A Year in the Serengeti - short film (with epic)

[Michael Dalton]

I'm constantly inspired by the work people showcase here like Tom Lowe. Enough that I put together a short film of stuff I have shot over the past year in the Serengeti in Tanzania. The transition from shooting hd to 5k has been great, and I can't speak loud enough about my camera. This footage is part of a larger 5 part/one hour series for Television that airs next fall. Wish I had a 4k screen to watch it on.

Music is composed by Robert Krolage

Enjoy

http://vimeo.com/75497033

<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/75497033" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/75497033">A Year in the Serengeti - A Wildebeest Story</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2465786">Michael Dalton-Smith</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

 

[Dominik Muench]

some really beautiful work Michael, what lenses did you use ? especially for all the big group shots by the river ? impressive. I would have wet my cargo pants with this herd rushing towards me.

 

[Michael Dalton]

Dominik great name for your camera! I thought about Australopithecus, but somehow Lucy rolls off the tongue better.

Mostly canon 2.8 zooms. 16-35mm, 24-70mm (rarely), 70-200mm, Canon 2x, and I have a Sigma 150-500mm which does surprisingly well for it's cost. I shoot 8:1 compression, but I think the fast moving jumping shots with grass can use a higher rate.

 

[Clint Lealos]

Cool stuff! You captured some great moments Michael. Interested in seeing the TV show when it airs. What network?

 

[Bob Gundu]

Inspiring work Michael! I hope I have the energy soon to join you on one of your trips!

 

[Michael Dalton]

@Clint

Network is Oasis HD in Canada, the previous series which this is a spin off was on National Geographic International, so hopefully we'll back on there again. Likely, Ushuaia france, TV3 spain and bunch of others I usually get. Of course there will be 4k version for Odemax. I have 6 one-hours in my 4k pipeline, plus I'll do a special 4K version of Serengeti (without my host) for Odemax using all the footage from the series.

@bob
as we say in Swahili, Karibu Sana (your most welcome to join)

 

[Ted Parkes]

Michael .. I have been to Africa a few times, Kenya, Tanzania - Serengeti & climbed Kilimanjaro , Ethiopia, Malawi ... I can appreciate what it takes to get that kind of footage. - Kazi kubwa

 

[Michael Dalton]

@ted Kapisa!

I tell you, I wished I had a carbon epic on Kili this year when I climbed again this year. Doing Ol Donyo Lengai in Jan, and will higher a porter for just to carry the cam.

 

[Grzegorz Gill]

Wildebeest giving birth was amazing, congrats!

 

[Ted Parkes]

Michael .. sounds like another great expedition. I didn't have my Epic with me on Kili but it was challenging enough.. good on you. I was going to do the trek into Everest Base camp in November but have a little too much work on the go here so I am postponing until spring. What are you using for power on your Red? How did you manage that on Kili?

 

[Michael Dalton]

It was a bit painful. Two of us in the crew (host and me), and 24 support porters (lots because we had a luxury camp) My host, lead guide, and I swapped the epic all day. I had 20lbs on my back, and tripod porter, but man you felt it when it was your turn. Shooting time-lapses in camp 4 (15,000) and camp 5 at (19,200ft) were brutal carrying lenses, camera and tripod even 100 meters.

Lots of batteries! I had someone run batteries down on day three, charge over night, and all the back to camp 4 the next day. Joseph Lam was kind to lend me 3x160w ones to my 5. So 11 in total for 7 days. For off loading and charging my computer, I had a porter lug a Canadian Tired power eliminator up to camp 4 in Barafu with the charged batteries. No genies allowed there.He got a BIG tip!

 

[Ted Parkes]

Craziness.. All I could think of was the Imax crew. All that gear. Most have been a serious challenge.
The hiking to get ahead of the group was a killer for me. Especially at the higher altitudes. Toughest thing I have ever done and I am farm boy I know what a days work is. That said I would do it again in a heartbeat. It made the 3 days we stayed at the end of our trip at Gibbs Farm just outside the Ngorongoro Crater well deserved.
How many trips did you make you were obviously there a different times of the year? I was in Malawi in the rainy season and thats another experience all together.