Survivorman

infobox Television
show_name = Survivorman


caption = "Survivorman" logo
genre = Reality (wilderness survival)
runtime = 44 minutes (not including commercials)
creator = Les Stroud
starring = Les Stroud
country = flagcountry|Canada
network = Canada: OLN
USA: The Discovery Channel, The Science Channel
first_aired = November 24(?), 2004 - Present
num_episodes = 17
website = http://www.survivorman.ca/
imdb_id = 0770659
tv_com_id = 51176|

"Survivorman" is a Canadian-produced television program, broadcast in Canada on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN), and in the United States and internationally on The Discovery Channel and The Science Channel. The show has aired two seasons to date, in 2004 and in 2007.

The "Survivorman" is Canadian filmmaker and survival expert Les Stroud, who must use his survival skills to manage for seven days by himself in various remote locales with little or no food, water, or equipment.

Unlike the similar Discovery Channel series "Man vs. Wild", Stroud is completely alone (he is not accompanied by a camera crew and he operates the cameras himself). He is equipped with only his clothes, his camera equipment, his "trusty" harmonica, and a Leatherman multi-tool. Often, the show begins with a specific scenario in which one might find oneself stranded (such as a car breakdown in the desert; or stranded on a deserted island after a storm). To add to the realism of the "scenario", he is sometimes permitted to have some 'everyday items' that a stranded person in such a situation might possess. He also carries a satellite phone for use only in an emergency. [cite web |url=http://science.discovery.com/convergence/survivorman/qanda/qanda_02.html |title=Ask Survivorman |publisher=The Science Channel]

"Survivorman" can be considered to be a sequel or spin-off to Stroud's earlier project, "Stranded", a 2001 five-part series that was shown on the Canadian Discovery Channel.

urvival situations

In each episode Stroud places himself in a unique survival situation. The show is meant to demonstrate how one might survive alone in a remote location with minimal supplies until being rescued. Finding food, water, and materials to make fire and shelter pose the main challenges of each episode.

Part of the tension of "Survivorman" is in watching Stroud deal with the aftermath of unsuccessful or inappropriate survival techniques and decisions. The reasons for these errors can include time limitations, being unfamiliar with a technique, or misjudging weather conditions, all frequently encountered by people in survival situations. Stroud allows these predicaments to occur for the benefit of the TV audience, rather than simply sitting and waiting to be rescued. While acknowledging the errors and the negative effect on his emotional state that they can create, Stroud remains calm throughout, providing a model of behaviour vital to successful survival.

In addition to the physical challenges posed by each survival situation, Stroud confronts the psychological effects of isolation, physical injury, and exhaustion. Stroud is never without his harmonica, even in the episode where he honed his harmonica to eight sharp points on the hard rocks in an unsuccessful attempt to create a flounder catching device. Stroud's harmonica playing creates an atmosphere in strong contrast to the often dismal nature of the survival experience, and has a noticeable positive effect on the host. Stroud also narrates to the camera, commenting on his physical and psychological state, providing survival tips, or making jokes (such as his parody of an iconic scene in "The Blair Witch Project"), effectively employing the future television audience as a companion. Stroud also often dismantles available equipment (e.g. bike, snowmobile, airplane) and puts it to another practical use.

Prior to each episode, Les relies heavily on local experts to brief him on key survival techniques unique to that particular location. This knowledge of the unique flora and fauna of each location is perhaps his most basic yet powerful skill. In every episode he shows the audience how to find viable sources of nourishment, avoid dangerous or unhealthy ones, and utilize them appropriately and efficiently. Stroud frequently explains that gathering food in this manner should be reserved for true survival situations in order to preserve the environment.

Stroud's survival situations are reported to have helped real people who find themselves stranded in the elements to survive. Most recently, in April 2008, it was reported that a Manitoba man separated from his friends while snowmobiling used lessons learned from Stroud to survive and be rescued. [cite news |url=http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20080404125729/wire/entertainment/canada-s-survivorman-humbled-to-hear-manitoba-man-used-his-tips-to-survive.html |author=Lee-Anne Goodman|title=Canada's 'Survivorman' humbled to hear Manitoba man used his tips to survive |accessdate=2008-05-10 |date=2008-04-04 |publisher=Prince George Citizen ]

Filming

Except for footage of him arriving at his new setting, and being retrieved at the end of the week, the content of each episode is taped entirely by Stroud himself using several DV video cameras that he must carry with him everywhere that he goes. (He has lately switched to a number of HDV cameras.) The burden of having to carry, place, and retrieve the camera equipment for each shot adds to the challenge and difficulty of each survival situation. His camera and audio gear typically weigh about 50 pounds (22.7 kg) in total. During the "Behind the Scenes" episode, Stroud explains that "setting up or tearing down all of my camera gear takes about 65% of my time," making survival more challenging. The episode also explains that Stroud and his team extensively scout their locations ahead of time and consult with survivalists and natives to the area. The goal is both to ensure Stroud's safety and to sketch out interesting scenarios and techniques that can be illustrated on the show. He later records a voice-over commentary in the studio, where he explains his decision-making process and details of how he accomplished various tasks.

On July 16, 2007, Stroud and a support crew of four in the safety camp were cited by the United States National Park Service for commercial filming without a permit at Taroka Arm, a seldom-visited area at Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Investigators found a driftwood shelter surrounded by multiple cameras on the beach. The support crew was camped near a sensitive archaeological site. Stroud paid the required application, location and monitoring fees, totaling approximately $2,800 USD. [cite web |url=http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=3362 |title=The Morning Report for Monday, July 23, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-24 |date=2007-07-23 |publisher=National Park Service ]

Episodes

Season 1

References

External links

* [http://www.survivorman.ca/ Official "Survivorman" Website]
* [http://www.lesstroudonline.com/ Les Stroud's Official Website]
* [http://www.tsn.ca/oln/feature.asp?fid=10478/ Outdoor Life Network description]