Experience a filmmaking course and produce real wildlife footage in stunning Botswana – new for 2012! Our Wildlife Film Academy offers students the chance to learn more about wildlife filmmaking and will help you to develop your career as a wildlife filmmaker.
This placement operates a globally unique one-month intensive course in Botswana, 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.
“I learnt more in a few days at the Academy than I did in my few years in the industry! Everything was put into perspective and we were taught lots of handy information and tricks of the trade others wouldnt dare! It crushed a few myths and reinforced the facts. I loved it and Im so inspired.”
- - Kagiso Leepile, South Africa
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 Africas most charismatic species in close proximity.
This year the Wildlife Film Academy will be held in Botswana at Camp Tsutsubega Farm in the Okavango River Basin. The course includes field trips out to two camps in wildlife conservations areas in Khwai and Maun. Khwai is a unique community development conservation area situated in the north eastern part of the Okavango Delta.
MORE INFORMATION WILL BE ADDED ON THIS PROJECT OVER THE COMING WEEKS…
Accommodation at Camp Tsutsubega:
- each student will have their own Bow canvas tent ( 2.4 x2.4 ) meters
- the tent is mosquito and bug proof
- bed which includes mattress and bed linen and pillow
- Showers and toilets will be shared, these will be safari bucket showers and safari pit latrine toilets.
General information about Camp Tsutsubega:
- The lectures will take place in a lecture Meru tent (approx 15m x 4m) with trestle tables and chairs. Students will share one trestle table between two
- There will be no internet facilities
- There are TV and DVD facilities
- Laundry facilities will be available to students at no extra charge
- Alcohol, soft drinks and bottled water will be made available for the students own account. Fresh tap water which is safe to drink will be made available free of charge
- There is mobile phone signal on the farm for the students but it is not 100% reliable, it is suggested that you buy a local sim card on arrival.
- Students to bring their own towels, soaps and other toiletries
- A power supply will be provided for charging batteries etc.
This course has been designed with you in mind and the following key elements make the course successful:
- A practical filming location shoot in a stunning wildlife game reserve to give you hands on camera experience in Botswana.
- Tutorials and lectures developed by renowned wildlife filmmakers who know how hard it is to make a start in the wildlife filmmaking industry.
- Individual access to editing suites and tutors to enable you to complete your own film at the end of the course, which you can use as a promo for a bigger project.
- Specific focus on Business Skills to provide you with an understanding of budgeting, negotiations to enable you to survive long-term in the industry.
Pre-Production and Lectures at the Academy
- Introduction, orientation and inspiration
- What do commissioning editors, broadcasters and distributors want?
- Conceptualising and pitching
- Camera technology, high definition, shot composition and lighting
- Soundtracks, sequencing and an introduction to shooting and editing
- Funding and budgeting
- Exposure to key industry contacts, networks and wildlife film festivals
Make your mark with Wildlife Film Academy
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