Jackson Wild Collective Presents: An Inside Look at QUEENS, A Conversation with the Cinematographers
QUEENS is eligible in this year’s Primetime Emmys ceremony in the Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series category, as well as all major crafts including Cinematography, Editing, Music Composition, and more.
Mandi Stark, Moderator
Mandi Stark is a producer /director of natural history films. Having grown up in Fife, Scotland, Mandi studied zoology at the University of Glasgow before moving to Bristol and joining the BBC Natural History Unit in 2006. Currently at Wildstar films, Mandi has worked on mostly blue chip series between the NHU and Silverback films with credits including The Hunt, and Dynasties 2 for BBC One, Our Planet for Netflix DisneyNature Bears and the upcoming OceanXplorers for National Geographic. In 2020 Mandi created ‘Natural Wanders; the Plodcast’ a podcast recorded outside, connecting people and nature, now gearing up for its 4th series.
Mandi Stark is a producer /director of natural history films. Having grown up in Fife, Scotland, Mandi studied zoology at the University of Glasgow before moving to Bristol and joining the BBC Natural History Unit in 2006. Currently at Wildstar films, Mandi has worked on mostly blue chip series between the NHU and Silverback films with credits including The Hunt, and Dynasties 2 for BBC One, Our Planet for Netflix DisneyNature Bears and the upcoming OceanXplorers for National Geographic. In 2020 Mandi created ‘Natural Wanders; the Plodcast’ a podcast recorded outside, connecting people and nature, now gearing up for its 4th series.
Sophie Darlington
Sophie Darlington, a BAFTA-winning Director of Photography and Wildlife Filmmaker, broke barriers as one of a handful of female cinematographers globally during the 1990s. With 30 years of experience, her emotionally resonant work is celebrated in Disney, Netflix, and BBC series like ‘Dynasties’, ‘The Hunt’ and 'Our Planet.’ Recently, she served as one of the two female Directors of Photography, alongside Justine Evans, for National Geographic’s 'Queens,' continuing her mentor Emmy winner Hugo van Lawick's legacy by championing diversity in the industry, particularly in encouraging more women to pursue careers behind the camera.
Website: www.sophiedarlington.com
Instagram: @sophiedarlingtondop
Sophie Darlington, a BAFTA-winning Director of Photography and Wildlife Filmmaker, broke barriers as one of a handful of female cinematographers globally during the 1990s. With 30 years of experience, her emotionally resonant work is celebrated in Disney, Netflix, and BBC series like ‘Dynasties’, ‘The Hunt’ and 'Our Planet.’ Recently, she served as one of the two female Directors of Photography, alongside Justine Evans, for National Geographic’s 'Queens,' continuing her mentor Emmy winner Hugo van Lawick's legacy by championing diversity in the industry, particularly in encouraging more women to pursue careers behind the camera.
Website: www.sophiedarlington.com
Instagram: @sophiedarlingtondop
Tania Escobar
Wildlife Cinematographer
Tania Escobar, is a cinematographer specializing in natural history and high-end wildlife documentaries, based in Mexico. With credits including BBC, National Geographic, Disney and Netflix. Tania’s work takes her to extreme environments worldwide. She excels in long-lens photography and capturing animal behavior, using techniques like night filming, gimbals and drone footage. Dedicated to creating emotive connections with wildlife, Tania’s career has seen her spend extensive time in remote locations, from the Congo and Amazon rainforest to desert landscapes of Latina America, crafting intimate portrayals of nature’s wonders.
Website: taniaescobar.com/
Instagram: @tania.escobar.ori
Wildlife Cinematographer
Tania Escobar, is a cinematographer specializing in natural history and high-end wildlife documentaries, based in Mexico. With credits including BBC, National Geographic, Disney and Netflix. Tania’s work takes her to extreme environments worldwide. She excels in long-lens photography and capturing animal behavior, using techniques like night filming, gimbals and drone footage. Dedicated to creating emotive connections with wildlife, Tania’s career has seen her spend extensive time in remote locations, from the Congo and Amazon rainforest to desert landscapes of Latina America, crafting intimate portrayals of nature’s wonders.
Website: taniaescobar.com/
Instagram: @tania.escobar.ori
Max Kölbl
Max is a freelance wildlife Cameraman capturing the diversity, big and small, our Planet has to offer. On Queens he was part of the Team filming Bonobos, a lifetime dream coming true. Over a decade ago Max studied wild Bonobos as a Primatologist, living in the jungle for 9 months straight. Since they have a special place in is heart. No other animal has taught him more about Life and himself. Although working with Bonobos is one of the toughest jobs out there, Max can´t wait to be back filming those charismatic, joyful and beautiful beings. By creating captivating visuals, he is hoping to help nurture a deeper bond between humans and the natural world!
