I am a dedicated researcher and storyteller who has built a career around wildlife and science documentary production for major broadcasters such as Nat Geo, Disney+, and Netflix. I thrive on in-depth research, story development, and meticulous fact-checking, with hands-on experience supporting international shoots and managing complex logistics across time zones. I enjoy collaborating with contributors and industry professionals, sourcing archives, and guiding post-production workflows to craft engaging, behaviour-led narratives that inform and inspire global audiences. With a background in field research, camera support, and animal handling, I am passionate about turning scientific insights into accessible stories that resonate with diverse audiences.

Matt Couldwell

I am a dedicated researcher and storyteller who has built a career around wildlife and science documentary production for major broadcasters such as Nat Geo, Disney+, and Netflix. I thrive on in-depth research, story development, and meticulous fact-checking, with hands-on experience supporting international shoots and managing complex logistics across time zones. I enjoy collaborating with contributors and industry professionals, sourcing archives, and guiding post-production workflows to craft engaging, behaviour-led narratives that inform and inspire global audiences. With a background in field research, camera support, and animal handling, I am passionate about turning scientific insights into accessible stories that resonate with diverse audiences.

Available to hire

I am a dedicated researcher and storyteller who has built a career around wildlife and science documentary production for major broadcasters such as Nat Geo, Disney+, and Netflix. I thrive on in-depth research, story development, and meticulous fact-checking, with hands-on experience supporting international shoots and managing complex logistics across time zones. I enjoy collaborating with contributors and industry professionals, sourcing archives, and guiding post-production workflows to craft engaging, behaviour-led narratives that inform and inspire global audiences.

With a background in field research, camera support, and animal handling, I am passionate about turning scientific insights into accessible stories that resonate with diverse audiences.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Secondary Tour Leader at Greentours Natural History Holidays
January 1, 2025 - Present
Led secondary tours with a focus on natural history, coordinating logistics and safety across destinations; supported guest experiences and on-site interpretation.
Researcher at Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF)
April 8, 2025 - Present
Conducted in-depth research and analysis of countries with the highest meningitis burden across the Asia Pacific Region using AI tools; built relationships with medical professionals and existing members to recruit prospects for the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO).
Researcher at Talesmith (Nat Geo / Disney+)
September 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
Annotated script research, fact-checking, and narration support for NatGeo; transcribed presenter rushes with Trint and converted EDLs to Excel to assist with edit logging and contributor coordination.
Researcher at Wildstar Films (Sentient)
March 1, 2021 - December 1, 2023
Supported international shoots from pre-prod to post; identified locations, contributor outreach, and field logistics across time zones. Provided DIT support (YOYOTTA, REDCINE), camera assisting (RED, Phantom, Sony), and animal wrangling including reptiles and insects. Researched and developed original behaviour-led stories, storyboarded shot lists, and contributed to on-location planning.
Jr. Researcher & Logger at Wildstar Films / America’s National Parks (Nat Geo / Disney+)
October 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
Coordinated contributor and crew comms across time zones; delivered detailed species research and fact-checked scripts; sourced archive footage; logged rushes to shape behavioural sequences for the edit.
Videographer at The Marine Diaries
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Captured documentary footage and media assets for marine-focused storytelling.
Volunteer / Intern at WWF UK
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018
Support roles in conservation communications and outreach.
Logger, Wild Babies at Humblebee Films
March 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021
Logged sequences by behaviour and narrative for an 8-part SVOD blue-chip series, supporting editors with organised rushes and working closely with the team to shape compelling, character-led animal storylines.
Researcher at Research Foundation (MRF)
April 8, 2025 - October 30, 2025
Conducted in-depth research and analysis of Asia Pacific countries with meningitis burden using AI; built relationships with medical professionals to recruit prospects for the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO).
Researcher at Talesmith
September 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
Annotated script research, fact-checking, and narration support for Nat Geo's Secrets of the Penguins; transcribed presenter rushes and assisted with edit logging and contributor coordination.
Researcher at Wildstar Films
March 1, 2021 - December 1, 2023
Supported and set up international shoots from pre-production to post; identified locations, contributor outreach, and field logistics across time zones; provided DIT support, camera assisting, and animal wrangling; researched and developed original behaviour-led stories, storyboarded shot lists, and supported post-production workflows.
Jr. Researcher & Logger at Wildstar Films / Nat Geo / Disney+
October 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
Coordinated contributor and crew communications across time zones; delivered detailed species research and fact-checked scripts; sourced archive footage; logged rushes to shape behavioural sequences for the edit.
Logger at Humblebee Films / Netflix
March 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021
Logged sequences by behaviour and narrative for an 8-part SVOD blue-chip series, supporting editors with organised rushes and working closely with the team to shape compelling, character-led animal storylines.
Video Researcher at Newsflare
January 1, 2025 - Present
Video research for Newsflare; sourcing footage and managing metadata.
Researcher at The Marine Diaries
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Researcher for The Marine Diaries; credited as videographer on Harry Pearcy Award.
Press & Media Intern at Born Free Foundation
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Online Media Creator at WWF UK
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Volunteer/Research Assistant at Frontier: The Society for Environmental Exploration
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Researcher at MRF - Research Foundation
April 8, 2025 - October 30, 2025
Conducted in-depth research and analysis of Asia-Pacific countries with the highest meningitis burden using AI; built relationships with medical professionals and existing members to recruit prospects for the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO).
Researcher at Nat Geo / Disney+ (Secrets of the Penguins)
September 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
Annotated script research, fact-checking, and narration support; transcribed presenter rushes with Trint; converted EDLs to Excel to assist with edit logging and contributor coordination.
Researcher at Wildstar Films (Sentient) for Nat Geo / Disney+
March 1, 2021 - December 1, 2023
Supported and set up international shoots; provided DIT support, camera assisting, and animal wrangling; researched and developed original behaviour-led stories; storyboarded shot lists and selects on location; ensured smooth operations with kit knowledge.
Jr. Researcher & Logger at Wildstar Films for Nat Geo / Disney+ (America’s National Parks)
October 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022
Coordinated contributor and crew communications across time zones; delivered detailed species research and fact-checked scripts; sourced archive footage; logged rushes to shape behavioural sequences for the edit.
Logger at Humblebee Films for Netflix: Wild Babies
March 1, 2021 - August 1, 2021
Logged sequences by behaviour and narrative for an 8-part SVOD blue-chip series; supported editors with organised rushes and collaborated to shape compelling, character-led animal storylines.
Press & Media Intern at WWF UK
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018
Assisted with press and media activities, contributing to outreach and communications.
Online Media Creator at Frontier: The Society for Environmental Exploration
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Produced online media content supporting environmental exploration projects.
Videographer at The Born Free Foundation (Harry Pearcy Award)
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Videographer for the Harry Pearcy Award project.

Education

MSc Wildlife Documentary Production at University of Salford
September 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020
BSc Wildlife Conservation (Hons) at Nottingham Trent University
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Wildlife Documentary Production (MSc) at University of Salford
September 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020
Wildlife Conservation (BSc Hons) at Nottingham Trent University
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016
Master of Science in Wildlife Documentary Production at University of Salford
September 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Wildlife Conservation at Nottingham Trent University
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2016

Qualifications

Remote Location & First Aid (Secret Compass)
January 11, 2030 - December 3, 2025
Certified SSI Open Water Diver
January 11, 2030 - December 3, 2025
IVISA (Valid until 2028)
January 11, 2030 - December 31, 2028
Certified SSI Open Water Diver
January 11, 2030 - January 16, 2026
Certified SSI Open Water Diver
January 11, 2030 - January 16, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Travel & Hospitality, Healthcare