Duncan Copp Award Winning Television Film Producer / Film Director / Series Producer / Script Writer and Media Consultant / Broadcast and Corporate Commercials

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DOCUMENTARIES
Duncan began his career with the BBC in 1997, researching for the landmark science series Earth Story,
awarded the Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism. He researched and co-presented
the BBC’s magazine geology series The Essential Guide to Rocks. As a freelancer he researched for the
landmarkcosmologyseriesUniverse 2001 (Channel4).BothseriesreceivedawardsfromtheAssociationofBritish
Science Writers.
Duncan has over fifteen years’ experience as a Producer, Director and Series Producer. His first commission
Rocket Men of Mission 105 (National Geographic) followed the training and flight of a space shuttle crew
during their mission to the International Space Station. Other credits include Hunt for the Death Star (Channel
4 and National Geographic) which he conceived, developed and produced and which won a Gold Hugo at the
Chicago International TV and Film festival; Magnetic Storm (Channel 4 and PBS/NOVA) and Global Dimming,
(BBC and PBS/NOVA), both of which he directed, both winning prestigious WildScreen awards. Magnetic Storm
was also a finalist at the 2004 Grierson Awards; Global Dimming received the international Earthwatch Award
in 2007. He worked with PBS/NOVA again in 2005 directing Hitler’s Sunken Secret, which was awarded the
gold plaque for best history documentary at the Chicago International TV and Film festival, and as executive
producer on Underwater Dream Machine. Other credits for NOVA include Secrets of the Sun, a NOVA/
National Geographic special, Doomsday Volcanoes and Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon a co-
production with the BBC.
Duncan conceived, developed and produced the much-acclaimed feature documentary In the Shadow of the
Moon (Channel4/Discovery Films/Film4/THINKFilm/Vertigo Films), the intimate story of the Apollo astronauts.
Distributed worldwide as a theatrical and television release, In the Shadow of the Moon received over 15 awards
internationally, including the Audience Award for Best International Film at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.
To date DVD sales have topped half a million worldwide.
In 2007–2008 he developed, series-produced and co-directed Moon Machines, a six-part series for Discovery’s
Science Channel, recounting the trials and tribulations of the engineers who built the machines that took the
Apollo astronauts to the Moon. The series was awarded a coveted Grand Remi.
He series-produced Channel 4’s Henry VIII: Mind of a Tyrant, presented by noted Tudor historian Dr. David
Starkey, which was short-listed for the 2009 Grierson Awards. In 2009–2010 he conceived, directed and produced
Inside the Milky Way, a two-hour showcase documentary for National Geographic, taking the viewer on a CGI-
rich grand tour of our Milky Way galaxy. The film has been distributed widely and was showcased at the 2011
Vedere la Scienza Film Festival in Milan. Over a million people have viewed the film online.
Latest credits include Comet Encounter (National Geographic), Mankind from Space (a 120-minute special
for Discovery Canada), and Survival in the Skies – the Ejection Seat (Smithsonian Channel). Duncan recently
series-produced and co-directed America’s Secret Space Heroes, a six-part series for the Smithsonian Channel.
ORCHESTRAL VISUAL PRODUCTIONS
In 2008 Duncan, developed, directed and produced, The Planets: An HD Odyssey; a marriage of NASA’s high
definition planetary imagery with live performances of Holst’s The Planet Suite, commissioned by the Houston
Symphony. Premiere performances sold out in US venues; Jones Hall in Houston, and Carnegie Hall, New York; and
at almost all concerts during its two-week tour of the UK in 2010. ‘The Planets’ is the highest grossing production
in the 100-year history of the Houston Symphony. To date, over 35 orchestras have performed the production on
four continents.
Duncan Copp
Producer|Director|Writer
Tel: +44 7714 657532
Email: duncan.copp@sky.com

