Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Victor Plank Harms. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Victor, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Introduction to Victor Plank Harms:
Victor Plank Harms, a Danish-born filmmaker and TV producer residing in the US, explores the intersection of personal and political narratives within the cinematic space and unscripted television. In the United States, Victor is the story producer of History Channel’s survival show ALONE: Frozen, Max’s Love Off the Grid and truTV’s successful hidden camera show Impractical Jokers: After Party. In his native Denmark, Victor served as showrunner of Finding Prince Charming Denmark for Discovery Networks Denmark, the first Danish dating show featuring an all-gay cast.
He earned his M.A. in Media Studies from The New School in New York City, complementing his B.A. in TV and Media Production acquired at The Danish School of Media and Journalism and Ryerson School of Radio and Television in Toronto.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
One of the projects I’m particularly proud of is the documentary series “The Young Greenlanders,” which I directed. Greenland is part of the Realm of Denmark, but most Danes are not familiar with Greenlandic culture. Danish society harbors significant prejudices against Greenlanders, biases that urgently require unlearning. This series delves deep into the lives of the new generation of Greenlanders, challenging stereotypes and shedding light on the social issues facing their community, including the alarming suicide rate. The series aims to showcase the world the remarkable capabilities and resilience of Greenlanders, highlighting their strength and tenacity. Through this project, commissioned by the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, I was personally educated by the locals of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, to foster a deeper understanding of the Greenlandic society.
In the United States, I’ve been involved in several TV productions, including serving as the story producer for History Channel’s “ALONE: Frozen” Max’s “Love Off the Grid” and truTV’s “Impractical Jokers: After Party”. These experiences have allowed me to hone my skills in crafting engaging narratives across a variety of genres, from survival shows to hidden-camera comedies.
Back in my native Denmark, I had the opportunity to serve as the showrunner for “Finding Prince Charming Denmark”, a groundbreaking dating show featuring an all-gay cast. This project was a significant milestone in Danish television, and it was a great experience to play a key role in bringing greater diversity and representation to the screen.
One of the hallmarks of my career has been my specialization in international productions, which has taken me to diverse locations across the globe. From Ecuador to the Philippines, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in different cultures and capturing the stories of people from all walks of life. As a producer and director, I have traveled the world following young hunters in Greenland, celebrities surviving in the Jungle of Ecuador, Italian men living with their mothers, and incarcerated women in the Philippines.
My educational background, including a master’s degree in Media & Documentary Studies from The New School and a Bachelor’s degree in TV and Media Production from The Danish School of Media and Journalism and Ryerson School of Radio and Television, has provided me with a solid foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking and television production.
As a jury member for prestigious international film festivals such as The Winter Awards International Film Festival in New York City and The Copenhagen TV Awards in Denmark, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to the recognition of excellence in the industry and stay connected with the broader filmmaking community.
Overall, my career as a TV producer and filmmaker has been characterized by a commitment to telling meaningful stories that resonate with audiences around the world. Whether it’s through documentary series, reality TV shows, or hidden camera comedies, I strive to create content that entertains, informs, and sparks conversations about the world we live in.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely. I love showcasing diversity. Through my work, I aim to challenge stereotypes, foster empathy, and promote understanding across cultures and communities. Whether it’s through documentary series like “The Young Greenlanders,” which explores the challenges facing a new generation in Greenland, through my most recent documentary film “Between Two Islands,” which is a cinematic travelogue showcasing the diversity of people in New York City, or reality TV shows like “Finding Prince Charming Denmark,” which seeks to broaden representation in the media, my goal is to use the power of storytelling to create positive change.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
As a TV producer and filmmaker, the most rewarding aspect for me is the ability to evoke emotions, provoke thoughts, and inspire change through my work. I served as the showrunner for “Finding Prince Charming Denmark. While presenting the glossy appearance of a bachelor-style dating show, the conversations among the gay male suitors in the mansion were genuine, educational, and inspiring.
In addition to dating shows, I have also produced documentary-style survival shows such as History Channel’s “Alone: Frozen.” This series follows the daily struggles of isolated contestants as they compete to survive in the wilderness for up to 50 days. One particularly rewarding aspect is the opportunity to challenge stereotypes and break barriers, just as Woniya Thibeault did when she became the first female winner in the history of Alone-format. She survived 50 days in the harsh winter of Labrador, Canada. Through her journey, Woniya educated millions of viewers globally on wilderness survival, particularly becoming a role model for females who are underrepresented in the survival community. Both reality shows reflect my approach to TV production and filmmaking — crafting stories that empower a minority community while aiming to reach, entertain, and educate a broad audience, contributing to a more tolerant and open-minded world for minorities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.victorplank.cm
- Instagram: victorplank
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorplankharms/
Image Credits
K. Havemann