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Mikołaj 'Mik' Bakalarz
Director of Photography
Mik's docs work spans nearly a decade of worldwide shooting, covering stories of archaeological expeditions, sports personalities, adventure and jaw-dropping true crime cases. His projects have been put forward for BAFTA Craft and twice for Emmy Awards (Cleopatra's Final Secret and Jared from Subway: Catching a Monster), as well as making 2 shortlists of Griersons (Mark Cavendish and Great Rhino Robbery). Have a look below for a selection of the latest credits.
Doc Features & Series
Cleopatra's Final Secret
Disney+ / Hulu / National Geographic
Mark Cavendish: Never Enough
Pitch International for Netflix
Dir. Alex Kiehl
Shortlisted for:
2024 Grierson in Best Sports Documentary
Nominated for:
2023 Broadcast Sports Feature Documentary of the Year
2023 Sports Journalists Association Documentary of the Year
Intimate and captivating, this feature documentary charts the meteoric rise tragic downfall and unbelievable comeback of professional cyclist Mark Cavendish.
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My role: DOP
One of multiple DOPs involved in the project throughout the making of it, I shot multiple interviews as well as some of the actuality sequences with Mark and Peta
Dir. Alex Kiehl
Shortlisted for:
2024 Grierson in Best Sports Documentary
Nominated for:
2023 Broadcast Sports Feature Documentary of the Year
2023 Sports Journalists Association Documentary of the Year
Intimate and captivating, this feature documentary charts the meteoric rise tragic downfall and unbelievable comeback of professional cyclist Mark Cavendish.
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My role: DOP
One of multiple DOPs involved in the project throughout the making of it, I shot multiple interviews as well as some of the actuality sequences with Mark and Peta
SAS: Who Dares Wins - Series 7
Minnow Films for Channel 4
Season 7 (and Celebrity Season 4) of the popular Channel 4 Adventure/Reality series following a group of recruits going through the grueling SAS selection process on location in Jordan.
Series Directed by: Chris Bairstow
Produced by Minnow Films
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My Role: Camera Operator
Working with the DoP, 4 Shooting PDs and a 2-man Drone team.
Shooting off-rig sequences as B-camera for the entire Civilian and Celeb series.
Climbing, Hiking, flying inside military aircraft.
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Photo Credit: Pete Dadds
Season 7 (and Celebrity Season 4) of the popular Channel 4 Adventure/Reality series following a group of recruits going through the grueling SAS selection process on location in Jordan.
Series Directed by: Chris Bairstow
Produced by Minnow Films
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My Role: Camera Operator
Working with the DoP, 4 Shooting PDs and a 2-man Drone team.
Shooting off-rig sequences as B-camera for the entire Civilian and Celeb series.
Climbing, Hiking, flying inside military aircraft.
=====
Photo Credit: Pete Dadds
Extreme Rescues
Arrow Pictures for Nat Geo
ARROW PICTURES REINVENTS SURVIVAL IN A NEW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SERIES
Arrow Pictures has made Extreme Rescues, a 6x60 returnable series, for National Geographic Channel (broadcast as Rescued in the UK). Through the innovative use of User Generated Content (UGC), the series tells the stories of some of the most gripping, real-life rescue situations told for the first time.
Ludie Ridout, Executive Producer, says: “Dashcams, body cams, helmet cams, GoPros and drones enable us to capture second-by-second detail of some truly perilous situations. What our viewers see is the actuality of real-life events unfolding, getting closer to the action like never before. By using UGC we are also able to take the viewer to some of the most remote parts of the planet, without roads, phones, or emergency services to hand, by having access to the UGC that was recorded by people at that moment. It’s an extremely powerful series.”
Each programme allows viewers to experience the story from the moment tragedy strikes, following every beat of the rescue operation as it unfolds. The UGC content is intercut with powerful interview footage of the rescuers, the survivors and the helpless and anxious family members who waited to hear news of their loved ones.
John Smithson, Creative Director, Arrow Pictures, says: “The challenge with survival programming is how to put the audience in the raw of the moment as something goes wrong. They want to experience as much of the jeopardy and heightened emotion as possible. This series draws on our extensive experience in this genre, giving the viewer even more of a front-row seat because of the exceptional UGC we have used. This isn’t about using UGC clips, this places UGC at the heart of each and every programme. No matter how rough the quality of the UGC, it’s the real deal and packs so much more power than by using recreation.”
