A part of the #UnitedByHope campaign, the Earth Day special documentary featuring self-shot videos of Nat Geo Explorers and other experts will premiere on 22 April, 7 pm
While the world has been brought to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reports of nature reclaiming its place have been pouring in. As we adapt to the ‘new normal’, this pause has brought the human-nature relationship into perspective. Inspired by this, National Geographic, known for its authentic and immersive storytelling, is to set to premiere ‘Earth @ Home’, one-of-its-kind documentary interwoven together using self-shot footage of National Geographic experts from different corners of the world, produced entirely from home. The film will highlight the delicate connection between human actions and nature, and the lessons we can draw from this unprecedented situation. The film will premiere on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22 at 7 pm.
Entirely shot using smartphones and hand held cameras, the unique film has been directed and produced without any team member or featured speaker stepping out of their homes. In the film, Nat Geo explorers and experts will be seen sharing views on social isolation, the environment and the lessons we can take away from a life paused by the pandemic. The list of specially curated speakers features National Geographic presenter of the hit-series Primal Survivor and biologist – Hazen Audel, National Geographic photographer and founder of the Photo Ark, a multi-year documentary project to save species and their habitats – Joel Sartore, National Geographic explorers Prasenjeet Yadav and Munmun Dhalaria, wildlife conservationist Kartick Satyanarayan, photographer and installation artist Samar Singh Jodha among others.
Shruti Takulia, Creative Director and Vice President, India Productions at National Geographic says, “At National Geographic, we believe – ‘When people understand the world, they care more deeply and take responsibility for it’. This belief is stronger now as we grapple with the unprecedented events unfolding around us, which is why it was needed to get this message out on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. And we decided to do it in a unique ‘Shot at Home’ style. Inspired both in content and form by the pandemic quarantines around the globe, Earth@Home has been filmed in the very homes of our National Geographic explorers, photographers, conservationists and even outdoor adventure expert and National Geographic presenter Hazen Audel. For this documentary, our Production teams directed them virtually turning them into DOP’s, content producers, gaffers all rolled into one. The piece was then beautifully brought together by our VP – Creative Communication, Sanjay Ramachandran.”