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Ben Lawrie is an award-winning producer, director and writer based in New Zealand.

 

He makes films for global brands and international broadcasters.

His work has received many millions of views worldwide.

Projects include the BAFTA-nominated Plane Crash, the biggest stunt ever filmed for television, and Going Electric, the global launch film for Jaguar's first electric car.

He has filmed worldwide, in locations as varied as the battlefields of the Vietnam War, the Venezuelan jungle (pictured here directing an abseil sequence down Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall), and in the stratosphere with NASA.

Recent work includes a major new earth science series released worldwide in 2024. 

Ben Lawrie Director

commercial work

Extensive work with prestigious global brands, including the global launch film for Jaguar's first electric car.

LOCATIONS

Cities, deserts, mountains and jungles.

Australia, Madagascar, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Nepal, Bhutan, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador (Galapagos), Venezuela, Mexico, Canada, USA (California, Hawaii, Alaska, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Ohio, Virginia, New York, Washington, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Indiana, Wyoming), Turkey, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Iceland, UK.

companies & organisations

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FILMOGRAPHY

LOST TREASURES OF ANGKOR: ANCIENT LAOS REVEALED

Executive Producer

An incredible discovery of ancient treasure in Laos opens a new window into the origins of one of the greatest civilisations in history.

2x44' for Nat Geo; 2x55' for PBS & SBS; 1x90' for Arte [NHNZWW] – coming soon!

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DYNAMIC PLANET

Series Producer & Writer

“Monumental” – Hollywood News

Epic series filmed over 3 years on all seven continents.  A journey to the extremes revealing how science, nature and indigenous knowledge can prepare us for a fast-changing world.  Narrated by NZ actor Cliff Curtis (Avatar, Fast & Furious, Once were Warriors).

4x53' for PBS, Arte & Sky [NHNZWW] – 2024

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LIMITLESS WITH CHRIS HEMSWORTH

Producer

“Illuminating” – New Scientist

Chris Hemsworth (Thor in the Marvel movies) embarks on an epic mission to transform himself, training for six extraordinary challenges.

6x50’ for National Geographic / Disney+ [Nutopia] – 2022

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WELCOME TO EARTH

Producer

“Hollywood blockbuster of a nature show” – The Guardian

Global superstar Will Smith explores Earth’s greatest wonders and its most surprising hidden secrets.

6x40’ for National Geographic / Disney+ [Nutopia] – 2021

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JAGUAR: GOING ELECTRIC

Director / Executive Producer

Documentary feature telling the remarkable story of Jaguar's first ever electric car.  Narrated by British actor Mark Strong (1917, Kingsman, The Imitation Game).  Filmed in Italy, Germany, Austria & UK.

1x57’ for Jaguar / Amazon Prime [Flying Mile Films] – 2018

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JAGUAR I-PACE: GLOBAL LAUNCH FILM

Director / Executive Producer
Global launch film for the new Jaguar I-PACE.  Transmitted to a live global audience on Facebook Live.  

1x17’ for Jaguar [Flying Mile Films] – 2018

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TECH FEST

Director / Executive Producer
The inside story of Tech Fest, a major new annual event investigating the future of urban mobility. Filmed over two days at Central St Martins.  Presented by TV personality George Lamb.   

1x15’ for Land Rover [Flying Mile Films] – 2017

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THE MAKING OF AN ICON

Director
An exclusive look inside Land Rover's high tech design and engineering studios during the production of a stunning new car.

1x48’ for Land Rover [Sundog Pictures] – 2017

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THE CRAFTING OF SIMPLICITY 

Director
Global launch film for the new Range Rover Velar, narrated by British actor Damian Lewis (Homeland, Band of Brothers).

1x15’ for Land Rover [Sundog Pictures] – 2017

GALAPAGOS 

Series Director & Producer
“Genuinely astonishing” – Daily Telegraph
Presenter & team of experts on an epic voyage of discovery through the Galapagos islands.

3x60’ BBC1/Worldwide [Atlantic Productions] – 2017

 

THE DAY THE DINOSAURS DIED 

Director
“Intriguing” – Washington Post
Landmark, presenter-led project following a crack team of scientists on an expedition in Mexico.

1x60’ BBC2/NOVA [Barcroft Productions] – 2017

CITY IN THE SKY

Producer / Director
“Fresh and fascinating” – The Guardian
Landmark series presented by Dallas Campbell. Director of various sequences in UK and overseas, including a dramatic aerial opening sequence filmed in Bhutan.
3x60’ BBC2/PBS [BBC Science] – 2016

 

EXTREME MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE

Series Director & Producer

“Must-see TV” – The Sun
Landmark presenter-led adventure series filmed in the Venezuelan jungle. Rock climbing, caving and a stunning abseil off the top of the highest waterfall in the world.