Arrow is a leader in the survival genre with programming including: Nightmare on Everest for Channel 4; feature documentary Sherpa for Universal, Screen Australia and Discovery; and Mayday: The Passenger Who Landed a Plane for Channel 4. I Shouldn’t Be Alive, the hit returning series for Channel 4 and Discovery Channel; the multi-award-winning box office hit Touching the Void; and Oscar-nominated feature film 127 Hours are all part of John Smithson’s creative portfolio.
The series is Exec Produced by Lucie Ridout for Arrow Pictures and John Smithson is Creative Director.
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My Role:
Series DP - I Established the shooting style for the series and I was part of the first of 3 shooting teams. For our block we travelled to Vancouver Island, Montreal, Vermont, North Carolina, Arizona and Costa Rica, covering 5 stories, before being sent to France to pick up another one.
The shoot involved us climbing down into an underground cave system in Canada, using ropes and a harness, which as an experienced climber I was comfortable with doing. We also hiked a mountain in a 40 degree heat in Arizona and spent a couple of days at sea on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
My shoots directed by Nick Miller & Tristan Goodley
ARROW PICTURES REINVENTS SURVIVAL IN A NEW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SERIES
Arrow Pictures has made Extreme Rescues, a 6x60 returnable series, for National Geographic Channel (broadcast as Rescued in the UK). Through the innovative use of User Generated Content (UGC), the series tells the stories of some of the most gripping, real-life rescue situations told for the first time.
Ludie Ridout, Executive Producer, says: “Dashcams, body cams, helmet cams, GoPros and drones enable us to capture second-by-second detail of some truly perilous situations. What our viewers see is the actuality of real-life events unfolding, getting closer to the action like never before. By using UGC we are also able to take the viewer to some of the most remote parts of the planet, without roads, phones, or emergency services to hand, by having access to the UGC that was recorded by people at that moment. It’s an extremely powerful series.”
Each programme allows viewers to experience the story from the moment tragedy strikes, following every beat of the rescue operation as it unfolds. The UGC content is intercut with powerful interview footage of the rescuers, the survivors and the helpless and anxious family members who waited to hear news of their loved ones.
John Smithson, Creative Director, Arrow Pictures, says: “The challenge with survival programming is how to put the audience in the raw of the moment as something goes wrong. They want to experience as much of the jeopardy and heightened emotion as possible. This series draws on our extensive experience in this genre, giving the viewer even more of a front-row seat because of the exceptional UGC we have used. This isn’t about using UGC clips, this places UGC at the heart of each and every programme. No matter how rough the quality of the UGC, it’s the real deal and packs so much more power than by using recreation.”
Arrow is a leader in the survival genre with programming including: Nightmare on Everest for Channel 4; feature documentary Sherpa for Universal, Screen Australia and Discovery; and Mayday: The Passenger Who Landed a Plane for Channel 4. I Shouldn’t Be Alive, the hit returning series for Channel 4 and Discovery Channel; the multi-award-winning box office hit Touching the Void; and Oscar-nominated feature film 127 Hours are all part of John Smithson’s creative portfolio.
The series is Exec Produced by Lucie Ridout for Arrow Pictures and John Smithson is Creative Director.
=====
My Role:
Series DP - I Established the shooting style for the series and I was part of the first of 3 shooting teams. For our block we travelled to Vancouver Island, Montreal, Vermont, North Carolina, Arizona and Costa Rica, covering 5 stories, before being sent to France to pick up another one.
The shoot involved us climbing down into an underground cave system in Canada, using ropes and a harness, which as an experienced climber I was comfortable with doing. We also hiked a mountain in a 40 degree heat in Arizona and spent a couple of days at sea on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
My shoots directed by Nick Miller & Tristan Goodley
Drain the Oceans: London
MSP TV for Nat Geo
London is one of the most iconic and powerful cities on Earth. But how did London, the center of a vast empire, once the undisputed capital of the English-speaking world, become so dominant? Through a series of astonishing maritime discoveries, Drain the Oceans reveals the secret story of the city's meteoric rise.
Directed by: Sam Miller
Produced by: MSP TV
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My Role:
Drone Operator
2nd Camera Operator
London is one of the most iconic and powerful cities on Earth. But how did London, the center of a vast empire, once the undisputed capital of the English-speaking world, become so dominant? Through a series of astonishing maritime discoveries, Drain the Oceans reveals the secret story of the city's meteoric rise.
Directed by: Sam Miller
Produced by: MSP TV
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My Role:
Drone Operator
2nd Camera Operator
Locked Up Abroad
Raw TV for Nat Geo
The new season includes the extraordinary adventures of David Kunkel who smuggles 100lbs of hash from Afghanistan hidden in a Land Rover; the jaw dropping tale of wrongly imprisoned Carlos Quijas who joins a Mexican cartel in order to survive; and government operative Keith Stansell, taken hostage after his plane crashes in the Colombian jungle.
