rogerhorrocks
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For the last fifteen years, I have worked as an underwater wildlife cinematographer, contributing sequences to some of the most ambituous wildlife series ever produced.
I was intimately involved in the making of My Octopus Teacher, a project born out of my twenty year working relationship with Craig and Damon Foster.
To get a better sense of what I have worked on to date, my interests and passions, and how I got to become a wildlife cinematographer, read more below.
For the last fifteen years, I have worked as a wildlife cinematographer on some of the most ambitious and acclaimed documentaries ever created, including My Octopus Teacher, Our Planet, and Blue Planet 2.
These film projects have taken me from the frozen poles to the tropical seas and won numerous awards, including an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, The Critics Choice Award for Best Cinematography, and a BAFTA for Best Cinematography.
But Wildlife Cinematography was not my first calling. After leaving college with an Honours Degree in Philosophy, I worked for ten years as an executive manager in the digital advertising and financial services sectors, pioneering the adoption of digital technologies in business.
During this time, I learned the block and tackle fundamentals of business management and was fortunate to attend leadership programs at the London School of Business and the Graduate School of Business at UCT.
My love of the ocean was nurtured as a small boy growing up on the east coast of South Africa. Regular family holidays to the pristine shores of the old Transkei instilled a love for wild places and a deep appreciation of being in nature.
This, coupled with an obsessive hunger to read and be active, laid the foundation for my career as a wildlife cinematographer, although at the time, I had absolutely no idea that this craft would end up being my true calling.
Throughout my life I have had various mentors who in their own unique way have shaped and influenced my journey in that narrow space between order and chaos called human existence.
My hope is that through my online mentorship programs I can find and help nurture the next generation of digital hunter-gatherers, so they can make a fulfilling and financially rewarding career while staying connected to the natural world.
I’ve collaborated with incredible teams to bring captivating wildlife series and documentaries to life. From the depths of the ocean to the shallows of the shore, these projects have showcased the awe-inspiring beauty of our planet’s wildlife, bringing it to screens big and small for audiences worldwide.
I’ve had the privilege of capturing wildlife sequences for a variety of high-profile documentaries and series. From intimate encounters with majestic whales to adrenaline-fuelled dolphin chases, these sequences help bring the raw beauty and untamed power of nature to audiences globally.
Working alongside Apple, I contributed to the stunning underwater sequences featured in their iconic OSX screensavers. These shots bring the beauty of the ocean and its wildlife directly to viewers around the world, turning everyday screens into windows to the natural world.
Join me for a series of interviews where I share insights from my work on award-winning documentaries.
In this interview titled "Roger Horrocks on Blue Planet II's Cinematography," Roger Horrocks, an underwater cinematographer, discusses his unconventional path into the field and shares insights from his work on the documentary Blue Planet II. Initially, Roger had no formal training in cinematography and pursued a different career path. However, his passion for the ocean, honed through years of spearfishing, eventually led him to wildlife filmmaking. He began his career in the industry as an assistant on the BBC’s The Great Tide, where he met Jacques Cousteau’s cameraman, Didier Noirot, who became a mentor.
Roger explains the challenges of underwater cinematography, particularly the patience required for open-water shoots, where filmmakers may spend weeks at sea for only a few minutes of usable footage. He highlights the importance of being prepared and the significance of capturing high-quality, emotionally impactful shots, especially given the limited control over natural conditions.
He discusses the use of new technology, such as slow-motion cameras, which allow filmmakers to present the natural world in new, visually stunning ways. Roger shares his experience filming a remarkable octopus sequence for Blue Planet II, which required 70 days of shooting to capture. He emphasizes that failure is a common part of the process, especially in unpredictable environments like the open ocean, and advises aspiring cinematographers not to fear it.
Roger is particularly proud of his work with dolphins, both for Disney and Blue Planet II, where he captured intimate moments by building trust with the animals. He concludes by offering advice for those looking to break into underwater cinematography: develop strong underwater skills, learn the principles of cinematography, and build relationships within the industry to gain opportunities.
In this interview with RED Digital Cinema, Roger Horrocks, an acclaimed underwater cinematographer, shares his journey and experiences in the field, particularly focusing on his work on the Netflix documentaries Our Planet and My Octopus Teacher. Roger discusses how his early love for the ocean, influenced by his father, led him from studying law and philosophy to pursuing a career in wildlife cinematography. He reflects on his apprenticeship under Jacques Cousteau’s cameraman, Didier Noirot, and how it shaped his dynamic shooting style.
Roger explains his transition to using RED cameras, citing their revolutionary impact on wildlife cinematography, particularly their pre-record functionality, which is crucial for capturing unpredictable wildlife moments. He delves into the technical and environmental challenges of filming in the turbulent waters of Cape Town for My Octopus Teacher and how the film’s intimate narrative was shaped by both Craig Foster's personal journey and the unique shooting conditions.
The discussion also covers Roger’s work on Our Planet, where he shares insights into filming complex underwater scenes, such as bait balls and humpback whale gatherings. He emphasizes the delicate balance required in underwater filming, where the presence of the cinematographer can influence the behavior of the animals being filmed.
Roger touches on the emotional and philosophical aspects of his work, noting how his experiences with marine life have deepened his understanding of animal behavior and the interconnectedness of all living beings. He also expresses a growing commitment to conservation, driven by the impact of his films and a sense of responsibility to the animals he documents.
The interview concludes with Roger reflecting on the lasting impact of My Octopus Teacher, a film he considers a once-in-a-lifetime project, and his hopes for future work that continues to challenge and redefine the relationship between humans and nature.