ben lawrie / DIRECTOR
Documentaries for Brands & Broadcasters
extreme mountain challenge
2x60' BBC2 / BBC Worldwide, TX 2016
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 the 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 to be released worldwide in 2024.
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
DYNAMIC PLANET
Series Producer
Epic series filmed over 3 years on all seven continents. A journey to the extremes of Earth to examine the impacts of climate change and learn how science, nature and indigenous knowledge can prepare us for a fast changing world.
4x53' for PBS, Arte & Sky [NHNZWW] – coming soon!
LIMITLESS WITH CHRIS HEMSWORTH
Producer
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
WELCOME TO EARTH
Producer
Global superstar Will Smith explores Earth’s greatest wonders and its most surprising hidden secrets.
6x40’ for National Geographic / Disney+ [Nutopia] – 2021
JAGUAR: GOING ELECTRIC
Director
Documentary feature telling the remarkable story of Jaguar's first ever electric car. Narrated by British actor Mark Strong. Filmed in Italy, Germany, Austria & UK.
1x57’ for Jaguar / Amazon Prime [Flying Mile Films] – 2018
JAGUAR I-PACE: GLOBAL LAUNCH FILM
Director
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
TECH FEST
Director
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
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
THE CRAFTING OF SIMPLICITY
Director
Global launch film for the new Range Rover Velar, narrated by British actor Damian Lewis.
1x15’ for Land Rover [Sundog Pictures] – 2017
GALAPAGOS
Series Director
“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
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
“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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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).