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My Role:
Season 13: Interview DP
Season 12: Drama 2nd Unit DP
On location in Tunisia I was a 2nd camera operator alongside DP Paul Jenkins for 4 days, before being sent off to the desert to shoot travel sequences with a crew of 10, action vehicle and a drone operator. I directed and shot those as well as managed the crew with a local fixer.
Episode Directed by Crispin Reece
The new season includes the extraordinary adventures of David Kunkel who smuggles 100lbs of hash from Afghanistan hidden in a Land Rover; the jaw dropping tale of wrongly imprisoned Carlos Quijas who joins a Mexican cartel in order to survive; and government operative Keith Stansell, taken hostage after his plane crashes in the Colombian jungle.
=====
My Role:
Season 13: Interview DP
Season 12: Drama 2nd Unit DP
On location in Tunisia I was a 2nd camera operator alongside DP Paul Jenkins for 4 days, before being sent off to the desert to shoot travel sequences with a crew of 10, action vehicle and a drone operator. I directed and shot those as well as managed the crew with a local fixer.
Episode Directed by Crispin Reece
The Great Rhino Robbery
BBC Studios for Sky Documentaries
Dir. Jesse Vile
Shortlisted for:
2024 Grierson Best Natural History or Environmental Documentary
In 2011, regional museums and auction houses across Britain are hit by a bizarre crime spree. Despite holding millions of pounds worth of precious artefacts, only one item has been targeted during each robbery: rhino horn. As this strange crime wave sweeps through Europe and beyond, rhino numbers are shrinking as their horns become more valuable than gold in the dark, illegal, world of animal poaching and trafficking. This documentary unpicks the story behind why the Rhino is facing extinction and the race to catch the people responsible – before it’s too late.
Filmed on location in South Africa and Ireland.
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My Role:
Documentary Director of Photography
Dir. Jesse Vile
Shortlisted for:
2024 Grierson Best Natural History or Environmental Documentary
In 2011, regional museums and auction houses across Britain are hit by a bizarre crime spree. Despite holding millions of pounds worth of precious artefacts, only one item has been targeted during each robbery: rhino horn. As this strange crime wave sweeps through Europe and beyond, rhino numbers are shrinking as their horns become more valuable than gold in the dark, illegal, world of animal poaching and trafficking. This documentary unpicks the story behind why the Rhino is facing extinction and the race to catch the people responsible – before it’s too late.
Filmed on location in South Africa and Ireland.
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My Role:
Documentary Director of Photography
Royal Mob
Nutopia for Sky History
The Royal Mob tells the saga of the extended royal family that once ruled the whole of Europe, and how their loves, marriages and feuds dragged the continent into the world’s first total war and violent revolution.
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My Role: A-Camera Operator, Sony Venice
The Royal Mob tells the saga of the extended royal family that once ruled the whole of Europe, and how their loves, marriages and feuds dragged the continent into the world’s first total war and violent revolution.
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My Role: A-Camera Operator, Sony Venice
Jesus: Crown of Thorns
Nutopia for Fox
Generation 9/11
Arrow Pictures for PBS / Channel 4 / Arte
ARROW PICTURES' GENERATION 9/11, A 3-WAY COMMISSION FROM PBS, ARTE FRANCE AND CHANNEL 4, TAKES A UNIQUE LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE 9/11 TRAGEDY ON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY.
An estimated one hundred and eight children were in their mother’s womb when they lost their fathers in the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. Generation 9/11 (1 x 120 mins) is an intimate film telling the stories of their children, born in the wake of their deaths.
Following the lives of this unique group of teenagers, Generation 9/11 will document what’s happened to them and their families in the 20 years following al-Qaeda’s assault. Whilst the film weaves together shared chapters of the lives of these children - their first day of school; the first time the absence of their father was felt; the moment they learned how their father died - it also serves as a lens to look at the broader world.
Generation 9/11 will follow its protagonists on their personal journey over the last 20 years using a combination of new footage, family photos and home archives. It follows in the footsteps of a range of 9/11 films for which John Smithson has been responsible, including the Emmy-nominated 9/11: Phone Calls From The Towers (1 x 90 for Channel 4) and the BAFTA-nominated 9/11: The Falling Man (1x 90 for Channel 4/Discovery Channel).
Generation 9/11 is directed by Liz Mermin. An award-winning filmmaker who has directed high-profile documentaries for Netflix, BBC, CNN, PBS, Sundance Channel, many more, Mermin’s films include First Ladies, detailed portraits of Michelle Obama and Nancy Reagan for CNN; and The Beauty Academy of Kabul for BBC Storyville. Lucie Ridout is the film’s Executive Producer.
