Guy in Dubai: four seasons of adventure television for Dubai TV
Client: Dubai Television (commission) · Format: episodic adventure travel series · Output: 4 seasons, 26 episodes, 600 minutes on air · Platforms: Dubai TV, Dubai One, Amazon Prime, Emirates ice and in-flight · Presenter: Paris Norriss
The brief
Dubai is one of the most visited cities in the world, yet most people only see its skyline, malls and beaches. Guy in Dubai set out to show residents and visitors the thrill-seeking side of the UAE: the deserts, mountains, seas and traditions that most people never experience. The series was commissioned for Dubai Television and is now in its fourth season.
The format
Each episode, presenter Paris Norriss learns a new skill or takes on a new challenge across the Emirates, while meeting the people who keep the region's traditions and wild places alive. The format is simple, repeatable and built around authentic experiences rather than staged set pieces. That gave the series its energy and made it easy for audiences, sponsors and partners to understand.
Episodes include:
- The last pearl divers: learning to freedive and the traditional techniques of the Gulf's pearl divers.
- Women's camel racing: training with the female racing team at the Arabian Desert Camel Riding Centre.
- Diving the MV Dara: the story of the 1961 MV Dara disaster off Umm Al Quwain, told by a survivor, and a dive to the wreck.
- Saving sea turtles: a turtle health check and release with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group.
- Planting mangroves in Abu Dhabi: kayaking and planting mangroves at Jubail Mangrove Park for the UAE's 50th anniversary.
- Learning to fly over Ras Al Khaimah and learning to skydive with Skydive Abu Dhabi.
- Motorsport in the Emirates: track coaching at Yas Marina Circuit, drifting and 1,000hp desert buggies.
- Hiking the Hajar Mountains in Ras Al Khaimah and a food tour through five of Dubai's most authentic kitchens.
The production challenge
Adventure television is hard to make well. Many of the most compelling moments happen in the air, underwater or at speed, where conventional crews cannot easily follow. Our crews grew up on expeditions, so we could film skydives, freedives, shipwreck dives, powerboat racing and desert driving safely and with the footage quality broadcasters expect. Every episode required locations, permits, partners and talent to be coordinated across several emirates, then finished in post with custom sound design, music and colour.
The capabilities we used
- Stunt production and coordination
- Aerial cinematography
- Underwater cinematography
- Custom sound design
- Editing and post production
- Location permits and partner coordination across the UAE
The results
- 26 episodes commissioned across four seasons.
- 600 minutes on air.
- The #1 commissioned local programme on Dubai TV.
- Available on Amazon Prime, Dubai One and Emirates ice, and in-flight with Gulf airlines.
- Distributed in 123 countries.
The series also put conservation on screen. Dr Tiffany Delport, Director of Marine Operations at the Emirates Marine Environmental Group, said the show "addresses conservation initiatives in a meaningful way."
What it means for your project
Guy in Dubai is the foundation of everything Blazing Sand Studios does today. The same team now makes destination series for tourism boards, adventure documentaries, and AI video and vertical series with the same craft. If you are a broadcaster, tourism board or brand that wants a destination seen by the world, we have done it for Dubai, and we can do it for you.
Common questions.
Who produced Guy in Dubai?
Blazing Sand Studios produced the series, which was commissioned for Dubai Television and is presented by Paris Norriss, the studio's CEO.
How many episodes of Guy in Dubai are there?
26 episodes have been commissioned across four seasons, with 600 minutes on air.
Where can I watch Guy in Dubai?
On Dubai TV, Dubai One, Amazon Prime and Emirates ice, and in-flight. Full episodes are also on the Adventure TV shows page at parisnorriss.com.
Can Blazing Sand Studios make a similar series for our destination?
Yes. We make destination series for tourism boards and brands, from a single documentary to a multi-season series.
Can you film in the air and underwater?
Yes. Our capabilities include stunt coordination, aerial and underwater cinematography.
A production company built for broadcast
Blazing Sand Studios is an Abu Dhabi-registered, Dubai-based production company led by Paris Norriss as CEO. Our shows have been distributed in 123 countries. We have staffed offices at Upside in Business Bay, Dubai, and at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.
Broadcasters and platforms we have worked with include Amazon Prime, Apple TV and OSN. Airline partners and in-flight audiences include British Airways, Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Aer Lingus, SpiceJet, Iberia and LEVEL. Production clients include Rebel Entertainment, Rotana Hotels and Tadbeer, and destination work includes the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Guy in Dubai is our flagship adventure series: four seasons for Dubai Television, with reach across streamers, broadcasters and airlines.
Common questions
Who is behind Blazing Sand Studios?
Paris Norriss is CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. The company is Abu Dhabi-registered and Dubai-based, with staffed offices at Upside in Business Bay and at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.
Where has your content been distributed?
Our shows have been distributed in 123 countries, including on broadcasters and platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV and OSN, and with airlines including British Airways, Emirates, flydubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Aer Lingus, SpiceJet, Iberia and LEVEL.
Which clients have you worked with?
Production clients include Rebel Entertainment, Rotana Hotels and Tadbeer. Destination work includes the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Do you offer AI video as well as traditional production?
Yes. We produce adventure and destination television, and we also produce AI commercials, corporate films, product films, explainers, training films, localisation and micro drama series — all directed shot by shot and finished by human craft teams.
How do we start a project?
Share the brief, territory, language needs and deadline via the contact page. The team will reply with next steps.
Start a project.
Tell us the audience, the platform and the deadline. We'll come back with a treatment and a quote.