Understanding the Mechanics of 'Planet Earth'

The acclaimed documentary series "Planet Earth," a collaboration between the BBC and the Discovery Channel, transcends traditional nature programming. The team behind "Planet Earth" has unveiled never-before-seen footage of our planet. From gliding above the Amazon rainforest canopy to documenting a snow leopard's hunt on steep Pakistani cliffs, and even capturing a great white shark mid-air while attacking a seal, their achievements are extraordinary.

Boasting a budget of approximately $2 million per episode, this 11-part series took five years to film across over 200 locations in 62 countries [source: USA Today]. It stands as the most ambitious and far-reaching documentary endeavor ever undertaken.

Alastair Fothergill, the BBC producer behind "Planet Earth," brought his expertise from working on "The Blue Planet." That earlier series, an eight-part exploration of the ocean's marvels, cost $10 million and won over audiences with its grand scale and cinematic approach. A follow-up in the same vein was an obvious next step.

Over 70 camera operators worked tirelessly across the globe, dedicating seven-day weeks to bring "Planet Earth" to life. The BBC version, narrated by the renowned British broadcaster David Attenborough, became a massive success. In the U.S., the Discovery Channel's edition featured narration by the acclaimed actress Sigourney Weaver. The finale episode alone attracted over 5.5 million viewers from diverse demographics, a rare feat for cable shows. "Planet Earth" consistently ranked in the top 10 across all three key demographics during its run [source: Media Life].

The DVD sales figures were equally remarkable. By June 2007, The Hollywood Reporter noted that 42,000 units had been sold, generating an estimated $3.2 million in revenue. The box set set a new benchmark for high-definition DVD releases.

This article delves into the making of the series, exploring the groundbreaking techniques, logistical challenges, extreme conditions, and risks from humans, animals, and nature. It also highlights the triumphs and close calls that defined the creation of "Planet Earth."

Working and Living Conditions

Initial discussions with the "Planet Earth" camera teams might have sounded like this: "You want me to live in a snow shelter for a year, enduring -60 degree temperatures and 125 mph winds, just to film penguins huddled like a rugby team?" Surprisingly, the response was an enthusiastic "Count me in!" Crews faced extreme environments that most life forms couldn’t survive, often isolated for months. From the freezing Antarctic to the scorching African savannas, the "Planet Earth" team redefined the phrase "sacrificing for your craft."

Cameraman Wade Fairly and biologist Fred Oliver spent an entire year on Antarctica's remote Macey Island, documenting emperor penguin behavior. Their home was a repurposed freight container located miles from the penguin colony. Daily commutes on ATVs, guided by a GPS through blinding snowstorms, yielded stunning footage of 10,000 penguins huddling to protect their eggs from the brutal cold.

In Costa Rica, the team spent nearly a month in the humid jungle, waiting nightly to capture the elusive lemur tree frog’s call. They adjusted their sleep schedules to match the frog’s nocturnal habits. Success came only after gaining access to a private pond, where they finally secured the footage they needed.

Living conditions were another hurdle for the crews. Makeshift huts and tents became their temporary homes. Despite their experience in wildlife filming, the demands of "Planet Earth" pushed everyone to their limits. The production team sent hundreds of wet wipes for hygiene during a Gobi Desert shoot, but freezing temperatures rendered them useless. Unavoidably, the teams grew accustomed to enduring less-than-pleasant smells.

Freezing temperatures affected more than just wet wipes. Anything left outside sleeping bags turned to ice. This forced camera operators to sleep with essential items like batteries, water, and even urine bottles. Forgetting the latter meant thawing them by the fire the next morning — an unpleasant chore. Their diet consisted of nuts, energy bars, and dehydrated meals, with some smuggling vodka for a warming drink.

Beyond harsh weather and cramped living spaces, crews faced extreme altitudes and depths. The aerial team at Mount Everest pushed the boundaries of high-altitude filming, while others ventured into Mexico’s Cave of Swallows, descending nearly 1,300 feet. Another team braved Africa’s Danakil Desert, dubbed the "cruelest place on Earth" by National Geographic. This scorching, lifeless region features Dallol Springs, a toxic area with active lava flows atop the world’s lowest volcano. Sleep was nearly impossible, with one crew member comparing it to resting on a "boiling cauldron" [source: Nicholson-Lord].

In the following section, we’ll explore the intricate logistics behind the making of "Planet Earth."

Logistics of 'Planet Earth'

Ask any film production manager about the challenges of organizing a standard shoot, and they’ll emphasize the immense effort required from a large team. Now, picture transporting unfamiliar equipment to remote corners of the globe or arranging travel to places you’ve never heard of. The "Planet Earth" production team spent years preparing for this monumental task. Securing permits, assembling crews, organizing equipment, and planning travel were just the beginning of their logistical challenges.