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My Role:
Remote Camera Director of Photography - During lockdowns, when crews were not allowed to film, I worked with a remote camera rig sent to contributors and operated it remotely to film observational footage and interviews with all of the characters in their homes.
ARROW PICTURES' GENERATION 9/11, A 3-WAY COMMISSION FROM PBS, ARTE FRANCE AND CHANNEL 4, TAKES A UNIQUE LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE 9/11 TRAGEDY ON ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY.
An estimated one hundred and eight children were in their mother’s womb when they lost their fathers in the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. Generation 9/11 (1 x 120 mins) is an intimate film telling the stories of their children, born in the wake of their deaths.
Following the lives of this unique group of teenagers, Generation 9/11 will document what’s happened to them and their families in the 20 years following al-Qaeda’s assault. Whilst the film weaves together shared chapters of the lives of these children - their first day of school; the first time the absence of their father was felt; the moment they learned how their father died - it also serves as a lens to look at the broader world.
Generation 9/11 will follow its protagonists on their personal journey over the last 20 years using a combination of new footage, family photos and home archives. It follows in the footsteps of a range of 9/11 films for which John Smithson has been responsible, including the Emmy-nominated 9/11: Phone Calls From The Towers (1 x 90 for Channel 4) and the BAFTA-nominated 9/11: The Falling Man (1x 90 for Channel 4/Discovery Channel).
Generation 9/11 is directed by Liz Mermin. An award-winning filmmaker who has directed high-profile documentaries for Netflix, BBC, CNN, PBS, Sundance Channel, many more, Mermin’s films include First Ladies, detailed portraits of Michelle Obama and Nancy Reagan for CNN; and The Beauty Academy of Kabul for BBC Storyville. Lucie Ridout is the film’s Executive Producer.
=====
My Role:
Remote Camera Director of Photography - During lockdowns, when crews were not allowed to film, I worked with a remote camera rig sent to contributors and operated it remotely to film observational footage and interviews with all of the characters in their homes.
This is Football
October Films for Amazon Prime.
A documentary series that captures the emotions, stories, passions and triumphs surrounding the international sport of football.
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My Role:
2nd Camera Operator on 1 episode
A documentary series that captures the emotions, stories, passions and triumphs surrounding the international sport of football.
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My Role:
2nd Camera Operator on 1 episode
Intruders
Arrow Media for Animal Planet
If you thought you were safe at home, think again! Wild creatures and other pests who should be living outdoors make their way into your house on Animal Planet’s new series, INTRUDERS. The six-part series reveals real-life stories of homeowners fighting back to reclaim their homes when they’ve been invaded by snakes, over-run with rats, crawling with cockroaches and broken into by bears, among other invasions. INTRUDERS premieres Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10PM.
Determined to make dwellings their own, creatures and pests gnaw, slither and smash their way in. First-hand story telling along with home videos and dramatic recreations tell the stories of those who fight through fear and the unknown to keep their families safe and take back their indoor and outdoor spaces. No matter the outcome, home will never be the same again.
“Intruders is full of edge-of-your-seat drama, giving audiences an intimate look at homeowner’s worst nightmare. These are the ultimate can’t-look-away stories, told as only the people who lived through them can,” said Erin Wanner, Vice President of Production, Animal Planet.
“Animal Planet is the perfect home for Intruders, a series packed full of compelling and dramatic stories that take place right at the intersection where the people and animal worlds collide,” said Howard Swartz, Executive Vice President of Development and Production, Arrow Media.
INTRUDERS is produced for Animal Planet by Arrow Media where Nick Metcalfe and Howard Swartz and serve as executive producers. For Animal Planet, Lisa Lucas is executive producer and Patrick Keegan is supervising producer.
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My Role: Documentary DoP - I spent 6 weeks in Dallas, Texas, shooting studio interviews for the entire series.
If you thought you were safe at home, think again! Wild creatures and other pests who should be living outdoors make their way into your house on Animal Planet’s new series, INTRUDERS. The six-part series reveals real-life stories of homeowners fighting back to reclaim their homes when they’ve been invaded by snakes, over-run with rats, crawling with cockroaches and broken into by bears, among other invasions. INTRUDERS premieres Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10PM.
Determined to make dwellings their own, creatures and pests gnaw, slither and smash their way in. First-hand story telling along with home videos and dramatic recreations tell the stories of those who fight through fear and the unknown to keep their families safe and take back their indoor and outdoor spaces. No matter the outcome, home will never be the same again.
