QUEST FOR THE LOST CIVILISATION (3x 52') / Channel 4 (UK) / Discovery (US)
..a bit dated, perhaps, but still probably the best (and most popular) series I've produced.
Author Graham Hancock on an epic global journey arguing for the existence of a forgotten civilisation that worshipped the stars and left it's fingerprints on some of the world's greatest ancient temples.
Here's part of the intro from Heaven's Mirror (prog 1)
Director: Tim Copestake Camera: Colin Clarke Editor: Allen Charlton Independent Image
I did the underwater photography in this next clip from Ancient Mariners (prog 3)
The series was shot entirely on Super 16mm film in Egypt, Cambodia, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, France, Outer Hebrides. (A crew of three, plus Tim and me, transporting about half a ton of equipment!)
‘Epic sweeping aerial shots add style to the substance’ Time Out
‘Terrific stuff and TV at its best’ The Express
‘Fascinating stuff’ The Daily Mail
The follow up series FLOODED KINGDOMS OF THE ICE AGE was shot on Digibeta - but with decent 'film effecting' in post. Filmed in Malta, Bimini, India, Japan, Taiwan, Maldives. Same team but this sequel series produced by DIverse Productions, exec-ed by Roy Ackerman, rather than my dad at Independent Image and we had an additional cutting room and editor, Brad Manning.
As well as directing the odd shoot, I made the first film with Brad, clips below..
Including the research and development, these two series took over 5 years of my time!
‘..archaeology, beautiful locations, lots of fantastic underwater shots… and a great story’ Evening Standard
'History is the new rock’n’roll..’ The Independent
'thought provoking' The Observer
EXPLORATIONS (13 x 24') National Geographic / BBC World
As Series Producer, I built and ran a team of ten (five directors) to create a new cutting-edge science series. Dramatic narratives weave through a mix of specially shot material and the best BBC Science output.
Here's a clip from TOTAL RECALL - how stress effects memory. (My brother directed this one.)
MOOD FOOD - I'd be trying unsuccessfully for years to get this idea commissioned.. how everything you ingest has a psychoactive effect. Here's a stylish clip one of Matt Catling's films (edited by Dan Crouch)
FIRST IMPRESSIONS - the science of attraction. Another film from Matt. This was shortlisted for the FOCAL INTERNATIONAL awards for integration of archive into specially shot material.