Justin Hall: Discovery Channel Series; Runningman
Focused on Tribes and Environmental issues, our 10*30 mins, ‘Runningman‘ adventure series for the Discovery Channel received the highest ratings for the period during its 310 airings across Europe in 45 languages… 
Charting the course of a three-month interactive expedition exploring a little known Amazon region, its tribes and the issues unfolding throughout the area.
The series set a novel tone for presenter lead adventure programming as it introduced the audience to complex issues including child slavery, indigenous land-rights, deforestation, gold mining, bio-prospecting (big Pharma appropriating Shamanic wisdom!) and much more… here’s a snapshot of Series One, a few press comments and an outline of the projects deeper interactive objectives
SERIES ONE PROMO: SURINAME, SOUTH AMERICA
Press comments: The Times 03/07/2002
Gabrielle Starkey: “It is refreshing to come across a program presented by someone with a genuine passion for what they are doing”
Guardian Newspaper: Interview
Discovery’s Runningman Day:
On the 5th May 2003, Discovery’s ‘Travel & Adventure’ Channel aired back to back episodes of Runningman. 10 shows all day long … no other programming
Runningman content has been translated into 45 different languages and aired globally across Discovery Networks
The Series Links:
Note from the Producer:
Back In 2000, exploring the potential of emerging technologies, I led a three-month expedition through the tribal territories of eight amazon forest communities. It was my first major expedition and although the objectives where quite simple – i.e. review the forces affecting habitat, resource, nature and people – the idea of using the web to communicate each step of the journey in real-time was somewhat pioneering.
Arming myself with almost 500 kilos of hi-tech kit including military laptops, solar panels and satellite communicators, we set about offering the remote tribes of the interior a digital platform from which to voice their hopes and fears.
Via satellite, we relayed their stories directly from source, initiating discussions between like-minded groups and NGOs, subtly introducing the idea of digitally mapping the narrative, law and land rights claims of the indigenous and tribal communities we met.
The results were encouraging. With the web still in its infancy, 2.5 million joined us online. Collectively, school kids, scholars and a new breed of armchair traveller spent thousands of hours viewing or work and, in some cases, getting involved.
Although more complex than I can explain here, in short, the project, initiated debate and saw the return of 100,000 hectares of land to a tribe whose land rights had been appropriated by a gold mining concession… all because of online interaction and a debate started through our work.
To me, it was a proof of concept, a turning point and a sure sign that technology can and should be used to engage, inform and empower. An ethos that remains a driving force in everything I do.
One of my biggest honours came as a result of my work on Runningman.
A nomination by the Royal Geographical Society inviting me to become a Fellow of the Society and speaker on the expedition advisory council… It was a great honour… but also a challenge, as setting new standards and pushing the boundaries is what FELLOWS do… I resolved to keep thinking big and find a way to dramatically contribute to my new found, greatly esteemed Peers…
Developing ever more advanced ways to engage inform & empower the audience as my solution-seeking expeditions unfold…
Runningman.tv: 2000
The web site that accompanied Runningman’s journeys received over 2.7 million hits during production in 2000. Collectively people spent tens of thousands of hours reviewing its content, learning along the way and sometimes taking an active role.
Runningman S1 Press Comments
The Times 03/07/2002
Gabrielle Starkey
“It is refreshing to come across a program presented by someone with a genuine passion for what they are doing”
The Guardian 08/05/03 read original here
Nick Ryan
“Part adventurer, part old fashioned explorer with a 21st-century conscience and self-taught ease with the latest communication technologies, Hall cuts almost an evangelical figure”
Daily Mail 25/09/02
“Exploration meets conservation, snappy editing makes this the ‘Naked Chef’ of the environmental shows… Genuine danger is prevalent”
Focus Magazine: 04/2003 Anthony Dhanendran
“The reality of life in South America’s poorest country makes uncomfortable viewing, but it is always compelling, and Hall is understanding of its problems. These are entertaining and always fascinating programs, with serious points to make”
Sunday Telegraph Magazine:
“Part David Livingstone, part backpacker, Hall is an explorer with an ecological message”
Satellite TV Europe July 2002
“His enthusiasm and sense of urgency inspires those he meets. The RM alerts us to the perils, but unlike many travelogues stops short of futile hand wringing and instead offers us some imaginative solutions…”
Runningman Sponsors
- Olympus Technologies
- Getac Computer
- Suriname Airways
- Niche Technologies
- Solar Century
- Colombia Apparel
- Expedition Kit UK
- Morphy Richards
- Scuba Cam
- Rugged Peak
- Michael Watt (C.S.I Octagon)