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FollowingthesuccessofThePlanets,DuncanconceivedtwofurtherHDproductionswhichtheHoustonSymphony
commissioned him to make: Earth: An HD Odyssey, which premiered in the US in February 2012, and Cosmos:
An HD Odyssey, which sold out during the US premiere in May 2016. As executive producer Duncan worked
again with the Houston Symphony with, La Triste Historia De Magdalena Y Jesus, a visual and symphonic
celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead festival, working alongside Academy nominated producer Ben Young
Mason, and Mexican Composer & Conductor Juan Trigos Ruanovamto. World premieres were held in Mexico and
the US in November 2013.
CORPORATE PRODUCTIONS
An experienced corporate director, Duncan has written and directed numerous corporate commercial films
for clients including Shell, Castrol and Mercedes-Benz. His award winning corporate car films have been shot
on location around the world including China, Russia, South Africa, America, Germany, and in the UK. His
first corporate commercial, Magnetic Shine, for BP & Castrol, won film of the year at the 2013 MPA Awards.
Three Million Mile Journey won bronze for best Brand Documentary at the 2017 Brand Film Festival.
CLIENTS
During his career, Duncan has established strong working relationships with a broad range of executive producers
andcommissioningeditorswhohave‘green-lit’hisideas,inparticularatDiscoveryUSandUK,NationalGeographic
US and International, Channel 4, Film4, and WGBH/NOVA. He is also a trusted director-producer for numerous
corporate, educational, and government bodies internationally, in particular with the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
BACKGROUND BIOGRAPHY
Duncan holds a Master’s degree in Satellite Remote Sensing and a Doctorate in Astronomy, both from the
University of London. He was a member of NASA’s Venus Magellan mapping team responsible for creating
the first detailed geological maps of the planet, published by the United States Geological Survey.
In 2008 Duncan was the first international recipient of the American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics Distinguished Public Service Medal garnered for stimulating public interest in science
and technology, specifically in space exploration. Previous recipients include Walter Cronkite, Gene Roddenberry
and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
He currently sits of the Board of Advisors for the Golden Spike company, a consortium of scientists, astronauts,
engineers, and politicians who share a common vision for future lunar exploration.
Duncan is also an established freelance science writer, with over 70 publications to date, and has been an
on-screen presenter for the BBC, Discovery and National Geographic, as well as a radio presenter for
the BBC. He’s a voting member of BAFTA. He lives in Blackheath, London.
Filmography
Smithsonian Channel/International Broadcasters 2016–2017
Engineering Space/America’s Secret Space Heroes
Series Producer
A fascinating six-part series recounting the engaging stories of the men and women whose ingenuity, decisions
and dedication helped accomplish some of America’s finest achievements in space. Shot in 4K.
BP/Castrol 2017
Three Million Mile Journey – Part Two
Director
The next instalment of Irv Gorden’s travels, the man who’s driven his 1966 Volvo 1800 car over 3 million miles
across America and Europe. Corporate film. Multi-camera filming in South Africa and Dubai.

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Houston Symphony In Production
Body Music – The Rhythm of Life (W/T)
Producer/Director/Conceived
Reunited again with Houston Symphony, this multiscreen visual production accompanying live concert performances
explores the fascinating world within our bodies. World Premiere scheduled for spring 2020 in Houston.
Discovery/CuriosityStream 2016
Destination Jupiter
Producer/Director
The story of the Juno spacecraft and its daring mission to unlock the secrets of the solar system’s largest planet –
Jupiter.
Entered by Discovery for the AAAS Science Journalism Awards, 2016.
One of the top viewed CuriosityStream shows online, 2016.
BP/Castrol 2016
Castrol UltraClean Oil
Director
Bringing to life the benefits of using Castrol UltraClean oil in car engines. Multi camera filming in Germany.
Daimler Mercedes-Benz 2015–2016
Mercedes-Benz
Director
A number of high profile corporate film campaigns, designed to bring more awareness of the Mercedes-Benz
brand. Multi-camera filming in Germany and the UK.
BP/Castrol 2015
Three Million Mile Journey
Director
The incredible story of Irv Gorden, who’s driven his 1966 Volvo 1800 car over 3 million miles across America
and Europe. Long format corporate documentary. Multi-camera and studio filming in New York and the UK.
Silver Dolphin, Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, 2017.
Bronze Winner, Best Brand Documentary, The Brand Film Festival, 2017.
Smithsonian Channel/International Broadcasters 2015
Survival in the Skies – The Ejection Seat.
Producer/Director
The compelling story of the ejection seat that’s saved over 10,000 thousand lives; visualised through illuminating
archive and emotive first-hand accounts from those who developed it, and owe it their lives to it.
The Wellcome Trust 2015–2017
Surgeon X
Co-Producer
As a series of multimedia comic books Surgeon X sees Rosa, a vigilante doctor with extraordinary abilities, make
her way through the minefield of medical ethics and issues in the dark dystopian world of near future Britain.
Working with Sara Kenney, and Karen Berger of DC Comics fame. Published by Image, the comic was launched
in September 2016.
Fully funded by winning a Wellcome Trust Society Award, 2014.

