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My dream job is to be a wildlife documentary filmmaker. What skills would I need for that type of career?
I am studying zoology in university, and I do photography as a hobby on the side. Is that a good starting point?
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7 answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Maya !
I am delighted to know that you have chosen such an awesome career and are Majoring in Zoology for it ! I highly agree that a major in Zoology will put you in the forefront for this career ! You've made a good choice !
As for the film portion of this work, I think that you do not need to actually be a video and film expert, but you can learn, especially if Photography is something you already do. I would recommend seeing if there's a film department at your University and take a hands on filmmaking course. The best way for you to learn video and film may be from online courses as well as gradually buying equipment and learning how to use the various needed devices.
Once you finish a video or film, you would submit it to platforms and festivals and studios. Indie Rights is one studio you can consider. Other considerations for submitting your independent animal videos and films are The London Independent Film Festival (they will accept international films), Fulmhub, FilmFreeway, AMC Theatres (see website below). To submit your films within your state of Ohio, there are the Columbus International Film and Animation Festival, Cinema Columbus Film Festival, The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Columbus International Film and Animation Festival, and the Cindependent Film Festival in Cincinnati. As time goes on and you interact with the film department at your college, I am sure you will find out about more places to submit your videos and films.
I think that you can easily learn the filmmaking portion of the career, it's the public relations and submitting your work that, in the end, will be important. Another important aspect of filming animals is learning the guidelines. For this, contact the American Humane Society. Whether you will be doing safari type filming or using animal actors, it's good to know the rules around this type of filmmaking. Also become familiar with Movie Animals Protected, the Independent Animal Welfare Advisor, and you can always call an ASPCA Hotline for information. I believe that someone in your Zoology Department may very well be able to help you out with this aspect of it, too.
As you start to accrue films and videos, make a You Tube Channel so that you can send the link for submissions as well as include the link to your You Tube Channel on your resume. Go to the Zoos in your state as often as you can to gain inspiration for your videos and films by observing the animals. I left a link to a list of zoos in Ohio below.
Many decades ago, my friend and mentor was in a C*H*I*P*S* episode in which she had to work with a real lion. Everything was meticulously directed and all were safe. This is an example of how your Zoology expertise will be vital.
I am so happy to lend this advice for such an exciting, adventurous and unique career and I hope it helps ! Best wishes in all you do !
AMC THEATRES https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/independent/submit-your-film
ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN OHIO https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28956-Activities-c48-Ohio.html
I am delighted to know that you have chosen such an awesome career and are Majoring in Zoology for it ! I highly agree that a major in Zoology will put you in the forefront for this career ! You've made a good choice !
As for the film portion of this work, I think that you do not need to actually be a video and film expert, but you can learn, especially if Photography is something you already do. I would recommend seeing if there's a film department at your University and take a hands on filmmaking course. The best way for you to learn video and film may be from online courses as well as gradually buying equipment and learning how to use the various needed devices.
Once you finish a video or film, you would submit it to platforms and festivals and studios. Indie Rights is one studio you can consider. Other considerations for submitting your independent animal videos and films are The London Independent Film Festival (they will accept international films), Fulmhub, FilmFreeway, AMC Theatres (see website below). To submit your films within your state of Ohio, there are the Columbus International Film and Animation Festival, Cinema Columbus Film Festival, The Indie Gathering International Film Festival, Columbus International Film and Animation Festival, and the Cindependent Film Festival in Cincinnati. As time goes on and you interact with the film department at your college, I am sure you will find out about more places to submit your videos and films.
I think that you can easily learn the filmmaking portion of the career, it's the public relations and submitting your work that, in the end, will be important. Another important aspect of filming animals is learning the guidelines. For this, contact the American Humane Society. Whether you will be doing safari type filming or using animal actors, it's good to know the rules around this type of filmmaking. Also become familiar with Movie Animals Protected, the Independent Animal Welfare Advisor, and you can always call an ASPCA Hotline for information. I believe that someone in your Zoology Department may very well be able to help you out with this aspect of it, too.
