Northern Tails (2024)
A children’s wildlife “mockumentary” series that is serious (and seriously silly) about nature.
WATCH THE TEASER
Education meets imagination…
Presented in 10-minute character-driven episodes, these educational shorts feature a crew of lovable puppets who explore how animals in the Boreal Forest interact with each other, their environment, northern people and the wider world.
The show takes its cue from beloved classics like "The Muppets" and "Hinterland Who's Who", but with an original spin and timely environmental themes that make facts fun with zany characters, sketch comedy bits and and sparky storylines. It’s quirky and stirring in a way that makes us all see how we can be better neighbours.
CHARACTERS: Meet the Neighbours
Everyone plays important roles in the Boreal Forest. Each character is developed using key biological and behavioural characteristics of the species – with a zap of pop culture to make them relatable and fun.
Our Yukon team worked with Calgary-based Puppet Stuff to design and build the starring cast and select supporting characters. They are embellished with accessories that accent their biological personality traits — nerdy glasses, fanciful flowers, frosted tips!
Setting: Our HomE
Did you know that the Boreal Forest is bigger than the Amazon? With a billion acres across Northern Canada, crawling with thousands of creatures (and very few people) and streaming with the most surface freshwater in the world, the Boreal ecosystem is a super-influencer for the health of the entire planet. As we explore this vast land with a motley crew of characters, we can learn what our wild neighbours do for us and what they need to survive.
On stage in Whitehorse
To bring the Boreal Forest alive for production, Shot in The Dark’s Art Department built a sound stage in Whitehorse, with a throwback, theatrical production style that is a nod to simpler times. The constructed studio sets combine a hand-painted background and natural, felted props to create a whimsical environment and several satellite “locations” to visit the characters in their habitats (beaver lodge, squirrel burrows and wolverine dens). Select scenes were shot on blue screen to inspire imagination in post-production.
Learning ThemeS
Learning is fun, knowledge is power! These educational shorts show how northern animals interact with each other, their environment, people and the wider world, without being too serious.
Who lives in the Boreal Forest? We’ll meet the “famous” species in the Boreal Forest, learn about their biology, habitats and the role they play in the ecosystem.
Why is it important? The Boreal’s swampy muskeg and thick forests aren’t as photogenic as the Amazon or Arctic, but they are true superstars of the planet's health.
How is the Boreal Forest changing? Shifts in climate and increased human activity are impacting the animals and plants of the Boreal. How (and if) they adapt is important to all of us.
Audiences: Curious, Creative, Nostalgic
Puppets have a special talent to entertain and educate. Undeniably, they cast a magical spell on kids who fall in love and watch on repeat. But Northern Tails is not your typical “kids” program. Our science content, sketch comedy bits, meta storylines and retro production aesthetic appeal to diverse audiences who align with the spirit and virtues of the show including: nature nuts, environmental champions, creatives and puppet groupies – nostalgic and new.
Distribution Ecosystem
The digital world is a natural habitat for all of our target audiences who go there to laugh, learn, share, connect and express themselves. In Season 1, our distribution strategy will meet and greet them on the channels they frequent.
Youtube is the primary viewing platform for kids and tweens (7–12 year olds). The NorthernTails.TV Youtube channel will be the show’s content hub, streaming full-length episodes, trailers and showcase videos.
TikTok + Instagram are the epicentre of our marketing efforts, targeting 10+ audiences (including older siblings and parents). We are packaging a library of vertical promo videos, “snackable shorts”, to activate awareness, views and engagement. Relevant social influencers will further boost discoverability and interest.
Facebook is less visited by younger audiences, but still popular with millennial parents and strategic partners (educational, environmental) who are vital for sharing quality kids programming.
Credits: #Yukonsgottalent
Northern Tails is a Yukon story told by Yukon people. We’re proud of the cast and crew that we assembled and know we have a solid team that will bring future seasons to life.
PRODUCER/SHOWRUNNER: Kelly Milner
ASSOCIATE & DIGITAL PRODUCER: Amy Lennon
CREATIVE PRODUCER: Ali J. Eisner
WRITERS: Daniel Little, David Hamelin
DIRECTORS: Daniel Little, David Hamelin
EDITOR: Dave Hamelin
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Alex Chan
MASTERMIND: Boby Hayes
HEAD GRIP/GAFFER: Sam Fleming
CAMERA OPERATOR: Mackenzie Smith
FIRST AC: Sam Fleming
LOCATION SOUND: Etienne Girard, Charles Hegstad, Jon Gelinas, Jiah Dzentu
DIT/MEDIA MANAGER: Talia Woodland
ANIMATOR/GRAPHICS: Sam Fleming
SOUND MIX: Daniel Ashley
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Amy Lennon
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Donald Watt
ART DIRECTOR: Lea Anne McNally
SCENE PAINTER: Shauna Jones
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS: Aidan Madley, Tova Krentzman, Ava Milner, Molly Milner
SCIENCE ADVISOR: Niki Wilson
CULTURAL ADVISOR: Joella Hogan
PUPPET CAPTAIN & CONSULTANT: Ali Eisner
PUPPETEERS: Moira Sauer, Adam MacDougall, Daniel Little, Terrie Forrest, Kathrine McCallum
PUPPET ASSISTS: Puppet Assists: Ken Green, Jon Gelinas, Charles Hegstad, Jenny Hamilton
PUPPET WRANGLERS: Puppet Wranglers: Terrie Forrest, Annie Johnsgaard, Kathryn Alywin
PUPPET DESIGN & BUILD: Puppet Stuff Canada
