National Geographic’s Queens is a new series that delves into the world of female-led societies in the animal kingdom. Narrated by Angela Bassett, known for her award-winning role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queens shares the tales of mammals, birds, and insects, showcasing the harsh realities of life in nature. The show was created by a pioneering female-led production team, marking a significant milestone in natural history filmmaking.
Two key figures behind the making of Queens are producer/writers Vanessa Berlowitz and Chloe Sarosh. With rich backgrounds in storytelling about the natural world, Berlowitz previously executive produced Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory, while Sarosh worked on the series Earth from Space.
The Pride & Pressure Of Achieving Queens’ Female-Led Vision
Screen Rant had the opportunity to speak with Chloe Sarosh and Vanessa Berlowitz about their extensive journey in creating Queens. They shared insights on their collaboration with National Geographic and emphasized the significance of having women creators involved in the project.
Vanessa Berlowitz: I've worked in wildlife filmmaking for decades, I'm ashamed to say, and came up through a very male-dominated industry. I look at working with Chloe and the team that we've created, and I just feel immense pride. When we set out, it was a big thing. There were a handful of directors of photography that were at the level we needed. There were lots of great talented producers who were often on maternity leave. In fact, she was. I had to beg her to come back. I was like, "I need you. You're going to be great for this."
We needed to collaborate with men for certain roles where we lacked expertise. They were valuable allies, but sometimes it felt like a daunting challenge. Looking back, I see the amazing talent pool we have supported and who have supported each other. The key takeaway is the spirit of sharing, openness, and generosity that has contributed to our success.
Chloe Sarosh reflects on the pressure they faced when creating the series. There were expectations to deliver something exceptional, knowing that the industry would be closely watching. Now, they can proudly say, "That's the series we made," and feel a sense of accomplishment. It's a really good feeling.
Evolution of Queens from a Single Idea to a Complete Series
Let's reflect on the journey from the initial idea to where we are now. Can you share how much the original vision has transformed over the past four years?
Vanessa Berlowitz initially pitched the show as a one-off, focusing on the storyline of "African Queens", depicting the battle between lions and hyenas in the Ngorongoro Crater. She envisioned showcasing the clash of the two matriarchs, along with the behind-the-scenes work of the renowned women, Sophie Darlington and Justine Evans, the top DPs on the show. When she presented the idea to Janet Han Vissering at National Geographic, a senior female executive, both women saw the potential in the concept. Janet suggested turning it into a full series, to which Vanessa initially hesitated, thinking it had already been explored. However, upon further reflection, they realized there hadn't been a series focusing on ****female leadership in the natural world.
From that moment, Vanessa quickly brought Chloe on board, and together they began selecting which matriarchs to feature in the series. They aimed to showcase a diverse range of matriarchs with unique identities and themes. As the project progressed, it evolved with layers of innovation not only in storytelling, thanks to Chloe's fresh perspective, but also in the musical approach. They collaborated with female composer Morgan Kibby, who introduced an incredible electronic score to the series. Additionally, the team worked with music supervisor Sarah Bridges to incorporate fantastic commercial tracks. Each layer of innovation added depth and richness to the project.
Chloe Sarosh: She became bigger and bigger and bigger, didn't she?
Vanessa Berlowitz: Yeah, she did.
Chloe Sarosh: Yeah, she did.
Vanessa Berlowitz: And then Angela Bassett--
Chloe Sarosh: It's the cherry on top.
Vanessa Berlowitz: We believed Angela was the ultimate queen, the one voice we needed. Initially, we were unsure if we could reach out to her. However, as our confidence grew and our vision became clearer, we felt ready to approach her. Bringing her on board was the best decision we made. She truly elevated the series, bringing a dramatic narrative and the ability to adapt to the styles of all our different queens.
Uncertain Future for Queens
Screen Rant: Do you have any ideas or hopes for the future of Queens, whether it continues with more episodes or a new series?
Chloe Sarosh: There are still so many stories to be told. The thing, though, I think that we've learned is that it's okay to go into it without too much expectation of what might happen. I think the thrill of this was that we came back from every shoot surprised by the incredible behavior. I think when you go into something new, it's a huge punt and it's a risk, but we worked with these incredible scientists and people who've spent time in the field, and every single storyline that we developed is different to how it comes out in the series. I would fully expect it to be exactly the same all over again, because these are stories that just haven't been told and haven't been looked at, so you are going to be constantly surprised. But yes, there must be a second series, and we've got plenty of stories for it.
About Queens
Queens is a captivating series that showcases matriarchies and female leaders worldwide, highlighting tales of sacrifice, resilience, friendship, and love. These Queens are depicted as strong and determined individuals who prioritize the success and safety of their families above all else. Guided by the powerful narration of award-winning actress Angela Bassett, Queens offers a unique perspective on the natural world through the eyes of females for the very first time. Produced over four years by a female-led team from across the globe, this groundbreaking seven-part series utilizes cutting-edge technology to uncover fascinating insights into how females in the animal kingdom rise to power, often through cooperation and wisdom rather than brute strength.
Stay tuned for our upcoming interview with Sophie Darlingon and Faith Musembi.
Queens premieres March 4 on National Geographic.
Source: Screen Rant Plus
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an inspiring account of the journey behind the creation of "Queens," a groundbreaking series that celebrates ****female leadership in the animal kingdom. The dedication and collaboration of the female-led production team, Vanessa Berlowitz and Chloe Sarosh, is remarkable. Their commitment to showcasing the strength and resilience of female matriarchs through innovative storytelling and a diverse range of species is truly commendable. The series challenges traditional narratives and offers a fresh perspective on the natural world.
The article also highlights the challenges faced by the team in a male-dominated industry. However, their determination to create a series that not only entertains but also empowers and inspires is evident throughout. The incorporation of female composers and music supervisors adds depth and richness to the project, creating a truly immersive experience for viewers. The article sparks hope for future seasons, as there are countless untold stories of ****female leadership in the animal kingdom waiting to be explored. Overall, "Queens" is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and the importance of diverse voices in storytelling.
