Always Build

03/06/2025

Big win!

We’re stoked to share that an image from our studio just won Photography of the Year in the 2024 Nature Photography Contest.

The shot? A polar bear, perfectly framed in a sea of fireweed—an unexpected contrast of power and fragility, captured in the Arctic.

Huge thanks to Churchill Wild Polar Bear Tours for next-level guiding along with the judges and to everyone who believes in the power of nature storytelling.

Check out the winning shots in the The Guardian here: https://bit.ly/Paetkau

Onward!

02/12/2025

🚀 Big News! 🚀

We’re stoked to introduce Always Build Studios—our brand-new commercial-only division exclusively built to serve our clients better than ever.

Think: Strategy. Advertising. Integrated marketing funnels.

You know, the FUN stuff.

We’ve got big things coming for this channel, too… but that’s a secret for now.

What we can tell you?

This spring, we’re doubling down on Natural History in a whole new way.

✨ A dedicated natural history studio
✨ Plus, a fresh way to connect people with the wild

The jam starts pumping on that soon. So, stay tuned.

Meantime, get a sneak peek at what we’re up to over at www.alwaysbuild.com.

Tell your friends. Tell your boss. Tell your mom. Tell your friend’s boss’s mom.

Thanks for being part of this wild ride—we couldn’t do it without you!

11/04/2024

Will AI lead to the extinction of Natural History Filmmaking?

The BBC says viewers still love the classics. 10.5 million viewers for Planet 🌎 3 is massive after all.

But at the Wildscreen Festival, we shared a new approach:

We showed a polar bear clip from the Arctic that we pulled together in just TWO days using AI.

Less than 24 hours in the field filming. Another 24 with ChatGPT scripting, ElevenLabs voicing, and some editing finesse from the Always Build team.

The result? A broadcast-quality sequence you'd expect from top-tier nature docs.

Imagine filling in story gaps, enhancing scenes, and amplifying conservation messages…

Is this the future of wildlife filmmaking?

Read more on our take 👇

At the annual natural history-focused Wildscreen event in Bristol this week the usual concerns about the decline in traditional business models and stagnant creativity were present, but few threats gripped delegates like that of AI.

10/18/2024

Just got back from our second Wildscreen Festival. Fantastic time. The discussions around how AI is influencing natural history filmmaking were eye-opening. Really exciting to see how this technology is shaping the future of storytelling and conservation. Feels like a new chapter is being written for wildlife content. Glad to have been part of the conversation 🤘🏼.

09/27/2024

Huge shoutout to our favorite beluga hunter, John Noksana Jr from Oceans North, for giving us some love in this awesome Northwind feature on CBC Radio! 🎙️🐋

In the interview, he talks about our latest doc, where we follow two Inuk families—one from Nunavut, the other from the Northwest Territories—coming together for a beluga whale hunt. Along the way, there’s a powerful exchange of stories and traditions, with generations sharing knowledge across territories.

It was amazing to see how this cultural connection continues to thrive, honoring their heritage and strengthening ties between the communities. 🙌

We’re pumped to be part of capturing these moments.

Beluga hunters in Tuktoyaktuk and Rankin Inlet have been sharing their knowledge as part of a harvester exchange. John Noksana Jr. is from Tuk and he was part of the exchange. He joined Wanda McLeod.

08/14/2024

What’s it like putting together episodes for a 4x Emmy-Nominated natural history show?

Incredible.

But, it wouldn’t have been possible without a great team behind the shoot.

Special thanks to:

The Town of Churchill for forever welcoming and accommodating productions. A truly special spot in the world.

Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom cast and crew. This show is an institution and the people behind and in front of it deserve all the love. Peter Gros, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, and Jenny Van Soelen.

Hearst Media Production Group and Phil Fairclough for the opportunity direction, and support. A true wing walker.

Dennis Compayre for his bear knowledge and overall insights. Looks and sounds like Hemingway too. The Oracle of Churchill.

