In our interview with Alex Schnell, host, lead storyteller, and producer of the new documentary Secrets of the Octopus, we dive deep into the fascinating underwater world of these intelligent creatures. Growing up on the coast of Sydney, Australia, Schnell’s passion for marine life was nurtured as she spent her childhood exploring the beach and uncovering nature’s secrets. This love for wildlife guided her academic journey to the University of Cambridge, UK, where her post-doctoral research focused on the complex memory mechanisms in cephalopods—octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid.

In Secrets of the Octopus, Schnell brings this expertise to life, revealing the captivating behaviors, intelligence, and adaptability of octopuses. As a National Geographic Explorer and Wayfinder Awardee, her commitment to unraveling nature’s mysteries is paired with a dedication to science communication. She believes that understanding nature fosters intrinsic motivation for conservation, and through her storytelling, Schnell aims to inspire a global audience to protect these remarkable creatures and their oceanic habitats. Join us as we explore her journey, the making of the documentary, and the fascinating world of the octopus.

What inspired you to create a documentary series specifically focused on octopuses? 

There is a current surge in fascination with these animals. Octopuses strike this beautiful balance between the alien and the familiar, captivating a broad audience with their mysterious and enigmatic nature. Despite their popularity, there are still many aspects of their lives and behavior that remain largely unknown. Secrets of the Octopus feature their vulnerabilities, their intelligence, and their capacity to form unlikely bonds. By doing so, we hope to present octopuses in a new light, offering viewers a different dimension to understand and appreciate these remarkable creatures. 

I love the footage of the blue-ring octopus increasing the brightness and contrast of its rings. How did you and your crew approach the challenge of capturing the elusive and mysterious behavior of octopuses on camera? 

Capturing their behaviors on camera was a fascinating challenge that requires more than just state-of-the-art equipment. While the technology was essential, it was ultimately our technique and patience that were key to our success. Our approach was centered on building trust with the octopuses. We started by maintaining a respectful distance, which allowed the octopuses to become accustomed to our presence without feeling threatened. Over time, as they grew more comfortable with the crew’s presence, we found that they would often approach us on their own. This natural curiosity of the octopuses allowed us to capture truly intimate and groundbreaking footage.

Octopuses are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities. What surprised you the most during the filming process? 

I was often surprised by their ability to trust. Take Scarlett the day octopus for example. After watching her for 30 minutes, she reached out to shake my hand and let me swim alongside her as she hunted. Each time I returned, she appeared to recognize me quickly and let me back into her world. This might not sound like much, but imaging being a creature with no skeleton, no shell, no teeth, and no claws to protect yourself, and despite this vulnerability, you let your guard down to trust an alien creature that’s ten times your size. 

Were there any memorable or unexpected moments while filming underwater scenes with octopuses? 

Yes, constantly. One that stands clear is my experience with the coconut octopus. Before travelling to Lembeh on this shoot, I had read about defensive tool use in the coconut octopus. This species will often be seen carrying around two halves of a coconut like a mobile home, they use it as protection as they live in very barren sandy landscapes. I was excited to see this behavior unfold but I got more than I bargained for. In the clip that you mention our coconut octopus was being threatened by an angry mantis and at that moment, I witnessed the octopus have an idea – she walked over to a scalloped shell and picked it up, dragging it back to her original spot and literally used it like a shield to fend off the angry mantis shrimp. She had imagined her a shield! I was so blown away and excited that I was screaming underwater.

The narration by Paul Rudd adds a unique touch to the series. How did you decide on him as the narrator? 

We were looking for a narrator who could embody and elevate the quirky, warm, and humorous characteristics that octopuses possess. Paul Rudd, with his natural charm and witty personality, was a perfect choice. He brings a light-heartedness that complements the surprising and fascinating nature of octopuses, making the series more relatable and engaging for the audience. 

Octopuses have such diverse adaptations, from camouflage to mimicry. How did you approach showcasing these features in the series? What were your priorities? 

It was an incredibly challenging task, given the incredible diversity among the 300n known species. We ultimately narrowed it down to 12, choosing those that no only exhibit a range of fascinating behaviors but also are visually appealing. For example, chemical communication is pivotal for many species, including the blue-ringed ocotp0us. However, while chemosensory communication is fascinating scientifically, it can be challenging to depict visually in a way that captivates an audience. So we needed to also focus on species with behavioral that were visually striking and could be captured compellingly on camera. 

What takeaway do you hope viewers will gain from watching ‘Secrets of the Octopus’?

I hope that this series will illuminate the life of an octopus, an extraordinary creature that lives in every single one of our oceans. Our oceans need healing, they cover 70% of our planet and yet there are converging crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and welfare risks to marine animals. But in order to heal our oceans we need to first be able to empathize with it. But how do we empathize with a huge mass of water? We think about the critters it supports. I think the octopus is a compelling ambassador to make people care more about our blue planet – highlighting the need to protect our oceans, and by extension, human well-being. 

Were there any ethical considerations when filming octopuses in their natural habitat? 

Yes, ethical considerations were paramount throughout the filming of our series. We approached our interactions with octopuses with the utmost respect and sensitivity. Our primary rule was never to initiate physical contact; any interaction had to be on the octopus’s terms. This meant observing and waiting for the octopuses to demonstrate their comfort with our presence. Additionally, we ensured our filing equipment and methods were non-intrusive and did not disrupt their natural habitat or behaviors. 

Lastly, what’s next for you? Are there any other fascinating creatures you’d like to explore in future documentaries? 

My next venture, titled: ‘One Word: Many Minds’, aims to build on the foundation we set with our previous series. This new series will focus on the incredible minds of diverse species, particularly those often overlooked or underestimated in discussions of animal intelligence. My goal is to explore and showcase the sophisticated cognitive abilities found in what I like to call ‘underdogs’ of he animal kingdom. I’d like to challenge prevailing perceptions and highlight how intelligence manifests in unique and often surprising ways across different species. By doing so, I hope to foster a deeper appreciation of the complexity and richness of life on our planet and encourage a broader understanding of what intelligence looks like. 

IMAGE CREDIT: National Geographic for Disney/Craig Parry

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