Wilderness Filmmaking: A video of the wild animals in action.

 Introduction

It is easy to see that the great outdoors has always remained an unchanging fascination for movie makers. Starting from the stunning views to the down-to-earth presentation of the fundamentals of life, shooting documentaries in the wild allows creating a unique picture. Whether capturing the last remaining landAfrica’s last remaining wildernesses or building suspense horror films set in the wilderness, cinematography in the wild is some of the most challenging work one can imagine. So today, I want to talk about the phenomenon of where filmmaking is and the specific difficulties and benefits that surround it.

1. Its a Fantasy of Capturing Adventure

Wilderness filmmaking is about a lot more than photographing grand Alpine vistas; it is about storytelling where the land becomes one of the players in the drama. Whether it is cold Arctic, hot and humid jungle of South American or vast sand dune of Sahara these terrains provide an uncluttered wilderness.

This is because the power of the wilderness is in the uncertainty and therefore changes stimulate interest and/or demands a new strategy. When filmmakers decide to go to the wilderness, they are then giving up their directions to nature. This makes the movie rather intense and rather basic, in terms of taking the audience and putting them right into the specter of the imposing vastness of nature. Perhaps for this reason, wilderness filmmaking is all about respecting aesthetics and the bare real of the entire world.

Films that Embody Wilderness

Documentary films such as Into the Wild, The Revenant, and indeed Planet Earth prove that even with such environments, all it takes is some creativity in presenting the viewers with remarkable display. It demonstrates the consciousness of the globe, increases the sense of the vastness of the beautifully pristine nature, its integration into the human story.

2. LOCATIONS – Planning and Pre-Production in the Wild

The first step that should be undertaken when starting any wilderness film is planning. This is where a lot of research comes in handy because the wilderness area is highly unpredictable. To put it as a roadmap for your first course of action, begin by researching your climate, geographical features, animal and plant life, potential dangers, etc.

Location Scouting

Of course, scouting specific locations is especially relevant in urban or studio settings, or even outdoors, but in the forest, it is crucial. In addition, to finding the location that will best suit the setting of your narrative, you also have to consider how easy, safe and risky it is to shoot in that specific location. For instance, is there any hope that there will be shelter close to us? Is there a possibility for a person, animal or bird attack, an attack by dangerous insects or reptiles or are there unpredictable climatic conditions?

Employ the services of a local guide, he or she will familiarize you with the area’s ecology. Not only will they show you the best places and guide you but they have great insight about the weather, wildlife, and how to remain safe in the wild.

Designing the gears suitable for use in extreme conditions

Recording activities at the forest is not easy to do and this demands robust equipment. Cine and photo equipment such as; cameras, tripods, drones and audio equipment must be built to endure extreme temperatures, humidity and dust. This one of those things you don’t think about, however, merely selecting the wrong type of gear can result to ruined appliances or missed shots.

Durables such as waterproof, shockproof, and dust-resistant gear should be your consideration. Directors should also carry spare units of other often failing items such as batteries and memory cards since they are several times more susceptible to failure in extreme cold. To recharge your batteries while on a remote shooting which is quite often the case, using the solar chargers makes a lot of sense.

3. Livingston Of Livingstone, J. Overcoming Challenges in Wilderness Filmmaking.

It was found that wilderness filmmaking has a number of signification that are distinct from the general or more standard areas of the filmmaking process. Movie maker must take on the role of turist as well as a survivalist to be able to capture the real essence of nature.

Managing the Emergent of the Weather

Weather itself is probably one of the most challenging barriers that filmmakers experience in the wild. A perfectly bright day can be washed off by a heavy downpour as is the case in the tropics. For filmmakers, that implies always changing one’s shooting time table and keeping prepared for any kind of climate. Occasionally poor weather increases the dramatic effect of the images and thus may be welcome in some contexts.

For instance, heavy rain may sound like a great idea given it provides a great raw and almost violent feel of the natural environment whereas snow may act as a naturalizer to the shots. Though the fundamental principle is always to remain willing to seize the opportunity and adjust, adapt quickly. Your clothes, as well as other equipment, should be matching the occurring weather conditions.

