INTRODUCING OUR WILDSCREEN X WWF INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING INTERN

Posted on: November 16th, 2022

We’ve been lucky enough this past month to have an extra pair of hands at Big Wave – and they’re overdue an introduction!

Meet Helen, our Wildscreen X WWF Production Assistant Intern. Over Summer, Big Wave teamed up with Wildscreen and WWF to become one of the first production companies to host interns as part of the Wildscreen International Storytelling Internship Scheme. The scheme sees internationally renowned wildlife TV production companies and Conservation NGOs open their doors to aspiring storytellers, providing paid, practical experience across a variety of production roles.

The scheme aims to tackle systematic barriers to entry into the wildlife TV and Conservation sectors, which disproportionately impact groups which are already underrepresented. These include ethnically diverse individuals, in-country talent, LGBTQIA+ individuals, those living with disability, womxn, individuals who identify as neurodiverse, and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Helen really stood out in the interviews, and since day 1 has put 100% into everything the team have thrown at her. Spending her early years in rural Canada, she grew up with a love for animals and with a masters in writing, in her own words she sees natural history filmmaking as ‘the best way of communicating the stories of animals and educating viewers about them in an engaging way.’

Here’s what Helen has to say about her first month at Big Wave –

“I’ve only been an intern at Big Wave for a month and I’ve already learned so much. From how to log footage the right way, through to developing risk assessments and call sheets. I feel I’ve been given a really well-rounded experience and the opportunity to explore all the myriad areas of natural history production that interest me. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that I get to indulge in my love for animals everyday within a super supportive, lovely team. I can already see how valuable this experience will be to me in the future, especially at the beginning of my career, and I’m so excited to see what’s next!”

We took these photos making use of the convenient marine themed street art outside of our Brighton office. You might notice another new face in the final image – watch this space for another introduction soon.

To stay up to date with all things Big Wave, and be the first to see new opportunities, follow us on Instagram.

Click here to learn more about the Storytelling Internship Scheme.