Tales from the top of the world…
Northern Tails
A children’s wildlife “mockumentary” web series that is serious (and seriously silly) about nature.
Pre-production, fully financed for production beginning February 2024
Presented in 10-minute character-driven episodes, Northern Tails is a series of educational shorts that uses puppets to explore how animals in the Boreal Forest interact with each other, their environment, northern people and the wider world.
SYNOPSIS
Education meets imagination…
Northern Tails 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, physical comedy and amusing plot twists.
Over each 10-minute episode, Russell Perry, a ground squirrel and documentary filmmaker, tells stories of iconic wildlife and ecosystems in the Boreal Forest. Russell is a consummate observer and his subjects are rarely aware of his presence. Through his documentary lens, we eavesdrop on their lives, learning about them, the forest and how they relate to us. As ground squirrels, Russell and his crew encounter calamity (and danger) in every one of their shoots, keeping the audience informed and always entertained.
Each episode wraps up with a “field guide” segment that highlights key facts about each species and directs audiences to a website for more online learning and engagement.
>> Watch the demo reel
>> VIEW SERIES BIBLE (PDF)
SETTING
Did you know 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.
CHARACTERS
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.
Click on an image to learn more about the characters, episode concepts and fun facts! Or, view all the character details here.
RUSSEL | Arctic Ground Squirrel. Documentary Filmmaker
Meet Russell
ISABELLE | Woodland Caribou, Influencer & Fashion Blogger
Meet Isabelle
WINSTON | Common Raven, Underemployed
Meet Winston
BRUNO, Timber Wolf, Family Man & Restaurateur
Meet Bruno
JACKIE | Wolverine, Waste Management Professional
Meet Jackie
LOU | Beaver, Civil Engineer
Meet Lou
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. Through the series we’ll learn:
Who lives in the Boreal Forest?
About the most important species in the Boreal Forest and what role they play in their community.
Why is the Boreal Forest important? Everyone knows about the Arctic, but the swampy muskeg and thick forests of the Boreal – while not as photogenic – are true superstars of the planet's health.
How is the Boreal Forest changing?
Shifts in climate and increased human development are making things different for animals and plants of the Boreal Forest. How (and if) they adapt is important to all of us.
Audiences
With its mix of curiosity, nostalgia and creativity, Northern Tails appeals to all ages.
Children
Aged 6-9, seeking independent knowledge, but still appreciating physical humour.
Parents
Subtle references and the overall retro aesthetic will trigger nostalgia for parents aged 35-50.
Content Surfers
Our production value and unique presentation will catch the eye of content surfers looking for new things to watch online.
northern Tails DIGITAL
Burrow in! There’s more to see, learn and do on the Northern Tails website, a place where kids can explore and learn more about the Boreal Forest and their new friends.
WATCH IT AGAIN!
Because it’s always fun to watch it again (and again), the website will host the series episodes and entertaining behind-the-scenes outtakes.
LEARN MORE!
The character “field guides” help kids learn about habitats, diets, development, biological superpowers and other fun facts.
DO STUFF!
> Print + colour
> Photos + videos
> Listen to how the animals communicate
> Test your knowledge to win badges!
CREATORS
Kelly Milner: Producer, Director
David Hamelin: Editor, Post
Moira Sauer: Puppeteer
Donald Watt: Production Design
Bob Hayes: Science Advisor
Tedd Tucker: Graphics
Amy Lennon: Education
Alex Chan: Director of Photography
Sam Fleming / Annie Johnsgaard: Production Assistants
Daniel Ashley: Composer
