Greg Macgillivray Quotes

Powerful Greg Macgillivray for Daily Growth

About Greg Macgillivray

Gregory 'Greg' MacGillivray (born July 14, 1942) is an American filmmaker, marine ecologist, and conservationist renowned for his captivating IMAX documentaries. Born in Los Angeles, California, MacGillivray spent much of his childhood exploring the natural world around him, a passion that would later become central to his career. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in marine biology, MacGillivray embarked on several scientific expeditions, conducting research on various marine species and ecosystems. His experiences during these voyages ignited an interest in filmmaking, as he recognized the power of visual storytelling to inspire conservation efforts. In 1976, MacGillivray co-founded MacGillivray Freeman Films with his wife, Kristine Cofield, and partner, David Freeman. Together, they have produced over 60 films, many of which have been released in the IMAX format. Their groundbreaking documentaries, such as "To Fly!" (1976), "The Living Sea" (1995), and "Dream Big: Engineering Our World" (2017), have captivated audiences worldwide and showcased the beauty and fragility of Earth's ecosystems. MacGillivray's work has earned him numerous accolades, including 22 Emmy Awards, three Academy Award nominations, and recognition from organizations such as the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In addition to his filmmaking achievements, MacGillivray is a dedicated conservationist, advocating for the protection of marine ecosystems through various environmental organizations. Through his films and conservation efforts, Greg MacGillivray continues to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, encouraging viewers to take action in preserving Earth's delicate ecosystems.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The ocean is a desert with its life buried deep."

This quote suggests that while the ocean appears vast and teeming with life on the surface, the majority of marine life actually dwells at depths where sunlight can't reach, making it an 'underpopulated' or 'barren' region in a sense. It calls attention to the immense, largely unexplored depths of the ocean, which are rich habitats teeming with diverse and often less-known species, but often overlooked compared to the more easily observed surface life. The quote serves as a reminder of the vastness and complexity of the ocean that awaits us beneath the waves, inviting curiosity and encouraging exploration.


"To truly appreciate the wonder that surrounds us, we must stand at the edge of the known and gaze out into the realm of the unknown."

This quote emphasizes the importance of venturing beyond our comfort zone and exploring the unknown to deepen our appreciation for the world around us. By standing on the edge of what is familiar (the 'known'), we can gaze upon the unfamiliar ('unknown') and gain a new perspective, fostering a sense of wonder and awe. It encourages us to embrace curiosity, challenge ourselves, and find inspiration in the mysteries that lie beyond our current understanding.


"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever."

The quote suggests that once someone experiences the captivating allure of the ocean, they are irrevocably enchanted by its mysterious and awe-inspiring wonders. This fascination extends beyond initial encounters, binding them to the sea for life.


"There is an almost unbearable beauty to the world as it is, moment by moment."

This quote highlights the profound aesthetic appreciation for the present moment and the intrinsic beauty that can be found in the world around us. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and cherishing the transient nature of life, encouraging us to find solace and wonder in everyday moments.


"Nature's grandeur can be so overwhelming that it elicits awe and reverence in all who pause to contemplate its majesty."

This quote emphasizes the profound impact of nature's beauty on humans, suggesting that when we witness nature's majesty, we are moved by a sense of awe and respect. The grandeur of nature has an overwhelming effect on us, reminding us of our place in the world and inspiring feelings of reverence and humility. It encourages us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the wonder and splendor of the natural world around us.


Flying through a hurricane is the most fearsome shaking you will ever get. Everything has to be tied down in the airplane. And the IMAX camera has to be rock-steady through all this. We had to design special mounts on the left and right sides of the cabin and in the cockpit to hold the cameras.

- Greg MacGillivray

Through, Cabin, Had, Airplane

'Hollywood Don't Surf!' is really about how Hollywood's superficial view of surfing culture has influenced popular culture and the story of what happened when real surfers tried to change that.

- Greg MacGillivray

Surfing, Hollywood, Surf, Popular Culture

What's happening on the Colorado River is happening all over the world. The water is overused, overdammed, and it's polluted in some places.

- Greg MacGillivray

Colorado, Some, Over, Overused

Not only have I made films about the subject, but I've largely funded them on my own, so I'm fully committed to doing whatever I can to change the audience's respect and appreciation for the ocean. In 100 years I want whales, dolphins and sharks to still be around, and the ocean to be a healthier place.

- Greg MacGillivray

Doing, Healthier, Subject, Whales

My goal is that after seeing 'Grand Canyon,' every person in the audience will go home knowing they have to conserve water: even something as simple as installing a low-flow toilet or showerhead, or turning off the faucet while they're brushing their teeth.

- Greg MacGillivray

Simple, Installing, While, Brushing

Satisfying myself is the point in filmmaking, in my mind.

- Greg MacGillivray

Myself, Mind, Filmmaking, Satisfying

With digital, you do have the advantage of having an absolutely rock steady image because there's no projector gate, no perforations, no film weaving through a machine. And there's no dust and no scratching.

- Greg MacGillivray

Digital, Through, Image, Weaving

Grain isn't structured like a screen door that you're looking through, but pixels are. Film-based grain is just all over the place, one frame totally different from the next. So your edges are coolly sharp and have a different feeling, an organic feeling rather than this mechanic feeling you get with digital.

- Greg MacGillivray

Door, Through, Next, Structured

Film has far more color shades. It's called 'bit depth' in digital terms. And most bit depth in digital is about twelve, but film bit depth can be twenty to thirty. And so you just have more shades of yellow and red and oranges and everything.

- Greg MacGillivray

Digital, Shades, Oranges, Twenty

In a normal movie, the director controls what you look at. The shots don't last very long because you're getting the audience to look at specific things. An IMAX shot, on the other hand, can be twenty or thirty seconds long.

- Greg MacGillivray

Audience, Normal, Very, Twenty

I've been using the power of the IMAX medium, with its gigantic screens and supervivid pictures, to get people to fall in love with the ocean.

- Greg MacGillivray

Love, Been, Using, Screens

We have new tools that can give the audience a sense of not only being there, which is the key element in an IMAX film, but also seeing things in a way that they won't see on television or in feature films.

- Greg MacGillivray

New, Give, Which, Being There

The ocean is our planet's life support system, yet in my travels and at home, I've seen its degradation firsthand.

- Greg MacGillivray

Planet, Degradation, Our, Firsthand

Marine scientists predict that by 2050 there will be no more large fish left in the ocean if we don't change our relationship with the sea.

- Greg MacGillivray

Will, More, Large, Marine

At first, the tornado is nearly invisible. Against the sky, it's white on white.

- Greg MacGillivray

Sky, White, Against, Tornado

I love the ocean; growing up around Laguna Beach, I spent my summers surfing, diving, and snorkeling.

- Greg MacGillivray

Love, Surfing, Summers, Diving

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