The BBC benefits from vast resources, with specialists available for every aspect of production. Need a camera lens delivered to Outer Mongolia? Their shipping expert handles it. Concerned about the risks of sulfuric acid exposure? Their health advisor has the answers. Many crew members underwent survival training to handle extreme conditions, from preventing frostbite to staying hydrated in 110-degree heat. The BBC’s safety store and "kit cage" provided essential gear for expeditions, including tents, climbing ropes, life jackets, gas masks, first-aid kits, caving equipment, scuba tanks, and maps.

Obtaining filming permits for many locations was another hurdle. King Charles Land, an island in the Arctic Ocean off Norway’s coast, hadn’t seen visitors since 1980. The BBC pursued permission for 25 years before finally gaining access for "Planet Earth." Similarly, securing entry to Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains took a year due to the region’s political instability.

Local assistance was vital to the success of "Planet Earth." Everywhere the BBC crews traveled, they relied on the help of indigenous people. From arranging pizza deliveries at 14,000 feet in the Himalayas to enlisting Pakistani helicopter pilots for flights around K2, the support was invaluable. Local guides led teams through jungles and deserts, ensuring safety and sharing their expertise to locate elusive wildlife. While there were occasional encounters with conmen and thieves, the overwhelming generosity and cooperation of local communities stood out.

Proceed to the next section to discover the groundbreaking equipment and techniques used in filming.

Equipment and Techniques

The success of "Planet Earth" hinged on two key elements: cutting-edge equipment and innovative techniques. It was the first nature series filmed entirely in high-definition, offering unparalleled image clarity and the ability to capture footage in extremely low light.

The standout tool of the series was undoubtedly the heligimbal — a gyro-stabilized camera system mounted beneath a helicopter. A gimbal is a stabilizing mechanism that keeps an object level even when tilted. Combining two gimbals ensures both vertical and horizontal stability. The heligimbal uses this technology to maintain a steady and precise camera angle, operated remotely by a cameraman inside the helicopter. This device captured stunning high-altitude footage and sweeping overhead views of animal hunts, with powerful zoom lenses allowing the helicopter to maintain a safe distance from wildlife.

How were those smooth, floating shots over jungle canopies achieved? The answer lies in the cinebulle, a device designed to glide over landscapes without the disruptive wind from helicopter blades damaging the treetops. Despite its advanced appearance, the cinebulle is essentially a hot air balloon fitted with a platform instead of a basket. Inventor Dany Cleyet-Marrel used a large fan to steer the unit, creating steady, breathtaking footage that skims the treetops without disturbance. However, its lack of maneuverability sometimes led to unintended collisions with the trees.

One of the most unforgettable scenes in "Planet Earth" is the nighttime hunt of a pride of lions attacking an elephant. To film this, the team used infrared lights, invisible to both humans and animals, paired with specialized cameras. The result was stunningly clear footage, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the nocturnal lives of these predators.

For underwater and cold-weather sequences, waterproof camera housings were essential. Crews sealed cameras in protective containers, often operating them remotely to maintain a safe distance. For skittish animals, motion sensors were employed to trigger the cameras only when movement was detected, ensuring rare moments were captured without human interference.

The success of these technologies lies in their ability to minimize environmental disruption. Helicopter wind distorting the Amazon canopy or animals altering their behavior due to human presence would ruin the authenticity of the footage. The goal was to observe nature as it truly is, undisturbed and unaltered.

In the following section, we’ll explore some of the groundbreaking accomplishments achieved by "Planet Earth."

'Planet Earth' Firsts

The creators of "Planet Earth" aimed to film never-before-seen footage, explore uncharted locations, and utilize equipment in groundbreaking ways. These ambitious objectives led to a series of unprecedented achievements in documentary filmmaking.

Filming the elusive bird of paradise in Papua New Guinea required three expeditions. Crews woke at 4 a.m. to position themselves before the birds became active. To help the birds adjust, the BBC team placed dummy cameras in the area. Cameraman Paul Stewart spent eight weeks in a cramped hideout, dedicating 14 hours daily to capturing the perfect shot. His perseverance was rewarded when he filmed the rare blue bird of paradise performing its intricate mating dance.

Most animal hunts shown on film are composites of multiple hunts edited to form a cohesive narrative. However, "Planet Earth" aimed to document an entire impala hunt by African wild dogs in the "Pole to Pole" episode. To accomplish this, a heligimbal team collaborated with ground crews to locate and follow the dogs. Once the ground team identified a pack, they alerted the helicopter, and the pursuit began. The challenge was focusing on the right dog at the right moment, as the helicopter’s long zoom lens limited visibility to small areas. Despite this, the crew’s dedication allowed viewers to witness the dogs’ coordinated flanking maneuvers to corner a young impala. Although the impala escaped into a river, the complete hunt provided unprecedented insights into the dogs’ hunting strategies.

