Episode 154: “The American Southwest” Elevates The Art of Storytelling In Wildlife Films
September 5, 2025
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Ryan Olinger, Director of Photography & Producer, The American Southwest
With a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Cape Town, Ryan Olinger is a wildlife biologist as well as an award-winning photographer and videographer. He has dedicated nearly a decade to studying a variety of species and the impact of climate change, with field experience spanning the American Southwest to Africa. Ryan’s passion for getting outside and communicating his love for the natural world has shaped his career, providing a compelling, real-world perspective on conservation efforts. You can find out more about Ryan and his work at Fin & Fur Films and @ryan.forktailed
The American Southwest is narrated by Quannah ChasingHorse @quannah.rose
“For the last three years the Fin & Fur Films team has poured our hearts and souls into The American Southwest. This weekend, the movie opens in theaters across TX, NM, CO, UT, AZ, NV, and Southern California, with select screenings in ID and WY.
We are immensely proud of the film and are thrilled to share it in theaters. If you love to hike, hunt, birdwatch, float the rivers, or just stand in awe of the majesty of the Southwest’s landscapes, then we feel pretty confident you’ll enjoy this movie.
And, if you’d like a little sneak peak, narrator Quannah Chasinghorse did a 5 minute Q&A that contains some exclusive clips from the movie. The clip is below, along with a list of theaters. We hope you love the movie and leave theaters feeling inspired!”
Sincerely,
Ben Masters
Writer and Director
Opening Day September 5th, 2025!
Downloadable PDF list of Theaters
Trailer for “The American Southwest”
Show Notes
Guest: Ryan Olinger, Director of Photography & Producer
Summary:
In this episode, Jack Humphrey welcomes Ryan Olinger to discuss the making of a world-class wildlife documentary focused on the Colorado River Basin. Ryan shares insights into the years of preparation, the challenges of wildlife filmmaking, and the importance of collaboration with scientists and conservationists. The film sends a strong message, with brilliant storytelling, that Colorado Basin wildlife and wildlands deserve more than what we are leaving in the river.
Episode Highlights:
- The dedication and teamwork required to capture rare wildlife moments, including the five-week effort to film the elk rut scene.
- The role of biologists and experts in shaping the film’s narrative and ensuring scientific accuracy.
- The emotional highs and lows of spending years in the field, from missed shots to once-in-a-lifetime captures.
- The film’s structure: a journey down the Colorado River, featuring seven wildlife sequences and four hydrology sections.
- The creative process behind making educational content entertaining, with stories about beavers, salmonflies, and more.
- The technical and logistical challenges of filming elusive species like jaguars, using advanced motion-triggered cameras and local expertise.
- Reflections on the human impact on the river, water management, and the hope for restoration and conservation.
- Details on the film’s theatrical release, upcoming streaming availability, and how listeners can get involved in river conservation.
Visit the American Southwest website for ticket info, special events, and ways to support river conservation through American Rivers.
Don’t forget to subscribe to the Rewilding Earth podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with your favorite wildlife and rewilding enthusiasts!
The American Southwest Gallery
Stills from “American Southwest.” All images in this gallery are © 2025 Fin and Fur Films
Extra Credit
- Share this episode far and wide! If you like our stories and want more, please help us get the word out about the Rewilding Earth podcast! And, Thank You!
- Check out the film’s partners! Great organizations that helped make this film so spectacular!
- Visit The American Southwest Film Website
Director of Digital Outreach (D.O.D.O.) for The Rewilding Institute
Host and Producer of the Rewilding Earth Podcast
Jack started Rewilding work as Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance in the mid-1990’s, organizing the Sky Island Wildlands Network design, ripping up illegal roads on forest service lands, installing wolf acclimatization pens on Ted Turner’s Ladder Ranch & conducting howling surveys to help make way for the final stage of the Lobo reintroduction program in the Southwest.
Through the years, Jack has worked with Dave Foreman and the Rewilding Gang to further Rewilding initiatives and education.