Preston Barta // Features Editor
What is it like to stand in a forest surrounded by millions of bats as they flap with such force that you can feel the vibrations in your stomach? What is it like to stare so intently into a lion’s or whale’s eyes that it feels like they’re looking into your soul? What is it like to swim among curious leopard seals as they nibble on your camera gear to figure out who you are?
How can you not be envious of the truly epic adventures that National Geographic explorer and filmmaker Bertie Gregory goes on in his five-part documentary series? All of this and more is featured in the aptly titled Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory.
Now streaming on Disney+, the original series offers thrilling journeys that push into the most dazzling, secretive corners of our wild world. With his electric energy, fun sense of humor and encyclopedic knowledge, Gregory immerses himself in the animals’ lives to capture some of the most incredible footage. By air, land and sea, the 29-year-old filmmaker shows surface blows from fin whales, swarms of fish being chased by dolphins, and lions facing off against water buffalo. Viewers might be unable to pick their jaws back up from the floor – it’s just that spectacular.
To examine the details more in-depth, the Denton Record-Chronicle had the opportunity to speak with Gregory via Zoom Video. In the below conversation, we discuss what information and feelings may be lost to audiences on screen as well as how Gregory stays sharp amid all the technical aspects and animals.
All five episodes of Epic Adventures are available to stream on Disney+. Each chapter is about 45-50 minutes.