Some filming locations were unprecedented. From the high-altitude shots of Mount Everest to the hi-def footage of New Mexico’s Lechuguilla caves, the team pushed boundaries to capture unseen visuals. Underwater crews braved the icy depths of Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, to document its unique marine life. The extreme cold required boiling water to prevent equipment from freezing during dives.

The "Planet Earth" team also pioneered new filming methods. They combined a motion control system with time-lapse photography to capture the earth’s transformations. Motion control automated the camera’s movement for smooth, slow shots, while time-lapse used intervals to film gradual changes. This innovative pairing produced stunning sequences of autumn landscapes, blooming cherry blossoms, and Sahara sandstorms, all seamlessly edited together.

In the next section, we’ll explore the dangers—animal, natural, and human—that the "Planet Earth" team faced during production.

The Dangers of Filming

Capturing wildlife and natural scenes can be perilous. The "Planet Earth" team faced threats like venomous plants, predatory animals, and extreme weather. While securing the perfect shot was crucial, ensuring the safety of the crew was always the top priority.

Walruses, often seen as gentle giants, can be surprisingly aggressive. They hunt seals by crushing them with their tusks. Cameraman Doug Anderson disregarded his guide’s warnings and entered the water with the walruses. His oversight was failing to check his surroundings. A mother walrus struck him from behind, retreating briefly before returning for another attack. Doug defended himself by thrusting his camera into her side, startling her enough to leave him unharmed but shaken.

Researcher Jeff Wilson joined a crew in Borneo to film the flying lemur, or colugo. During a break, he accidentally placed his hand on a light stand and was bitten by a pit viper, one of the world’s most venomous snakes. Locals rushed him 25 miles to the nearest hospital by boat and car. His calm demeanor and the bite’s location on his hand likely saved his life.

While filming wild pumas in Chile, the crew faced a tense moment when a protective mother puma began approaching them. Moving slowly on her belly, she signaled a potential attack. The two-man team stayed close to appear larger and more intimidating, with pepper spray ready as a precaution. By remaining calm and allowing the puma to observe them from a distance, they managed to avoid a confrontation.

The high-altitude team filming Mount Everest experienced a near-disaster when a Nepali engineer’s oxygen supply malfunctioned. At such heights, oxygen deprivation can lead to hypoxia, a life-threatening condition. The engineer’s hands trembled, and his eyes rolled back, signaling severe distress. When he became unresponsive, the co-pilot attempted to share his oxygen, only to discover his own tank had also failed. The pilot executed a rapid 10,000-foot descent in 10 seconds, described by a producer as "terrifying and excruciating." Fortunately, the engineer escaped without lasting harm.

In southern India, a crew documenting smooth-coated river otters encountered human danger from the infamous bandit Veerappan, responsible for over 120 murders. Known for poaching, smuggling, and kidnapping, he was one of India’s most wanted criminals. With rumors that Veerappan might target the BBC team as hostages, the crew worked under armed guard during daylight hours. Eventually, they were advised to leave the area entirely. Shortly after their departure, their camp was attacked. Veerappan was later captured and killed in 2004.

In the following section, we’ll explore some of the shots the crew captured just in time.

Last-minute Shots

The unpredictable nature of wildlife was a significant hurdle for the "Planet Earth" team. Spending days, weeks, or even months without capturing the desired footage was often frustrating. However, just as hope seemed lost, nature would often deliver the perfect moment.

The stunning footage of Venezuela’s Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world, was captured on the fourth and final attempt. Typically obscured by clouds, the skies cleared for a brief 45-minute window, allowing the crew to film the majestic scene.

On the last day of filming, cameraman Doug Allan finally captured a polar bear and her cubs descending a mountain to begin their journey to the sea. Similarly, the Costa Rica team, after a month of fruitless searching for tree frogs, received a tip from a local on their final day. They discovered a frog nirvana, with thousands of frogs from a dozen species, and filmed tirelessly until dawn.

Despite the generous budget allowing for extended waits, the Botswana team reached their limit. They aimed to film wild African dogs hunting impala, spending two weeks and over 50 hours in the air with the heligimbal, with little success. Producer Mark Linfield’s persistence was rewarded when they captured the hunt in the final ten minutes of filming.

Filmmakers often rely on a bit of luck, and this was certainly true for the incredible footage of a snow leopard hunting markhor mountain goats in Pakistan. After six weeks of filming markhor in their rugged mountain environment, the crew had arranged for a helicopter pickup. While they had captured some good shots, the elusive snow leopard—rarely seen on camera—remained absent. When the helicopter failed to arrive, the team set up their cameras one last time and struck gold. In the final hour of their final day, they filmed not just a snow leopard, but an exhilarating hunt across steep, near-vertical terrain. The helicopter arrived the next day, taking the thrilled crew back to base camp.

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