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Blue Chalk Media
Wondrium enlisted Blue Chalk Media to produce a feature-length documentary for its platform, inspired by Bill Gates' best-selling book, "How to Avoid a Climate Disaster.” The documentary was conceived as part of a companion piece to Wondrium's 10-part educational series, "The Search for Climate Innovation,” which highlights the relevant details and tangible solutions we already have, or that are on the way soon, to reaching net-zero emissions.
"Solving For Zero" is a documentary that provides an inspirational look at how innovations and technology are changing and reinvigorating hope for the future.
Climate change is a well-explored theme in the realm of documentary filmmaking. However, the objective of this film was to approach climate change as an acknowledged reality and direct attention towards immediate actions we can take to mitigate its most severe consequences.
We wanted this film to be honest about the climate problem while simultaneously inspiring hope. We also wanted to make sure the audience clearly understood these challenging scientific concepts.
Principal photography for the project took our team to five countries — the US, Sweden, the Dominican Republic, France, and Kenya — in two months. Producing a story with such a wide range of sources, subjects, and locations was a huge challenge.
We shadowed five innovators from around the world who are at the forefront of developing technological solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.
We explored the world's largest wind-powered shipping freighter, the sustainable cement being used in the Athletes Village for the 2024 Summer Olympics, and the carbon-free fusion power that could supply 20 percent of the world’s energy needs. All of these stories showcase the bold ways that the energy sources we use, materials we build with, and food systems we rely on are being reimagined.
In addition to these narratives, the documentary incorporates perspectives from Gates and other prominent experts. These expert viewpoints serve to provide the audience with a deeper understanding of this complex subject matter while offering alternative insights into the significant endeavors undertaken by these innovators.
We also used motion graphics to make these concepts more digestible and to help visually represent solutions and designs that were still theoretical.
Given how complicated and global this project was, we were careful to put a team together that had strong logistical skills. We also weren't afraid to lean on each other for help. For example, while on location in the Dominican Republic, our DP realized the waters we were going to film in were much deeper than expected. Luckily, our producer happened to be scuba-certified, so she jumped in and filmed underwater.
The final film garnered high praise from the client, who appreciated how the film was honest about the climate problems we’re facing while simultaneously inspiring hope. It also received numerous four and five-star reviews, as well as accolades from prestigious competitions including the Webby Awards, The Association of International Broadcasting Awards, and the Communication Awards
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