Education Meets Imagination
A wildlife “mocumentary” web series that is serious (and seriously silly) about nature. For the young and young-at-heart.
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. Each 12-minute episode features a character-driven comedy sketch, an animated science explainer and real-life interactions with experts and everyday folks. As we explore how animals in the boreal forest interact with each other, their environment, humans and the wider world, we learn that boreal ecosystems are super-influencers for the health of the planet.
GENRE: Educational Web Series Children + Youth
EPISODE RUN TIME | 12-minutes X6 episodes
RELEASE | January 3, 2025
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN | Canada
WATCH ON YOUTUBE | @NorthernTailsTV
Audience: Curious, Creative, Nostalgic
Puppets have a special talent to entertain and educate. Northern Tails is a show for all ages — the young and young-at-heart. It resonates with kids who are seeking independent knowledge and goofy humour. Parents appreciate quality “edutainment” and retro production style. More broadly, the show appeals to people who align with the spirit and virtues of the show including: nature nuts, environmental champions, puppet groupies and creators – nostalgic and new.
The 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.
IMAGE (from left): JACKIE, Wolverine, ISABELLE, Woodland Caribou, BRUNO, Wolf, LOU, Beaver, WINSTON, Raven
Learning Themes
Did you know that the Boreal Forest is bigger than the Amazon? It’s one of the largest ecosystems on the planet and an important part of managing environmental change, but very few of us understand the factors at play. As we explore the boreal, we learn what our wild neighbours do for us and what they need to survive.
WHO LIVES IN THE BOREAL?
We’ll meet the iconic species in the forest, learn about their biology, habitats and the role they play in the ecosystem.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The Boreal’s swampy muskeg and thick forests aren’t as well-known or photogenic as the Amazon or Arctic, but they are true superstars of the planet's health.
HOW IS IT CHANGING?
Shifts in climate and increased human development are challenging the boreal’s animals and plants. How (and if) they adapt is important to all of us.
On Stage in Whitehorse, Yukon
To bring the boreal forest alive for production, Shot in The Dark’s Art Department built a sound stage in Whitehorse, with a throwback, theatrical production style that is a nod to simpler times. On the “main stage”, a 40-foot hand-painted background was dressed with mosses, trees, rocks and felted foliage, to create an evocative taiga environment. Several satellite “locations” were constructed to visit the characters in their habitats (beaver lodge, squirrel burrows and wolverine dens). Select scenes were shot on blue screen to inspire imagination in post-production.
Credits #YukonsGotTalent
Northern Tails is a northern story told by Yukoners. There was no prop too small and no challenge large for our tireless cast and crew who brought the show to life.
PRODUCER/SHOWRUNNER: Kelly Milner | ASSOCIATE/DIGITAL PRODUCER: Amy Lennon | CREATIVE PRODUCER: Ali J. Eisner | STORY PRODUCER: David Hamelin | HEAD WRITER: Daniel Little | WRITERS: David Hamelin, Jenny Hamilton, Peter Jickling, Lily Gontard, Moira Sauer | SCRIPT EDITOR: Ali J. Eisner | DIRECTORS: Daniel Little, David Hamelin, Kelly Milner
PUPPET CAPTAIN & CONSULTANT: Ali J. Eisner | PUPPETEERS: Moira Sauer, Adam MacDougall, Daniel Little, Terrie Forrest, Kathrine McCallum | PUPPET CAPTAIN / CONSULTANT: Ali J. Eisner | PUPPET ASSISTS: Ken Green, Jon Gelinas, Charles Hegsted, Jenny Hamilton | PUPPET WRANGLERS: Terrie Forrest, Annie Johnsgaard, Kathryn Alywin | PUPPET DESIGN & BUILD: Puppet Stuff Canada
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Alex Chan | CAMERA OPERATORS: Sam Fleming, Mackenzie Smith | HEAD GRIP/GAFFER: Sam Fleming | CAMERA ASSIST: Max Zimmerman | FIRST AC: Sam Fleming | LOCATION SOUND: Etienne Girard, Charles Hegsted, Jon Gelinas, Jiah Dzentu | DIT/MEDIA MANAGER: Talia Woodland
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Donald Watt | ART DIRECTOR: Lea-Ann McNally | SCENE PAINTER: Shauna Jones | PRODUCTION MANAGER: Amy Lennon | PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS: Aidan Madley, Tova Krentzman, Ava Milner, Molly Milner | CONTENT CONSULTANTS: Niki Wilson, Joella Hogan
EDITOR: David Hamelin | GRAPHICS/VFX: Sam Fleming | ANIMATIONS: Terrie Forrest | COMPOSER: Selina Heyligers-Hare | MUSICIANS: Major Funk | VOICE OVER: Henry Story | MUSIC MIX: Jim Holland | COLOUR CORRECT: Jack Little, David Hamelin
THE G.O.A.T. Bob Hayes