“Intruders is full of edge-of-your-seat drama, giving audiences an intimate look at homeowner’s worst nightmare. These are the ultimate can’t-look-away stories, told as only the people who lived through them can,” said Erin Wanner, Vice President of Production, Animal Planet.
“Animal Planet is the perfect home for Intruders, a series packed full of compelling and dramatic stories that take place right at the intersection where the people and animal worlds collide,” said Howard Swartz, Executive Vice President of Development and Production, Arrow Media.
INTRUDERS is produced for Animal Planet by Arrow Media where Nick Metcalfe and Howard Swartz and serve as executive producers. For Animal Planet, Lisa Lucas is executive producer and Patrick Keegan is supervising producer.
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My Role: Documentary DoP - I spent 6 weeks in Dallas, Texas, shooting studio interviews for the entire series.
Rise of the Machines: Mega Plane
Windfall Films for Discovery
This episodes explores the engineering secrets of the Airbus Beluga ST freight plane as it races to deliver multi-million-dollar aircraft parts to assembly lines across the world.
Mega sized and capable of transporting 47 tons at a time, two turbo jet engines propel it through the air with the power of almost two F22 fighter jets.
Blowing this incredible machine apart with CGI reveals an enormous cargo space that can hold 4 entire wings and a high-tech loading system capable of shifting massive cargo in minutes. Incredibly strong landing gear and brakes bring this monster plane to the ground safely without even a jolt.
Producer & Directors:
Freya Williams
Joby Lubman
Assistant Producer:
George Hill
Editor:
Alex Rees
CGI Producer:
Matthew Chancellor
CGI Researcher:
Charlie Rodwell
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My Role:
DoP on the Mega Plane episode, shooting in Hamburg at the AIRBUS facility, covering the landing and unloading of the Beluga, as well as going inside the plane to interview the pilot
This episodes explores the engineering secrets of the Airbus Beluga ST freight plane as it races to deliver multi-million-dollar aircraft parts to assembly lines across the world.
Mega sized and capable of transporting 47 tons at a time, two turbo jet engines propel it through the air with the power of almost two F22 fighter jets.
Blowing this incredible machine apart with CGI reveals an enormous cargo space that can hold 4 entire wings and a high-tech loading system capable of shifting massive cargo in minutes. Incredibly strong landing gear and brakes bring this monster plane to the ground safely without even a jolt.
Producer & Directors:
Freya Williams
Joby Lubman
Assistant Producer:
George Hill
Editor:
Alex Rees
CGI Producer:
Matthew Chancellor
CGI Researcher:
Charlie Rodwell
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My Role:
DoP on the Mega Plane episode, shooting in Hamburg at the AIRBUS facility, covering the landing and unloading of the Beluga, as well as going inside the plane to interview the pilot
John Farnham: Finding the Voice
Australian Theatrical Release - Beyond Productions
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My Role: Additional Photography - UK
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My Role: Additional Photography - UK
Untold Arctic Wars
NTRNZ Media
”Untold Arctic Wars” is a series about the least known battles of World War II
Award-winning production house NTRNZ media has started the production of a new, six-part documentary series about battles in the Arctic areas during the second World War. Distribution rights have already been sold to Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Filming begins in summer 2020 and takes place in Finland and Europe, as well as North America.
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My Role: Camera Op & Fixer for a London-based GV shoot.
For this 6-part series, I was recommended to NTRNZ Media to shoot some London-based B-roll during the long Covid Pandemic lockdown in early 2021
”Untold Arctic Wars” is a series about the least known battles of World War II
Award-winning production house NTRNZ media has started the production of a new, six-part documentary series about battles in the Arctic areas during the second World War. Distribution rights have already been sold to Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Filming begins in summer 2020 and takes place in Finland and Europe, as well as North America.
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My Role: Camera Op & Fixer for a London-based GV shoot.
For this 6-part series, I was recommended to NTRNZ Media to shoot some London-based B-roll during the long Covid Pandemic lockdown in early 2021
Genius by Stephen Hawking
Bigger Bang TV for Nat Geo
This series helps ordinary people understand the science behind the big questions of life, the universe, and time travel .
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My Role: This was one of my final Assistant Producer jobs before embarking on a career-changing dive into cinematography. I was responsible for producing tasks for 2 of the 6 episodes and assisting on location in Nevada desert.
This series helps ordinary people understand the science behind the big questions of life, the universe, and time travel .
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My Role: This was one of my final Assistant Producer jobs before embarking on a career-changing dive into cinematography. I was responsible for producing tasks for 2 of the 6 episodes and assisting on location in Nevada desert.
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