As you start to accrue films and videos, make a You Tube Channel so that you can send the link for submissions as well as include the link to your You Tube Channel on your resume. Go to the Zoos in your state as often as you can to gain inspiration for your videos and films by observing the animals. I left a link to a list of zoos in Ohio below.
Many decades ago, my friend and mentor was in a C*H*I*P*S* episode in which she had to work with a real lion. Everything was meticulously directed and all were safe. This is an example of how your Zoology expertise will be vital.
I am so happy to lend this advice for such an exciting, adventurous and unique career and I hope it helps ! Best wishes in all you do !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Richard A. (Tony)’s Answer
Maya,
Behind every minute of "Content" is hours of production effort and a plethora of skills at work, especially if it's great content.
There is the Pre-Production (Conceptualization, market research, script development, Pitching parties, investor and sponsorship development, talent selection, crew and equipment schedules, legal, funding, permits, insurance, transportation, project planning, storyboarding, and on and on...!)
There is the Production period of creating the content (script re-write, hiring a director and crew, monitoring spending, reviewing rushes, identifying and cataloging scene footage, Crafts & Lighting & catering, travel, lodging, safety, accounting, and on and on ...!)
There is the Post-Production (Editing, voiceover, sound design, script re-write, funding, Technical equipment rental, sound (foley), electronic storage, digital Effects and Credits, previews, re-cuts and more re-cuts for time and pacing until ready for release)
Then there is release (Promotion, promotion, promotion, travel to showings, film festivals, advertisement, Agents, distribution deals, copyright enforcement, residual payments, Pricing, and bookkeeping).
The FIRST thing you should think about is where you want to fit into all these maelstrom of activities, and given your studies concepts, scripting, and planning (to get a good shot of lyrebirds mating, you got to know where and when to see them!) and perhaps cinematography are your interests. If it is the photography, then more advanced cinematography classes are indicated. If it's talent (the voice and image of an actor/narrator) there is a completely different set of skills and training.
WHICH IS a long way of saying - take a course on Film/Video production process at the freshman level or get the film production education elsewhere. It's like "building a house", you just don't know what goes into actually building a house unless you learn how to build one!
Best practical approach may be to find a production in need of a "Strong-Back - Weak Mind" help and get a general Crew position (fetch and carry) on a Non-SAG (did I mention the Guild/Union??) production, hopefully where you might also consult with your creature knowledge. If you keep your eyes open and your mouth closed, it will be a great introduction to motion pictures and help you determine where in the intersection of Zoology and Film Making your career should take you. You may also want to follow up with a couple of shorts (<5 min) about something simple (Cats, Squirrels, Racoons, apes at the zoo, etc.) as a learning experience.
Good luck (or should I say "Action!"),
Tony
Behind every minute of "Content" is hours of production effort and a plethora of skills at work, especially if it's great content.
There is the Pre-Production (Conceptualization, market research, script development, Pitching parties, investor and sponsorship development, talent selection, crew and equipment schedules, legal, funding, permits, insurance, transportation, project planning, storyboarding, and on and on...!)
There is the Production period of creating the content (script re-write, hiring a director and crew, monitoring spending, reviewing rushes, identifying and cataloging scene footage, Crafts & Lighting & catering, travel, lodging, safety, accounting, and on and on ...!)
There is the Post-Production (Editing, voiceover, sound design, script re-write, funding, Technical equipment rental, sound (foley), electronic storage, digital Effects and Credits, previews, re-cuts and more re-cuts for time and pacing until ready for release)
Then there is release (Promotion, promotion, promotion, travel to showings, film festivals, advertisement, Agents, distribution deals, copyright enforcement, residual payments, Pricing, and bookkeeping).
The FIRST thing you should think about is where you want to fit into all these maelstrom of activities, and given your studies concepts, scripting, and planning (to get a good shot of lyrebirds mating, you got to know where and when to see them!) and perhaps cinematography are your interests. If it is the photography, then more advanced cinematography classes are indicated. If it's talent (the voice and image of an actor/narrator) there is a completely different set of skills and training.
WHICH IS a long way of saying - take a course on Film/Video production process at the freshman level or get the film production education elsewhere. It's like "building a house", you just don't know what goes into actually building a house unless you learn how to build one!
