protect what you love
The Wonder List
Client
CNN+
Climate change-focused travel series The Wonder List With Bill Weir has returned to air after nearly a five-year hiatus. We had successfully worked on several campaigns with CNN in 2021, so when our partners at the network invited us to be a part of The Wonder List we were thrilled to have the opportunity to design for the beloved show’s return.
Launch Campaign
We began the project by putting together a number of different looks and ideas for the CNN team to explore. After initially planning a very high end design and shooting concept, our design exploration evolved the project into a more editorial space. The footage from the show that already existed was so spectacular that it was practically begging to be a part of the design. We took the beautiful landscapes, nature shots and high end imagery that we wanted to highlight and used them throughout the whole edit.
Once we made this decision, we leaned into scripting and storyboarding. From that initial script, we were also able to create cutdown spots including a one minute, :30 second, and :15 second spot. In addition to the varying lengths, we delivered three different edited versions of the spot each with a unique perspective.
We designed this narrative in three formats in order to give our clients all of the tools they could need to market the new show and also to ensure we gave host Bill Weir edits that were worthy of the show’s re-launch on the new streaming service. As CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent, all of our design really had to speak to his work specifically and encapsulate his message.
We also used a piece of original music composed for the edit by Brian Senti at Hook & Line. Ultimately we delivered the three versions of the spot and then a solid chunk of key art - 16 pieces, 3 different directions, with different placements for OOH, mobile, and more.
Ross Henderson led the design early on for BigStar and did a ton of work on the project. Adding in Stephen Ross as editor and Paulo Garcia as a designer and animator, we really had a great team working. Casey Drogin was deeply involved in the process as well, helping us project organize and deliver, and of course lending his hand whenever editorial or animation support was needed
Designing this trailer hit a lot of high points for us here at BigStar and we're glad to have a hand in a series that highlights how modernization, warming climates and tourism are affecting Earth's natural wonders as well as the actions of individuals trying to save them. We enjoyed partnering with our friends at CNN and navigating the new waters of their streaming platform. As part of such a large launch, we were challenged to stay nimble and on top of our design so we could flow through whatever CNN needed and make any changes quickly and correctly.
We loved making these beautiful spots and working with our partners at CNN.
Props where props are due
Credits
The Wonder List
Executive Creative Director Josh NortonExecutive Vice President, Executive Producer Carson HoodHead of Production Virgil ConklinDesign Director Ross HendersonDesign Doug Chang, Paolo GarciaEditor Steven RossAnimation Director Casey DroginAnimation Paolo GarciaOriginal Score & Sound Design Hook & Line