Life Behind The Lens - Doug Allan

Doug Allan has spent more than four decades doing the kind of work most of us only experience from the comfort of a couch: waiting in brutal cold, diving beneath sea ice, and travelling to some of the most remote places on Earth to capture wildlife moments that end up becoming part of our collective memory. He’s a world-renowned wildlife cameraman whose career has taken him repeatedly into the Arctic and Antarctic, and his credits span major natural history productions. If you’ve ever been mesmerized by the scale and intimacy of big-budget nature documentaries, Doug is one of the people responsible for making those images possible.

Now, that behind-the-scenes world is coming to New Zealand through his South Island tour, Life Behind the Lens. This is a one-night illustrated talk that focuses less on polished finished documentaries and more on the reality of how wildlife filmmaking actually happens. It’s a chance to see what sits underneath those perfect seconds of footage: the long stretches of waiting, the technical problem-solving when conditions are working against you, the physical endurance required in extreme environments, and the patience it takes to be present for the one moment that makes the entire trip worth it.

The evening is built around images, short clips, and first-hand stories from Doug’s career, which means the focus stays grounded and human. Instead of a highlight reel, you’re getting context. How do filmmakers keep equipment functioning when everything is wet, frozen, or miles from the nearest help? What does “getting the shot” look like when the shot depends on weather, animal behaviour, and pure timing? Life Behind the Lens leans into those questions and turns them into an experience that’s part storytelling, part craft insight, and part adventure narrative, without needing you to be a filmmaker to enjoy it.

One of the best things about this event format is that it doesn’t just talk at the audience. The night wraps with an open Q&A, so if you’ve ever wondered how wildlife crews work ethically around animals, how safety decisions get made in remote locations, or what it takes to build a career filming nature, you’ll be able to ask directly. It’s also a rare chance for anyone interested in photography, film, conservation, or travel to hear from someone who has seen the wild up close for decades and can explain the work in a way that feels accessible.

The New Zealand tour takes the talk across the South Island, making it feel more like a travelling event than a one-city appearance. Dates include stops in places such as Glenorchy, Wānaka, Queenstown, Greymouth, Blenheim, Nelson, Kaikōura, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Te Anau, with tickets available via Eventbrite. If you’re someone who loves nature docs, cares about the outdoors, or simply wants a different kind of night out that leaves you inspired, this is the kind of event that delivers a genuine sense of scale. You’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation not only for the animals on screen, but for the people behind the cameras who commit years of their lives to capturing those fleeting, breathtaking moments.

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