Inside the second part of our series, meet the producers, storytellers, and cinematographers powering TV’s most ambitious environmental show
By Carlos Roa
Photos: Eduardo Hayek
As we joined The Visioneers’ team on location at the Gecko Robotics facility in Pittsburgh, the moment felt right to step behind the scenes and understand how every piece of the production comes together and the unique role each crew member plays in it.
This is the second installment of our two-part story. The first piece, published last week, traced the origins of the show, the message it set out to share and the first look at the team.
Now we follow the seasoned, award-winning professionals who carry that vision forward in every shoot and ensure that every minute reflects the spirit of The Visioneers. It’s a spirit that recently earned the series an Environmental Media Association Award (EMA) and a Silver Anthem Award for Sustainability, Environment and Climate Stewardship.
Finding the Balance
Executive Producer Scott Moore, a multi-Emmy-nominated producer with more than two decades of experience across CBS, ABC, NBC and YouTube, says the strength of The Visioneers comes from its unified creative process. “Collaboration is key to getting the best stories to air,” he explains. “When everyone shares the same vision, magic truly happens.”
Guiding an environmental series also means balancing inspiration with logistics, but Moore says the team’s mindset makes the difference. “There are always ways to bring the most interesting and inspiring stories to the screen without sacrificing quality,” he notes. “There’s always a way to make it happen.”
For Moore, the show’s impact goes beyond metrics. He hopes viewers feel entertained, informed and subtly empowered to make changes in their own communities. The most meaningful feedback, he says, comes directly from the public: “Hearing that someone made a change after seeing one of the stories is the best measure of success.” Recognition from peers reinforces that mission. Winning an Environmental Media Association Award in the show’s first season, he adds, proves that “The Visioneers is truly making a difference.”
A New Style of Documentary
For Alejandro Delgado, co-executive producer and VoLo Foundation representative, The Visioneers offered a chance to explore a new approach to documentary storytelling. As vice president of Environmental Strategies in Film and TV, he works to amplify climate-conscious narratives and inspire action through media and educational outreach. After three decades in the industry, he had long envisioned a more dynamic and uplifting approach to storytelling.
On set, the crew playfully calls him “The King of Cameos” for his habit of slipping into the frame without realizing he is on camera.
“I loved the idea right away because I had been looking for a format that moves beyond the traditional documentary style, something dynamic, inspiring, heartfelt, entertaining and fun, while still being informative and educational,” he says.
“It all started with a conversation between Zay Harding and me. I’ve known Zay through the co-founders for some time, and when he shared his idea, it immediately clicked. It wasn’t just a great concept; it perfectly aligned with VoLo Foundation’s mission to connect science with everyday people.”
When he presented the concept to VoLo Foundation co-founder Thais Lopez Vogel, she immediately saw its potential and connected with it as a visioneer herself.
Delgado values how Zay’s curiosity guides every story. “He asks the questions we all wonder about, which makes the story accessible to anyone,” he says, adding that “through its engaging storytelling and visual appeal, the series gives voice to global innovators and emphasizes collaboration, a core element of the foundation’s philosophy.”
After searching for this kind of format for years, he says simply: “The Visioneers definitely moves beyond the traditional style.”
He also stresses that The Visioneers is the only U.S. series dedicated to showcasing international environmental solutions and the innovators behind them. “By presenting solutions that people can replicate, and local examples viewers can relate to, we hope to catalyze grassroots change and global awareness.”
Storytelling and Standards
Senior Producer Lawrence Williams focuses on the most compelling, heartfelt stories that reflect how people of all ages imagine a better, safer, healthier planet.
When the right story emerges, he says, everything else begins to take shape. “Once the creative direction is decided, the logistics and deadlines fall into place.”
Accuracy anchors the series. “As an educational program, facts are of the utmost importance and take priority. Only after this foundation is set can the creative process begin.”
Every completed segment brings him deep fulfillment: “It’s a huge privilege to share the amazing stories of people whose ingenuity, foresight and passion are dedicated to making the world a better, healthier place.”
Behind the segments, Supervising Producer Ian Sciacaluga casts a wide net for stories that feel like tomorrow’s inventions. “My principal role is to research stories that are either groundbreaking, innovative in a fantastical sense, pioneering, character-driven or even outrageous, and sometimes a combination of all five.”
After identifying a story, he begins what he describes as detective work: extensive communication to connect with every contributor who will shape each TV segment.
