Helping organisations find the story within complex work - and work out what to film, when, and why.
Complex scientific, environmental and research projects don’t always arrive with a ready-made story.
They develop over time. Research changes. New characters emerge. Unexpected moments become important. And some of the most valuable material needs to be captured long before anyone knows exactly what the finished film will look like.
Our documentary-led storytelling consultancy helps organisations identify and develop the strongest stories within their work - whether the outcome is a short project film, campaign content, a series of films or a longer-form documentary.
From early research and narrative development to contributor strategy, filming priorities and senior editorial oversight, we help teams understand what story they have, what needs to be documented and how best to tell it.
Drawing on decades of documentary filmmaking experience, we combine editorial judgement with practical production knowledge - turning complex research, policy, science and technical subjects into clear, human and compelling stories.
WHEN TO BRING US IN
You might be running a research, climate, environmental, energy or infrastructure project that will develop over months or years and want to ensure the right moments are documented as they happen. You may know you need film or video content but not yet know what form it should take, where the strongest story lies or who the key characters are. Or you may already have material, contributors or an internal production team but need experienced editorial guidance to shape the story and keep the project on course.
We can support projects at any of these stages.
WHAT WE DO
Story & Narrative Development - Finding the central story within complex material and developing the characters, themes, relationships and moments that can bring it to life - whether for a short film, campaign, series or documentary.
Long-Term Storytelling Strategy - Helping organisations plan how an evolving project should be documented over time - identifying potential milestones, contributors, access requirements and moments that may become important later.
Research & Contributor Strategy - Working with academics, researchers, scientists, engineers, campaigners, communities and stakeholders to understand the subject in depth and identify the people who can bring it to life.
Editorial & Executive Producer Oversight - Providing experienced creative direction and editorial judgement throughout development, filming and post-production - whether working with an organisation’s existing team or external filmmakers.
Campaign & Impact Storytelling - Developing documentary-led approaches for shorter films, campaigns and digital content that help organisations communicate complex issues clearly and connect with audiences.
Production Partner - Where appropriate, Outpost Pictures can take a project from consultancy and development into full production - from short-form films and campaign content to observational and feature documentaries.
MIchael WAFER
Documentary Director, Storytelling Consultant & Executive Producer
Mike Wafer is an award-winning documentary director and Executive Producer with more than 25 years’ experience developing and directing factual films for major UK and international broadcasters, environmental organisations, universities and research institutions.
Originally trained within the BBC Documentary Department, his work spans feature documentaries, long-term observational filmmaking and specialist factual series for broadcasters including National Geographic, Discovery and Channel 4.
His particular strength is finding the human story within complicated real-world subjects - understanding complex material quickly, identifying the people and moments that matter, and developing narratives that make scientific, environmental and technical projects accessible to wider audiences.
Through Outpost Pictures, Mike has directed environmental and science films for organisations including the Environment Agency, South West Water/Pennon Group and Plymouth Marine Laboratory, alongside two environmental feature documentaries.
As a consultant, he brings the editorial judgement of an experienced documentary director to organisations that need to understand what story they have, what form it should take and how best to tell it.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Mike has extensive experience working with academics, scientists, researchers and major organisations internationally.
His work has involved researchers and institutions including the University of Arizona, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Boston University, the University of Florida and Florida State University.
Beyond academia, he has worked with specialist organisations and teams including the FBI Cyber Division, the National Hurricane Center and Hurricane Hunters in Florida, and the Polar Bear Alert team in Churchill, Manitoba.
He has also directed extensively in the UAE, including complex access-led filming at Dubai International Airport, working with engineering teams, major organisations and senior stakeholders.
This breadth of experience means Mike is comfortable entering highly specialised environments, quickly understanding complex work and building trusted relationships with researchers, technical experts and institutional partners.
LET’S START A CONVERSATION
If you’re developing a scientific, environmental, research, energy or infrastructure project and know there’s a story worth telling - whether through a short film, campaign or longer documentary - we’d be happy to talk.