What's the difference between an opossum and a possum? Are opossums really disease-driven? Explore the myths and misconceptions about the misunderstood opossum with wildlife filmmaker Alex Goetz. As marine scientist, Luiz Rocha, and his team of divers descend to depths of around 150 meters below the ocean surface, they enter a unique ecosystem of mesophotic reefs. The team, from the California Academy of Sciences, is one of only two in the world diving to what’s known as the ocean’s twilight zone. This deepwater region is home to cup corals, peppermint angelfish, harlequin grouper, giant sea fans, benthic ctenophores, and more. But this alien world is in danger of disappearing. The vast majority of marine protected areas (MPAs) stop at the 30-meter depth line, leaving the mesophotic region out in the cold. In some areas—Brazil’s MPA, Fernando de Noronha, for example—75 percent of the shallow reefs are protected, and 100 percent of the deeper reefs are not. And yet, much of the fishery is concentrated in the deeper waters. So how can we protect these amazing deepwater reefs if they remain largely unknown to most people? That’s the challenge Rocha set for his team with the mission called Hope for Reefs—a global initiative launched in 2016 led by the California Academy of Sciences to research and restore critical coral reef systems in the twilight zone. By bringing attention and awareness to these ecosystems through their photos, videos, and collections of new and undescribed species, they’ve already helped create two marine protected areas, one in Brazil and the other in the Philippines. Follow Rocha and the team on two technical dive expeditions in 2019 as they descend well beyond the reaches of normal scuba diving in the Marshall Islands and then in Rocha’s home country of Brazil to save these reefs before it’s too late. My 2020 reel featuring my favorite shots from projects to date.
Alex G.
Detroit, MI, USA3 reviews
Top Services
Documentary DP
3 reviewsVideo Editor - Documentary
Field Producer
Equipment
Video
- 4K video camera
- Multiple cameras
- DSLR or equivalent
- Drone
- 2K video camera
- Full HD video camera
- GoPro or equivalent
Audio
- External recorder
- Wireless lavalier mic
- Shotgun mic
Miscellaneous
- Lighting kit
- Stabilizer
- Sliders
About Alex
Alex Goetz is a documentary filmmaker and photographer and co-founder of Running Wild Media, a film production company specializing in stories of wildlife and conservation. He has contributed to outlets such as National Geographic WILD, BBC, PBS Nature, CBS Sunday Morning, and was a winner of the National Geographic WILD "Wild to Inspire" film competition. An Ohio native, some of his extensive travels have taken him from the countryside of Tasmania filming Tasmanian devils, to boating throughout the vibrant Marshall Islands, and road-tripping around four amazing African countries filming wildlife and conservation efforts. Alex is a 2019 Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader, 2019 NAAEE 30 under 30, TEDxToledo 2017 speaker, and a 2013 graduate from Bowling Green State University, with a degree in Film Production and Environmental Science
Top Projects
PBS Nature - Backyard Nature - Mythbusting Opossum Facts
- Documentary DP
- On-Air Reporter / Host
- Field Producer
- Video Editor - Documentary
What's the difference between an opossum and a possum? Are opossums really disease-driven? Explore the myths and misconceptions about the misunderstood opossum with wildlife filmmaker Alex Goetz.
Keepers of the Deep
- Documentary DP
- Video Editor - Documentary
As marine scientist, Luiz Rocha, and his team of divers descend to depths of around 150 meters below the ocean surface, they enter a unique ecosystem of mesophotic reefs. The team, from the California Academy of Sciences, is one of only two in the world diving to what’s known as the ocean’s twilight zone. This deepwater region is home to cup corals, peppermint angelfish, harlequin grouper, giant sea fans, benthic ctenophores, and more. But this alien world is in danger of disappearing. The vast majority of marine protected areas (MPAs) stop at the 30-meter depth line, leaving the mesophotic region out in the cold. In some areas—Brazil’s MPA, Fernando de Noronha, for example—75 percent of the shallow reefs are protected, and 100 percent of the deeper reefs are not. And yet, much of the fishery is concentrated in the deeper waters. So how can we protect these amazing deepwater reefs if they remain largely unknown to most people? That’s the challenge Rocha set for his team with the mission called Hope for Reefs—a global initiative launched in 2016 led by the California Academy of Sciences to research and restore critical coral reef systems in the twilight zone. By bringing attention and awareness to these ecosystems through their photos, videos, and collections of new and undescribed species, they’ve already helped create two marine protected areas, one in Brazil and the other in the Philippines. Follow Rocha and the team on two technical dive expeditions in 2019 as they descend well beyond the reaches of normal scuba diving in the Marshall Islands and then in Rocha’s home country of Brazil to save these reefs before it’s too late.
Sweet Potato Sensations-2-3 minute video
- Documentary DP
The Thomas family has been running Detroit-based Sweet Potato Sensations since 1987. Here's how they are surviving and thriving during the pandemic. -Director of Photography
Produced for Gannett on Storyhunter
September 2020
CBS Sunday Morning - Nature Minute - Big Horn Sheep
- Documentary DP
Footage aired on CBS Sunday Morning of Yellowstone big horn sheep.
CBS Sunday Morning Nature - Bison
- Documentary DP
Footage of bison from Yellowstone National Park
All Services
Pre-Production
- Fixer
- Senior Producer / Project Manager
Production Support
- Non-Fiction Film Director
- Landscape Photographer
- Field Producer
- Digital Content Creator
- On-Air Reporter / Host
- Commercial DP
- Documentary DP
- Drone Operator
Post-Production
- Video Editor - Documentary
Alex's Clients
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