Projects / Documentary

Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle

Dubbing mixing and sound design for Remarkable's Channel 5 documentary, winner of Best Documentary at the 2021 Content Innovation Awards.

Client Remarkable

Broadcaster Channel 5

Category Documentary / Factual TV

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Overview

Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle is an award-winning documentary exploring one of the most haunting locations in modern history.

Following Ben Fogle's journey through the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the documentary combines extraordinary access, stunning cinematography and powerful storytelling to examine both the tragedy of the nuclear disaster and the remarkable world that has emerged in its aftermath.

The programme became Channel 5's highest-rated non-scripted programme in six years and went on to win Best Documentary at the Content Innovation Awards.

Raudio's Role

raudio worked as re-recording mixer and sound designer, shaping the atmosphere of Chernobyl's abandoned interiors and reclaimed landscapes while keeping Fogle's narration and contributor interviews clear and compelling throughout, from initial sound design through to final delivery.

Services Provided

Creating Atmosphere

The documentary presented numerous creative opportunities, from the eerie silence of abandoned environments to the unsettling presence of radiation and the emotional weight of the tragedy itself.

Many of the establishing shots featured vast, empty and completely barren locations. Because these environments were often visually sparse, the soundtrack played an especially important role in conveying atmosphere and emotion.

Subtle winds, distant environmental textures and carefully considered Foley details helped communicate both the eerie emptiness of the Exclusion Zone and the strange beauty that now exists within it.

Rebuilding History

A significant amount of archive footage featured throughout the documentary, much of which was entirely mute and required complete sonic reconstruction.

Carefully designed sound effects, Foley and atmospheres were created to bring these historical moments back to life, helping bridge the gap between past and present whilst supporting the emotional storytelling of the documentary.

Particular attention was paid to ensuring these reconstructed sequences felt authentic and integrated seamlessly within the wider soundtrack.

Small Details, Big Impact

One particularly memorable moment involved a piece of abandoned police tape hanging within the ruins of an airport.

Visually, it appeared almost insignificant. However, by adding subtle Foley movement and texture, the shot suddenly became far more poignant, emphasising the passage of time and the lingering traces of human presence within these deserted environments.

Moments such as these demonstrated how even the smallest sound details can dramatically enhance emotional storytelling.

Sound Design & Music

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the project was the opportunity to complement the exceptional cinematography and score.

The music was incredibly powerful and frequently inspired the direction of the sound design itself. Rather than competing for attention, the mix and sound design were crafted to support and elevate the emotional storytelling.

The location recordings of Geiger counters were also used creatively, forming the basis of bespoke sound design elements used within the programme's title sequences and transitions, helping create a unique sonic identity for the documentary.

Moments That Stayed With Me

Some locations within the documentary carried enormous emotional weight.

The abandoned control room, where the disaster itself began, conveyed a profound sense of history and tragedy.

Equally striking were the empty swimming pools and deserted amusement parks of Pripyat. Once full of life, these spaces now exist in an eerie stillness.

Perhaps most fascinating was the wildlife now thriving throughout the Exclusion Zone, creating moments of unexpected beauty and providing a striking contrast to the human tragedy that unfolded there.