvador).

While incredible, it was actually one of the most physically tiring shoots due to an unfortunate run of delayed flights that left us with no more than one hours sleep prior to arriving and heading straight out to film. We missed our connecting flight from Sao Paulo to Ilheus (because our initial flight from Miami to Sao Paulo was delayed). Then on arrival into Sao Paulo at 11pm, we learnt that the only flight to Ilheus was the following morning at 3:30am. So after one precious hour of sleep, we hurried to the airport only for our flight to be cancelled yet again. Delirium had well and truly set in by this stage and doubt was making a fierce debut. We were due to begin filming at 9am that day and there was no way our shoot could be rescheduled. Fortunately a 7am flight was soon confirmed. Unfortunately it was taking off from another airport across the other side of town and we didn't have long. So we unloaded our 21 bags of luggage and equipment from the carousel, divided them into five tiny cabs, and sped across Sao Paulo. My exhaustion gave way to adrenalin filled excitement as we zipped in and out of traffic, the sun making its first glowing appearance on the foggy horizon. What a way to start the day – whizzing through the city at sunrise with a driver who spoke no English but, on hearing me hum along to the radio, proudly whipped out his compilation of Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas hits for the ultimate sing-along session. It was such a buzz to be back in Brazil.

We greeted our chocolate research team at the airport and stopped briefly at our little beachside hotel to shower and change. Then it was a 45-minute trip inland to the cocoa fields, during which we received an intense lesson in chocolate production and the importance of flavanol preservation. Flavanol can be described as a health-promoting compound that occurs naturally in cocoa beans. Scientific studies suggest it could help to lower cholesterol, relax blood vessels, and ward off heart disease. In fact, a Professor at London's William Harvey Research Institute has applied for permission to trial the effects of dark chocolate (believed to contain high amounts of flavanol) on 40 patients with cardiovascular disease. While the exact mechanism of action underlying these effects is still unclear, there is strong evidence linking these physiological effects to an increase in the availability of nitric oxide – an important signalling molecule. Traditional methods of chocolate production destroy the beneficial flavanols. CocoaVia chocolate however (right), developed by Mars Nutrition for Health and Well Being (a new division of Mars), claims to be a heart-healthy snack that contains more than 100 milligrams of flavanols per bar.

In between bouts of rain, we managed to film several sequences at the cocoa farm including an interview with our chocolate expert, Professor Howard Shapiro. It makes the filming process so much easier when you have great talent (on-camera interviewees) and Howard certainly fit into this category. It can be difficult to condense and communicate such a wealth of knowledge and information often gathered over many years and sometimes a lifetime of work. Howard did it with ease and was also willing to let loose and have a bit of fun. He also proved to be a helpful technical addition to the team on our second day of filming, when we realised that we didn'’t yet have a wide shot of the research farm. It was so dense, like the Amazon Jungle I had visited 18 months earlier in the northwest of Brazil, and we needed to convey its magnitude in the story. Our only answer was an old water tower (above) positioned at the end of an ascending dirt track. It was quite scary climbing to the top, but luckily we had a few extra hands to carry equipment (thanks to Howard and our translator, Fernando). As you can see, Fernando was also recruited to help out with the fleckie (the silver or gold screen that reflects light into the shot). The 360-degree view from the top was breathtaking– dense shades and textures of green merged into distant mountains and a variety of birds could be seen and heard. Although we only filmed a few pieces to camera and scenic shots, it was a few hours before we eventually returned to the ground.

That night we celebrated a successful few days of filming (and surviving the water tower!) Howard invited us to the beautiful hilltop home of his close friend to enjoy a traditional Brazilian stew called Feijoada (meat with black beans) and Skol beer. It really hit the spot. From up in the hills, we could hear the loud cheers and music of locals celebrating a regional win in the soccer below. Once again I was reminded of what it is that makes Brazil so appealing - simple but satisfying fare, good beer (and capirinhas), and a zealous appetite for life.

Culinary Science

2006-08-05T14:50:00.000+10:00

New York, New York… so good they named it twice – and twice this year I’ve had the pleasure of working in this incredible city. I only visited New York for the first time back in Christmas 2004 as part of a six-week trip overseas with one of my closest friends, Melissa. It was one leg of a rather arbitrary itinerary that took us from Paris to Berlin to New York and finally Brazil, where we spent New Years in Rio de Janeiro before visiting Foz do Iguacu, Salvador da Bahia, and Manaus (the gateway to the Amazon Jungle).