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PBS/Discovery Canada/National Geographic Channels International 2014–2015
Mankind From Space
Producer/Director
1 x 116-minute and 1 x 91-minute documentary specials that illuminate, from the perspective of space, humanity’s
transition into a globally interconnected species, and reveals how in the near future that connectivity might
catastrophically unravel.
BP/Castrol 2014
Castrol Magnatec Shine – Russia/Specials
Director
Showcasing a revolutionary new oil, Magnatec, designed by the liquid engineering experts Castrol. Corporate
films. Multi-camera filming in the UK, Russia, China and South Africa.
Houston Symphony 2014
The Cosmos: An HD Odyssey
Producer/Director/Conceived
The final production in the Houston Symphony HD Trilogy. A stunning visual production to accompany live concert
performances of Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. World Premiered May 2016 in Houston.
Sold out World Première in Houston – May 2016.
Shell 2014
Pollution Solution
Director/Producer
A corporate film focusing on how Natural Gas is helping reduce pollution in China. Shot on location in China.
Discovery Channel/Destination America 2014
Revealing America
Senior Producer/Scriptwriter
A two-hour special explaining the incredible landscapes and natural forces which helped forge the American spirit.
PBS/National Geographic Channels International 2013
Comet Encounter/Comet of the Century
Producer/Director
Documentary special featuring the arrival of Comet ISON, and the global effort to understand more about this icy
interplanetary interloper.
Documentary achieved double the anticipated audience viewing figures.
Houston Symphony 2013
La Triste Historia De Magdalena Y Jesus
Executive Producer
An animated visual companion and symphonic celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead festival accompanying
the world Premiere of Mexican composer/conductor Juan Trigos Ruanovamto’s Symphony No.3: Ofrenda a los
muertos. Premiered November 2013.

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The Wellcome Trust 2013
Angles and Ghosts
Producer
A beautifully animated film recounting the true story of siblings suffering from psychosis. Narrated by Academy
Award Nominee Samantha Morton.
Nominated, Achievement in Art, Portsmouth International Film Festival, 2014.
Nominated, Best Director of an Animation, Portsmouth International Film Festival, 2014.
Nominated, Best Animated Screenplay Portsmouth International Film Festival, 2014.
Best Animation, St Albans Film Festival, 2014.
Nominated Best Animated Film, Norwich Film Festival, 2014.
Best Animation award nominee, Byron Bay International Film Festival, 2014.
Audience winner, London International Animation Festival, 2013.
Premiered at the London International Animation Festival, 2013.
BBC 2/PBS/WGBH NOVA 2012–2013
Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon
Producer/Director
An intimate and definitive portrait of the first man to walk on the Moon; with unprecedented access to the film
archives, his family, and fellow astronauts.
Achieved top viewing figures on BBC Iplayer.
PBS/WGBH NOVA/Channel Five 2012
Doomsday Volcanoes
Producer / Director
NOVA unearths disturbing evidence that volcanoes in Iceland could bring to a halt our modern society. Shot on
the C300 and 5D cameras in Iceland.
NASA 2012
Curiosity On Mars
Producer/Director
Commissioned by NASA – a short promotional film celebrating the Mars rover Curiosity’s landing on the Mars.
Introduced by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden at Wolf Trap with music performed by the US National
Symphony Orchestra.
BP/Castrol 2011–2012
Castrol Magnatec Shine
Director
High-profile commercial documentary showcasing a revolutionary new oil, designed by the liquid engineering
experts Castrol. Multi-camera filming in the UK, Russia, China & South Africa.
Winner, TV, Film, Animation Production of the Year, The MPA Awards, 2013.
Winner, TV, Film, Animation Production – Innovation, The MPA Awards, 2013.
Finalist, TV, Film, Animation Production – Inspiration, The MPA Awards, 2013.
Finalist, TV, Film, Animation Production – Collaboration, The MPA Awards, 2013.

