An Introduction to Science Filmmaking

Making science come to life on the screen is a skill each of us here at Untamed Science take with us every day we set out with our cameras.  But we're here to tell you a secret.  Science filmmaking is no longer for the privileged. Its something that everyone can do, no matter what limited equipment you have.  In fact, we're here to say that everyone should have at least some basic skills with video media in today's world.  If you're interested in science, we're here to show you how to put that interest into a video form and make something amazing.

We've laid out this website to help just about everyone on there journey.  First, if you're new to filmmaking you should start by reading the articles in our introductory filmmaking section entitled "getting started". If you think you know the basics, you might benefit from a more in-depth approach in our "advanced filmmaking" section where we'll show you some advanced techniques.  Finally, for those wanting to buy your own gear, we've set up a short gear guide so as to guide you in your filmmaking purchases.

Rob's "Filmmakers in the Making" Intro

One of the more important concepts I'd like everyone to realize right off the bat is that making videos takes practice.  We thought we'd share a video that myself, Rob Nelson, made back in 2005 when he first started film school at Montana State University. Oddly enough, I made this piece as a type of trailer for a longer video that I hope to possibly pitch in the future.  Since all three filmmakers in this trailer are now working on UntamedScience I thought it was appropriate to show.

Learn More About the Filmmakers at Untamed Science

Untamed Science is made up of over a dozen filmmakers with one goal - make science concepts easy to understand.  The following list is but a few of the many that make the media on this site possible. 

Rob Nelson: Rob is both a marine biologist and filmmaker by training. He has been an active guiding force in Untamed Science since the idea to teach and inspire first occured to Rob. He now leads the podcasting efforts, world biomes site, and biodiversity pages. He also stars as an oncamera personality in many of the episodes of the new BioAdventures DVD that is being produced with Pearson Publishing. Rob is an active Scuba Diver and Extreme Sports junkie ... more on Rob

Jonas Stenstrom: Jonas is one of the lead producers for our science outreach videos online and through Pearson Publishing. He is the primary Dive Rite Ambassador contact for the crew and is working to help promote Ocean Awareness with the Untamed Science team. Jonas worked with the Save our Seas Grant to help promote ocean awareness through a whole slew of online aquatic ecosystem videos. He also has a passion for adventure sports. Jonas is also an oncamera host ... more on Jonas

Hazen Audel: Hazen is a native of Eastern Washington. He is an avid adventurer and currently works as a biology teacher and artist. Hazen is one of our oncamera hosts for the ecogeeks. He is also the primary producer for the Mushrooms chapter video that will premiere with the BioAdventures Video Series that is coming out in the new Macaw books with Pearson Publishing. Hazen works to promote education through his videos and teaching ... more about Hazen

Dan Bertalan: Dan is one of the film making scientists with Untamed Science. Besides the work he does behind the camera, he has made award winning documentaries on North American Bears. These documentaries will be a key feature in upcoming Untamed Science ecofacts and podcasts. Dan leads one of the Untamed Science base stations in Madison Wisconsin. Watch a short ecofact where Dan explains elk behavior or ... read more about Dan

Haley Chamberlain: Haley is one of our oncamera Ecogeek faces. She is both a biologist and actress by training. As an ecogeek she has ben in charge of our elementary science programs and music videos. Her passion for music and learning have gone far beyond her on camera presence however. Haley travels extensively to schools around the country giving shows about science to students of all ages. Read more about Haley