Paul Atkins
Film and television professor
Education
- M.S., Zoology, University of Hawaii at Manoa
- B.S., Biological Science, Florida State University
Credentials
Teaching
- Professor of film and television, 2024–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
- Instructor, 2023, ASC Master Class Wildlife Cinematography, Jackson Wild Summit
- Super 8mm filmmaking instructor, 1979, Honolulu Community College, Honolulu, HI
- Teaching assistant, marine biology, 1975–79, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
Professional
-
Cinematographer and documentary film director, 1983–present
Worked on more than 100 productions, including Emmy-winning documentaries, narrative features, television series, and commercials.
Awards, recognitions, and honors
- Extra Mile Award, American Advertising Federation, 2019
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, 2016
- American Advertising Federation Awards, Cinematography, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Best Cinematography, Int'l. Film and Video Festival for Kilauea: Mountain of Fire, 2010
- Best Cinematography, Rhode Island International Film Festival, for Silent Years, 2004
- CINE Master Series Award, Best Broadcast Program for Secret Killers of Monterey, 2003
- Nominated, BAFTA Award, Best Photography (Factual) for The Life of Mammals, 2002
- CINE Golden Eagles, 2002, 1999, 1992
- Nominated, Emmy Award, Directing, for Dolphins: The Wild Side, 1999
- Jackson Wild Festival Prize, Best Animal Behavior for Dolphins: The Wild Side, 1999
- Nominated, BAFTA Award, Best Photography (Factual) for Great White Shark, 1995
- Emmy Award, Cinematography, for Great White Shark, 1995
- BAFTA Award, Best Film Photography (Factual) for Life in the Freezer, 1993
- Hawaii International Film Festival, Best Hawaii Film and Videomakers Award, 1991
- Silver Medallion Award, Telluride Film Festival, 1991
- Nominated, Emmy Award, Cinematography for Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise, 1991
- Nominated, Emmy Award, Directing, for Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise, 1991
- Emmy Award (as producer/director), Outstanding Informational or Cultural Programming for Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise, 1991
- BAFTA Award, Best Film Cameraman for Trials of Life, 1990
Organizations
- American Society of Cinematographers
- Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
- I.A.T.S.E.
- Explorers Club
Publications and presentations
Film credits (partial list)
- May December, camera operator, 2023
- The Fabulous Four, camera operator, 2024
- The Big Bend, director of photography, 2022
- Kate, camera operator, 2021
- 2 Hearts, camera operator, 2020
- Dolphin Reef, cinematographer/field director, Disney/2018
- Voyage of Time (IMAX), director of photography, 2016
- The Revenant, cinematographer (2nd Unit), 2015
- Point Break, camera operator (water unit), 2015
- Knight of Cups, cinematographer (2nd Unit), 2015
- To The Wonder, cinematographer (2nd Unit), 2012
- Mud, underwater DP, 2012
- The Tree of Life, cinematographer (2nd Unit), 2011
- Paradise Broken, director of photography, 2011
- Soul Surfer, camera operator, 2011
- Master and Commander: The Far Side of The World, Cape Horn Unit DP, 2003
- Dolphins (IMAX), underwater DP/director Argentina Unit, 2000
- Chief (Sundance short), director of photography, 2008
- The Land Has Eyes (Sundance indie), director of photography, 2004
- Tides of War, director of photography, 2005
- Night Orchid, director of photography, 1997
Television credits (partial list)
- Clean Slate (series), camera operator, 2025
- Magnum PI (series), camera operator, 2022–23
- Groundswell (Hallmark movie), camera operator, 2022
- The Letter: A Message for Our Earth, cinematographer, 2022
- The Mating Game (BBC docuseries), cinematographer, 2021
- Nature (PBS series), cinematographer, 1988–2021
- Nova (PBS series), cinematographer, 2001–19
- Shark Week, cinematographer, 2017–19
- Same Time, Next Christmas (TV movie), camera operator, 2019
- Years of Living Dangerously (Nat Geo series), cinematographer, 2014–16
- Wild Hawaii (Nat Geo doc), cinematographer, 2014
- Hawaii Five-0 (Series), 2nd Unit DP/ camera operator, 2011–13
- Last Resort (Series), camera operator, 2012–13
- Killer Whales, cinematographer, 2010
- Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures, director of photography, 2006
- Planet Earth (BBC docuseries), cinematographer, 2006
- The Life of Mammals (BBC docuseries), cinematographer, 2002–03
- Life in the Freezer (BBC docuseries), cinematographer, 1993
- The Presence (TV movie), 2nd Unit DP, 1992
- Trials of Life (BBC docuseries), cinematographer, 1990
- Aliens From Inner Space (BBC doc), cinematographer, 1983
Director/cinematographer
- America's National Parks: Hawaii Volcanoes (Nat Geo), 2022
- Sharks and the City: NYC, 2017
- Violent Hawaii, 2005
- Secret Killers of Monterey Bay (Nat Geo), 2003
- Dolphins: The Wild Side (Nat Geo), 2000
- Great White Shark (BBC/Nat Geo), 1995
- Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise (BBC/Nat Geo), 1991
- Islands of the Fire Goddess (BBC), 1988