BBC Last Chance to See – The Blue Whale

After what seemed like months and months of preproduction and planning. The BBC finally arrived in the Baja Peninsular to complete a episode of Last Chance to See. Having read last chance to see many years ago and loving the book, I felt as if I had come full circle from reading the book to finally helping put Douglas Adams and Mark Cawardine’s wonderful book into the homes and televisions of the British public.

Having worked with Mark Carwardine before, it was great to meet up with him again. I was initially concerned about how the BBC planned to replicate  Douglas Adams’ wonderful and witty observations, how do you replace Douglas Adams? The answer is simple with an equally wonderful wit and observation. This came in the form a Stephen Fry, who most definitely had me laughing off camera, so much so I was reprimanded several times by the director.

The series Last Chance to See will be broadcast in the autumn in great Britain. You can catch up on Mark and Stephen’s adventures at the BBC’s website Last Chance to See.

Preproduction gave me the chance to immerse myself in Mexican bureaucracy and get all the required filming permission for the BBC. Very often the concept of Latin American bureaucracy can only breed fear in the hearts of producers, but fortunately the BBC took my advice and gave me a good few months to secure the required permits.