Ben Wallis - PD/SP

I took an original "true crime" idea of mine to Screendog and we developed the series further, following funding from a streamer. The development process required gaining sensitive access to multiple characters, conducting and recording interviews, creating a sizzle, writing a detailed outline of the 3 part series and creating a pitch deck.

I am currently working on an ad-hoc basis on the Development Team across a wide range of programmes from natural history to presenter led ob-doc series including a travelogue series which was commissioned.

I developed two passion projects, both of which were my original idea. One in the "true crime" space, the other in the "adventure" space. Two production companies agreed to partner with me, both whom had particular expertise and contacts in these areas.

Having extensive previous development experience, I came on board a funded development project for a major US streamer to secure access to sensitive stories and characters for a 4 part human/animal series. I established relations with key contributors who agreed to tell their stories, secured access to personal and sensitive UGC, developed and wrote the story scripts and helped design the series deck. The series is currently in production.

I was approached by NHK who wanted to film a unique animal behaviour that I filmed for the first time and hadn't been successfully filmed since. Thanks to my extensive experience on this story, both editorially and logistically, I joined the early stages of production to advise on, and set up, the shoot. The team went on to achieve success in August 2024.

I led the team in the planning and early filming stages of the latest Disneynature feature film (my 3rd feature film) and supporting human led documentary, both 75 minutes in length. I was key to securing sensitive access to a number of locations, set up and directed very remote and challenging shoots in Indonesia, worked closely with the PM on the budget, recce'd locations in Borneo for further filming, and wrote the character driven script outlines for both films.

Tx Earth Day 2026.

I Co-Series Produced a large team on this 10 part human/animal series about America's National Parks for National Geographic / Disney+. Working against a tight budget and timeline, I also PD'd one of the episodes. As the Co-SP, I was managed teams across all 10 episodes, was ultimately responsible for delivery of 5 and worked closely with all the producers and their teams, as well as the PM, to deliver this successful series from pre-production to delivery.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/AEdwplrrUF0

I initially worked as a Story Producer on this ground breaking series, helping other producers craft their episodes.

I went on to direct one of the shoots which revealed, for the first time, an astonishing piece of night time animal behaviour.

The series was produced by an all female team of incredible filmmakers and followed female animal characters in the natural world.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/U9azic6W1U4?si=RKiI0bv6shV65oYe

My second 75 minute Disneynature feature film, I joined the team as a Director, filming long lens behaviour in India.

Tx Earthday 2024.

I worked as a Field Director across this stunning 3 part environmental series for PBS and BBC4. I set up and filmed extensive actuality and contributor interviews as well as natural history sequences in China, Australia, Bhutan and the US.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/IWGt7ZefNYc?si=O14OlLyGK2Du0sdw

I developed this 5 part series for National Geographic and then PD'd two of the episodes - "Mountains" and "Jungles". As the lead PD series and with previous and extensive China experience, I helped out other Producers on the series across their stories and logistics. Amongst many successes, we captured incredible and rare footage of a snow leopard family for my "Mountains" episode.

Link: https://youtu.be/IAu21rgBqkU?si=2izV7_gc5DY825V5

I developed, wrote and edit produced this feature length (75 minutes) Behind The Scenes film for Disneynature/Netflix. A story of how the team filmed Pandas, Cranes, Monkeys and Chiru for the ground breaking film "Born In China".

Trailer: https://youtu.be/XEydwhXf8rU?si=hx9WmeIVfuy-O13b

Made for Disneynature and Netflix, I produced this first feature length (75minutes) "Behind The Scenes" film made - a story of how the team (including myself) spent over 250 days in remote China filming snow leopards for the ground breaking film "Born In China".

Trailer: https://youtu.be/rxuWxXl4Z5o?si=CUMLZ77UOsGx7zwg

A 9 part wildlife series for Animal Planet. I Produced and Directed two episodes and assisted other Producers across the series. I filmed in Uganda and the edited the series in Johannesburg with a South African team and other Producers from Bristol.

I worked as the Head of Development. I generated and wrote proposals and directed and edited sizzle reels for US, UK and Chinese Commissioners.

A ground breaking wildlife cinematic release (75 minutes) for Disneynature.

The film took over $25 million dollars at the box office.

I worked extensively in China filming snow leopards, chiru, pandas and golden snub nosed monkey.

I also edit produced all five behind the scenes films.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/PGJh7Zhq6SE?si=VGgk9vYEP14cPWRz

A ground breaking natural history/sync led documentary for Terra Mater and PBS showing, for the vert first time, how the changing Arctic is affecting animal behaviour. We filmed two pieces of animal behaviour for the first time and followed a scientific team uncovering new orca behaviour.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/gnktKCFhEiY?si=QSnxIH6V1QbN-hGp