Amsterdam, 22 October 2007: The Bristol-based Off the Fence Ltd. has received a commission from the BBC to produce a 1 x 60’ documentary for the prestigious Natural World strand, it was announced today by Ellen Windemuth, Managing Director.

Feeding the Giants is one of only seven documentaries commissioned this year by the BBC for the Natural World strand from independent production companies. Currently in production and due for delivery in autumn 2008, Feeding the Giants follows South African Michael Rutzen as he attempts to fulfil his dream – to swim amongst great white sharks – in the wild, without a cage. Sharks have ruled the oceans for over 400 million years, dominating the food chain until a more resourceful killer emerged – man. To date interactions between man and shark have been predominately negative – until now. Mike believes that his life’s work diving with great white sharks has given him a unique insight and ability to communicate with the oceans so called ‘man-killers’.

Nobody has ever studied great white shark feeding behaviour by swimming with them underwater. Mike believes that by communicating with them through body language, they will accept him as just another predator, allowing him to discover the true nature of their behaviour. Mike believes that Great Whites are not mindless killing machines, but top predators whose behaviour can be predicted and decoded.

Joe Kennedy, Director of Production at Off the Fence Bristol commented today, “The high production values and gripping stories inherent in the award-winning Natural World strand are world-renowned and we are honoured that Feeding the Giants will sit alongside such prestigious programming. Mike is an extraordinary individual who has dedicated his life to encourage understanding of sharks far beyond the traditional opinion of “man-eater”. We are confident that we will be able to bring his true passion to the screen, communicating his adventures in a way to create scintillating viewing for a worldwide audience”.