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Houston Symphony 2011–2012
The Earth: An HD Odyssey
Producer/Director/Conceived
A second HD visual production to accompany live concert performances of music by John Adams and Richard
Strauss. Premiered in 2012.
Sell out Premiere and season showcase performances in 2012 and 2014.
PBS/WGBH NOVA/National Geographic 2010–2011
Secrets of the Sun
Producer/Director/Conceived
A NOVA National Geographic Special. A fast paced, highly visual film which takes an in-depth look at our Sun,
discovering just what it takes to live with our nearest star.
The European Union 2010
COMED Project
Director/Producer
A series of nine 10-minute films designed to communicate to the general public the results and activities of cutting-
edge EU-funded health-research projects. Topics range from diabetes, stroke, child vaccination, malaria and
comparative genetic studies between humans and dogs. Filmed in 21 European cities.
National Geographic 2009–2010
Inside the Milky Way
Producer/Director/Conceived
Two hour flagship documentary which takes the Earth on an incredible tour of our Milky Way Galaxy to understand
how it formed and evolved, and how we fit into this epic story. The film incorporates state-of-the-art CGI.
Showcase documentary at the Vedere la Scienza film festival, 2011.
Over a million online viewers.
Houston Symphony 2009–2010
The Planets: An HD Odyssey
Producer/Director
An HD visual production to accompany live concert performances of Holst’s The Planets; with accompanying
Extras Blu-ray, DVD and App. Licenced around the globe.
Sell out performances in the US, Europe and Australia.
Highest grossing production in the hundred year history of the Houston Symphony.
Discovery UK 2009
Moonwalk One: The Director’s Cut
Co-Producer
Working closely with its original director, the re-mastering from 35mm film to HD and editing of Moonwalk One,
NASA’s original Apollo 11 documentary film made in 1969. Premiered at the British Film Institute, July 2009. Sold
to Discovery UK.
Highest audience figures for a feature documentary screened on Discovery UK to date.

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NASA 2009
Apollo 11 40th Anniversary Celebratory Film
Producer / Director
Commissioned by NASA – a film cut from spectacular archive of the launch of Apollo 11, accompanied by a
live classical performance from the US National Symphony Orchestra in front of surviving Apollo astronauts and
distinguished guests at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC.
Channel 4/BBC Worldwide 2008–2009
Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant
Series Producer
High profile history series in which Dr. David Starkey takes us inside the mind of a pivotal figure in British history,
King Henry VIII.
Shortlisted, Best History Series, The Grierson Awards, 2009.
Discovery US Science 2007–2008
Moon Machines
Series Producer/Producer/Director
Acclaimed documentary series which follows the trials and tribulations recounted by the engineers and designers
who built the hardware that took men to the Moon.
Winner, Grand Remi, WorldFest Houston, 2009.
Channel 4/FILM4/Discovery Films/THINKFilm 2005–2007
In The Shadow of the Moon
Producer/Conceived
Feature documentary revealing an intimate and moving portrait of those who journeyed to the Moon.
Finalist, Best Historical Documentary, The Grierson Awards, 2008.
Finalist, The UK Film Council Best Cinema Documentary, 2008.
Platinum Remi, Historical/Period Theatrical Feature Film, WorldFest Houston, 2008.
Winner, Gold Hugo, Chicago International Television Awards, 2008.
Best Documentary Film, Vedere la Scienza Festival, Madrid, 2008.
Winner, Best Film, Sir Arthur C. Clarke Awards, 2008.
Best Film Award, The Independent Investigations Group, 2007.
Winner, Best Documentary, AAPA ‘Movies for Grownups’ (tie with Sicko), 2007.
Nominated, Best British Documentary Film, British Independent Film Awards, 2007.
Audience Award, Maui International Film Festival, 2007.
Best Documentary, Sedona International Film Festival, 2007.
Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking, Sedona International Film Festival, 2007.
Audience Award, Best Documentary, Indianapolis International Film Festival, 2007.
Grand Prize, Boulder International Film Festival, 2007.
Audience Award, Best International Feature, Florida Film Festival, 2007.
Audience Award, World Film Category, Sundance Film Festival, 2007.
PBS/WGBH NOVA 2006
Underwater Dream Machine
Executive Producer
NOVA presents one man’s dream of building a radical new submarine.

