Behind the scenes look at Dan Tapster, producer of ‘Life on our Planet’

Award-winning producer Dan Tapster, best known for his work on the acclaimed Netflix documentary series “Life on Our Planet,” made a special visit to the College of Lake County, offering students and faculty an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the groundbreaking nature series.

At the James Lumber Center, Tapster hosted a multimedia presentation filled with stories, production insights, and never-before-seen clips. His visit was part of a national college tour aimed at promoting environmental awareness and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and conservationists.

Tapster recounted some of the more dramatic challenges faced during filming – like dealing with an ice shelf breaking off and drifting into the Arctic Ocean, forcing an emergency airlift evacuation, and being chased by bears in the wild. He even laughed about a crew member who “slightly fell into a volcano.” Despite the unpredictability, he emphasized that nature’s surprises are what make the work so exciting.

One of the creative decisions that defined “Life on Our Planet” was the choice to shoot in real-world environments rather than relying entirely on digital backdrops. Tapster said grounding the visual effects (VFX) models in actual landscapes helped the creatures feel tangible and present. However, this approach came with its own challenges, from waiting for the perfect weather conditions to ensuring visual continuity across long shoots. 

“These are the choices we make to tell as authentic a story as possible,” Tapster said.

The audience was also treated to never-before-seen bloopers featuring Morgan Freeman, the iconic narrator of the series. The clips drew plenty of laughs, one of which can be seen here.

Tapster’s passion for natural history filmmaking began early. At just 14, he applied for work experience at the BBC Natural History Unit in London but was turned down for being underage. Undeterred, he tried again at 18, only to find the age limit raised to 21 with a new requirement: a biology degree. He earned the degree and applied again at 21, but there were still no openings.

After seven years of rejection, Tapster refused to give up.

“Don’t take no for an answer,” Tapster said “You have to be super persistent, you have to relentlessly hassle people for jobs and not be embarrassed about it”

Following his own advice, he found a job working as a tour guide in the South American rainforests, leading film crews and building valuable industry connections. Those connections eventually led him to the very place he had dreamed of working, the BBC Natural History Unit.

According to Tapster, audiences are often surprised by how long filming takes.

“For a five-minute sequence about an animal and its behavior, we’re usually in the field for about four weeks, working every single day from five in the morning until ten at night,” Tapster said. 

Tapster also discussed how streaming platforms have reshaped natural history storytelling. 

“They’ve encouraged stronger narratives and higher stakes,” he said. “It’s more like a Netflix drama now, with cliffhangers that keep viewers hooked.”

Still, he acknowledged that social media presents a double-edged sword.

“Sometimes short content doesn’t let you dive into the heart of the story,” Tapster said. “But it’s also taught us how to grab an audience’s attention fast and hold onto it. All new media has something to teach us.”

Perhaps the greatest challenge of “Life on Our Planet” was its sheer scope, covering 4 billion years of Earth’s history, and bringing long-extinct creatures back to life through cutting-edge visual effects. Achieving realistic results that blended seamlessly with live-action footage required unprecedented collaboration. Tapster’s team worked with more than 150 paleontologists to ensure every detail, from size and color to behavior, was scientifically accurate.

Still, even with that level of expertise, there were debates.

“In paleontology, there’s no right or wrong,” Tapster said. “There’s just a spectrum of opinions.”

Every expert has their own interpretation of how ancient creatures might have looked or behaved, so absolute accuracy is impossible. But that didn’t stop Tapster from trying.

“We strove for scientific accuracy, but we knew that some of the decisions we made would only be seen as accurate by certain groups of scientists,” Tapster said. 

Tapster described the upcoming Netflix series as a four-part exploration of the rise and fall of the dinosaurs. The show delves into the challenges these creatures faced rather than just their dominance. 

“There’s often this idea that when you’re born a dinosaur, you’re on easy street,” Tapster said. “But actually, I think this series will show the real drama they went through.” The series is set to premiere on Netflix in March or April next year.

Tapster said he remains optimistic about the future, as younger generations seem more passionate and concerned about the issues affecting our planet.

“I’ve experienced firsthand the changes among young people: those who will become our next cosmologists, engineers, and politicians,” Tapster said. “I truly believe the world will be a better place. The youth will take over and correct our mistakes.”