Nature films have become hugely popular, with viewers flocking to see jaw-dropping footage from the wild. But this success has a dark side, as veteran wildlife film producer Chris Palmer reveals in his authoritative and engrossing book on the wildlife film business, “Shooting in the Wild: An Insider’s Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom,” on which this film is based. Hosted by National Geographic emerging explorer and filmmaker Alexandra Cousteau, the film takes a behind-the-scenes look into the world of natural history filmmaking, showing the reality behind the lens. It’s a revealing glimpse into industry secrets and the trend toward sensationalism, extreme risk-taking and even animal abuse, all in the pursuit of the perfect shot. Produced by American University School of Communication.

Shooting in the Wild

2013 US 26 min
Festival Year: 2014
Types: Documentary, Short
Topic: Environmental Advocacy and Justice, Wildlife