Defined by her commitment to communicating science through film, Olivia Andrus-Drennan has established herself as an expert in documentary filmmaking. Since 2019, she has been the owner and filmmaker at Big Sky Genesis Productions LLC, where she identifies emerging stories in environmental science, secures funding through grants and contracts, and assists clients with editing, filming, and project development. Her leadership at the company has been marked by a focus on translating complex scientific research into accessible visual narratives.
In 2022, Ms. Andrus-Drennan also became a cinematographer and video producer for the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration, creating videos about the Okeanos Explorer, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship. For approximately three years, she traveled extensively aboard the research vessel, capturing footage of deep-sea exploration and scientific discovery. Her work included producing films that brought the mysteries of the ocean’s depths to public audiences, further solidifying her reputation in science communication.
Ms. Andrus-Drennan’s passion for science communication was inspired by formative influences, including Steve Irwin, Jeff Gorman, and Bill Nye. She developed an early appreciation for scientific inquiry while growing up surrounded by scientists — including her mother, an organic chemist. Ms. Andrus-Drennan is dedicated to bridging the gap between experts who devote their lives to specialized fields and public audiences who may find scientific concepts daunting or inaccessible.
Among Ms. Andrus-Drennan’s most notable achievements is the production of “The Dolphin Dilemma,” released in 2024. The film was showcased at approximately 94 film festivals and garnered 64 awards, earning widespread recognition and distribution on PBS. In 2025, she produced “Game Changer,” a documentary chronicling the exploration of the USS Yorktown shipwreck at Midway, located 6,000 meters below the ocean’s surface. For this project, she collaborated with the United States government and marine archaeologists worldwide. Despite challenging weather conditions and limited access — being only the third group in 27 years to visit the site — her team successfully filmed there twice, uncovering important artifacts, including a car from the wreckage.
In the earlier years of Ms. Andrus-Drennan’s career, she was a student assistant and Master of Fine Arts coordinator at Montana State University from 2020 to 2023, during which she supported academic programming in science and natural history filmmaking. She also contributed as a teaching assistant in chemistry at the university, an office assistant for family and graduate housing, a floor manager for TEDxBozeman, and an assistant at The Ellen Theatre. Her journey began in 2013, while she was attending college, where she gained experience as a boom operator for JacKlink Productions and a film intern for Purdue University’s Hall of Music Productions.
Ms. Andrus-Drennan’s career trajectory has been shaped by her educational background. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and film and video studies from Purdue University in 2015. Subsequently, Ms. Andrus-Drennan earned a master’s degree in science and natural history filmmaking from Montana State University in 2022. She has further enhanced her technical proficiency through several certifications from LinkedIn, including After Effects Creative Cloud 2019 Training: Editors and Post; Canon 5D Mark IV Tips, Tricks, and Techniques; Keying with After Effects Keylight; and Motion Graphics for Social Media.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Andrus-Drennan has demonstrated ongoing civic engagement through various volunteer roles. Since 2018, she has served as a pre-screener for the Independent Documentary Awards, hosted by the International Documentary Association. Her longstanding commitment to community service includes volunteering for the Joel Gentz 5K Run with the Purdue Silver Wings since 2015; participating in Purdue Winterization since 2014; caring for animals at Valley Humane Society since 2010; supporting Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter; and chairing public relations for Heart & Soul, a Purdue Musical Organization vocal jazz ensemble, from 2014 to 2015.
Outside her professional life, Ms. Andrus-Drennan enjoys hiking, appreciating wildlife, spending time with friends, playing games, and watching movies. In the future, she plans to expand her production company, producing feature-length science documentaries that further bridge the gaps between scientific communities and public audiences, aiming to help build a greater understanding of our world.