An online series shares the stories behind the Frontier Development Lab

In a series of cinematic films, the stories behind some of Frontier Development Lab’s toughest challenges are revealed. 

FDL, a partnership between NASA and the European Space Agency and hosted by the SETI Institute, aims to make sense of enormous amounts of data each day to tackle some of earth’s greatest challenges. Powered by technology from Google Cloud and Intel, they can achieve even more, faster. The films offer an over-the-shoulder look at how FDL research affects our everyday lives, turning invisible technology that functions behind-the-scenes into tangible outcomes. 

The stories of exploration have been captured in a four-part, cinematic film series by MediaMonks, the content practice of S4 Capital. The series consists of the anthem film and three-episodes and show the technology and bright minds in their process of tackling challenges such as predicting the next solar flare, mapping the moon and improving disaster response on Earth.

In production of the films, locations in the Redwood Forest, Barcelona beaches, and a quarry that served as the moon and mars, were coupled with custom-built sets like a giant LED panel and a vault of books––for a moving ode to the science that propels our world forward.  

The week-long shoot was followed by a sprint of post production from MediaMonks’ teams in Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles and New York, using VFX to add real-word rainstorms and rocketships for viewers to wonder at. Decades of NASA footage and a realistic moon and mars brought to life through color-grading complete the story––bringing the power of science and technology right into the homes and hearts of viewers worldwide.