Guardians of the Microcosm
(Die Hüter des Mikrokosmos)

A film about the hidden world of insects, the tiny heroes that keep life on our planet running. Guardians of the Microcosm explores the many unexpected ways humanity depends on insects. It shows not only their beauty and how they make our planet livable, but also how our behavior is causing dramatic declines in their numbers and what we must do to avert catastrophe.

Filming Guardians of the Microcosm

I’m very happy to be the Director of Photography of this film. The filming involves a mix of people and natural history sequences, and it’s an exciting challenge to find a visual style that marries them. Filming officially begins in April 2024 and will take place across four continents over two years.

Film crew for Guardians of the Microcosm in South Africa

The crew during a shoot in South Africa.

Technical details

Some of the equipment used:

  • Red V-Raptor 8K VV camera

  • Phantom 4K high-speed camera

  • Red Komodo 6K camera

  • Sony FX6 camera

  • Sigma High Speed Prime cine lenses

  • Infinity Photo-Optical micro and macro scope lenses

  • Motion control systems including a purpose-built macro slider with realtime, programmable, and time-lapse capability

  • P+S Technik Skater Dolly

  • Kessler Shuttle Dolly

  • Time-lapse photography systems

  • DJI Inspire and Mavic drones

  • DJI Ronin gimbal

 

Production Details

Cinema documentary
90 minutes, 2.39:1

Television spinoff for Arte and SRF

Directed by Martin Schilt
Written by Daniel Ballmer
Produced by Lucky Film

In production; to be released in 2025

Credit

Director of Photography