Filming The Wild

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Filming The Wild Filming The Wild is an ongoing series about the adventures behind making wildlife documentaries and

📣 It’s live!After 3 weeks in the field across Arizona, I just released my full review of the Sigma 300–600mm f/4.... fil...
04/06/2025

📣 It’s live!

After 3 weeks in the field across Arizona, I just released my full review of the Sigma 300–600mm f/4.... filmed entirely through the lens of wildlife cinematography.

I don’t do lab tests or studio pixel peeping… this is all real-world use: coyotes, bats, rattlesnakes, wind, dust, and some of the harshest low-light conditions I could throw at it. I put this lens to the test on the Sony FX6, and I walk through everything—rigging, autofocus, sharpness, stabilization, and where this lens truly stands out… and where it doesn’t.

🎬 If you’ve been curious about whether this lens is worth the hype (and the weight), this is the video for you.

▶️ Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pMqMDac6lc

💬 Got questions about it? Drop them in the comments—I’ll answer what I can, and a cinematic showcase using this lens drops next Wednesday.

Sigma 300–600mm f4 Review – Is This The Ultimate Lens for Wildlife Cinematography?Join me as I take the new Sigma 300–600mm f/4 DG OS Sports lens into the Ar...

Looking forward to getting back up in the White Mountains here in Arizona! Love this place. Also, word for the wise.... ...
04/10/2024

Looking forward to getting back up in the White Mountains here in Arizona! Love this place. Also, word for the wise.... don't use 4 year old instant coffee... I was blissfully unaware of what was about to take place.... hahaha!

If you haven't seen it yet, check out our latest Show Reel for Reel Earth Films! Watch: https://vimeo.com/1008988053Let ...
26/09/2024

If you haven't seen it yet, check out our latest Show Reel for Reel Earth Films!

Watch: https://vimeo.com/1008988053

Let me know what you think!

Our latest Show Reel showcasing our current work through 2024. Reel Earth Films promotes wildlife conservation by creating films that nurture the human connection…

I just released the latest behind the scenes video from our production on southern resident killer whales last year. It'...
22/08/2024

I just released the latest behind the scenes video from our production on southern resident killer whales last year. It's a deeper look into how we filmed the story for those of you who enjoy following along my journey as a filmmaker.

Watch: https://youtu.be/hxcESDkTnu8

Also, cool story, but you can now "Join" my channel as a member for some pretty perks if you'd like to see more of what I do!

In this episode of Filming the Wild, I want to take you behind the scenes of filming a killer whale documentary! Last year I had the opportunity to produce a...

Yesterday, July 18th was the premier of “Welcome Home”, a film I produced with Reel Earth Films for the Endangered Speci...
20/07/2024

Yesterday, July 18th was the premier of “Welcome Home”, a film I produced with Reel Earth Films for the Endangered Species Coalition about a world first in wolf recovery…

An imperiled species is returning to the landscape as a result of direct democracy. And it’s all happening in Colorado!

My interview with Ryan Sedgely from the Endangered Species Coalition for 9NEWS (KUSA)

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/colorado-wolves/colorado-wolf-reintroduction-documentary/73-4d5b5a95-2731-434a-ad9d-33645c777e02

“Welcome Home” premiered to a full house of conservationists, Colorado officials, and other wolf lovers both young and young at heart.

It was so meaningful to spread the word about the importance of peaceful coexistence between wolves and people of all walks of life, including indigenous tribes, conservationists, ranchers, and more.

Cheers,

Alan

P.S. Looking for some high quality education on wildlife conservation and the art of natural history filmmaking for your event or organization? Message me and we’ll talk about how Reel Earth Films can create a talk tailored to your needs!

The Endangered Species Coalition's new film "Welcome Home" premiered Thursday in Denver.

25/06/2024
18/05/2024

Happy ! Find out why we’re giving you “The Lone Wolverine of the Wallowas” for FREE starting today, and how every tax-deductible donation means a brighter future for the wolverines.

Who's excited for   this Friday the 17th to watch our film on wolverines?? We're excited to be releasing our short film,...
14/05/2024

Who's excited for this Friday the 17th to watch our film on wolverines?? We're excited to be releasing our short film, "The Lone Wolverine of the Wallowas" for everyone to see, and it's FREE!! Our whole mission is to give back and help support wolverine research and conservation in Oregon, so in lieu of paying for our film, we would much rather have you donate to support all the work being done to help wolverines recover in Oregon! Where can you watch it you might ask? Just follow the link below and the film will be live this Friday!

Where to watch: https://www.reelearthfilms.org/wolverine

When: Friday, May 17th, 2024

Being a good steward for Mother Earth can feel overwhelming.Our planet is home to so many species, so much need, so much...
02/05/2024

Being a good steward for Mother Earth can feel overwhelming.

Our planet is home to so many species, so much need, so much to do, and so much confusion on which path to take to care for the world around us…

That said, I’m more confident than ever that effective, sustainable wildlife conservation is doable.

I had the honor of interviewing key stakeholders in Colorado statute 33-2-105.8, which is the law that’s bringing wolves back to Colorado.

Passed in 2020, this law marked the first time in history that the people had voted for an endangered species to be reintroduced to the land.

