Blue Ant Media’s Beach House Pictures launches natural history, wildlife unit

Zoologist and filmmaker Claire Clements

Blue Ant Media’s Asia-based prodco Beach House Pictures has launched a natural history and wildlife unit and appointed zoologist-turned-filmmaker Claire Clements as head of wild.

The new division will concentrate on increasing Beach House’s slate of natural history specials and series, focused predominantly on Asian Pacific animals.

Clements is originally from Australia and grew up in Asia. A former zoologist, she has directed multiple Beach House series including Uptown Otters (6×60’) for Love Nature, Wild City River World (1×60’) for Channel NewsAsia and Wild City Forest Life (1×60’) for Netflix, narrated by David Attenborough.

Clements said: “I am very passionate about increasing diversity and training up new talent within the industry. For Uptown Otters, I assembled a predominantly local female crew and I want to do more of telling the stories of unique, diverse animals with diverse talent both behind and in front of the camera.”

Beach House’s creative director, Donovan Chan, added: “When it comes to showcasing more diverse stories and storytellers from the Asia-Pacific region, we are really only at the beginning of a new and exciting wave. A lot more can be done to grow the opportunities for local filmmakers and reveal the stories of the amazing lives of animals here.”

“We have worked with Claire for over a decade and value her dynamic and refreshing perspective which produces really stunning and modern wildlife films. Combined with her track record of blending international experience with young filmmakers from each country, she is the perfect person to lead and grow our new venture.”