I usually carry a journal on longer trips because I have a terrible memory and like to remember moments as well as favourite restaurants and places to visit. I’ve just been flicking through the pages of my 04/05 Journal for the first time since returning 18 months ago and not surprisingly (considering my obsession with food), much of my writing revolves around culinary experiences. Whether at home or travelling, food certainly comprises a disproportionate slice of my weekly budget. My return trips to New York in February and May this year were no different, although working 14-hour days did limit us somewhat. Nonetheless on the eve of our one-day off a week, I did manage to lure the crew to Balthazar – one my favourite restaurants and the same place I’d celebrated my birthday a few months earlier. Roasted Halibut was followed by drinks at a nearby Irish Pub, where we met up with some of the lovely girls we’d been working with that week. Actually, we were quite spoilt in New York. Filming for several days at Olives, a top restaurant run by renowned Chef Todd English (above), certainly had its edible perks.

The Food Profiling story commenced in Cincinnati at the beginning of our trip, continued into New York, and eventually finished at the Sydney Fish Markets where the powder was put through its paces. Like film and television drama, our stories are very rarely shot chronologically and quite often pick-ups are required (additional filming to round out the story). Such was the case for this story – both the opener and closer were filmed at the Sydney Fish Markets on returning to Australia. Most of the technology was shot at the company headquarters of Givaudan where all of the science comes together. It was here that we met the team behind Givaudan’s TasteTrek program, which aims to discover and tap into unique aromas and flavours throughout the world using proprietary headspace technology. Amazingly, the headspace process and apparatus captures the aroma molecules of a particular dish or food and uses that information to recreate the flavour for the consumer market. The first Givaudan TasteTrek occurred in Madagascar back in 2003. The aim of the mission was to discover new flavours and tastes, and species of plant life from an exotic part of the world... and what better way to seek adventure and discovery than soaring above the Madagascan canopy on a blimp (photo courtesy of Givaudan). The team was successful - discovering, among other things, a new berry with flavours similar to blackberries. Other culinary TasteTreks have seen the Givaudan team travel to authentic food stalls and restaurants in Thailand, China, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, France and the US – but its collaboration with celebrity chef Todd English was a first.

In its partnership with Todd, Givaudan created a range of five signature flavours. We followed the process for one specific dish, Lobster Puttanesca – prepared by English at his New York restaurant, Olives. The very difficult task of sampling it revealed incredible flavours; lots of chilli, garlic, onion, capers, and truss tomatoes. Simple but strong Mediterranean flavours that were then extracted as aroma molecules. The headspace capture process for the Puttanesca dish took approximately 2-3 hours and new versions of the same dish were replenished every 20 minutes or so to keep the aromas fresh. So how does the technology work? The apparatus is basically a glass dome and the area inside of the dome is referred to as the headspace. Attached to its top are three glass tubes with specialised filters. At the end of each tube is a soft, pliable tube connected to a small vacuum pump that draws air out of the headspace dome and up through the filter, capturing the aroma molecules in a glass ampule. A solvent in the ampule helps capture the aroma molecules in the form of liquid droplets and that information is analysed in the laboratory and eventually converted into a seasoning powder.

It’s quite a crazy looking apparatus and the procedure really is extraordinary. Essentially, scientists are creating a unique molecular profile of the dish so that you and I can cook authentic restaurant meals without the hassle or high cost. So does it taste as good as the real thing? I was eager to find out, but it would be another eight weeks before the fate of a Sydney lobster was sealed in my hands. It was certainly easy enough and, apart from the lobster, reasonably cheap – olive oil, linguine, canned tomatoes, and of course the essential ingredient. On first tasting, it wasn’t quite there so we added a little more powder… and then a little more… and finally, just one more teaspoon (we only had the sample, which didn’t carry instructions). Bingo. Lobster Puttanesca à la Sara Groen. While it tasted the part and didn’t look too far off the original, I have to admit I did miss the actual textures and colours of the real deal. Of course you’re not going to be too worried about that when you’ve just finished a long day at work, beaten off contenders for the grocery store queue, and succumbed to road rage on the traffic laden trip home.

