Eden (2016 TV series)

Synopsis

The aim of the show is to act as a social experiment, to ascertain if the participants can build a self-sufficient community away from the technology and hectic pace of modern life. Producers hope that the participants will not merely survive, but thrive, and that the footage will tell both their human stories as well as relate the practicalities involved.

The participants were given no other goal or task than the broad aim of building a community, being allowed to decide for themselves how to feed, shelter and organise themselves. Participants were solicited with an online advert that asked, "Are you tired of modern life? Would you like to start all over again?" Any participant is allowed to leave the show at any time. Although they cannot simply walk out of the site, there is protocol is in place should someone wish to leave.

Production

Channel 4 first proposed the project to the owner of the estate in December 2015. The series is being produced by KEO films. Series producer is Liz Foley. The show's Executive Producers are Andrew Palmer and Coleen Flynn.

Genesis

A reality TV based social experiment based around community building had previously been pioneered the BBC, who broadcast Castaway 2000 (from 1 January 2000 to 1 January 2001), following the efforts of thirty-six men, women, and children on a remote Scottish island. According to the Radio Times however, Castaway's "integrity as a pioneering format" was compromised by "regular interference and assistance from the outside world" and the production team's alleged focus on conflict. Since Castaway, the idea for a truly unmediated show had been discussed by broadcasters, but it was not until three things came into alignment before the idea was taken from the idea stage to execution - the use of fixed rig filiming technology as pioneered by One Born Every Minute, the change in appetite for a return to social experiment style reality TV (citing the evolution of Big Brother into a "hysterical grotfest"), and the "growth of disenfranchisement and interest in self-sufficient living" following the late 2000s recession. It has been argued that the timing of the show coming so soon after the "start again" mood after Brexit referendum was either genius planning or extremely lucky timing.

Previewing the show, the Radio Times identified several failings of the Castaway production that Eden should avoid - getting the right number of interesting participants, ensuring every moment is filmed, maintaining the isolation of the participants - preventing visitors and journalists gaining access and stopping participants smuggling in radios or mobile phones, prevent participants leaving (including temporarily, for funerals etc.), don't make the experience too "grim" for participants or viewers, set up accommodation in advance, and prevent the non-cooperation of participants (i.e. those who choose to stay but try not to be filmed). It was believed by the previewer that the enhanced filming set up would ensure no moment was missed and tight security would prevent incursion. They were unsure whether the reduced number of participants would be small enough to solve the casting issues.

Filming

Filming began in March 2016, and will last for one year. Footage for the show is obtained in three ways - from a network of fixed rig cameras, from four embedded camera operators, and GoPro personal cameras. Four of the participants, Ben, Jane, Matt and Oli are the designated embedded camera operators, who are expected to film proceedings in addition to being fully functioning members of the community. All other participants were issued with their own personal Go Pro cameras, to supplement filming. The fixed camera set up comprises a large network of remotely operated CCTV cameras, the rig for which had to be transported onto the site by helicopter. There are a total of 45 cameras.

Mixed in with the experiment filming shown during episodes is a small amount of footage of participants filmed individually in pieces to camera before it began, where they give some information about their motivations and beliefs.

Isolation

The participants are isolated from the outside world, and were not going to be told of any news or current events that take place during the experiment. Despite this, in Episode Two, a pair of fisherman are seen visiting the beach, later returning to leave a package of food and drink.

According to the Radio Times, after the experiment had begun but before its first broadcast, journalists had been allowed access to the participants camp in a "tightly controlled set visit", observing evidence of their early achievements.

Supplies

The participants were allowed to specify in advance what supplies, tools and equipment they thought they would need, which was left in place for them on site. Each was also permitted to carry into the site some personal belongings, in a large rucksack.

These initial supplies included livestock (chickens, sheep and goats) and seeds and vegetables, and basic building materials such as tarpaulin and pipes. The participants were supplied with a basic set of food rations, with the expectation that within a short period they would become self-sufficient in terms of food supply, living off of the produce of a vegetable garden and the milk, eggs and meat from the livestock. At the start of filming, most of the livestock was either pregnant or too young to be slaughtered.

