Kim Wolhuter, cinematographer and wildlife filmmaker
In 2006 and while walking through the streets of Nakuru/Kenya, I came across a couple of stalls where they had a few wildlife dvds for sale. Such items in Melbourne are hard to come by and their prices are way too high so it was a good chance to buy a few. I knew the quality would not be the best especially when they were stored in plastic sleeves but still they were a bargain!
Out of those documentaries, the one that stood out was Tjololo, the story of a male Leopard.
I watched this documentary over and over and was very fascinated by the filmmaker and his lifestyle.
Kim doesn’t just visit Africa for documentary filming but he actually lives where he works which is the African Bush!
Around three to four months ago I came across wildcast.net and on the front page I saw the name Tjololo.....could this be??
Tjololo
Who is Kim Wolhuter?
I’m a South African born and raised MALE. (Just in case my name had you thinking). I’m a wildlife filmmaker.
Where are you based?
I’m currently based on Malilangwe Reserve in Zimbabwe.
When and how did you get involved in wildlife documentaries?
In 1988 I was approached by wildlife film producer, Richard Goss, about joining him as his assistant doing the lighting for him on a project on Spotted Hyaenas. At the time I had no interest in filmmaking and hardly any interest in photography. Following that project he gave me the camera and 10 rolls of film and said go for it on a new project on Brown Hyaenas. I ended up shooting most of that production and have been shooting ever since. I started my own production company, Mavela Media, in 1995.
How much time do you put into making a documentary?
Most of my films involve following an individual animal or a family. This means it takes about 18months of shooting in the field and then 3 to 4 months in post-production.
What are some of the places your filming has taken you?
I have only filmed in Southern Africa. Okavango Delta, Botswana. Skeleton Coast, Namib Desert, Namibia. Zambesi Valley, Zimbabwe. Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa. Malilangwe Reserve, Zimbabwe.
Do you have a favourite place for filming and if so where is it?
All these areas have something that is special. But I think Malilangwe has to be my favourite.
How did wildcast.net come about and what are your plans for the future?
Wildcast came about as a new avenue for distributing wildlife film content and with everything moving to broadband I wanted to keep abreast with it. Wildcast compliments my main productions that I’m working on all the time. I hope Wildcast will create the interest in my projects that will get people to want to watch the finished product. The future: much the same as right now. I always want to make high end wildlife films, especially if they’re going to keep me in the bush. For me it’s more about the lifestyle. Capturing events or shots of animals in action is that extra cherry on what is my hobby. It’s a great place to be where your work is your hobby.
While out filming, what is one animal experience you had which touched you in a way that others have not?
It’s has to be my acceptance by a wild clan of spotted hyaenas. I almost became a clan member where they were totally comfortable with me walking with them, being beside them as they fed in a frenzy on their kills. But the most extraordinary experience was Scratchy allowing and encouraging me to tickle her tummy and play with her like you play with your domestic dog. And her mother would lie a couple of meters away totally unconcerned.
As a filmmaker, what are some of the challenges nature has thrown your way?
Filming Tjololo we were hit with a cyclone that almost washed our camp away. But then trying to keep up with him in the waterlogged veld was tough going.
I’ve been wiped out by a freak wave while filming on the Namibian coast and ended up with a broken nose, a dislocated shoulder and torn ligaments in my ankle.
Can you tell us about the film projects you have planned for the future?
I’m currently working on a film on Wild Dogs. Unfortunately all pack members, except one, died last year from rabies. Whisky, the remaining dog, will hopefully find others in the area and den again this year.
Also working on a film on Lions. I want to take lions off the pedestal that man has put them as the King of Beasts, and just bring them down to reality.
A film on the elephants of Malilangwe. These elephant herds are truly amazing and have become totally accepting of me.
Currently starting a film on Ground Hornbills. The big predatory birds patrol on the ground. So they don’t fly off to kill their prey, they do it right in front of you. I’m busy habituating the birds so I can walk with them which allow me to get that much more of an intimate story.
Having the history about your father and grandfather being Rangers, where do you see your self in the future?
I left school and got a B.Sc Degree in Grassland Science. I was then involved in wildlife management. Much like my father and grandfather. And that was where I thought I would always be. But when I suddenly found this career in wildlife filmmaking, I changed course and expect to be doing this for the rest of my life.
While on the subject of fathers, can you tell us a little bit about your father and grandfather?
Harry Wolhuter, my grandfather, was the first game ranger in the Kruger National Park. He’s also a legend for having killed an adult male lion single-handedly with a knife after it had pulled him from his horse.
My father followed in his father’s footsteps and was the Senior Ranger in the Kruger National Park. He died at the young age of 44, from illness.
While watching Tjololo, one scene that stood out was that of your children playing at the riverbank and your daughter actually waved at an Elephant that was on the other side of the river.
How do your children feel about life in the bush?
My daughters love their life in the bush, but it’s really limited as they now have to attend school. And so only get into the bush in their holidays. We are currently in production on a Series for Animal Planet about my daughters and me in the bush. This will be ready for broadcast towards the end of this year.
Do you take your children out filming with you and if so, do you have hopes of them being involved in wildlife filming?
When they’re with me they go out filming with me all day or even all night. They have their mattresses and sleeping bags on the back of the vehicle and sleep whenever they wish. Otherwise they’re out there with me taking their own photographs.
While travelling through Africa and besides your wife, who is one person you met that inspired you the most?
The person who had the most impact on my wildlife career is Ted Reilly from Swaziland. I learnt from him what hard work in the bush was all about and learnt all other facets of life in the bush. Today Ted’s in charge of several parks in Swaziland and is the King’s advisor to all nature conservation issues in the country.
The photographic images you have at wildcast are outstanding. Just what photographic equipment do you use?
All Canon equipment.
Canon EOS 1Ds MkII
Canon 17-35mm lens
Canon 70-200mm lens
Canon 400mm lens
What is your interpretation of conservation photography?
Hmmmmm.........you tell me.
What’s it like making wildlife documentaries for the National Geographic while knowing that millions of people will be watching them?
It’s more like, I make wildlife documentaries to get millions of people to watch them so that they too can become involved in saving our planet. Hopefully my films are entertaining enough that it drives people to become committed.
When you are relaxing at home and you look out the window, what is it out there that keeps you going?
It’s the lifestyle. I would never give up my life in the bush. I can be out there all day, every day and never get enough of it. I just love it!
SHIT I NEVER THOUGTH I’D EVER GET THROUGH IT ALL.
Let me know if you need anything else. Hopefully not another 20 questions.
cheers
Kim
Samples of Kims films can be viewed at youtube
His photography is so typical of someone that loves Africa and can be viewed at either wildcat.net or flickr.com
You can read more about Kim and his Grandfather by visiting http://www.kimwolhuter.com/
When you subscribe to the RSS feed at wildcast, you receive a daily video accompamied by a few images which to me is a real delight to watch especially at the end of a hard day at work!
All images are used with permission by Kim.
The views expressed therein are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Safaritalk.