Best practical approach may be to find a production in need of a "Strong-Back - Weak Mind" help and get a general Crew position (fetch and carry) on a Non-SAG (did I mention the Guild/Union??) production, hopefully where you might also consult with your creature knowledge. If you keep your eyes open and your mouth closed, it will be a great introduction to motion pictures and help you determine where in the intersection of Zoology and Film Making your career should take you. You may also want to follow up with a couple of shorts (<5 min) about something simple (Cats, Squirrels, Racoons, apes at the zoo, etc.) as a learning experience.
Good luck (or should I say "Action!"),
Tony
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Sounds like a good starting point to me! I’d highly recommend looking up a few people on LinkedIn or social media and following others who are doing what you hope to do. You can ask questions and maybe find a mentor who would be willing to guide you.
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Maya,
That's an exciting career choice and it sounds like you are already building a solid foundation.
I am sure you are aware that it's not a job with a defined education path and not a job where you just find an opening in the job ads and apply. There are some companies and organizations like National Geographic or BBC Earth that have film crews, but many wildlife filmmakers are freelancers who carve out their own niche.
A lot of different skills go into making a documentary. The more you know about it the better. You are studying zoology, that's great.
You need to learn about photography and filmmaking. Check opportunities on your campus. Is there a journalism department and/or a fine arts department with film and photography studies? They would have equipment, studios and software. Check out classes that would be useful for you. Maybe there are projects you could participate in.
Practice your photography. Invest in a reasonably good camera. Take photos and make short movies to develop a portfolio. Some software like Shotcut for processing of movies is free and has decent functionality.
You can go out in your area and find the local wildlife. You can also hang out at the zoo, volunteer at an animal shelter or offer pet photography to practice.
Skills : story-telling, video processing, photography and film (the technical side, cameras, illumination etc), photography and film (the artsy side), freelancing (the business side, networking, pitching ideas, finding funding, collaborations etc), science communication, patience, physical fitness (hiking, climbing, carrying), organization skills (opportunities, equipment, crew, travel).
There are some degree programs and many courses and workshops that you can attend. I picked a few:
Montana State University has an MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking (https://sfp.montana.edu/sciencenaturefilm).
American University has a Center for Environmental Filmmaking (https://www.american.edu/soc/environmental-film).
Maine Media offers workshops (https://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/item/nature-wildlife-cinematography).
Jackson Wild has a filmmaking workshop
(https://www.jacksonwild.org/media-lab).
And very important: make connections. Join professional societies, check out festivals, attend workshops and look for opportunities to be a part of a film production in some capacity even if it is carrying equipment.
I hope this helps! All the best to you! I'll look for your films!
KP
https://www.docfilmacademy.com/blog/how-to-become-a-wildlife-filmmaker
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/content/tips-and-techniques/guide-10-steps-to-become-a-wildlife-filmmaker
That's an exciting career choice and it sounds like you are already building a solid foundation.
I am sure you are aware that it's not a job with a defined education path and not a job where you just find an opening in the job ads and apply. There are some companies and organizations like National Geographic or BBC Earth that have film crews, but many wildlife filmmakers are freelancers who carve out their own niche.
A lot of different skills go into making a documentary. The more you know about it the better. You are studying zoology, that's great.
You need to learn about photography and filmmaking. Check opportunities on your campus. Is there a journalism department and/or a fine arts department with film and photography studies? They would have equipment, studios and software. Check out classes that would be useful for you. Maybe there are projects you could participate in.
Practice your photography. Invest in a reasonably good camera. Take photos and make short movies to develop a portfolio. Some software like Shotcut for processing of movies is free and has decent functionality.
You can go out in your area and find the local wildlife. You can also hang out at the zoo, volunteer at an animal shelter or offer pet photography to practice.
Skills : story-telling, video processing, photography and film (the technical side, cameras, illumination etc), photography and film (the artsy side), freelancing (the business side, networking, pitching ideas, finding funding, collaborations etc), science communication, patience, physical fitness (hiking, climbing, carrying), organization skills (opportunities, equipment, crew, travel).
