National Geographic - Sizzle Upfront 2005

Dare to Explore

The 'Dare to Explore' clip is a promotional presentation representing the National Geographic Corporation. The promotion begins with a beautiful extremely tight shot of the center of a flower, which is followed by a translucent inner womb video clip of an early stage fetus floating and pulsating. These shots set the stage for the message that will continue throughout the promo. The message being life and the world in lives in. In its many different forms and stages.
The video cuts from photos of the pure nature, to simple life styles in third world countries, to nasa and the space program. The clip is full of contrast. Including contrast of cultures and people, as well as calm weather contrasted with violent weather, small simple life and complex scientific technological advancements - they are all portrayed and given their moment on stage. A smokey, trailing effect was added to most of the photo shots. The effect is sometimes appearing as smoke or flame like trail in the background, yet in many shots it is actually pulled from an object in the photo. For example, a black like smoke trails off the back pack of a mountain climber, and then later an explorer is riding through the jungle on a cable and again the smokey trail runs off of the red and yellow handle of the device he is hanging onto.
The clip continues on displaying shots of various types of risk taking. Fast cars, parachuting, white water rafting are a few of the clips that are displayed. From these fast paced shots the tone changes somewhat into shots that still demonstrate risk taking, however more in the form of scientific exploration with risk, not just for sport.
Throughout the video promo, the song 'Dare you to Move', by Switchfoot plays. The words and rythm to the song are very well matched to the message being put forth. The words Welcome to the Planet, Welcome to existence, everyone's here.....What happens next.....These words combine perfectly with the photos to help build upon the powerful message showing that mankind has always had a powerful urge to explore and learn about the world.
At the end of the clip an explorer states a few words about man's need to explore, and the clip closes with the National Geographic logo, and a slogan added stating "Dare to Explore", which challenges the viewer to participate in the exploration by watching the NGC channel/programming.