Hollywood environmentalist, actor, director and UN Environment Ambassador Adrian Grenier will star in Air New Zealand’s upcoming Antarctic safety video, to be released at the end of February.
Known globally as Vincent Chase from TV series Entourage, Adrian stars alongside Scott Base scientists and support staff in the video, which spotlights the critical importance of Antarctica in understanding the impacts of a warming world.
Adrian is the co-founder of the Lonely Whale, a clean ocean advocacy non-profit and producer and director of documentaries and films highlighting important social and environmental issues.
The safety video project and associated educational content builds on Air New Zealand’s long-term partnership with Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute – a relationship currently supporting a major study of ecosystem resilience in the Ross Sea area.
Living and working alongside the Scott Base science community was a profound experience for the environmental campaigner, who jumped at the opportunity to take part in the project.
“Visiting Antarctica has been a life-long dream, and I feel privileged to be part of one of Air New Zealand’s world-renowned safety videos, particularly this one, which is so well aligned to my own commitment to environmental issues,” says Adrian.
“Filming in sub-zero conditions was intense, but it was an adventure I will carry with me forever. One unforgettable moment was stepping below the ice shelf to see the underwater life beneath in a scientific observation cylinder drilled through the ice.”
Air New Zealand General Manager of Brand and Global Content Marketing Jodi Williams says Adrian was a natural choice to star in the video and truly embraced life at Scott Base – where space and creature comforts are limited.
“Minimizing any potential environmental impact of the shoot was a key priority for us, so a tight crew of just six including Adrian travelled to Antarctica – without many of the extras you’d expect on a large-scale production.
“Adrian’s keenness to be involved speaks to his genuine passion for this project which we hope will inspire more people to consider the impact of their decisions on the planet’s future.”
Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Peter Beggs says the new safety video and other video content will give millions globally greater awareness of Antarctic science, particularly as efforts to understand environmental change intensify.
“Air New Zealand is a committed supporter of Antarctic research, using its channels to highlight the value and importance of New Zealand’s world-leading Antarctic science. We’re confident this project, which also includes a dedicated website and additional material filmed with scientists in the field, will help tell the story of Antarctica’s significance worldwide”.
