First Nations National Guardians Network
Guardians of Lake Babine
The Brief
The first in a ground-breaking documentary series for the National Guardians Network in Canada
Sectors: Charity
Services: Creative Direction | Editing
An Overview
Deep in the frozen wilds of British Columbia, a story of strength, science, and stewardship is unfolding. For the past few months, Meantime Studio video creative agency has been immersed in the post-production of Guardians of Lake Babine; a documentary created for the First Nation National Guardians Network. Filmed over five days in the heart of Lake Babine Nation territory, it’s a portrait of a remarkable Indigenous-led conservation effort: one that’s as grounded in ancestral knowledge as it is in modern science.
The film is the first in a series of documentaries; part of a huge collaboration between the First Nation National Guardians Network and Meantime Studio. It’s a film that’s grounded, with real storytelling, captured in full cinematic beauty.
The Outcome
A Different Kind of Conservation Film
Deliverables:
- Documentary
- Social Cutdowns
From the beginning, we knew this couldn’t be another glossy-but-detached environmental documentary. Too often, conservation stories rely on overly scripted interviews, stiff, highly lit setups, and disconnected narratives. We wanted to help steer this somewhere far more real – something intimate, immediate, and of course cinematic!
Working closely with NGN’s Jack Shaw, our role in early creative strategy focused on keeping things human, alive & present. We advised on a camera style that felt embedded rather than observed. We suggested ditching the static interviews, instead favouring conversations captured mid-action.
The result is a film that breathes. You feel the cold. Hear the wind. You don’t just learn about the work the Guardians are doing, you’re there with them.
“Working with Meantime was a transformative collaboration. The team approached the project with deep intention, respecting both the vision of the National Guardians Network and the cultural voice of Lake Babine Nation. Our process was rooted in co-creation, ensuring the Guardians’ perspectives guided the story every step of the way. Ben brought a rare sensitivity in the edit, finding the emotional thread that honoured the footage and the Nations story. For me, it was always about placing the audience inside the world of the Guardians, to feel the land, the responsibility, and the urgency. Meantime was the perfect partner to bring that vision to life.”
Jack Shaw, National Guardians Network
Research
Cameras Rolling in The Wilderness
Cinematographers Jordan Rendle and Richard Tran, led by Director Christian Lai and Producer Jack Shaw captured a stunning range of footage: aerials of frozen lakes, encounters with wolves, snow-bound moose tracks, and the daily rhythms of life on the land. The Guardians’ work, including collaring moose, restoring habitat, tracking wildlife, was documented with respect and reverence.
Sound was a critical part of the vision. We emphasised gathering wild tracks such as wind through spruce trees, distant water, the calls of birds. Every new location was introduced with wide shots and atmosphere audio, grounding each moment in place before the action unfolded. From heli-blade whir to the crunch of boots in snow, every layer adds to the texture of the story.
Content
Post-Production in Full Force
Once the expedition wrapped, Meantime Studio video creative agency took back the reins. Over the next two months, our in-house editor Ben Lambert shaped countless hours of raw material into a cohesive and emotionally rich narrative. Multiple rounds of reviews honed the pacing, structure and rhythm; from sweeping landscape sequences to the soft-spoken reflections of Guardians in the field. The final film is a thing of cinematic beauty, grit and grace in equal measure.
This is what Indigenous-led conservation looks like: bold, necessary, and deeply connected to the land. Guardians of Lake Babine is one of the most powerful projects we’ve had the honour to shape, and it’s just the beginning!
Two more documentaries from the National Guardians Network are now deep in post at Meantime. Each tells a different story, rooted in a different Nation, but united by a common purpose: restoring balance and protecting the future. We can’t wait to share more soon!
Credits
Exec Producer
Jack Shaw
Director
Christian Lai
Cameras
Jordan Rendle and Richard Tran
Editor
Ben Lambert
Meantime Producer
Luke Billing
Production Year
2025
Special Thanks
To Jack Shaw and the Guardians of Lake Babine
Related work
Habitat For Humanity
The Way Home