The wildlife filmmaking syllabus is centered on three pillars that are critical to the production of every wildlife documentary – Pre-production, production and post production.
The wildlife filmmaking syllabus is centered on three pillars that are critical to the production of every wildlife documentary – Pre-production, production and post production.
Syllabus may vary slighty from that advertised below due to weather conditions.
DAY 1
Orientation – arrival and welcome. A day spent ensuring all paperwork is completed, living arrangements established and a familiarity tour of the local town/area. Introduction to the program, instructors, and assessment of each participants skills and capabilities
DAY 2
Camera Training – A day spent learning about broadcast standard cameras and other camera types. Included is proctical training in camera operation and basic functions of camera. Data management is covered
DAY 3
Practical – Explore working farm and film animals including reading their behaviour and determining best apprach to filming diffrent subjects. Footage download and start in editing sequences
DAY 4
Human talent – a day spent larning about working with human talent, conducting a varied number of interview styles, and mastering the use of audio in documentaries.
DAY 5
Monkeyland KZN – Practical filming expedition to Monkeyland and Birds of Eden. Focus on filming sequences and collecting full arrary of shots to build compelling sequence. Master animal behaviour and assessing behaviour to gain shots of difficul subjects.
DAY 6
Editing mastering – Day working through entire process of editing sequences and productions from footage obtained at Monkeyland and Birds of Eden
DAY 7
Story development – Practical workshops on writing stories and developing protaginists and characters. Master writing treatments and pitches and present pitches to class for general critique. Packing for travel to game reserve
DAY 8
Travel and Orientation -Finish packing personal items and travel to game researve for beginning of filming expedition. Afternoon spent on orientation game drive and meeting of guides and staff at reserve.
DAY 9
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 10
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 11 (weekend)
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 12 (weekend)
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 13
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 14
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 15
Filming practical – Full day spent filming and producing your personal documentary throughout game reserve. Using broadcast camera, radio control vehicles, drones, effects cameras, sliders and other production equipment
DAY 16
Travel – Morning recreation drive, packing of equipment, departure from game reserve, travel back to Mossel Bay, cleaning of equipment and checking in of filming equipment.
DAY 17
Data Management & Editing. Day spent organising video footage and ensuring all content is fully backedup on seperate drives. Afternoon begin editing production, focusing on building sequences and timelines.
DAY 18
Editing – Editing of video production with focus on building timelines, establishing narrative, writing narrative and ensuring timeline creates narrative and story of desire.
DAY 19
Editing – Editing of video production with focus on building timelines, establishing narrative, writing narrative and ensuring timeline creates narrative and story of desire.
DAY 20
Editing – Finalising rough draft of timeline, building soundscape including music. Recording narration and finailising audio of onscreen characters.
DAY 21
Editing – Finilising production areas including production soundscape (laying narration) and conductig colour correction on timeline. Presenting rough draft to program instructor for one on one critique
DAY 22
Exporting and pitching – Finilising with final edits the timeline and then exporting the final production. Afternoon spent preparing a pitch for evening pitch and presentation of documentary to Africa Media.
