A Westlock-born videographer is starting production on his second web-series after being awarded a $50,000 grant from TELUS.
Frick, I love Nature by Stephen Robinson earned the top award for Storyhive’s 2017 Web Series Edition as one of four series to receive the funding, beating out 30 finalists and 215 entries from B.C. and Alberta.
“It was a genuine surprise this time. I mean, we thought had a good shot but you never know,” said Robinson. “When we put our pilot up online, people reacted really positively. So I’m really, really excited.”
Robinson will now produce an additional five episodes that will be broadcast on Storyhive.com as well as on TELUS Optik TV on Demand.
While he’s still in the pre-writing phase of the project, Robinson said he had a few ideas he‘s interested in filming for the series.
“Our big focus is going to be highlighting really incredible animals in Alberta and B.C.,” he said. “It’ll be easier than before, though it’s still a huge writing challenge. Our current plan is to start filming in June, or July. So for now it’s pretty much writing and we’ll probably interview a few experts in May before we do the bulk of the filming.”
Unlike his other big series, How to Learn Anything, which is preparing to launch for a second season, Robinson with stay behind the camera as Gordie Lucius of Rapid Fire Theatre in Edmonton will host the program.
Lucius said he jumped at the chance to host a nature show.
“I was hosting a show for Stephen for a project he was working on, then he contacted me to work on this crazy idea of his,” said Lucius.
“I’ve always wanted to adventure out in the wild and learn why certain animals do things. It’s more than you learn in school.
“There are so many little nuances about nature we don’t even think about. It’s mind blowing.”
Now essentially a full-time filmmaker, Robinson said he was looking forward to a busy year.
“It’s going to be an insane summer,” he said. “It’s going to be awesome, but it’s going to be non-stop. Which is great.”
The TELUS Storyhive has been in operation since 2014 and helps up-and-coming filmmakers fund and develop their projects.
