Behind the scenes of 'Hunters of the Sky'

Making a documentary about owls was an exciting and challenging journey. Hunters of the Sky came about from my fascination with these amazing birds and a desire to highlight their beauty, struggles, and the important role they play in nature. Like any film, the process had its fair share of obstacles. In this post, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how the film came together from the initial concept to the finished piece and share some of the highs and lows along the way.

 I wanted to create a film that not only celebrated these majestic birds but also raised awareness about the threats they face in the wild, such as habitat loss, poisoning and climate change.

The first step in the project was extensive research. I visited the Screech Owl Sanctuary to better understand the environment, observe the birds, and speak to the staff about filming access. I was fascinated by the sanctuary’s mission.

My original plan was to focus solely on the sanctuary, showcasing their rescue efforts and the birds they cared for. I began scripting the film, focusing on the owls’ abilities, the importance of their conservation, and their rehabilitation process.

However, life had other plans. Just as I began shooting, a bird flu outbreak hit the sanctuary and they were forced to temporarily stop the intake of new birds, close their hospital, and postpone releasing any owls back into the wild. This was a huge setback since one of the key moments I had hoped to capture was them caring an injured owl back to health and releasing it back into its natural habitat.

Faced with this challenge, I decided to pivot and incorporate footage of wild owls into the film. This shift allowed me to tell a broader story, exploring the struggles of owls in the wild and the delicate balance of their ecosystems. I set out on multiple occasions, visiting rural fields, woods, barns, and farms at dawn and dusk in hopes of capturing wild owls. Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts, my efforts to film them was unsuccessful.

I reached out to Cornwall Falconry, where I was fortunate enough to film several birds of prey in flight. While I was only able to capture footage of one owl (which wasn’t flight-ready due to its age), I used the other raptors to add contrast to the film and provide a different visual texture.

Returning to the Screech Owl Sanctuary, I filmed additional footage, including owl talks, flying shows and an insightful interview with one of the falconers. These sessions allowed me to capture key visuals and ensure the film had a strong narrative flow. I also worked to refine the pacing of the film, adjusting the content based on what I had already shot.

Once filming was complete, I decided to create a narrator script. I wanted the voice over to flow from the general beauty and mystery of owls to the conservation issues they face, with a strong emphasis on the sanctuary's work and the struggles of wild owls.

I spent hours reviewing the footage, selecting the best shots that would help tell the story. Choosing the right voice over, sound design, and music was equally important. The combination of a soothing voice over and natural soundscapes helped to immerse viewers in the world of these incredible birds.

Creating this film has been an unforgettable journey, one that involved challenges, unexpected turns, and moments of deep learning. I had the most fun creating this film, meeting the beautiful birds and even flying some myself.

While things didn’t go exactly as planned, the film turned out to be a richer, more compelling story because of it.

If you haven’t yet watched Hunters of the Sky, I encourage you to do so and share your thoughts with me. The more people who learn about the importance of owl conservation, the better we can all work together to protect these magnificent creatures.

Thank you for following along with my process. Be sure to check back here for future updates, more behind the scenes looks, as well as new photography and film projects.