Experience a filmmaking course and produce real wildlife footage in South Africa. Wildlife Film Academy offers students the chance to learn more about wildlife filmmaking and help you to develop your career as a wildlife filmmaker.

This placement operates a globally unique one-month intensive course in South Africa, one of the most beautiful well-known countries. This exciting and educational course has been developed by International, experienced and award-winning wildlife filmmakers. If your dream is to film the wildest of animals in their natural environment and develop your skills as a wildlife film maker then this course is a must.

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To make a successful wildlife or natural history film, you need to combine creative and technical camera and editing skills with a good appreciation of animal behaviour, ecological processes, ethics in the natural world and local communities, and some serious business knowledge. The Wildlife Film Academy teaches all these areas of expertise and inspires its students to combine these skills in unique and successful ways.

On the course you will have the opportunity to film and experience a huge diversity of wildlife including lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard, rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, hippos, reptiles, smaller creatures such as mongoose, abundant birdlife and raptors and rare flora. All lecturers at the Wildlife Film Academy are experienced and successful wildlife filmmakers and make use of vastly different filming styles. They use a variety of techniques such as hands-on practicals and the use of wildlife films as case studies. Their combined input helps you to experience the many different facets of the wildlife filmmaking industry. All lectures are interactive and encourage lively debates between the students.

Once you have come to grips with the theory surrounding Wildlife Filmmaking, you will then get the opportunity to put it into practice! All your equipment is provided (camera, tripod and accessories) and you are accompanied by highly experienced wildlife filmmakers. A logistics representative from the Wildlife Film Academy will also be with you to help with any general queries you may have. This is the chance to watch your storyboard come to life. You will be in close proximity to amazing African wildlife under the expert guidance of your experienced ranger.

You will be driven around the reserve in an open top Land Cruiser which facilitates filming, with the express purpose of finding the shots you need for your personal film. You will be accompanied by an experienced wildlife filmmaker who will act as your tutor, a ranger to locate the wildlife for you and answer your zoological questions, a technical expert to help with camera technology and a logistics assistant to ensure that your trip runs smoothly and everything is to your liking.

What to Expect:

• Early mornings to film sunrises and late nights to enjoy the nocturnal animals.
  
• All filming equipment is provided, but bring your own if you prefer.
  
• You will be expected to clean the equipment every evening after use and take immaculate care of it.
  
• Game drives in open top vehicles, usually land rovers, with experienced wildlife guide/ ranger.
  
• Game viewing of some of Africa's most charismatic species in close proximity.