(2025)
Client : USHUAIA TV
My role : Animation Director, Illustrator
A 52-mn documentary about animals of the American West, following French zoologist and YouTuber Yvan Kereun-Appa.
Taking us to the heart of the American West, we meet its most emblematic species : bald eagles, rattlesnakes, coyotes, sealions, mustangs, trapdoor spiders while underlining the importance of conservation efforts, native knowledge, and the richness of our relationship to nature.
For this documentary, I was tasked by Director Cécile Quiroz with creating watercolour animations to complement the live-action footage and tie together the different types of knowledges presented : scientific and cultural. We also wanted to bring Yvan’s notebook to life.
Difference between sealion and seal (my illustrations)
I created a series of animations related to the different animals encountered by Yvan in his journey.
Using animation to either explain scientific knowledge or depicting the wonders of storytelling and cultural significance, supporting the knowledge Yvan gains as he meets different experts throughout the film.
I also advised on the overall look of the documentary, including typography and motion design, ensuring a consistent Art Direction.
Unused rough
The Tale of the Coyote told by Bud in Cupeño
PROCESS : BALD EAGLE SEQUENCE
Rough Layout
Final background
BALD EAGLE : FINAL VIDEO
Immersion Sauvage is an unforgettable documentary of a new genre. It premiered on the 14th March 2025 for the 20 years of Ushuaia TV.
It is available for streaming on various French platforms such as MyCanal and was very well-received by the French press, with articles in various newspapers such as Le Monde and Télé 7 Jours.
FULL CREDITS :
Production companies :
JLA PRODUCTIONS
ELES PRODUCTIONS
ELES PRODUCTIONS
RÉTROVISEUR PRODUCTIONS
Produced by : Dorian Blanc, Elsa Esnoult, Jean-Luc Azoulay
Co-written by : Yvan Kereun-Appa
Co-written and directed by : Cécile Quiroz
Scientific adviser : Vincent Premel
Speakers : Yvan Kereun, John Bud Friday, Rebecca O’Connor, Michael Starkley, Neda DeMayo, Em Jochim, Project Coyote, Sierra Club Seal Society
DoP : Tess Barthes
Sound : Leila Saadna
Editing : Laurence Guzzo
Animation and original drawings : Laura N-Tamara
Composer : TRATENWALD
Edited by : InFine Éditions
Assistant editor : Aurélie Leymarie
Sound editing and mix : Ary Carpman, Felipe Piccinini
Motion Design scientific names : Haroun Saifi
Grading : Eléonore Durand
Dancers : Lara Lasley, Jared Brown, Gregory Greg Elke
Dubbing voices : Myriam Bourguignon, Stéphane Olivié Bisson, Céline Pain
Production Assistants : Gabriela Debortoli, Marie Michelet, Gaël Morizot
Special Thanks : Noaa Fisheries, Friends of Big Bear Valley, Zach’s Scuba Shack, Rivers and Lands Conservancy, Return to Freedom, Save the Snakes, UC Davis, Cuba Cultural Center
