Winged Migration is a 2001 documentary film directed by Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud and Michel Debats that follows different species of migratory birds on their seasonal journeys. The film took 4 years to make and required new technology and techniques to capture never-before-seen footage of birds in flight.
Filming migratory birds presented numerous challenges due to the distances they travel, their speed and altitude, and finding ways to get close enough without disrupting their natural behavior. The team behind Winged Migration pioneered the use of ultralight aircraft, balloons, and animatronic birds to gain proximity to flocks in motion. They also utilized high-definition cameras and microphones capable of capturing clear images and audio from far away. Through their innovative methods and determination, the filmmakers were able to record truly astounding images that immerse viewers into the birds’ migratory journeys.
Pre-Production Planning
Prior to filming, Jacques Perrin and his team conducted extensive research to identify optimal filming locations and predict the timing of migrations. They consulted ornithologists, weather specialists, maps and books to pinpoint exactly where and when to set up for certain species. Some key filming locations included:
- North America for geese, sandhill cranes, bald eagles
- Greenland for puffins
- Spain for European bee-eaters
- France for white storks
- Switzerland for common cranes
The team needed to mobilize equipment and crew to sometimes extremely remote areas like Greenland or the Arctic in order to capture the birds along their routes.
High-Definition Cameras
A technological breakthrough that made Winged Migration possible was the development of miniature high-definition cameras. At the time in the late 1990s, the best quality cameras were large, heavy and required a lot of supplemental equipment. For this film, the team worked with leading engineers to create custom designed cameras that were one-tenth the size and weight while retaining excellent image quality. This allowed them to be mounted in various ways to get close to the birds in flight.
Some of the HD camera types included:
Camera | Description |
---|---|
Ultralight aircraft cameras | Mounted on the wing frames to capture flocks from the air |
Crane-operated cameras | Panned and tilted by a cameraman on the ground |
Remote-controlled cameras | Installed on boats or balloon baskets, controlled remotely |
“Bird-cams” | Miniature cameras strapped to live trained birds |
Having cameras optimized for size, weight and broadcast quality was essential to getting the footage needed.
Sound Equipment
In addition to cameras, the audio technicians used extremely sensitive directional microphones mounted on booms and parabolic reflectors to pick up natural sound from the birds. This audio equipment had to be powerful enough to isolate and capture wing beats and calls from flocks hundreds of feet in the air or at a distance. The sound was recorded separately and synced with the video during editing.
Filming Techniques
To record the birds up close in motion, the film crew got creative with the following techniques and equipment:
Ultralight Aircraft
Custom-built ultralight aircraft played a major role in capturing unique in-flight footage. These motorized lightweight planes were used to fly alongside and within flocks at the same speed and altitude as the birds. The aerial maneuverability allowed cameramen to stay with the birds and simulate their perspective in flight.
Some specifications about the ultralights:
- Weight range of 210-550 lbs
- Single propeller engine
- Capable of 45-60 mph
- Open frame design to mount cameras
The pilots had to undergo intensive training on keeping pace with different species in all types of weather and terrain. This allowed an intimacy with the birds that would be impossible by any other means.
Hot Air Balloons
Manned hot air balloons carrying a pilot and cinematographer provided a stable aerial platform for filming. They were used to slowly float alongside migrating flocks at similar altitudes. The balloon baskets contained gyro-stabilized camera mounts to compensate for the slight movement of the balloon in the wind. This allowed smooth tracking shots of the birds in flight.
Key advantages of balloons:
- Could remain aloft for hours to days
- No engine noise to disturb birds
- Higher vantage point than ultralights
The balloons proved useful for capturing lengthy migrations or groups of birds spread out over a large area.
Radio-Controlled Drones
Custom-designed radio-controlled drones equipped with cameras were employed for the first time in Winged Migration. While not as advanced as current camera drones, these prototypes allowed completely silent unmanned flight. Their electric motors and quiet propellers did not alarm the birds like loud aircraft engines.
The drones could perform tasks like:
- Launch from boats to meet flocks at sea
- Follow alongside low-flying groups
- Soar to elevations of over 3,000 feet
- Carry different cameras as needed
Radio-control allowed live piloting from the ground and tracking in sync with the birds.
Cranes & Booms
Ground-based camera cranes and telescopic booms were also essential tools. These allowed cameramen on the ground to swing, pan and elevate cameras from a fixed base location. When setup properly, operators could track flocks as they passed by or landed nearby. The mechanical arms provided stability and could extend cameras 20-30 feet into the air.
Key shots were achieved this way, such as:
- Takeoffs and landings
- Groups wading through water
- Nesting close-ups
- Low angle flight
The fixed nature made cranes ideal for discreetly filming at breeding areas or capture points.
Camouflaged Equipment
When working near sensitive wildlife, the camera, sound and support equipment needed to be hidden from view and noiseless. The team pioneered specially made blimps and camouflaged cases to conceal gear from the birds.
Examples included:
- Camera lenses popped through holes in fake logs or rocks
- Microphones and dishes inside artificial plants and bushes
- Ultralight aircraft covered in a canvas shell when grounded
This prevented disturbing their natural behaviors when extremely close to equipment.
Captive Birds
The most challenging perspective was putting cameras directly on live birds. The team humanely mounted miniaturized cameras on several captive species such as pelicans, storks and geese. These “bird-cams” captured one-of-a-kind footage from directly on the birds during training flights with actual migratory flocks passing by.
The cameras were carefully secured using temporary harnesses or elastic leg bands to prevent injury or changes in movement. Trainers monitored the birds closely throughout. Though controversial, this footage provided scenes that would be impossible by any other means.
Post-Production
It took nearly 3 years for editors and sound designers to compile the 400+ hours of raw footage into a cohesive film. This included:
- Viewing and cataloging every shot
- Assembling sequences by species and location
- Synchronizing audio with video
- Color correcting for consistency
- Adding supplemental music and effects
- Pacing edits to convey mood and story
They meticulously crafted a flowing visual narrative from fragmented clips captured across 4 years in 20 countries. Additional graphics, maps and inter-titles were incorporated to seamlessly transition between scenes.
The final 90-minute film elegantly combines multiple perspectives, camera techniques and audio into an intimate portrait of avian migratory patterns.
Conclusion
Through years of dedicated effort, groundbreaking technology and innovative techniques, Jacques Perrin and crews were able to capture unprecedented footage of migratory birds in flight. The use of customized high-definition cameras, microphones, ultralights, balloons and more allowed proximity to flocks around the world. Their work revealed the immense scale, beauty and nature of avian migration. Winged Migration provided viewers with an unforgettable look into the concealed world of birds on their arduous seasonal journeys. The film set a new standard for wildlife cinematography and profoundly shows the creativity involved in crafting these remarkable images.