Guiding the Okavango Delta
A short documentary following Massimo Rebuzzi, a safari guide who has spent his life in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. We follow him on foot as he tracks wildlife the way he's done it for years, reading the land, the animals, and the rhythms of a place that most of the world only sees from a distance. The film is built around the relationship between Massimo, the delta, and the wildlife that connects them, and what it actually takes to know a place like this from the inside.
The story sits at the intersection of character, place, and conservation. Through Massimo we get an honest look at what life and work in the Okavango actually looks like, the patience, the expertise, and the daily commitment it takes to protect a landscape this fragile. It's not a wildlife documentary in the traditional sense. It's a portrait of a person whose entire life is tied to a place, and what we can learn from him about caring for the wild spaces that are left.
Alongside the main film we'd produce a BTS piece that breaks down the project from a creative and production standpoint, including how Narrative played a role in handling the photo workflow throughout. Narrative becomes a real part of how we organize, cull, and deliver the work, and the BTS becomes a natural place to show that in genuine use rather than as a staged demo. It also gives Narrative a space to highlight specific features or workflows tied to whatever they're launching around the same window.
Together, the main film and the BTS create a layered piece of content. One is a human story with real stakes and a festival run behind it. The other is a closer look at the craft, the workflow, and the partnership that made it possible.
who we are
I began my career as a brand strategist and digital designer. This has been an incredible asset in my creative work. Having a designers perspective helps me think critically about important elements in the projects I work on, such as what's the relevance of the project to the brand, whether it's geared toward the appropriate audience, and if this project embodies that brand's identity.
Based in Los Angeles, but rarely home due to his travel focused work. Bryce is often on the move, capturing stories from around the world unless he's grounded on a film project.
Storytelling lies at the heart of both his personal and professional work, and he’s committed to doing whatever it takes to capture the perfect shot and create moments that leave a lasting impact.
the team
We've got seven touchpoints to build out:
- Main film backed by Narrative with full brand attachment, opening and closing credits, "presented by" or "in partnership with" depending on what feels right in the cut
- BTS film as a separate piece that breaks down the project and shows how Narrative was used in our photo workflow throughout the production, this is also the place where any upcoming feature they want to spotlight gets featured
- Actual workflow integration, we'd run all the stills from Botswana through Narrative for cull and edit, so the BTS is showing real use not a staged demo
- Social content rollout, stills and short-form cuts released throughout production and after, Narrative tagged and credited, usable on both their channels and ours
- Festival run with Narrative attached as the brand partner across submissions, programs, and any press coverage
- Co-ownership of the main film and BTS assets so they can use them freely on their channels, web, launch campaigns, and feature showcases
- Curated stills package delivered alongside the films for their marketing use
Yes, open to building the BTS around something specific they're launching. The angle is: we shape the BTS to highlight whatever feature or workflow makes the most sense on their end, as long as it stays authentic to how we actually used it on the project. We don't want it to feel like a forced product demo, but if they have a new feature dropping, the BTS is the natural place to show it in real use.
On repurposing rights and flexibility with upcoming features, yes, we're open to building the BTS Film around something specific you have launching. We can shape the narrative of the BTS Film to highlight whatever workflow or feature makes the most sense on your end, as long as it stays authentic to how we actually used it on the project.
Co-ownership of the delivered assets means Narrative can use the main film, BTS, stills, and short cuts freely across your channels, website, launch campaigns, and feature showcases. If any modifications, recuts, or new versions are needed for future campaigns or showcases beyond what's delivered, that work would be billed separately.
We've carefully sourced these individuals as unique subjects for the first two short films of this series to be filmed in 2026, and are currently talking with other leads for shortfilm selections in 2027.
Click the arrows to see subject details
Massimo is a safari guide from South Africa who has been operating a camp in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. This is an incredible location for wildlife as the delta is home to a variety of animals that exist in it's lakes and delta. Massimo is an expert level guide who we will be accompaniying while he treks across the delta on foot tracking wildlife and learning about their habitats.
Production Schedule:
- Pre-Production: July-August
- Production: September
- Post-Production: November-December
Estimated
Budget
- Production Costs$8,000
Crew
$2,000 (1 Director, 1 Cinematographer)Talent and On-Screen Participants
Participant stipends / honorariums: $2,000Travel
International flights/In-country travel: $4,000 - post-Production Costs$1,000
Licensing
Primary film licensing: $1,000 - estimated production total$9,000