In the heart of India’s dense jungles, the making of DisneyNature’s Tiger followed a dedicated team of wildlife cinematographers as they captured rare moments with one of the planet’s most elusive and powerful creatures. The groundbreaking documentary offers an intimate look into the secretive lives of tigers, revealing their natural world in a way that’s never been seen before. With perseverance and innovative techniques, the filmmakers captured the beauty, power, and fragility of these apex predators.
Tiger is now streaming on Disney+.
Filming tigers in the wild is no easy feat, especially when tracking them in the dense forests of India. Over five years, the cinematography team employed a range of innovative techniques to reveal the tigers’ world. From traditional long-lens shots to newly developed stabilized rigs and remote cameras, every frame of Tiger pushes the boundaries of wildlife filmmaking. Operated remotely from hundreds of meters away, these cameras allowed the team to capture intimate moments, such as tiny cubs at the den and playful tigers in forest pools, without disturbing the natural behavior of the animals.
Wildlife Director of Photography Martyn Colbeck recalls the challenges of filming in such a demanding environment: “Each day was like starting from scratch,” he says. The team relied heavily on the expertise of local guides and trackers, like Salim Ali and Digpal Karmawas, to find the tigers and navigate the terrain. Patience was paramount, with the team often spending long days in the field just for the chance to glimpse a tiger.
One of the most unforgettable scenes captured was of a tiger stalking a sloth bear—an extraordinary moment of raw predation. Documented in full, it revealed the intensity and prowess of these apex predators in action.
The Rare Moments That Define the Film
Director of Photography Tom Walker shared how the unique opportunities to film tigers made the experience unforgettable. "As a filmmaker, every shot with a tiger is a challenge. There are so many elements to consider—narrow forest roads, thick jungle, and the unpredictable nature of the tigers themselves," says Walker. Yet, when those moments do occur, they leave a lasting impact. “Filming a tigress and her cubs as they grew was one of the most rewarding parts of the project,” Walker recalls.
Cinematographer Dave Mothershaw also emphasizes the importance of capturing tigers in their natural habitat. “Working with remote cameras in tiger country is hot, hard, dirty, and, on occasion, downright scary. But it’s the only way to reveal the secret spaces tigers call home,” he reflects. Thanks to the expertise of local guides and trackers, the team was able to uncover these hidden corners of the tigers’ world, giving audiences a closer look at their lives.
Capturing the Magic of the Jungle
For cameraman Sam Stewart, being part of Tiger was a dream come true. As a child, he was captivated by The Jungle Book, and to find himself in the Indian jungle, filming real tigers in the wild, was a surreal experience. “It was mind-blowing every single time. Seeing a tiger up close in the wild, with the backdrop of the Indian jungle, was unforgettable,” Stewart says. The patience required to film these elusive creatures, however, was immense. The team spent long hours waiting for rare glimpses, but the rewards made it all worthwhile.
A Technical Marvel: The Role of RED Cameras
A crucial tool in bringing the story of these majestic creatures to life was RED’s HELIUM 8K camera. Kalyan Varma, another key cinematographer on the project, spent over 300 days tracking and filming tigers under extreme conditions—from scorching heat to dense monsoon forests during COVID lockdowns. The camera’s dynamic range and precision allowed filmmakers to capture intricate details and rich textures of the jungle canopy.
“Filming tigers required extraordinary patience, perseverance, and precision,” Varma says. The RED camera’s capability to shoot in 8K allowed the team to capture every moment in stunning detail, from the movement of the tigers through dense foliage to the intimate interactions between mother and cubs.
A Lasting Impact
The filmmakers behind Tiger hope that their work will not only inspire awe but also inspire action. The documentary offers a rare glimpse into the lives of tigers, showing the beauty and complexity of these iconic creatures while underscoring the need for their protection.
As the film continues to captivate audiences around the world, the breathtaking visuals shot with RED cameras have forever changed how we view these magnificent predators, bringing us closer than ever before to the world of the tiger.
Cinematography Team: Martyn Colbeck, Tom Walker, Mark MacEwen, Dave Mothershaw, Simon Niblett, Sam Stewart, Kalyan Varma, John Aitchison, Vinay Datla, Dawson Dunning, Jonathan Jones, Nishant Kapoor, Jamie Mcpherson, Kieran O'Donovan, Ben Tutton, Prashanth Srinivasan.
This story combines highlights from the 3-day #TigerTakeover on RED Digital Cinema's Instagram, showcasing the filmmakers of DisneyNature’s Tiger.