The secret behind the Meerkat Superstars - with writer director Caroline Hawkins

The DocFix Documentary Storytelling Podcast

This conversation tells the tale behind the meerkat soap opera superstars, a venture that started as a documentary idea and blossomed into a series with a massive following (fans include Tom Cruise and Robert Redford). The series creator Caroline Hawkins takes us from conception to realization, involving a trip to Cambridge University, convincing a meerkat expert, and the challenges of shooting in the wild. This is an insight into the reality of the creator's journey.
We also discuss how natural history filmmaking is often bound by convention, and the challenges of attemption to push the boundaries. You'll uncover the importance of risk-taking in this industry and the incredible impact of drama composers in this realm. During production of the natural history thriller Fatal Attractions, hear about how we coped with the pressure during filming, drawing inspiration from renowned directors like David Fincher and Steven Spielberg to deliver what was promised.
As filmmakers, it's a constant battle to create something meaningful that resonates deeply with the audience. This episode is packed with insights into the importance of understanding your audience and designing stories to deliver a greater meaning. Discover the struggle of finding succinctly expressed stories and how making a documentary can sometimes become a passion project.
We wrap the episode by revealing the critical role of risk-taking in the industry and how to make the most important stories - that talk about the problems in the world - into compelling and meaningful narratives. Not everything has to be feel-good, when the storytelling is done right.
Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or an everyday person looking for an inspiring behind-the-scenes story, this episode promises a wealth of insights and inspiration.

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Incidental music composed by Birger Clausen