In 1998, Pixar’s sophomore feature film A Bug’s Life showed audiences an “epic of miniature proportions,” cleverly blending the fable of The Ant and the Grasshopper with the structure of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Now, more than 25 years later, National Geographic’s A Real Bug’s Life similarly aims to give audiences a “bug’s-eye view” of the world, this time by showcasing real insects—as well as arachnids and other assorted arthropods—in their natural habitats.
To learn about the unique challenges and groundbreaking technology used to shoot this documentary series, Camera Operator spoke with photographer Robert Hollingworth and focus puller Henry Keep. Whether it was working closely with entomologists to ensure that not even one cockroach was misplaced or creating camera lenses barely bigger than a hypodermic needle, the work that went into capturing these tiny subjects was anything but small.
From the bustling streets of New York City to the pastoral beauty of a country farm, bugs are everywhere. In cracks and crevices, in hay bales and on flowers, and even, occasionally, on your food. Despite their creepy, crawly reputation, bugs are an essential part of our ecosystem, and National Geographic’s new documentary series aims to give viewers a better appreciation for these creatures by letting us see the world through their eyes. A Real Bug’s Life is produced by National Geographic and is narrated by Awkwafina.
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David Daut 