A Q&A with Senior Content Producer, Paul Satchell
Q&A
Can you tell me about your career journey and how you became a senior content producer?
After University I became a diving instructor, and had the opportunity to dive in some incredible locations. I then moved into broadcast television production, and spent the last 10 years working on a wide range of productions for the BBC, Netflix and National Geographic amongst others. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on science and natural history documentaries, learning from and working with a lot of talented people. I wanted to use my experience here at the Ocean Census in producing content that helps advance the discovery and protection of ocean life.
What are your goals now that you have joined the Ocean Census team?
I want to build on the great success the Ocean Census has had in its first year, and really engage and excite both the scientific community and the public with our work.
Can you share a project you’re particularly proud of and why?
I led the team that filmed a humpback whale birth. We’d set out to Hawaii to film it, but never really expected to get close. It was the most unbelievable experience, and mad at times. A real privilege to witness an event rarely sighted by people and impossible to script.
Why Ocean Census?
It’s great to have the opportunity to be at the forefront of scientific research and expeditions. There’s so much of our oceans that remain unexplored, but these areas are increasingly threatened, and we can’t protect a species or habitat unless we know it exists!
What’s your favourite memory/experience of the sea?
Diving with a Southern Right whale mother and calf in Argentina. It’s rare to get both perfect sea conditions and whales that are interested in you at the same time, and I was lucky enough to have the mum and calf stick with us for a few hours, playing in the shallows. It’s an amazing experience to be up close with a 40 foot whale and 20 foot calf in 15 feet of water, even if the calf wasn’t particularly graceful!
Favourite sea creature?
Humphead wrasse. One of the most beautiful, and bizarre looking fish, and incredibly intelligent with complex social structures and hunting methods.
Want to see Paul’s incredible content production skills? Follow the Ocean Census socials: Instagram, Facebook, X, Linkedin, TikTok & YouTube
Featured image credits: Gregory Piper / Ocean Image Bank
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