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The Alfred Mann Foundation 2006
Stroke
Co-producer/Director
Corporate film presenting the latest results of pioneering medical research into the rehabilitation of stroke victims.
PBS/WGBH NOVA/ZDF 2004–2005
Hitler’s Sunken Secret
Director
NOVA re-examines the German effort to create a nuclear bomb and the daring Norwegian sabotage attempt
to thwart it.
Winner, Gold Plaque, Chicago International Television Festival, 2006.
BBC Science/PBS/WGBH NOVA 2004
Global Dimming
Director
Horizon presents this disturbing film which reveals for the first time how a new form of anthropogenic climate
change is affecting the Earth, and the alarming consequence of trying to correct it.
Award of Merit, Grantham Awards, 2007.
Winner, Best Documentary, Earthwatch Institute Environmental Awards, 2007.
Winner, Best Science Documentary, Association of British Science Writers, 2006.
Winner, Best Earth Science Documentary, WildScreen Awards, 2006.
Winner, Silver Plaque, Chicago International Television Festival, 2005.
BBC Science/Discovery Science/ProSieben 2004
Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets
Associate Producer
A ‘making of’ style film looking at the science behind the Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets series.
BBC Science/Discovery/ProSieben 2003–2004
Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets
Associate Producer
Landmark BBC drama documentary series following the trials and tribulations of five international astronauts and
their daring 10 year mission to the planets.
Winner, Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Programme, Visual Effects Society Awards, 2005.
Winner, Sir Arthur C. Clarke Award, Best Presentation, TV and Radio.
Channel 4/PBS WGBH/NOVA 2002–2003
Magnetic Storm
Director
Equinox tells how the Earth’s magnetic field could be heading for a dramatic upheaval.
Winner, Gold Remi, Houston WorldFest Awards, 2004.
Winner, Best Earth Science Documentary, WildScreen Awards, 2005.
Finalist, Best Science Documentary, The Grierson Awards, 2004.

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National Geographic Channels International 2001
Rocket Men of Mission 105
Director/Conceived
Granted exclusive access, this behind the scenes documentary follows the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery
on a daring mission to the International Space Station.
Winner, Gold Remi, Houston WorldFest Awards, 2003.
Nominated for the Peabody Award, 2002.
Channel 4/National Geographic/PBS/WGBH NOVA 2001
Hunt for the Death Star
Producer/Conceived
Equinox tells the 30-year race to discover the source of the most violent explosions in the cosmos.
Winner, Gold Hugo, Chicago International Television Festival, 2001.
Nominated for the RTS Craft and Design award for visual effects.
Channel 4/National Geographic 2001
The Day the Oceans Boiled
Associate Producer
Equinox explores how changes to the world’s forests and oceans could trigger a rapid acceleration of global
warming.
Nominee, Best Documentary on a Contemporary Issue, The Grierson Awards, 2002.
Winner, Best Television Documentary, British Environment and Media Awards, 2002.
Winner, Silver Hugo, Chicago International Television Festival, 2001.
Finalist, Best Science Documentary, Association of British Science Writers, 2001.
National Geographic Channels International 2001
The Science of Waves
Presenter
A look at the latest research behind waves, shot on location in La Palma.
Channel 4/Discovery Europe 2000–2001
Planet Storm
Series Science Consultant
Using the latest CGI the series takes viewers into the maelstrom of storms which are found on other planets in our
solar system.
Channel 4 1999–2000
Einstein’s Biggest Blunder
Associate Producer
Equinox uncovers the revolution in cosmology which is leading to a new view of the Universe.
Finalist, Best Science Documentary, Association of British Science Writers, 2000.
Highest recorded number of web hits at Channel 4 after Big Brother in 2000.

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Discovery Europe 1999
Little Guide to the Big Universe
Presenter
A quirky guide to our very large universe.
Channel 4/Discovery 1998–1999
Universe 2001: Beyond the Millennium
Production Coordinator/Researcher
Incorporating state-of-the-art CGI this landmark series reveals, with incredible beauty, our understanding
of the universe around us.
Winner, Best Science Documentary Series, Association of British Science Writers, 1999.
BBC Science 1997–1998
The Essential Guide to Rocks
Presenter/Researcher
A fun magazine documentary series, discovering the geology of Great Britain. Presented with Kate Humble and
Ray Mears.
Winner, Best Science Documentary Series, Association of British Science Writers, 1998.
BBC Science/The Learning Channel 1997–1998
Earth Story
Researcher
Landmark BBC earth science documentary series which takes us on an epic journey to discover how the Earth has
evolved over time.
Recipient of the American Geophysical Union Excellence in Science Journalism Award, 1999.
SELECTED REFERENCES
Nick Metcalfe Executive Producer
Ash Potterton Executive Producer
Tom Brisley Creative Director
Arrow Media International.
Simon Andreae CEO
Naked/Discovery/FOX/Channel 4 Science.
Hamish Mykura EVP & Head of International Content
National Geographic Channels International/Channel 4 Science.
Charlie Parsons Vice President of Global Development and Production
National Geographic Channel (NGC).
Liz McIntyre CEO
Sheffield Doc Fest/Commissioner Discovery UK.
Ellen Stofan Former Chief Scientist
NASA.
Bert Ulrich Liaison Multimedia, Film and TV Collaborations
NASA Headquarters.