Women Behind the Lens

Interview with Cinematographer of National Geographic's QUEENS

- By Lindsey Feth

Cinematographer and Mentee Erin Ranney. (National Geographic for Disney)

National Geographic released its nature series, QUEENS, narrated by Angela Bassett and crafted exclusively through a female lens, showcasing the remarkable stories of animal queens from six remote locations across the globe. Powerful leaders in the animal kingdom, from sisters to single mothers and grandmothers, show their resilience, love, and strength for their family’s survival. The last episode of the series pays tribute to the dedicated women who went the distance to document and safeguard these marvelous animal monarchs.

Director Faith Musembi and Director of Photography Sophie Darlington film elephants. (National Geographic for Disney/Rachael Kinley)

Innovation & Tech Today spoke with cinematographer Erin Ranney, one of the brilliant minds behind the ground-breaking series. We explored the transformative dynamic of an all-women filmmaking crew and how this female perspective influenced the creative choices made throughout the series and more.

Innovation & Tech Today: How did the all-women filmmaking dynamic influence the storytelling and overall production process?

Erin Ranney: The women-led filmmaking dynamic brought a fresh perspective to the series. I think with any addition of diversity in media and TV, you allow new and different perspectives. We each develop our own storytelling methods and views based on our own experiences; this can be shaped by many different aspects of our lives, like where we grew up, who we are, and our culture.