Dr. Kristin Westdal for combining expertise with entertainment in a way that everyone can relate to. The Beluga Queen indeed.

Dylan McCart for his scientific expertise, overall bear knowledge, and enviable beard.

Manfred Gay for serene mindfulness and unparalleled attention in sound. Without you, we have no show.

Christian Pe Benito for always being on, attentive to everything, and ready for anything.

Adam Reimer for guiding us on the water like a total boss while using a “guide voice” that can command the attention of a full boat in a flash.

Remi Allen for being eternally available and entertaining. And, for making things… anything… happen. Bull by the horns.

Jill Allen for hosting us impeccably and making the meanest lemon cake you’ll ever eat.

Quent Plett for finding bears and for all the other details that make a show go.

Brendan McKewan for the sick boat and even better times on the water. New dock. Who dis?

John Hrominchuk for the picture and crew vehicles. Keep those SUVs in rotation!

Kate Branson for teaching us how composting helps bears.

SeaNorth Tours for getting us access and on the water safely and reliably every time.

White Whale Lodge for the perfect accommodation. Stay here when you’re here.

Churchill Northern Studies Centre for their incredible facility, inspiring work, and wonderful crew lunches. You can donate here https://bit.ly/3MczLUp.

Oceans North for believing this is a truly special and spectacular place deserving of protection and investing in conservation. You can donate here https://bit.ly/3WZPkVP.

Churchill Wild for foundational support and always being solution-oriented at all times no matter how wild our ask.

Ptarmigan Inn for the tasty dinners and hospitality. Order anything off the menu. Can’t go wrong. Good Ptimes.

The Tundra for the Tuesday.

Merit Motion Pictures for the recommendation and continued support.

08/13/2024

Imagine standing among ancient stones and being transported to a world where every rock whispers stories of the past — as if time itself has paused, allowing us to step into the echoes of history.

That’s Hubbard Point. An ancient Inuit gathering place.

This spot isn't just a stretch of land; it's a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life — home to not only polar bears and beluga whales but a gathering place where tent rings, meat caches, and kayak stands remain prominent and easily identifiable.

In these moments, it’s easy to lose yourself in the thought of what life must have been like — the rituals, the struggles, the daily lives of Inuit. It’s a journey through time and a motivator to keep working to conserve this special place.

That’s why we were so thrilled when BBC Earth’s Our Frozen Planet asked us to help put together a piece about why Qikiqtaarjuit (Hubbard Point) deserves protection with the help of our friend Johnny Mamgark who has a long, personal history here.

Enjoy!

05/30/2024

Look out BBC Earth. AI is coming for you. 🌍🤖

Introducing NatureAI: the world's first natural history film created by Artificial Intelligence. Witness breathtaking, never-seen-before wildlife behaviors brought to life by cutting-edge AI technology.

🐻🐋 Populated by charismatic megafauna and spectacular visuals, this is nature like you've never seen before.

✨ Now with 250% more robots, NatureAI is your window into the future of natural history storytelling.

📺 Watch Now and experience the future of nature!

Love,
AI

Disney+ Love Nature Smithsonian Channel Nat Geo Wild National Geographic Adventure National Geographic BBC Wildlife Magazine Canadian Geographic Nature CBC Manitoba CBC Docs Sir David Attenborough Netflix

05/28/2024

NatureAI launches in robot-friendly New York City. At the Explorers Club.

Awe-inspiring venue to speak in.

Check out that photo wall.

Jane Goodall. Buzz Aldrin. James Cameron. Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay… Trevor Adam Gill 😉

NBD

Thanks New York WILD Film Festival film fest for the AMAZING time.

Wanna watch the full film?

Don’t forget to stay inside, refreshing your feed.

Out on 30 May 2024.

05/26/2024

Will AI Take Over Natural History Filmmaking?

We plugged into the Natrix to find out. Welcome to…

NatureAI

The world’s first natural history film created entirely by Artifical Intelligence.

Out on 30 May 2024.

Seem like something you’d want to watch? Tag the network you want to air Season 1 in the comments.