Getting Started In Wildlife Filmmaking 1 of 5

I wrote Part 1 of Getting Started in Wildlife Filmmaking on my old blog ‘Paul Inglis Media Web Journal’ back in January this year (11-01-2009 at 16:54). Part 2 never got published as Harbour Creek Productions began to overwhelm me for a while. However I will finish this series over the coming months. So let’s get started with Part 1 again.

Every month I get bombarded with emails from aspiring wildlife videographers asking an array of questions from how do I start filming wildlife through to planning a documentary? Therefore I have decided to sit down and write this multi-part guide to help answer those questions.

It will be split into five digestible parts covering the key elements of the industry as a whole;

Part One

• A brief introduction to wildlife filmmaking and the living world.

Part Two

• This will cover the initial gear needed to begin filming wildlife and those additional items that follow.

Part Three

• The Pre-Production which will cover the planning your film including finding and working with ‘On-Camera Talent’ through to the all important Funding of the Project.

Part Four

• The Production is to include all aspects of Audio, Camera Techniques, Creating Scenes, through to producing successful interviews and much more.

Part Five

• The post-production the final stage covering Editing, Tilting & CGs and how to present your film.

So you want to be a Wildlife Filmmaker?

Do you have an interest in Natural History? I know it seems like a really daft question to ask but you’d be surprised at the number of people who have answered this as no! To be honest, most of the success filmmakers I know are primarily naturalists who have a deep seated passion for the living world and evolved into filmmaking rather than becoming a filmmaker and saying oh I’ll film wildlife. So first and foremost is you need to learn about Natural History, if you don’t already have a basic understanding, as it will stand you in good stead to capturing that inspiring footage that grabs the audience. This should come naturally to you! However if you are not passionate about Natural History then perhaps you will be better off pursuing other genres.

Learning about the Natural World we live in is a never ending process. You can learn by listening, reading, watching and through first hand experience in the field itself. Having a good understanding of your local wildlife is highly desirable but with subjects further a field such as another country you can always do an extensive research before going.

You should be aiming to have a broad understanding of the best time of year to find your chosen quarry, its preferred habitat and trademark behavioural patterns. Through meticulous research on the web, reading books, watching wildlife documentaries along with spending time with nature itself you’ll develop and hone your field-craft.

To successfully film wildlife you need to be able to watch the subject without being seen, heard or smelt. So before rushing out and actually beginning any filming it is advisable to again practical experience of tracking your chosen quarry and pretend your making a film. By doing so you learn more as the camera won’t be distracting you allowing you to concrete 100% on the subject. Over time you begin to understand about each subject’s circle of fear and learn to respect it. If an animal is nervous then it will show on your film, it is much better when a subject is relaxed and behaving normally as they do what they do best, that’s what you’re trying to capture.

The first piece of equipment that is absolutely essential in a wildlife filmmakers armoury has to be a good pair of Bins (Binoculars). This will enable you watch the intimate lives of the animals while staying out of their circle of fear allowing you to witness them going about their everyday lives. This will help you with the planning of your documentary as you will have shots in your head when you do begin the filming that you’ll want to capture, such as a dolphin breaching.

Along with reading magazines, books and articles on the web it is also essential that you watch natural history documentaries. Just like I am amazed with people who want to become wildlife filmmakers yet have no interest in the natural world we live in, I am equally flabbergasted by those that haven’t seen or heard of certain landmark programmes or series.

If you want to make good wildlife films / documentaries then it is an absolute must that you watch as many programmes as possible. It will inspire you and over time you’ll learn not only about the subjects but how to compose scenes, types of angles, along with how it was cut together to make a compelling film, what did and didn’t work for you and much, much more.

Satellite and Cable have channels such as the National Geographic and Discovery Animal Planet to mention a couple that air many documentaries, programs and series throughout the year about the natural world along with your regular national channels. You can record and archive programmes off your satellite/cable/national television for reviewing at a later date. Also purchasing DVDs is another great way to see wildlife films. Websites such as YouTube are also another invaluable resource to watch wildlife films produced by both amateurs and professionals.

Also by joining specialised forums you can meet like mind people who are friendly and willing to help. It’s a great way to network along with a great resource pool to help you learn about the latest trends, gear, sites, solutions and so on. If you have a problem or a question there is near always someone who is in the know and has an explanation or can clarify problems or questions.

Well that’s it for Part One, next time I’ll be looking at the equipment that is needed to start filming the natural world.

Happy shooting,

Paul