Attack of the Brazilian Bugs

2006-08-01T18:43:00.000+10:00

There’s nothing like home when you’ve spent most of the year living out of a suitcase. I’m certainly not complaining of course – I love nothing more than arriving in a new city with endless possibilities for adventure, but I’m sure the experience is compounded by the re-discovery or appreciation of your own country when you finally do touch down. I returned from my last trip about 4 weeks ago. So far this year, I’ve been away for 92 days – two trips each spanning almost seven weeks. Apparently back in the Beyond 2000 days, the crew would travel for up to 13 weeks at a time… I can’t begin to fathom being without my bed for such a long time.

If you tune into Beyond Tomorrow (and I hope you do!), you obviously see the finished product… 7-8 stories of approximately 5-8 minutes in length. Like any TV show, it’s the culmination of many hours of brainstorming, meetings, research, filming, post and pre-production etc involving many different people. While I was involved in the research side of things, my main gig is on the road – the filming… and so these are the stories I’d like to share. What madness ensues when you send four people who’ve never really met let alone worked together (presenter, producer, camera, and sound) on a seven-week trip overseas (working 12-16 hours a day, six days a week) with the aim of producing around 14 stories… stories we strive to make and hope to be interesting, informative, and entertaining.

Well… after too many hours in the air and too little sleep, we arrived into Cincinnati – the first of many airports. I think the tally wrapped with a total of 14 flights in seven weeks (one week into my second trip, we’d already ventured into three states). That night we all decided to try out the local brew (and discovered what would be a staple throughout the journey… Ylang Ylang). Fortunately a few drinks helped shrug of the jetlag and send us all to sleep. Unfortunately we all suffered a little for it the next day, which led me to my first super cheesy pasta (the Americans love their cheese alright), which led me to feeling a little more poorly. As you can imagine, we all took it easy that day preparing for a big week of filming.

The following day we filmed the first segment of a two-part story that was to be finished in NY. Who would have thought that the aroma molecules of a dish contribute so significantly to its flavour? That’s exactly what headspace technology achieves – it captures the precise aroma molecules of a particular dish (in this case, Lobster Puttanesca as prepared by US celebrity Chef Todd English – there’s a pic of him in the images section) and uses that information to recreate the flavour in powder form. I’ll elaborate on that one later in the week.

Last week you would have seen a story on a product called Dyn-O-Gel, a powder substance that literally turns water into thick gel – the aim is to use it on hurricanes and ultimately reduce the severity of a storm… amazing stuff. It was actually developed from an incredibly basic but very flexible (in terms of its application) product called Dyn-O-Mat, a leak resistant mat originally used under cars to absorb oil. We filmed that story in two parts – the interviews and actual product were shot in a small town called Jupiter on the East coast of Florida (where I recall having one of the best steaks of the trip!) The opener and closer (basically the set-up and wrap-up) were filmed on famous South Beach in Miami, Florida – we had no problem recruiting extras for that piece. The place is full of transient partygoers plus a staple of flamboyant locals.

Considering it only comprised about 30 seconds of the final story, the opening piece to that story took hours to film! Firstly, there was plenty of noise for our sound recordist to deal with in the form of incessant heckling, planes, and revving motor engines. Then there was me. This was our first shoot on return to the States from Brazil, where we’d been filming for a week in the cocoa fields of Ilheus. It was here that some sort of Brazilian bug relentlessly attacked both the producer and myself, leaving some rather nasty bites that seemed to get worse in the following days. Consequently, on arrival back into the States I was prescribed some pretty intense drugs, which left me feeling quite spaced out! Couple that with an intense sun and you get a dopey presenter struggling to spit out a single piece to camera. Fortunately I managed to make some sense of things just as a massive storm moved in on us – quite appropriate considering the nature of the story. Hurricane season had just commenced and the rate at which the clear blue sky turned to thundering grey was incredible.

We attempted numerous show closers (the goodbye wrap-up at the end of the entire show) in the storm as well as an alternative opener. Ironically, the rushed alternative opener was the piece used in the final cut… so the hours we’d spent filming on the beach that morning were reduced even further to a couple of seconds of overlay. Wet and tired, we eventually called it a day. That night, I decided to give up on the prescription drugs and let the nature of the mystery bug bite take its course. Needless to say I slept very well!