The Visioneers is a fast-paced educational show driven by strong visuals. “Although we film each episode in a single day with two cameras and a drone, we still need extra footage to clearly explain the environmental inventions we feature,” he says, so he requests additional assets such as photos, graphics or videos to illustrate the evolution of a project.
“Colin (Penney), executive producer and our brilliant post-production lead, weaves these materials into the edit, adding graphics and animations to clarify and enrich the narrative,” Sciacaluga explains, and with so much science involved, clarity becomes essential because these elements help younger audiences fully grasp each groundbreaking idea and feel inspired by it.
Segment Producer Eric Mintz describes how ideas grow from measurable impact. “A lot of ideas start with curiosity. I’m looking for people or projects tackling environmental or social challenges in creative, data-driven ways. The goal is to find stories that inspire optimism by highlighting progress without ignoring the facts.”
Sometimes that means showcasing cutting-edge research; other times, it’s about documenting the human story behind it. “I look for authenticity, people who genuinely believe in what they’re doing and can communicate it in a way that resonates,” he says. “Because this is a visual show, I also think about how their work comes to life on camera.”
He and Sciacaluga work closely with the post-production team to ensure tone, flow and scientific clarity. Penney “assembles the sequences and adds the extra material, along with graphics and animations, to clarify and simplify the explanations.”
The Keen Eyes Behind the Magic
When the cameras roll, Director of Photography Jerry Hudgens shapes the visual rhythm. Raised near Big Sur and Yosemite, he says the show’s craft reflects its landscapes. “Flexibility is key,” he explains. “Every technical choice is centered on our ability to move quickly and lightly so we can capture the raw habitats where our contributors work.”
Some shoots push that flexibility to the limit. Among the most memorable was filming atop a wind turbine in Rhode Island. “I was tasked with getting audio, camera and drone coverage of Zay and our contributor about 300 feet up on a small platform accessed only by ladder,” he recalls. “There was a wasp nest on top, so we were harnessed in while a swarm of wasps buzzed around us. It was awesome, and I loved every minute of it.”
Those are the moments that shape the show’s pulse.
Camera assistant Ryan Clausen, nicknamed ‘The Glue’, because he works with every department, binding the group together, keeps visuals consistent. “Preparation is crucial,” he says. He packs light, anticipates needs and stays mindful of the “big picture of the visioneer we are working with.”
He ensures daily essentials are ready and adapts to each setting. “If we’re heading into tough environmental conditions, I make sure we have the right gear and a plan. If space is tight or we need to move fast, I pack light but keep essentials close and restock whenever possible.”
When things go sideways, his readiness keeps scenes rolling. “Quick thinking makes a big difference. Having freshly charged batteries ready or a camera prepped to move quickly saves time every day.”
Camera operator Taylor Dykstra, known on set as Merch Daddy, says, “Every location tells a story that coincides with the project we are covering.” He works closely with the director of photography to “envision the final edit, piecing together shots that will enrich the story.”
Dykstra explains that “showcasing these tremendous efforts visually is crucial.” Wide landscapes, macro details, underwater imagery and drone shots all help build emotional impact. “These visioneers are changing the world, and our job is to tell their stories through compelling imagery that inspires audiences to act.”
Working with environmentally conscious teammates makes it easy to minimize our footprint. He has become especially conscious of avoiding plastic waste and encourages other productions to do the same.
Sounds Great
Sound ties image to feeling. Adam Hurley, sound recordist, and affectionately known as the boom-dance master, captures atmospheres that can’t be recreated in post. “It all starts when we arrive on set. I get a feel for each location. This allows me to achieve the best sound, which a sound designer can then use to shape the landscape of the show.”
He focuses on complementing the visuals. “For places like Copenhill and the power plant in Iceland, the environments have a rich sound profile you couldn’t recreate in post. It must be live, and it must be powerful.”
Wrapping Up
Left to right: Mike Manfre, Jacqueline Bender, Jerry Hudgens, Eric Mintz, Lawrence Williams, Anna Scott, Ryan Clausen
The Visioneers isn’t just a show. Thanks to the crew’s work, it’s a movement, one built by producers, cinematographers, sound recordists, field producers and a host who once shared a breakthrough idea while out on the ocean.
Together, they do more than film exceptional stories. They make a better world feel possible.
The Visioneers airs Saturday mornings on CBS WKND on CBS, on cbs.com, on Pluto TV, and in Spanish on TeleXitos under the title “Los Innovadores.”
