For the past month, I had the incredible opportunity to take part in the Too Wild Film Course. Going in with no real expectations, I wasn’t sure if it would meet my goals as an aspiring cinematographer. However, I’m beyond grateful for the wealth of knowledge and insight I gained. The course provided everything I needed to advance my filmmaking career, especially in the realm of wildlife cinematography.
Lauren and Dawie are outstanding instructors, and I will always consider them my mentors. Dawie's expertise covered the full spectrum of filmmaking, from the technical details to real-world field experience, while Lauren brought a fresh perspective with her deep understanding of wildlife and animal behavior. Together, they are a powerhouse team.
For anyone with an interest in wildlife filmmaking, or even those just seeking a unique and enriching experience, I wholeheartedly recommend the Too Wild Film Course. The value I walked away with far exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Lauren and Dawie!I have recently returned from a month in the bush on Too Wild's first wildlife filmmaking course, which was truly an incredible experience that I highly recommend to anyone considering it.
Lauren and David were amazing hosts and teachers; they are both super knowledgeable so it was a privilege to learn from them. Living in the bush was an amazing experience and we were so lucky to have had the most incredible sightings whilst we were there, capturing several EPIC moments.
The course provided a comprehensive understanding of wildlife filmmaking, from learning crop factor and camera rigging, to discussing phenomenology and the ethical considerations of wildlife filmmaking. Additionally, we were privileged to be mentored by editors, storytellers, and directors, gaining insights from industry leaders which was really valuable and inspiring. We also spent time editing our footage and creating a showreel to take away with us.
Even if you're not sure about a career in wildlife filmmaking, this course is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, learn from experts, and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about animals, storytelling, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure.Are you excited by the idea of your job taking you to some of our planet's wildest places? Keen to explore the world of wildlife filmmaking but aren't quite sure where to begin? Or maybe you just have a deep passion for the great outdoors! Then be sure to check out Too Wild's Wildlife Filmmaking course in South Africa's outstanding Timbavati game reserve. Having just spent one month with Too Wild, I can safely say that my camera skills, bush awareness, and storytelling abilities have significantly levelled up!
Lauren and David—founders of Too Wild—draw from their many years of broadcast TV experience and immense bush knowledge, to deliver a cutting-edge and well-rounded course. Step by step, the technical aspects of cameras, tools for telling compelling stories, bush savvy needed to read animal behaviour, and many more skills became second nature to us throughout this transformative experience. Additionally, the course is enriched with expertise and viewpoints from accomplished filmmakers like internationally awarded National Geographic filmmaker Shannon Wild, Jackson Wild Media Festival award-winning filmmaker Jolene van Antwerp, and television presenter, writer, and biologist Trishala Naidu.
From being lulled to sleep by the sound of vocalising lions, to spending hours among some of our planet's most impressive beasts and developing a close-knit bond with my fellow participants, my month with Too Wild was a memorable and enlivening experience that left me feeling prepared to take on the challenge of finding my place in the world of wildlife filmmaking.The team at Too Wild captured the essence of Jamala Madikwe flawlessly! Thank you Lauren and David for creating absolute magic. Their incredible video showcases the untamed beauty of Jamala and Madikwe’s wildlife, bringing the experience to life. Exceptional cinematography that truly does justice to the magic of Jamala. Well done to this talented team!
Lauren is a powerhouse in her industry. Not only is she an experienced naturalist host for many heavyweights of wildlife media (WildEarth, Nat GEO, Nat Geo WILD, SABC, CGTN and Disney+), but her dedication to connecting with the wild world transcends into her life everyday. And because she has so much to offer, I can only imagine how invaluable her filmmaking and wellness courses will be with her team at Too Wild. Her knowledge is vast and her ability to capture an experience in the moment on camera with her team is outstanding. This is one exceptionally dynamic pioneer in the bush and ocean!
I had a fantastic experience working with Too Wild. Lauren and David were instrumental in producing two videos for the Soneva Foundation Mozambique Forest Restoration project. Their professionalism, creativity, and dedication were truly commendable. Lauren and David are not only lovely to work with, but they also consistently deliver high-quality content. I highly recommend Too Wild for their exceptional skills and commitment to producing outstanding work.