National Geographic: Wild Passions Page #4

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It was just luck. It just happened

while I was there,

you know, that's a rarity.

Today, filmmakers like Neil Rettig are

well-established professionals

in what could actually

be called a career.

But it wasn't like that when renowned

African filmmaker Alan Root started out

Wildlife photographer wasn't something

you could find

in any career guide's booklet.

Fortunately, because the whole

business was in its early days,

the standards, I have to say,

were pretty low.

So anything a cut above home movie

footage would get onto television,

because it was all new

and exciting to them.

And I really appreciate that,

because the youngsters today have

a much harder nut to crack to get in.

Actually, just drop me down here.

I think there is more pressure on me

because this is my first film

and I obviously want it

to be a good film.

Go right, Pete, go right, go right.

But as long as I'm learning,

that's the key thing.

Still running, still running.

Matt Aeberhard's here in Tanzania

to make a National Geographic film

about jackals.

Stop!

They're a tough animal

to keep in frame.

Missed it. Missed it.

Despite the frustrations

and challenges,

for Matt,

this is the fulfillment of a dream.

It's taken some real doing to

get this far.

After failing at University,

I was really forced to really go

for something and do my best.

He landed a few menial jobs in film,

including work for a British company

that made wildlife films.

I made teas for people,

worked long hours,

I made sure I was noticed.

And gradually,

one thing led to another.

It led to an invitation to come work

for a wildlife filmmaker

in the Serengeti.

Driving out to the Serengeti was, yeah,

one of the best days of my life.

I believe I cried

when I saw the Serengeti,

because I'd arrived and

it really was the culmination

of a good deal of difficult driving,

boring work, and finally I'm here,

doing what I want to do.

You ready, Peter?

Matt spent five years working

for someone else

before attempting a film of his own.

This is his big chance.

He won't get many more

if he doesn't deliver.

He's chosen a difficult subject.

Jackals are unsympathetic heroes.

People watching the film might

be disgusted

by the fact that these jackals

are preying on little bambis.

But that gives me a good challenge.

I don't have a problem

with the fact that people might hate

the jackals one minute

if I can make them like

the jackals the next minute.

Make them feel something.

If they feel something, that's good.

Jackals can be doting parents.

And Matt wants to show that

by capturing a key scene

the moment when the pups emerge

from the den to greet their mother.

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