Three-time Emmy
Award winner Neil Rettig is a renowned cinematographer
and conservationist. Regarded
as one of the finest
natural history filmmakers in the world, Rettig has worked
with National Geographic on such projects as “Heroes
of the High Frontier,” about life in the tropical forest
canopy; and with the Discovery Channel as both director of
photography and falconer on “The Ultimate Guide to
Raptors.” His work filming and protecting the Harpy
Eagle, the world’s most powerful raptor, was the subject
of a National Geographic Explorer program titled “Flight
of the Harpy Eagle,” a project on which Rettig served
as both co-producer and principal director of photography.
Neil has been involved in making over 88 films in the course
of
his career. A few of his favorites are listed below.
|
| The Natural World: Upper Mississippi River |
| @GB Films Ltd. for BBC/The Discovery Channel |
| Director of Photography |
| Kenney Salwey, the 'last river rat,' weaves his adventures and stories of the Mississippi river through this film, showing the river's subtle and intimate beauty. |
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| Snake Wranglers - Eyelash Pit Vipers in Panama |
| National Geographic Television |
| Director of Photography, Documentarian, Actor |
| Neil travels to Panama to get the latest scoop on eyelash pit vipers. For the first time ever, the vipers are filmed using their tails to grasp a branch, prehensile-like, while striking their prey. With lightning speed the vipers spot prey and strike lizards & frogs from the forest limbs. |
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| Mountain Gorilla [details] |
| IMAX |
| Director of Photography |
| Mountain Gorilla was the first natural history film produced by Imax Systems Corporation. Neil co-designed the cable tracking system pioneered in this film. It remains the only cable tracking system which can be used with the Imax technology. |
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| Flight of the Harpy Eagle |
| National Geographic Society Explorer |
| Co-Producer and Principal Director of Photography |
| The Harpy Eagle remains a particular love for Neil. In addition to his groundbreaking film work, Neil has published papers on the natural history and breeding biology of the Harpy and continues to work for their protection and preservation. Flight of the Harpy Eagle documents Neil's work filming and protecting this rare forest eagle. |
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| Bear Man |
| National Geographic Explorer |
| Director, Producer, and Director of Photography |
| The sequel to Mother Bear Man, the story of Ben Kilham and his revolutionary methods of rehabilitating orphan black bears. |
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| The Ultimate Guide to Raptors |
| The Discovery Channel |
| Co-producer, Director of Photography, and Falconer |
| A Master Falconer, Neil has extensive experience filming, working, and living with birds of prey. This film traces the evolution of birds of prey. |
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| Jaguar - Eyes of Fire |
| National Geographic Special |
| Co-Director of Photography |
| This film is particularly notable for its stunning footage of wild jaguars, filmed in the Pantanal, Brazil. Neil mixed conventional filming techniques with night vision cameras and remote control units to capture a glimpse into the world of this secretive forest cat. |
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| Arctic Kingdom - Life at the Edge [details] |
| National Geographic Society / NBC Special |
| Co-Director of Photography |
| Neil spent a summer above the arctic circle capturing remarkable footage of polar bears, beluga whales, arctic foxes, and other animals. His astonishing images capture the beauty and drama of this seldom-seen world. |
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| The Living Planet Series |
| British Broadcasting Corporation |
| Contributing Director of Photography |
Neil provided footage for the well-known BBC series narrated by David Attenborough. His work is included in:
- Rivers, Lakes and Northern Forests
- Savannahs
- Tropical Rain Forests
- Shores
- Oceanic Islands
- Snow and Ice
- Northern Forests
- New Worlds
- Cities - Philippines
- The Jungle
- Deserts
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| Heroes of the High Frontier [details] |
| National Geographic TV/OSF Special |
| Contributing Director of Photography |
| This Emmy Award-winning documentary follows scientists into the rainforest canopy in French Guiana, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Neil's distinctive 'flying shots' gave the film its crucial sense of height and space, lending excitement to and understanding of the sheer heights at which canopy animals and plants live. |
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