Observations

According to show producers, three months into the experiment the participants were getting along well, the atmosphere being described as "not totally harmonious, but it’s not explosive in a negative sense", and they were achieving impressive results as they worked together to overcome challenges.

Filming location

The experiment is being conducted on the remote peninsula of Ardnamurchan in Inverness-shire, on the west coast of Scotland. The peninsula itself is 50 square miles, while the Eden site covers just 600 acres. The nearest village is five miles away from the site, being Acharacle to the south east on the shore of Loch Shiel, a popular destination for hikers and naturalists.

The Eden site is located on the private uninhabited Ardnamurchan Estate, formerly used by the Ministry of Defence as a training area during World War II. It is bordered on one side by Cu na Croise Bay, looking out onto the Atlantic Ocean. The other three sides have been enclosed with a six foot high fence. The nature of the site ranges from dunes to woodland to marsh.

The Eden site is roughly triangular, with a coastline on the NW and NE side, and the rest of the peninsula to the south. Covered mostly in forest, there is a beach on the NW coast, and between the beach and the forest lies a strip of dunes. The site only included two pre-existing structures, located together between the dunes and the forest - a tool shed made of corrugated iron, and an unenclosed hay barn. This became the location group's first camp site, being known as the Summer site. Another site, becoming known as the Winter Camp, was then established on the north east side, inside the forest but near the coast.

The estate is owned by Donald Houston, who claims it has been uninhabited since the Bronze Age, and describes it as a challenging environment, with the prevailing wet and windy conditions and "not very fertile" ground posing a challenge to building shelter and growing crops, although the site does have some more sheltered areas. Initially depicted as wet and windy, by episode two the site had also been covered in snow, but by episode three, which began six weeks into the experiment, it was at times sunny enough for the group to wear beach clothing.

To ensure no members of the public enter the site during filming, the production company was granted a temporary suspension of the public right of access by Highland Council and Scottish Ministers. The application was controversial, with objectors expressing fears for the environment, and supporters viewing it as a potential boost for the local economy.

Participants

During casting, it was reported there would be 24 participants but a total of 23 participants began the experiment, comprising 13 men and 10 women. Several have partners who they will be away from for the duration of the experiment. Once filming had begun, the identities of participants were initially withheld by Channel 4 until they had decided when the series would be broadcast.

Participants were selected to provide a broad cross section of skills deemed to be needed in the community.

On the day of the first broadcast, the Radio Times identified six participants as "ones to watch" - Jack, Katie, Lloyd, Jane, Jasmine and Raphael.

By the end of the fourth episode, the group had been reduced to 22 after Tara chose to leave.

Broadcast

The show was first broadcast weekly on Channel 4, in the 9pm-10pm Monday slot (episode one being an extended 80 minutes). Due to strong language and the presence of animal slaughter, Channel 4 rates the program as only suitable for viewers over the age of 16.

The show will be broadcast in a number of series. The first follows the group as they establish their basic living conditions, while future series will update progress after some months.

Channel 4 released extra footage on their website - The Making of Eden, and Counting Down to Eden (featuring some of the participants in the hours before entering the site).

Reception

With no other added features or elements, the show has been described by the Radio Times as an ambitious "new kind of television", being atypical of the reality genre. To avoid piquing the interest of journalists who might otherwise try to independently visit the site, Channel 4 did not release any preview footage.

Since airing its first episodes, there has been comment about attempts to contact the team while they're in the wilderness by the outside world. Indeed, in one of the episodes there was an interaction with people that gave them provisions. Since then Channel 4 have asked the public to respect the section 11 ruling that allows them to cut off the land for filming.

Current status

Following the first run of four episodes in August 2016, no further footage has been broadcast and it is unclear when, and if, the show will return. This has led to speculation in the media about the status of the show and its participants. Channel 4s 2017 preview ad mentions Eden.