Creating movies in the wild is a process few are able to achieve, and even fewer are able to do it with the least amount of disturbance to the animals that live there. Wildlife Media Co-founder and Board Member Chris Palmer has a new book, which will be in book stores in a few weeks, that gives a critical account of the wildlife film industry that he has been a part of for so long.
In Shooting in the Wild: An Insider’s Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom, Chris tells the stories of passionate filmmakers who are in the wild, respecting animals’ boundaries and portraying them accurately in their natural habitat. Yet he also describes how some in the industry are more focused on the image than telling the real story about the animal they are filming. They even go to extreme lengths for the perfect shot, including doctoring or staging wildlife to deceive viewers.
Moreover, some have created an illusion that wild animals are more-or-less tame and not a danger to visiting people. Writes Chris, “Audiences see personalities on shows interacting with wild animals as if they were not dangerous—or at the other extreme, provoking them to give viewers an adrenaline rush. Mostly, the animals just want to be left alone, so it’s not surprising that these entertainers on rare occasions are seriously hurt or even killed. On one level, it’s that very possibility the shows are selling.” In the end, after viewing such shows as “Shark Week” or “Untamed and Uncut,” some people are left to wonder just what conservation efforts are trying to save.
While the book shows us the history of the wildlife film industry, it also gives an 8-step plan for how to improve it in the future. Chris’ vision of a world without “Nature Porn” or “Fang TV” is one that all media outlets and filmmakers should strive for.
Shooting in the Wild is a book for conservationists, aspiring filmmakers and anyone looking to better understand the process behind the camera filming wildlife. Take an engaging look into the world of the wildlife filmmaking. Read Shooting in the Wild: An Insider’s Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom by Chris Palmer today.
–Jordan Green