WHAT THE VIEWERS SAY

“A true artisan…” 

Other people here have already commented on the virtuoso work of Jacob, and the astute viewer can feel the presence of a true artisan here, a handmade, deeply personal work that must have taken years of his life to perfect. There is something almost sacred about such devotion to a craft, and of course, to its subject, the osprey. It takes a certain kind of madness, or at the very least, obsession to create such a work. There is a zen about this film that sets it apart.

I would add one specific note, and it contributes beautifully to the overall impact. Paul Giamatti’s narration read is a tour de force of understated emotions, light and shade and interest in every line. I’m not usually a fan of ‘voice of God’ narration, but in this case he brings another layer of character to the film built on Janet’s stylish but unobtrusive words - not a syllable out of place, not a wasted phrase. When so much could be said, its often best to say just enough, and in Paul’s gentle voice, there is a poetic accompaniment to Jacob’s wonderful images.

Simon Nasht 
Smith & Nasht, Sydney 

“Really is a special film”

We loved the Osprey film and committed to creating the European version for ARTE, because we felt it really is a special film which gets incredibly close to the life challenges of these amazing birds.

It is so well shot - just amazing photography and has all the benefits that you would look for in a nature documentary. Story-wise it is covering the full cycle of an Osprey being born and growing up in excellent and very close photography as well as the bond between the grown-up birds and the challenges they face in raising their chicks - also the challenges and throwbacks that younger and inexperienced birds have to face.   

A great addition are the side stories of other animals in the natural environment of the Osprey, like the foxes, which add to diversified storytelling.

Last but not least the material is very well edited - we are well aware that it is not easy to work out “emotions“ in the look and behavior of birds, but this is of course what is needed to grab the viewer’s attention and involve them emotionally. We think that this has worked out beautifully in OSPREY. 

Christian Beetz,
Gebrueder Beetz Production, Berlin

“Sensational!”

Jacob’s film is sensational! It is the best footage of osprey flying, fishing and at the nest that I have ever seen. It’s a dazzling look at the osprey’s day-to-day life. And there’s the ability to integrate all that into the surrounding landscape of the Connecticut coast, bringing in some of the other wildlife that share this habitat. No one has done it better!

Dr. Alan F. Poole 
Author: Ospreys: The Revival of a Global Raptor
Associate, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

“A privilege to watch such wonder”

It was a privilege to watch such wonder emerging over the season of this remarkable bird. Jacob's talent and infinite patience are extraordinary in capturing such an amazing and superbly designed creature. The photography is breathtaking, the infinite drama of this small cycle of life, astonishing, while the narration is restrained yet explanatory without falling into the anthropomorphic trap. You really do feel that this is life in the wild... You must be immensely proud to have your name attached to such a work of art. We both want to watch it all over again. Many times.

Janet Bell
Producer, Sydney

”Capturing osprey in their world”

I love Season of the Osprey! You’ve done a wonderful job of capturing osprey in their world and really transporting the viewer into that place.

Ellen Windemuth
CEO Waterbear Network 
Executive Producer, My Octopus Teacher (Academy Award 2021)

”I loved this film!”

The richness in all the elements of this film is what I am left with. The sumptuous cinematography, the engrossing and carefully constructed narrative, and the engaging energy of each beautifully drawn character in the Osprey family, combined with the brief sequences with the various antagonists, make for a wonderfully rich and compelling hour of natural history viewing. I loved this film!

Bruce Young, 
Director, Blood Lions South Africa

“Obsessed in the best way”

Every commissioning editor has programs they regret not commissioning, sometimes because they become ratings blockbusters elsewhere, other times because they were mesmerizing. One of my regrets goes out on PBS Nature this week – an exquisite portrait of an osprey by the talented filmmaker, Jacob Steinberg. I first met Jacob at Jackson Wild in 2017.  Peter Hamilton had urged me to see him. Birds were not high on our agenda as they often struggle to attract a large audience. But Jacob’s footage was spectacular. I left wanting to help him make his film. “Osprey” was clearly a passion project and Jacob was obsessed with the raptor in the very best way. 

Of course, like all programmers, I have my biases. Ospreys nest around my house on the Chesapeake and I am constantly enthralled as they soar overhead. But what really impresses me is that the male and female migrate separately every winter to Latin America and then reunite every spring on our electricity pole.

Jacob did everything he could to fan our interest - proposals, trailers, and treatments arrived over a two-year period. Peter Hamilton urged the project on with well-timed prompts. But although we spent hours considering it, we couldn’t bring it to conclusion. Maybe we just couldn’t overcome our bias about bird films. So, let’s celebrate the triumph of a passionate filmmaker this week. Narrated by Paul Giamatti, “Season of the Osprey” premieres on PBS Nature at 8 pm, Oct 27. It deserves a big audience. Congratulations to Jacob and my friends at Blue Ant Media, PBS Nature and its early champion, and co-EP, Peter Hamilton

David Royle 
EVP Programming & Production, Smithsonian Networks, 2006-21

“Tour de force of nature documentaries”

The photography in Season of the Osprey is some of the best nature images I’ve ever seen.  The pictures are rich, precise and entertaining.  Well done to the camera operators!

What a treat to hear Paul Giamatti doing the narration for this film.  He has the perfect tone, rhythm and expressiveness to bring this story to vivid life. 

It’s obvious that it took years to get the story of the Osprey in the can.  The amount of time, effort and patience required to make this film results in a tour de force of nature documentaries. The ability of the producers to craft such a meticulous story about an often misunderstood bird is a testament to how well they know their craft.  It’s a remarkable achievement.

Tom Jennings
1895 Films. Winner: Peabody Award