Description
Date & Time:
Thursday, September 17, 2026
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM MDT
Location:
The Camera Store
802 11th Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Behind every breathtaking wildlife sequence lie weeks of mud, unpredictable weather, and relentless problem-solving. Natural history filmmaking isn’t just about waiting for the magic moment. It’s about surviving the logistics.
Working in lean, agile crews in the world’s most unforgiving environments, cinematographers must constantly adapt when nature refuses to follow the script. This talk pulls back the curtain on the unfiltered reality of field production. We will deconstruct the anatomy of a sequence from the initial plan to the final frame, examining the creative pivots required when gear fails, conditions change, or the animals don't show up.
Packed with raw behind-the-scenes footage, this session explores the persistence, mindset, and technical resilience needed to capture the wild when everything goes sideways.
Sponsored by Canon Canada.
About Darryl MacDonald:
Darryl MacDonald is a wildlife cinematographer who has operated across all seven continents. Evolving from a background in stills photography, Darryl specializes in high-risk, remote field environments. His operational versatility is backed by real-world survival skills: he is a commercial diver, climber, licensed paramedic, and advanced drone pilot licensed in 31 countries. Darryl’s dynamic camera work across land, air, and water is featured in landmark blue-chip series including Seven Worlds, One Planet, Frozen Planet II, The Americas, Our Oceans, Mammals, and Asia
Please Note:
This is an In-Person, Paid Event. Paid events are non-refundable. Your registration is required. Your registration assists us in gauging attendance numbers and we'll provide you with a reminder and further details about the event. Should you have any questions or issues, please email ryley.schmidt@thecamerastore.com.
