The Year The Earth Went Wild and Predators in Paradise

3 November 2011

Pioneer Productions commissioned to make two, one-hour, fast-turnaround documentaries for Channel 4.

Hamish Mykura, Head of Documentaries for Channel 4 has commissioned the programmes.  The first will explore the natural disasters of the last year, the lives lost and incredible stories of those who survived; and the second will examine the truth behind the recent spate of wild animal attacks in holiday destinations. 

The Year The Earth Went Wild looks back at a year when almost every month there was a natural disaster, from killer earthquakes to record numbers of tornadoes, spectacular volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and one unforgettable tsunami. With exclusive interviews with geological and weather specialists, with those first on the scene and with survivors, the documentary paints a stark reality of the powerful forces that can cause such mayhem.

Predators in Paradise explores the recent spate of animal attacks on holiday makers and travellers who set out on trips of a lifetime, only to see them go savagely and sometimes tragically wrong. The horrifying polar bear attacks in August on a school party; crocodile attacks in Malawi, a startlingly regular occurrence; as well as the shocking story of shark attacks in the Seychelles and Egypt.  The programme meets the people affected and examines the behavioural science of habituation - the increased contact with humans that lead to animals no longer fearing man.

Pioneer Productions, Head of Development, Jeremy Dear, said:  "Both of these fast turnround films explore our relationship with the natural world and what happens when that relationship goes wrong.  Despite all our technology and sophistication, the events of both films underline how Nature still has the power to bite back."  

Channel 4 Head of Documentaries, Hamish Mykura, said: "After seeing such dramatic events in 2011, these documentaries are a timely reflection upon the might of the natural world and its impact on our lives."

The Executive Producer for Pioneer is Stuart Carter.

Both programmes will be distributed by Mentorn International.

 

Note to Editors

Pioneer Productions has a reputation for producing a number of fast-turnaround documentaries. The most recent programmes have included: Steve Jobs: iChanged The World; Buried Alive; The Volcano That Stopped The World; Haiti Killer Quake: Why It Happened and Britain's Biggest Freeze - all for Channel 4.