What is your name and where are you based?

My name is Carl Battreall and I live in Anchorage, Alaska.

What kind of films do you make? How would you describe what you do?  

I help local non-profits make modern looking and entertaining educational films. I also explore the relationship between artists and the environment. I work on a very local level. There are a hand full of major issues in Alaska that are covered by the big media groups and the famous photographers. And though these issues are very important, they over-shadow the many issues that concern Alaskans.

Who or what inspires you in your photography and why cover nature and conservation issues?

The son of two Forest Service employees, I grew up in and around the mountains. The wilderness inspires me, without it, I and the rest of this world would fall into chaos.

What has been your biggest challenge filming in the field?  

I usually work way off the beaten track, unsupported. So the biggest challenge is telling a complete story using a minimal amount of equipment. In Alaska, the weather is always an issue!

Has technology hindered or enhanced your photography?

I always wanted to make films. But that was impossible when I began my career, so I focused on still photography. Technology now allows me to create films as an independent filmmaker. When I started, twenty years ago, I was told I would need to risk everything and go in debt, borrow money from everyone I knew, just to make a movie. I wasn't willing to do that and now I don't have to.

What is your favourite place in nature?

On the tundra, right at the base of a towering peak or descending glacier.

From your field experience, what is your biggest concern when it comes to the environment?

The biggest issue is a lack of connection with the environment. Lots of people use the wilderness as a playground but they never make a bound strong enough with nature to change their ways of living. Even more discouraging is that many of the people I know have slowly lost their drive to fight. The burden is too heavy, the enemy too strong. They just recycle, donate to a few non-profits and call it good, they have given up.

How do you think the media industry should be addressing environment and conservation issues? And if you could give one message to the world's leaders on climate change, what would it be?  

I think the mainstream media industry is useless, their system is all about ratings and making money! How can anyone be honest and tackle the seriousness of the problems when you depend on advertising and you can't politely offend or challenge anyone? Same issue with the world leaders. My message is to the people: We have to change, we can't depend on the governments to save this planet!

What are you working on at the moment?

I just finished a project for the Bristol Bay Native Corporation titled a Day in Our Bay. Instead of a bunch of filmmakers filming the lives of the natives of Bristol Bay, I and a handful of local filmmakers went to remote villages and instead of filming, we taught them how to make their own films. So now they can share what is important to them, not what we think is important to them.

What advice to do have to someone wanting to break into the industry?  

Stay local and tackle issues that are important to the local population. That is where the funding is for indie and first time filmmakers and that is where real change can be made.

What would you like to remembered for?

Being a nice person who did his best and led by example.

Links:

www.photographalaska.com