Nature Podcast Three weeks in a hide to spot one elusive bear: the life of a wildlife film-maker
Jul 11, 2025
Vianney Dejengue, an award-winning wildlife film-maker known for his work in major documentaries, shares his thrilling journey from hospital dramas to the wild. He reveals the technological advancements transforming wildlife filmmaking, including drones and camera traps. Vianney emphasizes the importance of collaborating with local scientists to document endangered species. He also shares the emotional challenges faced while documenting a new troop of wild gorillas in Gabon, aiming to inspire greater conservation efforts among viewers.
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Career Shift to Wildlife Filming
- Vianney Dejengue transitioned from filming medical dramas to wildlife documentaries when given the chance to film animals in Africa.
- His career shifted from long lens cameraman to a witness cameraman describing live animal behavior to audiences.
Tech Revolution in Wildlife Filming
- Advances like drones and camera traps have revolutionized wildlife filming, enabling shots that were once prohibitively expensive or impossible.
- Camera traps allow filming elusive animals by leaving equipment in place for the animals to return without disturbance.
Innovative Storytelling in Nature Docs
- The Wild Ones documentary flips the usual narrative by making the quest and process to film rare animals the main story.
- The show demonstrates that stories about rare animals can be compelling even without frequently seeing the animals themselves.