Working with Wildlife

Perhaps one of the most thrilling but uncertain aspects of any filmmaking that takes place in the wild is shooting animals. Wild animals shooting is never easy and it takes a lot of time, skill and sometimes good fortune. The issue of body scan arises from the fact that when shooting wildlife, such subjects seldom give a performance of their choice. You may sit and sit and wait for a couple of hours or even days in the hope of getting a clear photograph of a particular animal.

The filming process also requires abstinence of certain ethical conducts that include camera close up shots using low magnates like tele photography. Furthermore, there must be strict knowledge of the animal actions so that you can be in a position to anticipate their movements as you avoid being attacked.

4. We are incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to explore different facets of modern wilderness filmmaking, but more remains to be said about the impact of storytelling techniques in these projects.

Wilderness filmmaking is not just about capturing and presenting amazing scenes but it more about telling a story. Even simple things from nature can be easily associated with people’s life: survival, loneliness, freedom or searching for a purpose.

Character vs. Nature

Two of most frequently observable themes in the wilderness movies are the conflict of man against nature. That is why movies like The Revenant reflect the confrontation between the man and the nature which turns into an adversary. These stories may be considered familiar to any audiences because the portrayal of human’s instinctual relationship with nature.

But wilderness films can and do also concern harmony of man with nature. Movies like My Octopus Teacher demonstrate that profound bonds between a human and the natural environment sense curiosity, respect and interconnectedness.

Visual Storytelling in Nature

The wilderness has its say through graphics. Often a vast mountain range or a tiny insect or ant creates an emotion and an idea that cannot be expressed in words. As applied to the wilderness, this tripod attaches the viewer to the filmmaking process while simultaneously framing the natural world around him. Each frame therefore depicts the director and the cinematographer’s interaction with the land, or lack of it as it were.

5. Wilderness filmmaking safety

This is especially important when shooting at remote areas in the desert hence the importance of safety. Well the problem with the wilderness is that things can quickly turn terrible, from scrapes to life threatening complications. It is important to establish that filmmakers have the responsibility to ensure safety on the sides of the performers, but also have to respect the environment.

Essential Safety Gear

Owing to the fact that some filming will take place in rather remote locations, there need to be readily available first aid kits, satellite phones as well as emergency rescue gear. Standard means of cell service can be lacking or indeed it is non existent so getting other means of communication is very important. If necessary, filmmakers also need corresponding equipment depending on the filming environment; including bear sprays, snake bite kits, and other methods of protecting oneself from wildlife.

Another tip when filming in a location is to let someone at the local authorities or the park rangers know where and exactly when they are to be filming. In the event of an emergency they can easily coordinate the conduct of search and rescue missions.

Leave No Trace

Not only do filmmakers and their actors bear responsibilities but those responsibilities extend to the environment itself. Compliance with the principles of Leave No Trace means that the environment should be preserved for future generations. This implies removal of all litter, prohibition of destruction of other people’s plants and animals or any act that may alter the natural form and productivity of the place.

6. The Rewards of Wilderness Filmmaking

Nonetheless, there are numerous gratifications involved in making of films in wilderness locations. It is always one great feeling to be able to emulate nature in its simplest form. There’s no better payoff than getting to fulfill a project in the wild where every shoot is an exploration.

However, another important fact can be stated – wilderness films are instigative. They can educate people regarding the environment, nature and its conservation, endangered species wild life, and the balance of the ecosystem. Given global climate change, loss of biological diversity, the罋eld that has grown out of wilderness filmmaking is in an ideal position to generate important discussions on the topic of this protection.

7. Conclusion: Embrace the Wilderness

Wilderness filmmaking ain’t easy but if you are willing to embrace the dark and plunge into the unknown, you get to make something unique. It is a combination of painting and exploring with an added factor of protection of some sort of wild life.

Therefore, get your equipment ready, observe your surroundings and embark on an amazing adventure. The wilderness stands open, ready to stage the scenes which will be unveiled by the camera to those who find them.