Top tips for filming the Amazon fires

Footage of smoke and flames consuming parts of the Amazon rainforest has dominated news headlines and shocked viewers across the world over the past fortnight. With experts saying that the worst may be still to come , all eyes will be on Brazil’s government in the coming weeks to see how it responds to the crisis and how much of the international support being offered it will accept.

The more the crisis stays in the global spotlight, the more pressure there’ll be on the Brazilian government. But capturing the powerful images that make the headlines is no easy task. The Amazon is one of the most challenging environments in which to film at the best of times (read our useful production tips on how to film in the Amazon ) but reporting from the front-line of the worst affected regions requires an extra level of planning and mitigating risk.

A Story Productions crew was on the ground in Mato Grosso last week to capture footage of the fires , and the team has shared its top production tips:

Brazilians sometimes refer to the rural interior of the country as the ‘land with no law’, which gives an idea of the level of impunity that is the norm there. Combine that with the recent IBAMA – Brazil’s environmental agency – budget cuts, which has left the agency without resources for patrolling and enforcement, and the need for a private security detail for shoots is more important than ever. Story Productions can provide security for foreign film crews depending on the size of the crew and the location of the shoot.

Having a local guide is a no-brainer for a number of reasons, many of which we go into here. In the current crisis, however, a local fixer is also essential for finding the best locations to film, whether it’s getting permission to access land or having up-to-the-minute information on =where the fires are. On last week's shoot in Mato Grosso, we were able to get live updates from military police and the fire bridgade to know what was happening and where and be on the scene fast.

Getting up above the trees in a helicopter or light aircraft is often the only way to access some parts of the Amazon, such as protected reserves or areas of primary rainforest. It’s also the most efficient – albeit expensive – way to get around. Story Productions can arrange air transport departing from a number of domestic airports in the Amazon, as well as from airports outside the region, such as Brasília. Read more on other modes of transport in the Amazon

Big fires can be unpredictable and spread fast. It’s important, therefore, to not enter risk zones. Using long telephoto lenses – higher than 400mm – means you can capture images at a distance. The Story crew has been using an ALEXA mini and Angenieux lenses to record UHD-resolution images with a reasonably lightweight camera. We also hire professional local drone operators – mainly using Inspire 2 drones – to capture aerial shots. Read more on protecting camera equipment in the Amazon