About

ABOUT

PASSION AND PURPOSE

Rakesh's filmmaking journey kicked off during the pandemic, where he found himself stealthily navigating railway tracks and airports to film a mischievous group of urban langurs. The excitement was palpable, but his lack of filmmaking and wildlife expertise became apparent. Post-graduation, Rakesh delved deeper into the wild, joining an NGO in Agumbe in pursuit of knowledge and networking opportunities. It wasn't until a serendipitous encounter with Prakash Matada, a Green Oscar award winner filming king cobras, that Rakesh's passion and commitment to capturing the perfect shot were reignited. Collaborating on several conservation films with Prakash, Rakesh now draws from his childhood culture, evolving scientific knowledge, and artistic sensibilities to craft his own stories, believing in the transformative power of storytelling to make the world a better place.

My Days at Agumbe

I interned at a research station in Agumbe that focuses on reptiles, especially the King Cobra. The team carries out rescue operations, conducts educational camps for local schools and colleges, and hosts a limited number of guests to educate them about nature.

When I was assigned to Agumbe, it was peak monsoon season. Agumbe receives one of the highest rainfalls in India, and King Cobras hatch during this time. The station had received a clutch of King Cobra eggs from a nearby farmer’s field, as the farmer did not want them to hatch on his land. Simultaneously, a wildlife documentary team had arrived to film. My job was to monitor the eggs every hour, day and night, so I could alert the filming team when they hatched and relocate the baby cobras from the incubation chamber. Unfortunately, the hatching was delayed by a month from the expected date.

It was an incredible task to work all day assisting the film crew in remote, dense forests, sometimes rushing to rescue operations with the team, guiding guests around to educate them about the wilderness, and then checking on the eggs every hour throughout the night. The sense of joy and relief I felt when the eggs finally hatched was unforgettable, especially when I handled a baby King Cobra for the first time in my life. Baby King Cobras are highly venomous, and their bites can be unpredictable because they don’t yet know how much venom they’re injecting.

I interned there for about five months. There were days when I was alone at the research station, with constant rain and no sunlight for weeks. This was the beginning of my journey into working in remote places.

Agumbe taught me a lot and helped me choose my path. For the past three years, I have been working with National Geographic Explorer Prakash Matada. Now, I travel to remote areas, filming incredible wildlife and documenting unknown villages.

Experience With Green Oscar Award Winner and National Geographic Explorer

Prakash Matada

Rakesh Kote has spent the past year working closely with Prakash Matada, benefiting from a valuable mentorship in the field of cinematography and gaining insights into the workings of a major production house. During this time, Rakesh had the opportunity to work directly under Prakash's guidance as a cameraman. One particular project provided him with hands-on experience, as he served as a field assistant.

This experience allowed him to work with cutting-edge equipment, including the remarkable Red Helium 8K Camera, the CN20 long lens, and the versatile Movi Pro gimbal featuring the Gemini 8K camera. Through this immersive experience, Rakesh honed his skills and expanded his knowledge of cinematography and storytelling , further fueling his passion for the art form.

WORK EXPERIENCE

2023

BBC - Planet earth III - Field Assistance & DIT
Gujarat - Lions - NDA - Field Assistance & DIT
Forest Department - Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary - Cameraman, Drone, Editor
Forest Department - BRT Tiger Reserve - Cinematic Teaser - Drone Operator
Project Tiger - Behind The Scene - Cameraman

BBC -Planet earth III- Field Assistance & DIT
Kabini - Wild Dogs & Elephants - NDA - Field Assistance & DIT
Forest Department - Project Clean Kabini - Cameraman
Forest Department - Lantana Eradication & Grassland Development - Cameraman & Editor
Forest Department - Footprints Of Devotees - Cameraman & Script
Forest Department - Mangalore Division - Jewels Of The Coast - Cameraman
Forest Department - Mangalore Division - Urban Marsh - 4 Episodes - Cameraman
Rescued Around 50+ Venomous & Non Venomous Snakes In Mangalore Urban & Conducted Awareness Program