Interview with Emma Napper, first time producer and winner of Roscar award for Best Newcomer

Filming of "Sea Otters: A Million Dollar baby"

Why have you chosen to film sea otters?

I’ve always thought Sea Otters are amazing animals, not just cute but incredibly resourceful and tenacious. I visited Monterey (California) in 2008, filming for the BBC’s LIFE series, and came across the female otter who lived in the Monterey Marina and I thought she was fascinating. She was doing everything an Otter should do, but right in the middle of a busy harbor. I spoke to the local boat owner, Jim, about her and found out that she wasn’t just surviving in the marina, she was taking advantage of it – adapting her behavior to every new opportunity, opening her clams on the boats and feeding around the abalone farms. I hoped that she would have a pup and we would be lucky enough to capture on film how she passed on her knowledge. I didn’t know how she would cope or whether she could really raise a pup in these unusual circumstances, but as we started to film her I quickly realized what an extraordinary mother she is. ·

How long have you been working on this project?

We started filming for the Natural World in June 2009 when the pup was born and followed the mother and pup until April 2010 right up until a couple of days before the edit! I really felt I got to know the mother and pup – I miss them! I was working on this part time (along with my other job as the researcher / AP on the BBC Madagascar series)

What has been one of your most memorable encounters with the sea otters?

I really got to spend time with the pup. It is illegal to approach sea otters so we couldn’t move too close to them, but the mother felt safe with us so she would look up from the water, shoulder lift the pup out of the water and place her right up next to us on the dock. We had to be quiet and respectful at all times but we were able to witness some intimate moments in their lives which I think were completely unique – even if it was just the pup dreaming and twitching in her sleep.

How does it feel knowing you’ve won the Best Newcomer Award and it being sponsored by the Wildlife Film Academy?

I ‘m so happy to have won the Best Newcomer Award – I couldn’t believe it when I found out. Sea Otters was a real joint effort with the very talented cameramen, editors and people on the ground in Monterey. I’m really grateful for the Wildlife Film Academy for sponsoring the award.  It can be a tough time when you start  out as a wildlife film maker but it is a great industry to be part of – so full of passionate people determined to celebrate the wonders of wildlife