Instagram: @mkshooots
Max is a freelance wildlife Cameraman capturing the diversity, big and small, our Planet has to offer. On Queens he was part of the Team filming Bonobos, a lifetime dream coming true. Over a decade ago Max studied wild Bonobos as a Primatologist, living in the jungle for 9 months straight. Since they have a special place in is heart. No other animal has taught him more about Life and himself. Although working with Bonobos is one of the toughest jobs out there, Max can´t wait to be back filming those charismatic, joyful and beautiful beings. By creating captivating visuals, he is hoping to help nurture a deeper bond between humans and the natural world!
Instagram: @mkshooots
Erin Ranney
Erin is a freelance wildlife cinematographer based in Alaska, Washington State and the Falkland Islands. She has a variety of remote field experience, both on boats and land, and have set up and run remote field camps in Alaska. After finishing her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology at Washington State University and working as a field technician in the rainforests of Madagascar, she completed her Masters in Wildlife Documentary Production in England. She began interning with Mark Emery films and assisting cameramen in the field. Erin now works as a cinematographer for companies such as BBC, PBS, Smithsonian, Disney+ and National Geographic. She was a presenter and camerawomen on a children’s conservation series for CBBC in the Falkland Islands on rockhopper penguins. And self funded, filmed and produced a film with Jack Johnston, called ‘My Alaskan Journey’ which is currently doing the film festival circuit. As well as filming wildlife on land, Erin's also a deep- sea video engineer. She was originally trained during an internship with Dr. Robert Ballard’s exploration vessel, Nautilus, controlling the live cameras on ROVs at depths of 4000 meters. Erin's a trained guide and naturalist in bear country.
Website: www.erinranney.com/
Instagram: @e.ranney
Erin is a freelance wildlife cinematographer based in Alaska, Washington State and the Falkland Islands. She has a variety of remote field experience, both on boats and land, and have set up and run remote field camps in Alaska. After finishing her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology at Washington State University and working as a field technician in the rainforests of Madagascar, she completed her Masters in Wildlife Documentary Production in England. She began interning with Mark Emery films and assisting cameramen in the field. Erin now works as a cinematographer for companies such as BBC, PBS, Smithsonian, Disney+ and National Geographic. She was a presenter and camerawomen on a children’s conservation series for CBBC in the Falkland Islands on rockhopper penguins. And self funded, filmed and produced a film with Jack Johnston, called ‘My Alaskan Journey’ which is currently doing the film festival circuit. As well as filming wildlife on land, Erin's also a deep- sea video engineer. She was originally trained during an internship with Dr. Robert Ballard’s exploration vessel, Nautilus, controlling the live cameras on ROVs at depths of 4000 meters. Erin's a trained guide and naturalist in bear country.
Website: www.erinranney.com/
Instagram: @e.ranney
Erica Rugabandana
Tanzania, Conservationist and Wildlife Cinematographer
Erica Francis Rugabandana is an award-winning filmmaker who has a background in wildlife management and community development, with a specialization in communication for environment and wildlife conservation education. My career has received a major boost from renowned and experienced wildlife filmmakers Justine Evans, Cyril Barbancon, and Jacqueline Farmer, who is a producer and fellow under Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmaking (NEWF). Through their mentorship, I continue to sharpen my skills. I shoot using the long lens, RED cameras, and other lenses. My skills were recognized when I was awarded the emerging filmmaker grant by Curiosity Stream to produce a film on human-wildlife conflict. I feel honored to have my first film made with the local community for the community. I look forward to producing more content for my country Tanzania for awareness and educational purposes, and also empowering youth and women to be wildlife filmmakers.
Instagram: @siima_films
Tanzania, Conservationist and Wildlife Cinematographer
Erica Francis Rugabandana is an award-winning filmmaker who has a background in wildlife management and community development, with a specialization in communication for environment and wildlife conservation education. My career has received a major boost from renowned and experienced wildlife filmmakers Justine Evans, Cyril Barbancon, and Jacqueline Farmer, who is a producer and fellow under Nature Environment and Wildlife Filmmaking (NEWF). Through their mentorship, I continue to sharpen my skills. I shoot using the long lens, RED cameras, and other lenses. My skills were recognized when I was awarded the emerging filmmaker grant by Curiosity Stream to produce a film on human-wildlife conflict. I feel honored to have my first film made with the local community for the community. I look forward to producing more content for my country Tanzania for awareness and educational purposes, and also empowering youth and women to be wildlife filmmakers.
