Case study · documentary series

Historical

Detective

A documentary series on key mysteries of Russian history. 2U Studio, in partnership with Esart and with support from the Dostoevsky Lecture Hall, produced 14 episodes turnkey for the Internet Development Institute — from scripting and field work to publishing on video platforms

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Client: Internet Development Institute. Distribution: Dostoevsky Lecture Hall, VK Video, RuTube, YouTube

5,305,382

Viewsper VK Video data

14 episodes, ~4 months production cycle per episode, ≥ 5 experts in every release

About the series

A documentary
series on the riddles
of Russian history

“Historical Detective” is a cycle of documentary films where each episode is built as an investigation. Murder, disappearance, conspiracy, mystery — and Trofim Tatarenkov as detective working with documents, archives, and experts

Authorial approach

Each episode is a standalone investigation with dramaturgy: script, host, rhythm, climax

Expert depth

At least five experts per episode: historians, archivists, geneticists, forensic specialists. Facts only from verified sources

Cinematic craft

Multi-camera shoots in a dressed studio, motion graphics, and reconstructions in a documentary film format

One standard

14 episodes shot and finished in one visual language and one quality bar — from first frame to end credits

Starring

Trofim
Tatarenkov

BloggerWriterJournalistPublic figure

In every episode he leads his own investigation — working with documents and archives, talking to experts, comparing versions, and taking the viewer to the reveal

Starring

Trofim
Tatarenkov

BloggerWriterJournalistPublic figure

In every episode he leads his own investigation — working with documents and archives, talking to experts, comparing versions, and taking the viewer to the reveal

Episodes

14 episodes

All episodes are playable on this page — click a card to open the full episode in the player

5.3M views on VK Video

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Production

From script
to release

Six production stages every episode passes through. We use the same pipeline on commercial “Documentary films” projects

01
Stage 01 / 06≥ 5 experts per episode
Script development
Topic selection and alignment, primary sources and scientific consultants, dramaturgy for each episode. Output: approved scripts and an expert list
02
Stage 02 / 06Dozens of locations
Pre-production
Host casting, location scouting, archival orders in state archives and libraries, logistics for shoots at historical sites across Russia
03
Stage 03 / 06Serial schedule without downtime
Principal photography
Multi-camera interviews with experts and the host, reconstructions and graphics in frame, shoots at historic sites with our own equipment and transport
04
Stage 04 / 06Full legal clearance
Archival work
Rights clearance for archival materials, photos, and newsreel; source verification; legal clearance for every frame used in an episode
05
Stage 05 / 0614 episodes, one standard
Post-production
Edit, color grading, sound design, motion design, and on-screen graphics. All episodes in one visual standard with QC
06
Stage 06 / 066.09M views in the first month
Release and distribution
Mastering for platforms, publishing episodes on VK Video, RuTube, and other client platforms, release support and reach analytics

Credits

The team
behind the project

Closed-loop production inside one studio — from script to final mastering

01Authors and producing4

Author / screenwriterEpisode dramaturgy and source work
HostOn-camera performance
Project managerDocumentation and team coordination
LogisticsTravel logistics for field shoots

02Production crew5

ProducerBudget, timeline, client approvals
DirectorVisual concept, working with host and experts
Director of photographyShot design, equipment prep, crew leadership
Camera operatorCamera and sound
Makeup artistPrep for host and talent

03Post-production6

Editor (research)Archival rights and cleanup, material sourcing, release control
Historical consultantFact and name verification
Film editorAssembly and pacing, color grading
Sound designerSound, ambience, music
Motion and 2D/3D designersOn-screen graphics
MarketerPublishing and promotion of finished assets

Behind the scenes

Stills
from shoot days

The crew at work, field days, studio sessions, and backstage moments — what viewers never see in the film

Expert interview shoot for the documentary series “Historical Detective”

Director on set for the documentary series

Archival research and materials for an episode

Location and gear prep before a shooting day

Field trip of the crew to a historic site

Prep for an episode of the documentary series

End-of-day shot with the production team

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2U Studio doesn’t only shoot historical documentaries. We cover the full cycle for corporate stories, grant and anniversary projects, and won tenders — from script and archives to master deliverables

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Budget and schedule before kickoff

Closed-loop production

Corporate, grant, and anniversary formats

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