Russ Malkin

Russ Malkin / Big Earth Overview

Long Way Up’s producer/director Russ Malkin is the founder and owner of Big Earth Productions. He has created content for many broadcasters globally including BBC, ITV, Sky, National Geographic, Amazon and Discovery. Often working with high-profile personalities, Russ has filmed across all seven continents in some of the harshest conditions on the planet.Russ, alongside Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman and together with co-producer David Alexanian, pulled off the impossible. Spanning three seasons Long Way have transported audiences across 48,000 miles, 43 countries and 5 continents, with the four’s enduring friendship driving them on through the highs and lows.Russ has taken Long Way from conception through pitching, financing and sourcing sponsorship and often appears on-screen alongside the rest of the team.Big Earth Productions has been a pioneer of the travel/adventure show format with a number of high-profile projects to their name. Working with well-known personalities, Big Earth Productions collaborate with big ideas to take projects from conception right through to execution. 

Prince Harry in Africa - 2016 - ITVProducer/Director

Russ joined forces with Prince Harry to produce and direct the TV documentary 'Prince Harry in Africa,’ across three years. The show followed the Prince's journey from Kensington Palace to Lesotho in Southern Africa to take a look at the work his charity Sentebale is doing to help children and young people affected by HIV and Aids. The documentary featured Sir Elton John, Chris Martin and Joss Stone. 

David Beckham: For the Love of the Game - 2016 - BBCProducer/Director

Ready to make the impossible possible, Russ produced and directed 'David Beckham: For The Love Of The Game,’ which saw David Beckham fulfil his ambition of playing 7 unique football matches on seven continents in seven days for his UNICEF 7 Fund.Using his event management experience Russ organised matches with the tribes of the jungles of Papua New Guinea, in the temples of Nepal and on the icy glaciers of Antarctica, to name a few. An incredible feat, the final game took place in front of 70,000 fans and an exhausted David raised an incredible £1M for UNICEF. Fiennes:

Return to the Nile - 2019 - National Geographic Executive Producer

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Ever keen for an adventure, Russ was the Executive Producer for Ranulph and Joseph Fiennes’ National Geographic series, ‘Fiennes: Return to the Nile,’ which saw the Fiennes cousins, comprising world-renowned explorer and award-winning actor, embark on an epic journey across Egypt including a rare chance to stay overnight in the giant pyramid of Cheops.Charley BoormanHaving become firm friends on Long Way Round, Russ has produced and directed a range of travel adventure programmes with Charley Boorman. 

By Any Means - BBC

Extreme Frontiers

Race to Dakar - SKY

Big Earth Digital: Campaigns

Russ has produced and directed a number of short-form digital brand adventures, most recently featuring Henry Cavill and Anna Friel.

As well as television, production and branded content, Russ wrote his first book ‘Big Earth's 101 Amazing Adventures,’ published by Transworld. The book documents the must-go places and routes Russ has visited for other keen adventurers to follow.

As a fellow of Unicef and the Royal Geographical Society, Russ’ philosophy is ‘Travel the world and do some good at the same time’.