Greg Wilson: Cheetahs on the Run | Nat Geo Live | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A cinematographer explains the challenges of capturing the speed and beauty of cheetahs through custom camera systems and innovative techniques.

Key Insights

• 💨 The project aimed to capture the speed and beauty of cheetahs in a unique way.
• 🐎 Motion picture technology has evolved over 134 years, but combining it with natural speed requires innovation and perseverance.
• 🚄 Custom camera systems and lighting setups were used to photograph the cheetahs at high speeds.
• 👍 Syncing the camera system with the behavior of the cheetahs proved to be a challenge.
• 🫵 The cinematographer aimed to provide viewers with a sensation of traveling along with the cheetahs.
• 📽️ The project required meticulous planning and attention to detail to ensure the safety of the cheetahs and the filming equipment.
• 💦 The cinematographer worked closely with cheetah handlers and experts to understand and accommodate the behavior of the cheetahs.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the cinematographer capture the speed of the cheetahs?

The cinematographer built a custom dolly system with synchronized cameras and lighting to photograph the cheetahs at high speeds. They experimented with different methods and eventually used a manually operated pickle switch to control the movement of a lure for the cheetahs to chase.

Q: What challenges did the cinematographer face in capturing the cheetahs?

The cinematographer faced challenges in syncing the camera system with the unpredictable behavior of the cheetahs. They also had to ensure the safety of the cheetahs and the equipment during the high-speed filming process.

Q: What was the motivation behind capturing the cheetahs' speed and beauty?

The motivation behind capturing the cheetahs' speed and beauty was to showcase nature's incredible talents and the intrinsic value of the creatures we share this world with.

Q: How many attempts were made to photograph the cheetahs?

The cinematographer made a total of 17 attempts to photograph the cheetahs. Due to lighting limitations and the speed at which they were traveling, they had less than 35 seconds of effective shooting time during the whole week of filming.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The goal was to capture the incredible speed and beauty of cheetahs in a way that nobody has seen before.

• A custom dolly system with synchronized cameras and lighting was built to photograph the cheetahs at high speeds.

• The team faced challenges in syncing the camera system with the unpredictable behavior of the cheetahs.