John Copeland - Two Dogs and a Horse, Inc.

John Copeland


It’s little wonder Millimeter magazine once declared John Copeland “the producer’s producer.” Few with that title in the industry today can boast his comprehensive knowledge of the entire production spectrum – from traditional filmmaking techniques to the evolving landscape of new technologies, many of which he was an early adopter into production.
As well, few have contributed as much in terms of shepherding quality entertainment to the small screen as Copeland – who’s contributions include such landmark productions as:

Walking With Dinosaurs – (2011) Copeland served as a Co-Producer for Cretaceous Films, Inc. Walking with Dinosaurs is currently completing production and is a 3D family action adventure film following the lives of a family of dinosaurs living in Cretaceous Alaska. 20th Century Fox is distributing the film, which is set for release in 2013.

And Man Created Dogs – (2010) Produced and co-written by Copeland for Evergreen Films as a 2 hr. special for National Geographic Channel. Fearsome by nature, the wolf is designed to inspire terror… Yet we humans have transformed this toothsome threat into our greatest ally: the dog. Since we have come together, humans and dogs have never been apart. And Man Created Dog transports viewers through time to meet dog’s ancient and recent ancestors.

“The Speech That Saved America” – (2007) Produced by Copeland for Evergreen Films as a Discovery Quest Special for the Discovery Channel. This is the untold story of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the speech that would forever exorcise slavery from the United States of America and ensured that there would even continue to be a United States of America. Lincoln is brought to life in computer animation and composited into the scenes with live actors. The special will air in early 2009 as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

“Faces of Earth” – (2007) Copeland produced this four hour miniseries for Evergreen Films, the American Geological Institute and the Discovery Science Channel. Using state-of-the-art computer animation and stunning high definition photography, these four in-depth, compelling programs explore the ever-changing planet we live on. The only thing constant on Earth is change and Faces of Earth examines this phenomenon through the eyes of those that know it best - geoscientists. Nominated for Best Earth Science Program – Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.


“Twisted Creatures” (2006) – Copeland served as the supervising producer with Evergreen Films on this pilot for Animal Planet. The show brought to life the mythical Griffin in collaboration with top animal evolutionary scientists and showed what the Griffin might actually look like as a real animal and how it might behave.

“The Science of Star Wars” (2005) – Copeland served as the supervising producer for Evergreen Films on this unique three-hour mini-series for The Discovery Channel that looks inside the imagination of the world’s top designers and engineers to see how they have used the inspiration of the Star Wars universe to better our lives on Earth today. Aired in May 2005, just prior to the premiere of “Revenge of the Sith,” the last chapter of the Star Wars Saga.

“Alien Planet” (2005) – Produced by Copeland with Evergreen Films, this two-hour 20th Anniversary special for The Discovery Channel looked at how we might possibly explore an alien planet beyond our solar system when astronomers discover one that showed signs of life. New visual effects technology was used to create the landscape of truly alien environments. Broadcast in May of 2005.

“Red Flag” (2005) - Produced by Copeland and Evergreen Films, LLC, for The Military Channel. This one-hour special goes inside the Red Flag School at Nellis Air Force Base, where US Air Force pilots – along with other personnel and our coalition partners – are trained to survive the initial stages of combat. Aired on March 31, 2005. Winner 2006 Golden Cine Eagle Award.

“The Secrets of Pearl Harbor” (2004) – Co-Written and produced by Copeland with Evergreen Films for The Discovery Channel, hosted by Dennis Haysbert, this one-hour program examined startling new information about the historic attack on Pearl Harbor – as well as exploring the intertwined stories of four ships that played important roles in the start of World War II in the Pacific. Broadcast in December 2004.

“Dinosaur Planet” (2003) – Emmy-winning four-hour miniseries produced by Copeland for The Discovery Channel. Each one of these popular episodes was set in different parts of the world during the Cretaceous Era – when dinosaur diversity was at its peak and the evolution of the most unique animals on earth was most striking. Shot in 24p High Definition Video and utilizing state-of-the-art computer animation, viewers were treated to a unique, dramatic immersion into their prehistoric lives. Recipient of two Emmys – for Outstanding Sound Editing and Sound Mixing – the four programs aired in December 2003.

“When Dinosaurs Roamed America” (2001) – Produced by Copeland, this Emmy-nominated two hour television movie for The Discovery Channel was shot in 24p High Definition Video and also utilized state of the art computer animation to recreate the Age of Dinosaurs in North America. Aired in July 2001, and nominated for two Emmy’s –Outstanding Animated Program and Outstanding Sound Editing. Winner of an Emmy for outstanding Sound Editing.

