Escapade Media Brings the Factual Experience to Viewers

Natalie Lawley, the managing director at Escapade Media, discusses the company’s factual slate and its focus on 4K content, virtual-reality components and titles that inspire viewers.

Australia-based Escapade Media is an international television- and film-sales agent with an emphasis on children’s, drama and factual programming. “Escapade focuses on unique content,” says Natalie Lawley, the company’s managing director. “We’re not so much in the volume business as we are in the [business of] specifics. We’ll take something on that’s very good and very different.”

Lawley explains: “One thing that we’re hearing and seeing is that there isn’t very much 4K content out there, so it’s a bonus if you have 4K titles, and it’s even better if you’ve got something that’s highly appealing, which is what we strive for. In line with that, we have focused heavily on securing finances and presales for 4K content that has virtual-reality (VR) components.”

Lawley notes that “there are some areas in the world that are focusing on 4K at the moment, but there are also many areas that have just paid an incredible amount of money to upgrade to HD, so paying to upgrade to 4K is difficult and probably not on the scope for them just yet. There is currently a mix of [buyers] still wanting HD, but also wanting the VR component.”

One title in Escapade’s factual catalog with a virtual-reality element is Steve Backshall & the Vertical Mile, which sees the British naturalist and TV presenter climb the north face of the Eiger. Lawley believes that because the title is shot in 4K and offers a virtual-reality component, “the audience buys into being there” with Backshall as he climbs. The VR aspect is meant to offer a “complete 360-degree view of what [Backshall] is seeing as he makes it toward the end,” she says. “That will be available initially on the web.”

Another 4K title in the company’s catalog is Status: Vacant, a stylized documentary series that is a co-production between Escapade and Showrunner Productions. Each episode brings viewers along on a journey to explore abandoned locations around the world, including an Argentine village decimated by floodwaters.

According to Lawley, lifestyle and travel are among the “bread-and-butter content that remains on everyone’s agenda.” Escapade’s lifestyle highlights include Food. Sail. Love. Billed as a “culinary voyage,” the series focuses on Mediterranean cooking with a strong travel component.

Rottnest & the Mystery Islands, which is in development, “is quite a special title,” Lawley says. Escapade is an executive producer on the project from Sea Dog TV International, which she describes as an “extremely experienced and thoughtful company in underwater natural history.” Lawley adds: “Rottnest is very remote and the species that are found on these islands are nowhere else in Australia. There’s no other documentary in the marketplace at the moment that looks specifically at Rottnest and the evolution and uniqueness of the islands.”

The two-parter puts a spotlight on a marsupial called the quokka, which has captured the interest of travelers from around the world. The VR component associated with the title allows viewers to “have the experience of living with the quokkas,” Lawley says.

Finding programs that engage viewers beyond simply tuning in has become increasingly important in the factual and lifestyle space. “I hear the word ‘inspiring’ from buyers quite often,” Lawley says. “The enjoyment or the experience for the audience is key.”

For Lawley, ensuring that viewers have the experience they are looking for isn’t just about “giving them something on an added platform in addition to the program, but [also about] inspiring them to actually go and do it.” She adds: “When viewers watch a series, what are they taking away from it? What are they learning? Are they inspired to travel? Are they inspired to cook the dish?” According to Lawley, it’s “not just about web recipes and so forth, but having content that is so entertaining and inspiring that viewers actually interact with that program afterward.”

“Buyers are acquiring the top titles, and their interest increases when you’ve got a title that offers something different and strong,” Lawley says. As far as factual programming, buyers are “not looking for standard documentary programs anymore. It’s got to have that difference and it’s got to offer the audience something new and innovative.” Those are the types of titles Escapade seeks to bring to market.