Instagram: @siima_films
Warwick Sloss
Warwick is a specialist wildlife cameraman and Director of Photography, working in natural history, science and adventure films. This has taken him to hundreds of locations in more than 50 countries. Warwick started as a trainee with the BBC Natural History Unit in 1995, went freelance in 1998, and continued to work for the BBC and various independents. Like all wildlife camera people these days, he is award-winning. His experience includes lighting in the studio and on location, as well as sync and actuality filming. His technical specialities are long-lens animal behaviour, extreme macro, time-lapse, motion control, IR and low light, high-speed cameras for slow motion, stabilised camera support systems, special effects and graphics work, etc. He’s accustomed to working in dangerous and extreme environments.
Website: https://sloss.co.uk/
Instagram: @warwicksloss
Warwick is a specialist wildlife cameraman and Director of Photography, working in natural history, science and adventure films. This has taken him to hundreds of locations in more than 50 countries. Warwick started as a trainee with the BBC Natural History Unit in 1995, went freelance in 1998, and continued to work for the BBC and various independents. Like all wildlife camera people these days, he is award-winning. His experience includes lighting in the studio and on location, as well as sync and actuality filming. His technical specialities are long-lens animal behaviour, extreme macro, time-lapse, motion control, IR and low light, high-speed cameras for slow motion, stabilised camera support systems, special effects and graphics work, etc. He’s accustomed to working in dangerous and extreme environments.
Website: https://sloss.co.uk/
Instagram: @warwicksloss
You must be a collective member to attend this event. If you are not a member, you can sign up for free at jacksonwildcollective.org
Jackson Wild Collective Presents: Camera Traps with Johanna Turner and Nick Guy
The Collective virtual event series continues! Join us on Thursday, April 25 12pm EDT / 6pm CEST for a special event on camera traps led by Johanna Turner and Nick Guy!
Johanna Turner
Johanna’s work has been featured in blue-chip documentary series for National Geographic Channel and Apple TV + and her photography has been featured in several publications and scientific journals. She is experienced with all makes and models of camera traps including her own designs. Her work has contributed to both land conservation and our understanding of wildlife behavior in urban environments. She was selected as one of the Disney Conservation Fund’s 2019 “Conservation Heroes” for her work changing public perception of sharing space with large carnivores.
https://www.cougarmagic.com/
Johanna’s work has been featured in blue-chip documentary series for National Geographic Channel and Apple TV + and her photography has been featured in several publications and scientific journals. She is experienced with all makes and models of camera traps including her own designs. Her work has contributed to both land conservation and our understanding of wildlife behavior in urban environments. She was selected as one of the Disney Conservation Fund’s 2019 “Conservation Heroes” for her work changing public perception of sharing space with large carnivores.
https://www.cougarmagic.com/
Nick Guy
Nick Guy is an experienced cameraman and technician with over 20 years working in the industry. Nick has specialised in natural history camera trapping for over 10 years, working on productions such as Planet Earth II, Earth at Night in Colour and most recently Apple TV’s Earthsounds. Over this time he has designed and built his own camera trap system through the Cambush brand. The latest model being the Cambush Cube- the world’s smallest professional broadcast quality camera.
https://www.cambush.co.uk/
Nick Guy is an experienced cameraman and technician with over 20 years working in the industry. Nick has specialised in natural history camera trapping for over 10 years, working on productions such as Planet Earth II, Earth at Night in Colour and most recently Apple TV’s Earthsounds. Over this time he has designed and built his own camera trap system through the Cambush brand. The latest model being the Cambush Cube- the world’s smallest professional broadcast quality camera.
https://www.cambush.co.uk/
You must be a collective member to attend this event. If you are not a member, you can sign up for FREE at jacksonwildcollective.org
Jackson Wild Collective Presents Preparing Your Kit: Cameras, Lenses, and Other Technology
We are so excited to announce the first Collective virtual event in a series of upcoming workshops! Join us on April 10 1PM EDT/ 7PM CEST for a special event on preparing your kit, led by Ivan Agerton and William Donarum.
