About Wyld Earth Films
We (Susanne and Emily) met in 2011 at the Women in Film and Television International Summit in Washington, DC, where we ignited a fast friendship that has turned into a filmmaking partnership. We are media makers who strive to create beautiful, cinematic, immersive, and thought-provoking films that will educate and inspire our audiences. We’re adept as a small-footprint, high production value, and mobile film crew.
Our Mission
We produce films that promote women’s stories, educate around environmental issues, and communicate science. By focusing on these three core themes, Wyld Earth Films hopes to shed light on important issues facing our planet and society. Through our films, we seek to tell stories that might not otherwise be heard, amplifying the voices of women and raising awareness about pressing environmental issues. Wyld Earth Films is 100% woman-owned and committed to promoting gender equality in film and media.
“Wyld” is an homage to Wye Island on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Wyld Earth Films is named for one of Susanne and Emily’s sailing adventures to Wye Island, MD. The trip was filled with hiking, good conversation, action cameras on kayaks, and an impressive display of jellyfish! Emily and Susanne each have a unique connection to Maryland: Emily grew up in Southern Maryland, on the shores of the Nanjemoy Creek, and Susanne currently lives aboard her 42′ sailing sloop Sérénité, docked in Annapolis.
The Team
Emily Wathen is a highly skilled filmmaker, photographer, and visual journalist with extensive experience in production and media consulting. She specializes in creating precise and compelling images and utilizing digital tools to tell unique and effective stories. She has worked with a variety of clients and employers, including the Environmental Working Group, Johns Hopkins, USAID, Nautical Channel, and EarthShare, among others.
Emily earned a BFA in film art from Syracuse University, completed a film studies program at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, and earned an MFA in photography and electronic media from the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Currently based in Washington, DC, Emily works as a Senior Producer.
Susanne Coates is a multimedia specialist with a diverse background in cinematography, video editing, software development, electronics, and biological science. She holds a BS in Biology and a PhD in neuroscience. Throughout her nearly two-decade career, she has worked with numerous clients to create video, web, and multimedia assets. She currently collaborates with the National Academy of Sciences to produce film and video on a variety of science and environment related topics. Susanne is passionate about using film to promote positive change and inspire people to take action.
Her film work has screened at venues such as the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, as part of the GI Film Festival, the Environmental Film Festival in Washington, DC, and the Red Rock Film Festival in Utah. In addition to her film work, Susanne is a public speaker who speaks on topics related to the intersection of science, technology, and storytelling.
Currently based in Annapolis, Maryland, Susanne works as a web developer, cinematographer, and editor.