In Secrets of the Penguins, National Geographic invites viewers into the mysterious world of one of the world’s most popular species. Guided by award-winning filmmaker and Nat Geo Explorer Bertie Gregory, the new three-part series captures the heart, strength, and surprises of penguin life—shot with cutting-edge technology and a whole lot of patience.
We sat down with Bertie to discuss his filming experience, the technology behind the scenes, and the firsthand impacts of climate change he observed.
Innovation & Tech Today: You filmed all over the planet, but what made penguins the perfect stars for this next chapter of “The Secrets” franchise?
Bertie Gregory: To be honest, I was pretty daunted when I became part of the Secrets of the Penguins project because penguins have been filmed many times before in lots of iconic documentaries, and I know from filming them many times that they live in really difficult places to film. So when you call something Secrets of the Penguins, you set expectations very high. So I was worried, but it turns out I thought I knew penguins—I don’t. Every time we went on a shoot, they’d do something I didn’t expect. And it turned out that Secrets of the Penguins was a brilliant title.
I&T Today: What were some of the toughest days that you faced while you were on that expedition?
Gregory: In the Heart of the Emperor’s episode, I was there for both the beginning and the end, focusing on that fascinating part of the penguin lifecycle when the chicks come of age. Their parents abandon them, and they must march to the sea to take their first swim. It was a two-and-a-half-month shoot.
We were camping about a mile from the penguin colony, which was an incredible experience. The real challenge of camping, though, is that there’s nowhere to get warm. So when we were filming them in the water, I had to be cautious about how hard we pushed things because I didn’t have that warm place to retreat to. The water was freezing cold. When I got out, I didn’t have a hot room to go to. I had to get on my snowmobile, drive for 20 kilometers, take my gear off, get into my tent, and try to warm up. It was all about being more conservative than I’d normally be.
I&T Today: I saw the footage of that incredible moment when the penguin chicks leaped off the 50-foot cliff. This was a never-before-seen behavior. From your perspective, what was going through your mind while witnessing that?
Gregory: What made it extra emotional was that we had followed these chicks as they grew up, so it felt a bit like watching your kids jump off a cliff. It was one of those moments that had never been filmed before, so we didn’t know if they could survive such a big jump. It was exciting because we were revealing a crazy secret, but at the same time, it was terrifying. I just focused on keeping everything in frame and focus. When they made it and I captured it, I remember calling one of the execs on the series, saying, “We’ve just filmed the ultimate penguin secret. I really think we’re going to break the internet with this one.” That turned out to be true.
I&T Today: The cinematography is really impressive. Was there any new cutting-edge tech that you used to make this specific series possible?
Gregory: That specific scene with the cliff was all about new drone technology. We used a drone with a longer flight time and a more powerful zoom lens. That’s critical for a couple of reasons. A more powerful zoom allows us to stay further from the action while still getting amazing shots, which is important for not disturbing the penguins. Drones make noise, and if not used properly, they can interfere with animal behavior. The long flight time was key because it allowed us to hang in the air and wait for the action to unfold. Previously, drones could only give a quick aerial perspective, but now, with the extended flight time, we can stay in the air and capture the full behavior. That’s a game-changer for us.
I&T Today: Did you factor in disturbing penguins’ natural behaviors a lot while filming?
Gregory: The cool thing about penguins is that, unlike many other animals, they don’t have land-based predators. As a result, they’re bold and relaxed around us. In most wildlife documentaries, we have to stay hundreds of feet away with a long zoom lens, hidden in the bushes. That’s not the case with penguins. I think that’s why the series feels so intimate and raw—because we filmed it like you’d film a human drama. Their unique biology allows us to film so closely without affecting their behavior.
I&T Today: I know this series is part of National Geographic’s Earth Month campaign. What do you hope audiences will take away from watching these stories?
Gregory: I hope people get excited about penguins and appreciate that they’re indicators of ocean health. If penguins are in trouble, it means we are too. We need a healthy ocean. Everything we do affects our environment, whether negatively or positively. When you spend money, you’re voting with your wallet. Think about the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the car you drive—those decisions can have a positive impact on penguins. Our success is tied to theirs. If penguins are winning, we’re winning.
I&T Today: You captured penguins dealing with real-time impacts of climate change. How did you, as a cinematographer, balance the wonder of penguins while also introducing urgency into your storytelling for the viewers?
Gregory: It’s 2025, and it’s no secret that the natural world is in trouble—climate change being one of the factors we’ve caused. It’s important to include these issues in the story, as it makes it more powerful. But at the same time, we’re not going to focus entirely on doom and gloom. There’s enough of that in the media, and I don’t think it motivates people to do anything positive. We included the issues, but we kept the tone moderate.
I&T Today: Looking ahead, what species or habitats, or even animal behaviors, are still on your dream list to document in your career?
Gregory: Well, the first season of my Disney+ series Animals Up Close is out now. We’re working on a new season of it. The answer to your question lies in what we filmed for that new season, which we’ll be announcing soon.
Secrets of the Penguins premieres April 20 on National Geographic, with all episodes streaming April 21 on Disney+ and Hulu.
