An Introduction to Science and Wildlife Filmmaking

Making the wildlife on planet Earth come to life on the screen is a skill that takes time. You can read all you want, but really the only thing that will increase your skill set is to go out and do it yourself. This website is designed to increase your learning curve, so that you can start making your own science films as quickly as possible. Science and wildlife filmmaking is no longer just for the privileged and well connected. It's something that everyone can do, no matter what limited equipment they have. In fact, we believe that everyone from lab scientists, teachers, and enthusiasts should have at least some basic skills with video filmmaking in today's media-rich world. Using video is one of the best ways to tell your story. If you're interested in science, nature and wildlife, we're here to show you how to put that interest onto the screen and make amazing, inspirational films.

We've laid out this website to help just about everyone on their journey. 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, or are already a sessoned professional, you will benefit more by jumping right in with some of the more in-depth approaches in our Advanced Filmmaking section. Here we'll show you some of the advanced techniques used in the industry by specialty filmmakers (including 3D filmmaking, macrophotography, and highspeed work).  Finally, for those wanting to buy their own gear, we've set up a short gear guide so as to make those filmmaking purchases a bit easier.

Learn More About the Filmmakers at Untamed Science

Untamed Science is made up of over a dozen filmmakers, hosts and scientists with one goal - make science concepts easy to understand.  We don't claim to be the best filmmakers, but collectively we have a lot of experience, and we've learned who to ask to help us communicate specific wildlife filmmaking knowledge. The following list is a few of the main filmmakers responsible for making this site's content. 

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

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

Other Wildlife Filmmakers Collaborating on this Project

• Monica Pinzon: Smithsonian Channel
• Melissa Salpietra: Six Red Marbles (An Education Technology Company)

Watch a few Untamed Science videos

Untamed Science produces close to 100 short videos a year. They're seen all over the web, as well as in school classrooms. Most of our videos are directed at youth audiences, but they're all fun to watch. Here is a small selection of some of the videos we produce.