“Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” —Jane Goodall
We couldn’t agree more.
ABOUT US
Gail Willumsen and Jill Shinefield first worked together a few decades ago at the Los Angeles offices of National Geographic Television. Different interests had led them there – Jill’s obsession with nature films and Jane Goodall; Gail’s fascination with archaeology and prehistory. Working at Nat Geo was a dream come true for Gail and Jill because they embraced the Society’s mission: to support exploration and inspire people to care about the world. They also wanted to travel the world – and they did, producing shows on wildlife in the Holy Land, Kodiak bears, mummies and volcanoes. After a few years they decided to start their own production company, Gemini Productions and went on to earn a Peabody, three Emmy awards, and many other accolades.
In some sense, all of Gemini’s films celebrate individuals who are trying to make the world a better place. Gail and Jill have filmed wildlife conservationists (including Jane Goodall and Jacques Cousteau), medical researchers and astrophysicists (including several Nobel laureates), as well as community health workers, educators and transgender rights activists. Gemini Productions champions the heroes who further our knowledge and understanding, and make us smarter and more compassionate to each other.
Gail Willumsen—Director, Producer, Writer, Cat Wrangler
Prior to founding Gemini Productions, Gail Willumsen free-lanced as a producer, director and writer of documentaries and non-fiction programs for PBS, cable, and network broadcast. She earned an Emmy for Individual Achievement in Writing for the National Geographic Special “Volcano!” and was nominated for her script for “The Living Clock”, an episode in the Infinite Voyage series, produced in association with the National Academy of Sciences. She was also nominated as producer and writer for “Thirty Years of National Geographic Specials.” She considers herself a “science geek,” and is grateful for the privilege to have interviewed some of greatest minds of our day. Gail earned a BA and an MFA from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. She grew up in Europe and is fluent in French, nearly so in Italian.
Jill Shinefeld — Producer
Early in her career, Jill was a segment producer for the A&E cable series Ancient Mysteries and Biography. She took a brief detour into music videos when she produced the visual effects for the Michael and Janet Jackson’s space extravaganza “SCREAM.” At National Geographic, she line-produced the Emmy and International Documentary Association award-winning special “America’s Endangered Species: Don’t Say Goodbye,” about photographers Susan Middleton ad David Liittschwager's quest to preserve endangered animals and plants – on film. “Working on that show reconfirmed my lifelong commitment to all things environmental. And, I got to swim with manatees, which was the thrill of a lifetime,” says Jill. She earned a BFA in live action film production from California Institute of the Arts.
You can find a list of our combined credits here.