Portfolio
Trapper Creek Media has crafted compelling stories for the world's leading networks and streaming platforms. Here's a small selection of our work across a variety of formats:
Feature-Length Documentaries
"Panic" (VICE on HBO) Emmy award-winning documentary that brought the 2008 financial crisis to life through unprecedented access to key players, including former U.S. Presidents, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the architects of the crisis response: Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Combined these dramatic insider accounts with insights from leading authors and experts to demystify one of the most complex economic events in modern history.
"Inside Japan's Nuclear Meltdown" (PBS FRONTLINE) Emmy Award-winning investigation that went inside the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster through unprecedented access to Japan's Prime Minister, TEPCO executives, and the workers who risked their lives to prevent a complete meltdown that was hours from putting millions at risk. Leveraging Japanese fluency and months of on-the-ground reporting, including time within the exclusion zone, we unearthed never-before-seen footage and tracked survivors across Japan to tell the full human story of this historic catastrophe. Winner of an Emmy for Outstanding Continuing Coverage and the Royal Television Society Award for Best Current Affairs Documentary.
"Cults Explained (Netflix + Vox) Selected to launch Season 2 of Netflix's hit Explained series, “Cults” is a compelling 25-minute exploration of cult psychology and history. We secured rare on-camera interviews with former cult members, weaving their powerful testimonies with expert insights, archival footage, custom illustrations, and dynamic motion design. Netflix made the rare decision to simultaneously release the episode on YouTube, where it has garnered an additional 1.4 million views and thousands of positive comments.
Documentary Series
"Accomplice to Murder" (Court TV) Trapper Creek Media produced 22 hour-long episodes over two successful seasons of this groundbreaking series. Drawing from Court TV's vast archive of murder trials spanning three decades, we shifted the true crime lens away from the murderer and onto the psychology of everyday people caught up in horrific crimes they never would have committed alone. To bring a fresh look to the genre, we got Court TV anchor Vinnie Politan out of the studio and into the field to the scene of each crime. Instead of low-budget and overly dramatic recreations, we developed a distinctive visual style using elegant illustrations and dynamic animation to transport the viewer into the mind of the murderer and their accomplices. The series features exclusive interviews with those accused, exonerated, and serving time for being accomplices to murder—including rare death row conversations. This innovative approach to true crime storytelling made it Court TV's highest-rated Sunday show.
“Losers” (Netflix) Primetime Emmy-nominated series that challenges notions of failure by highlighting the stories of athletes whose moments of defeat revealed their true character. From the scorching sands of Morocco to the frozen landscapes of Alaska, from the soccer pitches of England to the Curling sheets of Canada, we tracked down and captured intimate stories of resilience and redemption.
“Planet A" (VICE World News) We took the entirety of Vice News on HBO’s environmental reporting and developed it into a six-episode series showcasing global environmental issues and solutions.
Events & Corporate Storytelling
Scripps Howard Awards We reinvented this prestigious journalism event as a compelling two-hour broadcast special, bringing together well-known hosts and anchors to celebrate excellence in reporting. Rather than a traditional awards ceremony, we created mini-documentaries highlighting all 42 nominated works of journalism, ensuring each important story—from local investigations to national exposés—received the spotlight it deserved. The show struck a balance between honoring the journalists and showcasing their vital work, creating a format that elevated both the awards and the critical stories that earned them accolades.
Electra Aero When Electra Aero needed to unveil their revolutionary ultrashort takeoff and landing aircraft concept, they faced a unique challenge: their functioning prototype needed to tell the story of a more advanced production aircraft that didn't yet exist. Trapper Creek Media crafted an innovative multi-format launch event that seamlessly bridged this gap. Through a carefully orchestrated combination of live staging, lighting design, and sophisticated video production, we created a reveal that transformed their physical prototype into a digital vision of the future before the audience's eyes. The production wove together three distinct video pieces: a fully 3D reveal of the production aircraft, a documentary-style origin story featuring real team interviews, and a hybrid video integrating 3D models with live-action footage. This sophisticated blend of physical and digital elements helped Electra effectively communicate both their current technological achievements and their compelling vision for the future of aviation.
EL9 Event Launch Recap
Electra Aero documentary short
The EL9 Passenger Use Case
Trapper Creek Media brings unparalleled expertise to international production, combining powerful storytelling with efficient, well-managed global operations. Our foundation in multilingual production—from the Nagano Olympics to the FIFA World Cup—has evolved into a comprehensive understanding of international media logistics that serves major networks including PBS FRONTLINE, Netflix, VICE, and Al Jazeera America. This deep experience means we navigate the complexities of international production—from carnets and customs to location permits and local labor laws—with confidence and precision, protecting your project from costly delays and unexpected expenses.
Our experience working both sides of international production—leading American crews abroad and serving as local production support for foreign media companies in the U.S.—gives us unique insight into maximizing resources in any location. From documenting the aftermath of Fukushima to producing stories across Europe, Africa, and Asia, we maintain an extensive network of trusted fixers, local crews, and production partners who help us work efficiently while maintaining the highest production standards. This combination of storytelling expertise and operational knowledge means your investment goes further: you get compelling global content while avoiding the common pitfalls and hidden costs that often plague international productions. When you work with Trapper Creek Media, you're not just getting a production team—you're getting decades of international production intelligence that ensures your story is told brilliantly and your budget is spent wisely.
Sweden
Interviewing Robert Aschberg, a "Trolljägarna (Troll Hunter) and journalist who created a show to expose internet trolls.
International Production
Marshall Islands
Investigating coral bleaching and devastating tidal surges in the Marshall Islands linked to climate change.
Italy
Following Syrian family on their voyage from Middle East through Italy on their way to Austria