*You must be a Collective member to attend this event. To join for free, please visit: https://jacksonwildcollective.org/
*You must be a Collective member to attend this event. To join for free, please visit: https://jacksonwildcollective.org/
Ivan Agerton
Ivan Agerton is an expedition stills/motion photographer. He’s worked with National Geographic, NASA, OceanX, WHOI, and the UN. His work takes him on sea, land and air expeditions doing his part to create stories that will help save our planet.
https://www.ivanagerton.com/
Ivan Agerton is an expedition stills/motion photographer. He’s worked with National Geographic, NASA, OceanX, WHOI, and the UN. His work takes him on sea, land and air expeditions doing his part to create stories that will help save our planet.
https://www.ivanagerton.com/
William Donaruma
By day, William (aka Bill) is currently a Professor of The Practice in Filmmaking at the University of Notre Dame and serves as Creative Director for the Office of Digital Learning. During his off time he seeks action, energy and purpose through military led endurance events, which keeps him ready for production field work of any kind.
https://williamdonaruma.com/
By day, William (aka Bill) is currently a Professor of The Practice in Filmmaking at the University of Notre Dame and serves as Creative Director for the Office of Digital Learning. During his off time he seeks action, energy and purpose through military led endurance events, which keeps him ready for production field work of any kind.
https://williamdonaruma.com/
March 7th International Women’s Day 2024 Celebration: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice
Jackson Wild is excited to announce the third edition of its International Women’s Day Virtual Celebration! Co-presented with Nature Through Her Eyes and The VII Foundation, this year’s event will give you a sneak peek into biologist Rebecca Kormos’ upcoming book Intertwined: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice (available April 30, 2024).
In Intertwined, author, biologist and conservationist Rebecca Kormos elevates the voices of women working to prevent the climate crisis, weaving together their stories to make a powerful case for why women are essential to changing our current trajectory toward catastrophic global warming and environmental degradation. Join us for an insightful look into Intertwined and meet some female changemakers leading the charge.
The event will highlight conversations between Rebecca and two women featured in her book, Ugandan Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, and Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nations Midori Nicolson. Gladys is Uganda’s first wildlife vet, and Midori is a biologist, community officer, and storyteller. Rebecca will be discussing with them storytelling from a female perspective.
This event welcomes guests of all gender identities, including but not limited to women, non-binary, and men, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. To attend, please RSVP by March 6th. The celebration and conversation will take place in the virtual forest in Remo. We look forward to seeing you there!
In Intertwined, author, biologist and conservationist Rebecca Kormos elevates the voices of women working to prevent the climate crisis, weaving together their stories to make a powerful case for why women are essential to changing our current trajectory toward catastrophic global warming and environmental degradation. Join us for an insightful look into Intertwined and meet some female changemakers leading the charge.
The event will highlight conversations between Rebecca and two women featured in her book, Ugandan Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, and Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w First Nations Midori Nicolson. Gladys is Uganda’s first wildlife vet, and Midori is a biologist, community officer, and storyteller. Rebecca will be discussing with them storytelling from a female perspective.
This event welcomes guests of all gender identities, including but not limited to women, non-binary, and men, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. To attend, please RSVP by March 6th. The celebration and conversation will take place in the virtual forest in Remo. We look forward to seeing you there!
Rebecca Kormos
Rebecca Kormos is a wildlife conservation biologist and the author of "Intertwined: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice." Her book is based on interviews with women conservationists across the globe, interwoven with evidence highlighting the unequal impact of climate change on women, yet how women are often excluded from decision-making processes concerning nature. Rebecca serves as Vice Chair of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, which she helped to found in 2003. She is a Senior Associate at Re:wild, a founding member of the Women in Nature Network (WiNN) and has recently become a Board member for the non-profit For The Good, which partners with villages in the Loita Hills of Kenya to empower girls through increased access to education. Rebecca lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband, two daughters, and two German Shepherd dogs.
Rebecca Kormos is a wildlife conservation biologist and the author of "Intertwined: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice." Her book is based on interviews with women conservationists across the globe, interwoven with evidence highlighting the unequal impact of climate change on women, yet how women are often excluded from decision-making processes concerning nature. Rebecca serves as Vice Chair of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, which she helped to found in 2003. She is a Senior Associate at Re:wild, a founding member of the Women in Nature Network (WiNN) and has recently become a Board member for the non-profit For The Good, which partners with villages in the Loita Hills of Kenya to empower girls through increased access to education. Rebecca lives in Berkeley, California, with her husband, two daughters, and two German Shepherd dogs.
