We caught up with the students and lecturers of the Wildlife Academy, who recently returned from the latest field expedition in the Kruger National Park. Needless to say, it was a life-changing experience for some. But that’s the beauty of film, watch the clips for yourself: 
 

 

• Water Conservation video
• The Wilderness to preserve video

The art of Wildlife filmmaking

 

The Wildlife Film Academy offers a one-month filmmaking course developed by award-winning wildlife filmmakers. Rightly so, it's aimed at the passionate film student. But without any entry prerequisites, except a passion for all things natural, nothing stops those with a few spare weeks on their hands and roughly R20 000, from making like David Attenborough and plumbing the depths of the wild.

Divided into three parts, the course includes an exhilarating week in a game reserve, filming African wildlife.

Lyndal's tips unearthed

What if you don't have four full weeks on your hands and your mission is not a wildlife show reel but simply a family celluloid heirloom?

Samantha Pryce, Wildlife Film Academy PR Officer, put us in touch with naturalist Lyndal Davies. Nature lover Lyndal has always had a thing for the environment.

Her Australian company Rock Wallaby Productions has produced over 21 one-hour wildlife programmes and she has presented the award winning six-part series "Lyndal's Life line" and the groundbreaking series "Unearthed".

As a successful filmmaker she offers the following advice:

1. Patience

Wildlife is subject to no schedule – it has to be in the animal’s time. If you are operating the camera then you must be prepared to sit and wait quite a while for a really great shot.

2. Be prepared to rough it

Most of the world’s wildlife is often found in remote and inaccessible places. It’s one of the big factors ensuring the survival of the various species. The downside is it can make filming a potential nightmare. It once took us 18 hours to navigate a 20 kilometre stretch of road – and we were in vehicles! Once you reach your destination you have to find the animals. This often involves trekking through the jungle and camping under the stars. If sleeping on a sheet of plastic and creepy crawlies are not your thing then you may want to consider a different subject.

3. Storytelling

It's one thing to get the amazing pictures but another matter altogether creating a documentary. Pictures will only hold the viewers attention for so long. You need to create an interesting story around these pictures. That means marrying the pictures together. And an appropriate voice over helps.

4. Communication

A sense of humour is also a huge bonus. You might be working in very difficult situations and with the same camera crew for months on end.

5. Passion

Filming wildlife really isn't a part-time endeavour. You really need to be passionate about animals and love what you are doing as the mere fact you are spending your days working with them will be your greatest reward.

For more information email info@wildlifefilmacademy.com, telephone 021 422 5363.

 

Answer the call of the wild with some of these great Bush Packages