2x60’ BBC2 [BBC Science] – 2016

 

JUNGLE ATLANTIS

Producer / Director
“Fascinating” – The Sunday Times
The epic rise and fall of the civilisation that built Angkor Wat. Landmark history series filmed in Vietnam & Cambodia.
2x60’ BBC2/Smithsonian [BBC History] – 2014

 

THE PLANE CRASH

Producer / Director
“A TV spectacle” – Los Angeles Times
The biggest ever controlled plane crash – a Boeing 727 is crashed into the Sonoran Desert, Mexico.

Nominated for BAFTA & RTS awards, winner of Televisual Award, Best Documentary.

1x60’ C4 & 1x90’ Discovery [Dragonfly Productions] – 2012

 

OUT OF CONTROL?

Producer / Director

“Incredible” – The Guardian
The mysterious world of the unconscious mind.
Filmed in Canada, USA (New York, Arizona & Ohio) and UK.

1x60’ BBC2 [BBC Science] – 2012

 

SEEING STARS

Producer / Director
“Thrilling” – The Times
The story of scientists pushing the limits of telescope science and engineering in some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Filmed in Chile, USA (California, Utah), France & Sweden.

1x60’ BBC2 [BBC Science] – 2011

 

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE

Producer / Director
Documentary made in just 13 days following the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

Dr Iain Stewart examines the causes and consequences of the disaster.

1x60’ BBC2 [BBC Science] – 2011

 

SURVIVING A CAR CRASH

Producer / Director
“Fascinating” – The Daily Telegraph
New advances in engineering and medicine look set to forever change the story of a car crash.

Filmed in Canada, Sweden & USA (Virginia, Florida, Massachusetts & Michigan).
1x60’ BBC2/Discovery [BBC Science] – 2011

HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE

Producer / Director

Spectacular story of the volcanoes of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Filmed in Alaska, California and Washington state.

13x45’ History Channel [Pioneer Productions] – 2009

 

THE BIG QUESTION 

Producer / Director
Ze Frank looks at the science of speed. A record-breaking freefall, supersonic aeroplanes, and a school bus with a fighter-jet engine. Filmed in California, Indiana & Florida.

1x46’ Discovery [Pioneer Productions] – 2009

 

CATASTROPHE

Producer / Director

“Superb” – The Daily Telegraph

Award-winning series looking at how Earth history is driven by catastrophe. Ep5, Survival Earth.

Filmed in USA (California, Wyoming, Arizona, Alaska & Ohio), Iceland & UK.
5x50’ C4/Discovery [Pioneer Productions] – 2008

 

EARTH: THE POWER OF THE PLANET

Producer / Director
“Breathtaking” – The Daily Mirror
Dr Iain Stewart presents landmark series telling the story of the Earth. Ep. 5, Rare Earth.

Filmed in Mexico, Australia, Madagascar & USA. Nominated for Best Series BAFTA & other awards.

5x60’ BBC2/National Geographic [BBC Science] – 2007

 

TWENTIETH CENTURY BATTLEFIELDS

Producer / Director
“History television at its best” – The Observer
Landmark series presented by Peter & Dan Snow. Unique CGI brings to life major battles. Ep.2, Midway: 1942.

Filmed in California, Hawaii & UK.
8x60’ BBC2/Discovery [BBC Specialist Features] – 2007

 

DEVELOPMENT WORK

 

NHNZ

Creator two-part National Geographic series Lost Treasures of Angkor: Ancient Laos Revealed (2x55' Nat Geo / PBS / Arte, 2024).

FIRECRACKER FILM & TELEVISION

Music / adventure series with high-profile DJ presenter. Pilot commissioned by Red Bull TV.

 

BBC HISTORY

Development of history projects for UK broadcast and international co-production.

Creator of landmark series Jungle Atlantis (2x60’ BBC2, 2014).

 

360 PRODUCTION

Development of history projects and management of development team.
Creator of BBC2 history series The Birth of Empire: The East India Company (3x60’ BBC2, 2014).

 

BBC SPECIALIST FEATURES

Jerusalem: An Anthem for England. Personal project commissioned through BBC. Nominee, Best Arts Documentary, Banff World Television Festival. (1x60' BBC4, 2007).

 

BBC HISTORY

Egypt. Landmark docudrama (6x60’ BBC1, 2005).
D-Day to Berlin. Drama documentary (3x60’ BBC1, 2004).
Black Flash: A Century of Black Footballers (1x60' BBC4, 2004).
The Brief Histories. High impact history show, pilot (1x30’ BBC3, 2003).

COMPANIES
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