I spent hours diving deep with wildlife conservationists, ranchers, and indigenous people who’ve lived in harmony with wolves for centuries.

Overall, these ideas rang true:

1. Questions matter.

Do we see ourselves as consumers of nature, or as a part of nature?

How does fear impact our relationship to people and to other living species?

How can we use differences as a bridge to greater understanding?

How can we create a more reciprocal relationship with the wild?

Spoiler alert: No one has the full answer to any of these questions. But discussing them helps fill in the missing pieces of the Sustainable Thriving Future puzzle.

2. Wildlife conservation is about people first.

What I mean by this is, we humans can have a hard time listening to others when it means our values are being questioned. Without listening, there is no connection. Without connection, there is no caring. Without caring, there is no way to coexist—with each other, or with any other species.

It takes a lot to put our fears and judgments aside to expand our point of view.

Yet, there are amazing human beings all over the planet who devote their lives to opening their hearts and minds to new possibilities.

And it’s these people who continue to make the world a better place for all.

3. The future of the planet depends on people and ideas working together.

Call me an idealist, but I don’t just want humans and non-humans to exist together.

I want us to thrive together.

It’s great knowing there are more people out there than I ever expected who want the same thing.

These people see differences as assets.

They’re using conflicting ideas as the fire that sheds light on what all of us need to feel safe, heard, and at home in our world.

At the end of the day, I’m proud to do the hard, messy, lifelong work of bringing people and the planet together in harmony.

And I need your help.

If you think stories about wildlife conservation and life-saving conversations deserve more airtime, head over to Reel Earth Films and make a tax-deductible donation today.

Up to 100% of every donation goes towards spreading awareness on these topics through the power of film, and supporting wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.

Cheers,

Alan

Will I be seeing you at The Portland EcoFilm Festival on May 3rd for the screening of my wildlife conservation documenta...
30/04/2024

Will I be seeing you at The Portland EcoFilm Festival on May 3rd for the screening of my wildlife conservation documentary, “The Lone Wolverine of the Wallowas”?

If you can't make it, my non-profit, Reel Earth Films will be releasing this film for free public viewing in honor of on May 17th.

The star of the film, Stormy, is getting a lot of attention for such an elusive guy.

He’s the only known wolverine in the Wallowas.

Where wolverines roam, you know the wilderness is truly wild. And at Reel Earth Films, my amazing team and I are making sure it stays that way for this threatened species.

I invite you to watch the video below to see how you can help creatures like Stormy thrive.

You’ll get to see my partner and fellow creative, Alana Helapitage, practice her interviewing skills.

You’ll also get other simple, effective ideas on what you can do now to protect nature in ways that speak to your heart.

Tax-deductible donations make it possible for me to keep making films that connect you to the beauty of nature, while supporting wildlife conservation research, outreach, and recovery programs worldwide.

I'd love if you could take a moment and donate today over at Reel Earth Films.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE. BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE PASSCODE BELOW THE INTERVIEW LINK!
https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/bD3bc5cR4VbwjZET8lYl1OxtHxf55tVWYzhnAWZYoReTOdJbgwSwSmz-IN3iMpsa.s_ZCQKa8sFpH6suH?startTime=1713202282000
Passcode: bQWg*T3G

Cheers,

Alana

Have you heard about the pint-sized predators that’ll make you fall in love?They’re called burrowing owls, and I’m pumpe...
25/03/2024

Have you heard about the pint-sized predators that’ll make you fall in love?

They’re called burrowing owls, and I’m pumped to share that my amazing team and I at Reel Earth Films are wrapping up our latest film on these incredible birds!

“Burrowing Owls: A Love Story” is aimed at raising awareness about the decline in burrowing owls across the U.S. and Canada. Above all, we want to show why these small and mighty creatures are so important to the ecosystem—and what we can do to help them survive and thrive.

And it’s not just about spreading awareness! The funds we raise through the film support owl conservation research, including the groundbreaking science conducted by our very own owl expert, David Johnson, and The Global Owl Project.

The research we’re funding may help scientists discover new owl species in remote areas of the world that need our support to survive. Funds generated through this film will also help us create new habitats for burrowing owls, including artificial burrows like this one in Arizona.

🦉Show these adorable owls some love and make a tax-deductible donation over at Reel Earth Films. Up to 100% of your gift will promote a brighter future for owls for generations and the larger ecosystems they live in for generations to come.

Cheers,

Alan

A little late to the party, but here's my take on SIGMA America's newer 70-200mm DG DN OS Sport Lens, paired with the So...
23/03/2024

A little late to the party, but here's my take on SIGMA America's newer 70-200mm DG DN OS Sport Lens, paired with the Sony A7s III, and utilized for wildlife filmmaking. I mostly film wildlife and nature, so a fast lens is nice to have, especially one that mounts natively to my equipment, though it's not a deal breaker either. I found the 70-200mm quite amazing to work with honestly, and I loved the manual aperture ring... honestly wish a lot more lenses would incorporate that in the future!

Watch: https://youtu.be/ofPT-fuA8rM

I hope it's helpful!

In this video, I break down Sigma's 70-200mm DG DN OS Sport Lens. I recently spent some time with this lens out at a place called Whitewater Draw in Southern...

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