“The Real Flying Tigers” (2000) – Written and produced by Copeland, this one-hour documentary for The History Channel explored the lives and exploits of the American men and women who volunteered to defend China in the early days of the Second World War.

“Voltron: The Third Dimension” (1998-1999) – This Emmy Award-winning series was the #1 Rated Syndicated Series for three seasons in a row – as well as the first 3D computer animated television series to be produced in the U.S. Executive produced by Copeland, the 24 half-hour episodes received a distinguished Emmy Certificate.

“Crusade” (1998-1999) – the highly-anticipated spin-off of the acclaimed science fiction series, “Babylon 5,” produced by Copeland for TNT. Copeland not only directed one of the episodes, his unparalleled creative collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) made headlines, including on CBS’ “Late Night with Dan Rather.

“Babylon 5” (1993-1998) – one of the most acclaimed television science fiction series of all-time and recipient of back to back distinguished Hugo Awards, two Emmy Awards, and four Emmy nominations. This popular 5-year series, produced by Copeland, accomplished the seemingly-impossible – virtually revolutionizing American television by introducing state-of-the-art CGI special ‘visual effects,’ utilizing low-cost desktop’ computers and off-the-shelf software; becoming the first to employ virtual sets on an on-going basis and the Virtual Studio equation to link up key creative crew members from around the globe; and incorporating a continuing storyline in the tradition of an epic novel, among other significant ways in which it has impacted the medium.

“The Wild West” (1992) – a landmark Emmy-nominated 10-hour documentary mini-series, produced by Copeland, which became one of the illustrious television events of that season. It also left an indelible mark on the medium as the first long-form documentary for commercial primetime television, the first produced digitally, and the first to engage computers in the research process through an innovational relational database to track picture, sound and audio.


“Black Wing” and “Spirit of Flight” (1988 - 1989) – two state-of-the-art corporate industrials, which significantly contributed to Congressional approval of the funding of the F-22 “Raptor” the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft. As well as being the first to incorporate Hollywood special effects, “Black Wing” featured the first use of a THX Surround Sound soundtrack in a corporate film. “The Spirit of Flight’ became the first to utilize an all-digital production process.

“Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future” (1988-89) – a groundbreaking Saturday morning children’s action series that established its place in history as the first production to utilize computer-generated 3-D characters composited into live-action scenes for either film or television. Popular with both the critics and the viewing audience, “Captain Power” also ranked #1 among all weekly children’s syndicated series for the season. (Copeland supervised the Toronto-based series, then co-produced the two-hour television movie.)

Copeland also served as the associate producer on…

“Louis L’Amourz’s Cherokee Trail” (1982) and “Five Mile Creek” (1983/¬1986) - both the result of a six-year successful collaboration with the Walt Disney Company, beginning in 1980 when Copeland’s Rattlesnake Productions with partner Doug Nettter became one of the first independent production companies affiliated with the studio. After debuting as a highly-rated series pilot on CBS, “Cherokee Trail” evolved into “Five Mile Creek,” a premiere flagship family series for the newly-inaugurated Disney Channel. One of the channel’s most popular weekly offerings among its 2 million subscribers during its three seasons on the air, “Five Mile Creek” would leave its mark in many ways, including as the first-ever joint American/Australian television production and the first series to utilize an all-electronic post-production process and Dolby stereo sound.

And as the post-production supervisor on…

“The Sacketts” (1979) - a critically-acclaimed NBC four-hour mini-series adaptation of Louis L’Amour’s bestselling novels - which was selected as one of the Top Ten programs of the season by TV Guide, and garnered a 17.3 rating/29 share the first night and a 17.7 rating/30 share the second night, making it the highest-rated program for NBC in the 9 PM to 11 PM time period for the previous 12 months.

“The Buffalo Soldiers” (1979) - a highly-celebrated one-hour NBC series pilot portrait of a little-known chapter of American history – the U.S. Army’s all-black 10th Cavalry – which ranked as the network’s #1 rated pilot for the season.

“The Wild Times” (1980) – a critically acclaimed, syndicated four-hour mini-series produced for Metromedia Producers Corporation, which resulted in wildfire ratings across the country during its premiere two-night airings.

Affiliations:

Directors Guild of America
Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Awards:

2006 Golden Cine Eagle Award – “Red Flag: Thunder at Nellis”
2005 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts – Chapman University, Orange, CA
2001 Emmy Nomination – Animated Program – “When Dinosaurs Roamed America”
1997 Hugo Award – Best Dramatic Presentation – Babylon 5 – “Severed Dreams”
1996 Hugo Award – Best Dramatic Presentation – Babylon 5 – “The Coming of Shadows:
1994 Alumni of the Year – Chapman University, Orange, CA
1993 Emmy Nomination – Outstanding Informational Series – “The Wild West”