When PBS decided to produce a time-sensitive documentary on the spread of the H1N1 virus, producer Larry Klein turned to the full-service creative group TEAM to make it happen.

The fast-moving nature of the disease and the Dec. 14 airdate for the program, Anatomy of a Pandemic, required TEAM—led by senior editor Bob Kanner—to accomplish its work in an intensive nine-week timeframe.

An experienced digital storyteller, Kanner jumped at the chance to not only edit the story but also produce the music for and sound design the program. As in past PBS projects, Kanner was given generous leeway in developing the pace and feel of the program.

"The biggest challenge was the short time frame we had to complete the show and get everything in that the producer wanted," says Kanner. "I am a high-energy editor, so I worked hard in making some of the older B-roll video stand out and be more appealing to the eye."

The program was edited on the Avid Media Composer in HD. Color correction and finishing was then performed by TEAM colorists Ian Rummer and Joey D'Anna on a Quantel eQ. Kanner also employed liberal visual effects and sound effects to energize a program that otherwise could have taken on the appearance of a lengthy newscast.

"We were very pleased with the show's outcome," says PBS producer Larry Klein. "It was an important program that aired at a time when people wanted reliable information about the disease. Everyone at TEAM did a terrific job on this production and I think that effort was very much appreciated by our audience."

Kanner concludes, "It is pretty rare for a documentary to be timely due to the months it takes to produce one. There was a major time constraint on this project because the flu was breaking out across the country and the story was either going to fizzle or peak. We hit it just right."