Nature’s Hidden Miracles
(超・進化論)
A three-part NHK Special exploring the natural world through the latest cutting-edge science of evolution.
Photo: Òscar Domínguez
Filming the work of biologist Karl Wotton and his students in the French Pyrenees
For episode 2, about insects, I directed and shot a sequence about the field work of Karl Wotton and his students from the University of Exeter, who study insect migration.
Douglas fir growth time lapse
For episode 1, about plants, I set up a time-lapse studio. During four weeks, three cameras tracked the growth of Douglas fir saplings of different life stages in front of a bluescreen.
By using perfectly frame-repeatable motion control and matching the studio lighting to natural conditions, we were able to shoot background plates on location that keyed seamlessly — no matchmoving required — making the VFX post process as easy as it could be.
Technical Details
Some of the equipment used:
Red Komodo 6K camera
Time-lapse camera systems
DJI Ronin gimbal
Motion control system
Drone
Bluescreen
The team on location: Scarlett Weston, Karl Wotton, Will Hawkes, Òscar Domínguez
Photo by Òscar Domínguez
Production Details
Documentary mini series
3 × 50 minutes, 1.78:1
Produced by NHK and Curiosity Studios
Released as an NHK Special in Japan in 2022
International version released in the US on Amazon Prime Video and globally on Curiosity Stream in 2023
Credits
Ep. 1 “Plants”: Time-lapse Photography
Ep. 2 “Insects”: Direction and Photography
