CV
ELLA AL-SHAMAHI: HUMAN.
BBC TWO / BBC STUDIOS
April ’24 – Mar ‘25
Produced and directed episode of BBC landmark on human evolution, filming in UAE, Sri Lanka and remote Indonesia.
SOLAR SYSTEM
BBC TWO / BBC STUDIOS
Jan ’23 to March ‘24
Produced and directed ep1 (Volcano Worlds) and ep 5 (Strange Worlds) of prof. Brian Cox landmark BBC series.
EARTH
BBC TWO / BBC STUDIOS
Feb ’22 to Nov’22
Produced and Directed "Snowball" episode of landmark Chris Packham BBC TWO project charting the history of the planet.
EARTHSTORM
NETFLIX / Wall to Wall
Oct ’21 to Dec ‘21
Produced and directed location sequences for series on natural disasters, including highly sensitive survivor interviews, as well as expert testimony.
SPECTACULAR EARTH
BBC WW / BBC STUDIOS
Mar ’21 Sept’21
Produced and directed the “Lightning” episode of the series based on natural phenomena. The episode followed a team of experts as they tried to capture lightning storms in Arizona. Also involved writing and remote producing secondary stories, including the seasonal Sardine run off the coast of South Africa.
ONE CUP, A THOUSAND STORIES
BBC Studios
Jan ‘21 to Feb ‘21
Produced and remote directed sequences for this ambitious, blue chip series detailing the history and culture of tea drinking. Involved working and directing local team in Ecuador.
KILLERS OF THE COSMOS
Discovery+ / Wall to Wall
May ‘20 to Jan ’21
Developed, produced and directed (both remote and in person via zoom) location sequences for innovative series that combined expert sequences with stylised drama to explore cosmic threats to earth..
CORONA VIRUS: A HORIZON SPECIAL
BBC TWO / BBC STUDIOS
April, ‘20
Produced and directed sections for a quick turnaround episode of the landmark science strand, covering the latest scientific developments in the fight against corona virus.
BECOMING YOU
APPLE TV / Wall to Wall
Sept ’19 to Dec ‘19
Wrote, developed and directed additional sequences and footage for this ground-breaking specialist factual series. Involved taking classic specialist factual content and giving it a blue-chip drama aesthetic style.
ALIEN WORLDS
Producer/Director
NETFLIX / Wall to Wall
March ’19 to Sept ‘19
Produced and directed the science based location sequences for episode 3 “Eden”, as well as additional sequences across this innovative factual sci-fi series. Involved filming in large format to the highest cinematic standards in locations across the world.
LOST SECRETS OF THE MAYA SNAKE KINGS
National Geographic / Wild Blue Media
Nov ’18 to March ‘19
Returning series charting new revelations about the Maya civilisation. Produced and directed complex, presenter led location shoot in Mexico and San Diego, including rope access and diving. Then edit produced 1 ep.
OPERATION: LIVE
Channel 5 / The Garden
Sept ’18 to Nov ‘18
Ground-breaking live television event featuring 3 nights of live surgery. Produced and directed episode 3 (removing the tumour) both through pre-live shooting and the live show, as well as helping run the edit and EVS during the first two episodes' live broadcasts.
STRIP THE COSMOS
Discovery Science
March ’18 to Sept ‘18
Produced, self-shot (FS7) and edit produced 2x 50 min space documentaries for Discovery Science. Involved 21-day US shoot capturing ongoing observations and experiments.
EXPEDITION VOLCANO
BBC TWO
Jan ’17 to Dec ‘17
Produced and directed ep 2 of landmark series following a scientific expedition to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo. Developed a compelling narrative covering both the complex geology, and the human story of the influence of the volcanoes on life in the region, from child soldiers to rangers protecting mountain gorillas. Involved filming with new talent, exhaustive access negotiations and extreme physical filming conditions. Also edit produced NOVA/PBS version of ep.
SKY AT NIGHT - JUNO: MISSION TO JUPITER
BBC FOUR
Directed, self-shot and managed access at JPL, Pasadena, capturing the crucial moments and events during the arrival of the Juno probe into orbit around Jupiter.
DANGEROUS EARTH: TORNADO
DANGEROUS EARTH: AURORA
BBC FOUR/BBC Worldwide Combined incredible eyewitness footage with visually strong and engaging studio-based presenter sections and demonstrations to tell the story of the inner workings of the Earth's most spectacular natural wonders.
SKY AT NIGHT SPECIAL, GOODBYE ROSETTA
BBC FOUR Directed, self-shot and managed access at the European Space Agency as the Rosetta mission reached its dramatic conclusion, capturing the behind the scenes action as it unfolded, all under intense time pressures.
THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE UNIVERSE
BBC FOUR Developed, produced and directed episode 2, the End. Created a strong visual style and compelling narrative from disparate and complex scientific theories, concepts and events.
Overseas filming locations:
Belgium, the Canary Islands, the DRC, Egypt, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Mexico, Namibia, Norway, Palau, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad, UAE, the US and Hawaii.
References:
Matt Barrett (latest) matt.barrett@bbc.co.uk Gideon Bradshaw (Solar System) gideon.bradshaw@bbc.com Tim Lambert (Earthstorm) tim.lambert@walltowall.co.uk Paul King (series producer – Maya Snake Kings): Paulvcking@gmail.com Emma Jay (Series Producer – Operation: Live): Emma@Emmajay.co.uk