Jacqueline Farmer
Director/producer Jacqueline Farmer set up Nature Through Her Eyes in 2019 with the VII Foundation, to tackle the problem of under- representation of women in the natural history filmmaking space. The organization runs a bi-annual festival, yearly training programmes and has close ties with Jackson Wild.
http://naturethroughhereyes.com
Director/producer Jacqueline Farmer set up Nature Through Her Eyes in 2019 with the VII Foundation, to tackle the problem of under- representation of women in the natural history filmmaking space. The organization runs a bi-annual festival, yearly training programmes and has close ties with Jackson Wild.
http://naturethroughhereyes.com
Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is the Founder and CEO of a 20-year-old award-winning grassroots NGO and non-profit, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH). In 2015, she founded Gorilla Conservation Coffee to support farmers living around gorilla habitats. An Ashoka Fellow, Mulago Foundation Henry Arnhold Fellow and National Geographic Explorer, she won 2021 UNEP Champion of the Earth Award - Science and Innovation, 2022 Edinburgh Medal, 2022 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize. She is African Primatological Society Vice President and on Women for the Environment - Africa Leadership Council. In 2021 she was listed among Avance Media's 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, and in 2023 was on the BBC100Women list. In 2023, she published a memoir “Walking with Gorillas,” about her conservation and leadership journey shaped by One Health.
Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka is the Founder and CEO of a 20-year-old award-winning grassroots NGO and non-profit, Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH). In 2015, she founded Gorilla Conservation Coffee to support farmers living around gorilla habitats. An Ashoka Fellow, Mulago Foundation Henry Arnhold Fellow and National Geographic Explorer, she won 2021 UNEP Champion of the Earth Award - Science and Innovation, 2022 Edinburgh Medal, 2022 Tällberg-SNF-Eliasson Global Leadership Prize. She is African Primatological Society Vice President and on Women for the Environment - Africa Leadership Council. In 2021 she was listed among Avance Media's 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, and in 2023 was on the BBC100Women list. In 2023, she published a memoir “Walking with Gorillas,” about her conservation and leadership journey shaped by One Health.
Midori Nicolson
Midori Nicolson is Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw and lives in her ancestral village, U’kwanalis, on the Gwa’yi River, which stems from the glacier Uxwestolis, an area known by the colonial name of Kingcome Inlet. Midori was born on Vancouver Island and grew up along the coast of British Columbia. She is a biologist whose priority today is to continue doing the work necessary to keep her community going for generations to come. She believes that we must rebuild all our past village sites and sacred spaces to reweave our connection to our past, so we can be strong enough for what the future holds. Midori finds hope in her children’s generation; they have more voice and conviction and less fear about “rocking the boat.”
Midori Nicolson is Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw and lives in her ancestral village, U’kwanalis, on the Gwa’yi River, which stems from the glacier Uxwestolis, an area known by the colonial name of Kingcome Inlet. Midori was born on Vancouver Island and grew up along the coast of British Columbia. She is a biologist whose priority today is to continue doing the work necessary to keep her community going for generations to come. She believes that we must rebuild all our past village sites and sacred spaces to reweave our connection to our past, so we can be strong enough for what the future holds. Midori finds hope in her children’s generation; they have more voice and conviction and less fear about “rocking the boat.”
Jackson Wild 2023 Pride Month Virtual Celebration 🏳️🌈
June 8, 2023 at 9 am PT / 12 pm EDT
Celebrate Pride Month with Jackson Wild! Join us for our SECOND ANNUAL virtual event to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community within science, conservation, and storytelling. Fun activities, casual networking, and joyful celebration await you!
Narration Writing Masterclass
Every Other Wednesday
Starting June 15-July 27, 2022 from 12:00-2:00 pm EDT
Jackson Wild is proud to present a Narration Writing Masterclass - an opportunity for Jackson Wild Collective members to take their narration writing skills to the next level in crafting more impactful stories. Is there anything worse than bad narration? Led by Carol L. Fleisher an award-winning writer, producer and director with over 40 years of experience in the natural history/documentary industry, this 7-week (4 sessions) online interactive masterclass will offer practical tips from some of the best writers and insightful network commissioners in the natural history field. You will have a hands-on narration project that you will refine throughout the length of the course. This Masterclass will benefit a writer who has a beginner to intermediate understanding of the craft. This masterclass will be fully conducted in English, and proficient English writing skills are essential.
JW LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Virtual Event 🏳️🌈
June 16, 2022 at 9 am PT / 12 pm EDT
Celebrate Pride Month with Jackson Wild! Join us for a virtual event to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community within science, conservation, and storytelling. Fun activities, casual networking, and joyful celebration await you!