Shot in the dark


How Dolby technologies helped a production team bring nocturnal nature to life


Natural history television tells stories of a world without technology, using the most advanced technology available. From the first hand-held film cameras through colour TV and high definition, landmark series have showcased ever more detailed and revealing natural worlds.


Plimsoll Productions, natural history specialists from Bristol, saw the advent of low and ultra-low light cameras as a chance to once again push the boundaries – this time with colour photography at night. They sold the idea to Netflix for the streaming giant’s second original nature series, Night on Earth, which meant using Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos.


We talked to Bill Markham, Plimsoll’s series producer for Night on Earth, and director of the series finale episode ‘Dusk Till Dawn’, and Chris Domaille, dubbing mixer at post- production house Films@59.


“We were going to reveal a whole new world, (…), and the capabilities of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to make the absolute maximum use of what we recorded would, we thought, be essential. And they were.”


Bill Markham, Plimsoll’s series producer for Night on Earth


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