There are some degree programs and many courses and workshops that you can attend. I picked a few:
Montana State University has an MFA in Science and Natural History Filmmaking (https://sfp.montana.edu/sciencenaturefilm).
American University has a Center for Environmental Filmmaking (https://www.american.edu/soc/environmental-film).
Maine Media offers workshops (https://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/item/nature-wildlife-cinematography).
Jackson Wild has a filmmaking workshop
(https://www.jacksonwild.org/media-lab).
And very important: make connections. Join professional societies, check out festivals, attend workshops and look for opportunities to be a part of a film production in some capacity even if it is carrying equipment.
I hope this helps! All the best to you! I'll look for your films!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Kelvin Kelly’s Answer
Hi Maya,
I hope you're doing well. It's important to be passionate about what you want to do in life. This is the first step in making any big decision. Next, it's essential to build your skills in filmmaking. Consider taking courses to learn about handling cameras, writing scripts, and editing videos.
Additionally, finding a mentor is crucial. A mentor can guide you through the process and help you understand the challenges in the field and how to overcome them over time. While these points are brief, I hope you find them useful.
I hope you're doing well. It's important to be passionate about what you want to do in life. This is the first step in making any big decision. Next, it's essential to build your skills in filmmaking. Consider taking courses to learn about handling cameras, writing scripts, and editing videos.
Additionally, finding a mentor is crucial. A mentor can guide you through the process and help you understand the challenges in the field and how to overcome them over time. While these points are brief, I hope you find them useful.
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Hi Maya, I assume you are using a digital camera? And that you can not only take photos with this camera, but also film? And that you can set the shutter to silent mode so as not to disturb any animals? And that your camera can compensate for your movements so that you don't get blurry images when taking photos or filming, meaning you don't need a tripod? Then at least you have the right camera. I would then test at the zoo whether you have a feel for the right moment. Or test in the great outdoors whether you have the speed to capture fast-moving subjects with your camera. Then, if I were you, I would start analysing nature and animal pictures by famous photographers, e.g. in National Geographic. If these photographers have published books, you should take a look at them. You can often see how they work on YouTube. It's very interesting and inspiring. Don't be too impressed by the pictures. These people are sent to the most beautiful and interesting places in the world. It's very easy to come back with great pictures and films. Take it as inspiration. If you have any questions, just ask me. Thomas
Updated
Taylor’s Answer
Hi Maya! Looks like you've received a lot of really good advice above, but to add a bit:
A major learning from me as I transitioned from school to the workforce was that doing things in a real-world setting rather than taking a class was often more valuable as far as building important personal & professional connections and the specific skills I wanted to learn.
For example, if I wanted to work in documentary film, interning or volunteering as a production assistant wouldn't pay much, but you'd be learning by just being there: meeting the right people in your industry, watching them make the content you want to me making.
If there's a large concentration of people doing what you want to be doing in a certain city, it might be worth moving, even for just a few months, to try to work on a project with them directly to gain experience and connections.
I realize moving can seem scary or intimidating, but I've found surrounding myself with the people and work I want to be doing is the best way to make it your life. Get a roommate or two to make housing cheaper, find a part time job, and offer yourself to projects that inspire you. You may not be paid at first, but you have to start somewhere.
And never forget your worth—don't work for free too long! Best of luck to you.
A major learning from me as I transitioned from school to the workforce was that doing things in a real-world setting rather than taking a class was often more valuable as far as building important personal & professional connections and the specific skills I wanted to learn.
For example, if I wanted to work in documentary film, interning or volunteering as a production assistant wouldn't pay much, but you'd be learning by just being there: meeting the right people in your industry, watching them make the content you want to me making.
If there's a large concentration of people doing what you want to be doing in a certain city, it might be worth moving, even for just a few months, to try to work on a project with them directly to gain experience and connections.
I realize moving can seem scary or intimidating, but I've found surrounding myself with the people and work I want to be doing is the best way to make it your life. Get a roommate or two to make housing cheaper, find a part time job, and offer yourself to projects that inspire you. You may not be paid at first, but you have to start somewhere.
And never forget your worth—don't work for free too long! Best of luck to you.