Native Planet Documentary Series

In the fight to protect Mother Earth, the host Simon Baker takes a global journey to native communities passionately defending their way of life against overwhelming environmental threats. From New Zealand to Ecuador, Hawaii to Australia, Native Planet is a six part documentary series that transports the viewer to the front lines of the Indigenous fight to protect the planet. Produced by Canadian company Realworld Media, the series endeavors to examine unique relationships first peoples have with the environment and conflicts they are currently facing. The first season is not afraid to address various threats to the culture - including predatory practices of multinational corporations and complicit involvement of local governments.

The opening sequence attempts to explore the Native outlook on the world and our environment. It  has to introduce our host, Simon Baker and the many locations globally that he will visit. Simultaneously, themes within each episode should appear - issues of conservation, Indigenous threats and community. Timing for the introduction sequence is limited, so the story must be told quickly yet effectively. An original score is created for the sequence.

For the opening, consideration was given to the special relationship Indigenous cultures have with their environment. The circle is a particularly potent symbol in native cultures - it is a sacred symbol representing the interdependence of all forms of life. It is a key symbol in Native spirituality signifying family structure and gatherings of people. In the broad scope of native life, it deals with all things related to life on Earth, the heavenly bodies and the stars of the universe. Understanding this philosophy, we utilized the icosahedron, a three dimensional version of the circle, with special meaning of its own - water as a life form. It opens to reveal Indigenous concerns and philosophies across the globe.