Blue Ant, Nat Geo seek ‘new perspectives’

Natural history buyers from companies including Blue Ant Media and National Geographic are looking for “new perspectives” when it comes to collaborations with producers on new projects.

Carlyn Staudt

In a panel discussion on natural history at the Realscreen summit last week, Carlyn Staudt, global general manager of Blue Ant Media-owned network Love Nature, said: “We love producers that cross genres. I think a drama producer looking to get into natural history is really exciting.”

Staudt also reflected on a recent trend in natural history viewing: audiences wanting to go beyond simply seeing animals interacting.

She said audiences are “definitely responding to programmes that are showcasing the polarities between humans and animals. We’ve long since marveled at animals’ strength or size or speed. Now we want to get inside their brains and understand their thoughts and emotions. That’s an area we’re leaning into quite heavily.”

Janet Han Vissering

Speaking during the same session, Janet Han Vissering, senior VP of development and production at Nat Geo, echoed Staudt’s comments: “We made a film a few years ago with a company called Brain Farm. And they’ve never done a natural history film; they make pro skiing videos. I said, ‘If you could portray the animals like you would portray a skier, what would that look like?’ I’d say it’s one of the most successful natural history films we’ve made. I love that new perspective.”

Han Vissering added that Nat Geo is “very open to hearing about new talent. We have our own in-house production team, with great access, that is a chaperone for those who might not be able to complete a film.”

Nat Geo recently expanded its slate for 2021 with the acquisition of Wildbear and Dogwoof’s documentary Playing With Sharks, while National Geographic Documentary Films is working on a feature on US public health expert Dr Anthony Fauci.