KIMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA DAY 3: CROC COUNTRY
7 minute read: Go behind the scenes of a filmmaking expedition in the remote Northwest region of Australia, The Kimberley. In this 14-part series, we’ll share the highs and lows, from marathon shoots aboard luxurious yachts to heart-stopping encounters with nature's fiercest creatures. Welcome to the wild side of cinema. (Part 3 of 14)
Dinosaurs in the water at Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Center ©SEABOURN
Into the Jaws of Adventure: The Crocodile Center
Our day began back at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Center, where we set our sights on a daunting challenge - capturing an extreme close-up of a crocodile's eye. The mission, as it often is in location filmmaking, hinged on a blend of preparation, timing, and a dash of luck. Achieving this shot required a perfect combination of factors: a skilled croc handler, the sun at just the right angle for impeccable lighting, and that dash of luck. Working with wildlife, even in captivity, can be a test of patience and timing. Sometimes, serendipity plays a role as significant as expertise.
What are the chances of getting that perfect crocodile shot in our storyboard? Our team operates by a strict code - "on time is late." We live and breathe it to ensure we're in the right place at the right time. Destination filmmaking, as we've learned, is all about adjustments. It's a game where planning down to the minute, and adapting down to the second, can mean the difference between success and disappointment.
capturing crocodiles with Arri Alexa MinI
On Time is Late
We believe in a sense of urgency that drives us to stick to a tight schedule. The urgency comes from seventeen years experience in the field. It's a lesson we picked up from my high school baseball coach, who believed in efficiency over duration. He would say, "We'll get more done in 2 hours than other teams will in 4 because we run to each station." The same principle applies to filmmaking; if you hustle, you can achieve more with less. This sense of urgency benefits our filmmaking process and, ultimately, our stakeholders.
Our stakeholders don't approach us with an abundance of time, money, and resources. They often come to us with business challenges that must be addressed within the constraints of time, budget, and resources. To maximize the investment, we focus on the essentials and make every second count. Time is the antagonist on a film or photography set and we avoid spending excessive time on shots unless the story demands it. On this particular morning, we were tasked with capturing video and a handful of photographs, a mission we aimed to complete in just a few hours before returning to Roebuck Bay with our talent.
WRITER & PRODUCTION MANAGER ANDREW WITH CROCODILE HANDLER DOUG
Enter Doug, our croc handler, and kindred spirit. There's an old saying, "the ones craziest to think they can change the world actually do," and it resonates with our team when we meet individuals like Doug. His passion and dedication mirrored ours. “We’ve got 70 crocodiles in this pond, 70 in the other pond, and 40 crocs in the pelican lakes pond…we can get whatever kind of shots you need,” said Doug. It was game on.
After securing the close up of the crocodile eye for our storyboard, Doug granted us the opportunity to fly a drone. It was a moment of choice – stay at the Croc Center or head to Roebuck Bay? We opted for the former. We had filmed wildlife with drones for hundreds of hours, but this was our first encounter with crocodiles. How would they respond?
STORYBOARD ON DAY 3: ✅ CROCODILE JUMPING + ✅ CLOSE UP OF CROCODILE EYE
As you might imagine, these predators reacted in true hunter fashion. When the drone ventured too close, the crocs went into predator mode, an intimidating sight. They moved like stealth bombers in the water. We had the bird's eye view but not the control. Then came the unexpected. While hovering, one of the crocs leaped out of the water, attempting to seize our drone, displaying lightning speed and agility. Boom, another shot in the can. Props to our drone operator Chris.
Our time at the Croc Center was primarily spent with Australian crocs, but Doug had one more surprise in store for us – American Alligators. As we approached, he humorously distinguished them from their Australian counterparts, concluding with a playful, "Absolutely terrifying, Bloody Americans." We all shared a hearty laugh before wrapping up our unforgettable morning at the Croc Center.
Cable Beach
Our next destination was the world-famous Cable Beach. Although not a part of our video storyboard, it was on our shot list for the 360 campaign. Locals had informed us that there were only a few days a year when one wouldn't witness a breathtaking sunset at Cable Beach. We had 4X4s, talent, and camels. All we needed was the epic sunset.
Driving local-style, 4X4 on the beach
Unfortunately, our day happened to be one of those rare overcast occasions. We didn't capture what we had originally intended, but as in life and filmmaking, the journey often proves more rewarding than the destination.
Day 3 Lessons:
Embrace the unpredictability of nature
Appreciate the process as much as the end result
Dedication to time management equals commitment to achieving more with less
Despite a few weather challenges, the team is all smiles at the end of day three. Next up on The Dash…our last day in Broome and embarking Akiko.
We discussed the challenges of embarkation day multiple times in pre-production. Embarkation is tomorrow and we do exactly what we said we wouldn’t do.