We can’t help but wonder: What was it like to be behind the cameras and see these incredible encounters firsthand? We had a chance to catch Executive Producer Mike Gunton at the DC Environmental Film Festival and ask him our most pressing questions about the cinematic adventure that is The Americas—and what gives him hope for the future of our planet.
Watch “The Making of The Americas” special on Sunday, April 20 at 8/7c on NBC and stream all episodes on Peacock!
Watch the videos to hear directly from Mike Gunton himself! The text below has been edited for clarity and length.
What species was the hardest to film?
That’s a difficult question—they were all hard! If I had to be given the job to film one of them, I would say either the sperm whale, the blue whale, or the puma. I’ve just been to Chile and trying to even see a puma…I didn’t see one and I was there for a week. So filming them, and filming that kind of behavior, that’s a tough, tough job.
What filming bloopers were memorable to you?
Most of the bloopers we try to keep to ourselves! But one of the most amazing stories was when we were trying to film the Cuban red crabs that migrate across the islands and they cross those roads. The crew got so caught up in those creatures and wanting to make sure they were fine that they just kept trying to rescue them, and of course, the crabs don’t know they are trying to be rescued, so they are constantly biting. And they bite really really hard. So there are lots of “beep…beep beep beep” that would be the crew cursing.
What region of The Americas was the most captivating for filming?
It’s really hard to say what’s the most captivating because one of the joys of this film was everywhere was so extraordinary. Anyone who has ever been to the Amazon has got to be just completely blown away by it. Just the scale and the diversity of creatures and the richness of that place is just mind blowing.
One of the things about this series is everybody can find a little place that they either love or romanticize about because there are so many glorious places: Yellowstone, redwood trees on the West Coast, and the Atacama Desert. It’s just a mind-blowing place.
What gives you hope for the future of the planet?
What gives me hope is the number of people that have watched this series and said it’s inspired them to think about nature, to think about nature as something that needs to be protected and loved, and if that can be passed on from anyone who watches this to their children, their friends, their family, that wave gives me hope that there are people who want to make sure that this wonderful place is looked after.
Which species was your favorite to film of the whole series?
It would have to be an owl. The ones I really love are the pygmy owls in Florida. The male who is trying to find a female and couldn’t find one. Then at the last minute she turns up and the does a crazy little dance and she gives him a little wink at the end and says “ok, I’m going to be with you.”
The interest in the education side of this gives me hope. The National Wildlife Federation worked with us on this, and their outreach and their educational programs are so important. Not only do you want to teach people about the wonders of nature but you want them to go out and experience it. There is nothing better than going out in nature and seeing these wonderful creatures. It makes you feel good—it’s good for your soul, your spirit, and your mental health. That partnership is a really important one for me.
Additional Resources for The Americas
- Watch kits for parents and kids
- Sign the pledge to Come Together For Nature
- Outdoor activities for kids
- Stream episodes on Peacock
The National Wildlife Federation is the official conservation partner for NBC’s The Americas. The show is a 10-part epic nature documentary series celebrating the wildlife and landscapes of North and South America. Our goal is to bring the wonders of wildlife and wild places into every home and to make environmental education more accessible in every classroom with The Americas.
Watch “The Making of The Americas” special on Sunday, April 20 at 8/7c on NBC and stream all episodes on Peacock!