Research & editorial support
Understand the story. Find the people.
Subject research, contributor searches and local contacts to support your editorial preparation.
BASED IN LOS ANGELES · AVAILABLE IN ALL 50 STATES
Your story. Our territory.
Creative direction and production support for international documentaries and television. From developing stories and conducting in-depth interviews to finding locations, connecting with contributors and coordinating your shoot.
Discuss your production ↗NEW FOCUS TV / SANTA MONICAEXPLORE ↓
Selected production credits with broadcaster and platform associations
ZDFarteBBCNDRARDVOXORF
01 / SERVICES
You bring the idea. Preparation starts here.
Research, access and local coordination. From the first idea to a well-prepared shoot, we support productions across all 50 US states.
Locations & scouting
The right place for your story.
Research locations, establish contacts and coordinate filming requests with owners and local authorities.
Preproduction
Arrive ready to shoot.
Book crews, equipment and locations. Coordinate filming permits and short-term US production liability insurance.
Production services & logistics
Bring the moving parts together.
Production coordination, drivers and PAs, accommodation, transport, catering, connectivity and upload arrangements.
NEW FOCUS TV · INTERVIEW PRODUCTION
02 / SELECTED WORK
Stories that cross borders.
Selected documentaries, series and studio productions.
01 / KOBALT · ARTE · BBC
Eric Burdon
Rock’n’Roll Animal
Feature documentary
02 / ARTE · 2026
Dua Lipa:
Unstoppable
Documentary · 52 min
A portrait of Dua Lipa’s rise from online cover songs to international stardom, exploring her distinctive blend of disco, dance and contemporary pop.
US Production: Katja Lau · New Focus TV
Watch on ARTE ↗02 / ARTE · 2026
Dua Lipa:
Unstoppable
Documentary · 52 min
03 / ZDF · DIE SPUR · 2026
White Tiger
And the Sadistic Network 764
Documentary series · 2 parts
An investigation beginning in Hamburg uncovers an international online network that targets and manipulates minors. This two-part documentary follows the trail behind the 764 network.
US Production: Katja Lau · New Focus TV
Watch on ZDF ↗03 / ZDF · DIE SPUR · 2026
White Tiger
And the Sadistic Network 764
Documentary series · 2 parts
04 / MDR · ARTE · 2026
Lady Gaga
My Songs. My Life.
Documentary
A portrait of Lady Gaga through the songs that shaped her career, exploring artistic freedom, identity and the courage to remain true to herself.
US Production: Katja Lau · New Focus TV
Watch on ZDF ↗04 / MDR · ARTE · 2026
Lady Gaga
My Songs. My Life.
Documentary
05 / 3+
Adieu Heimat
Reality documentary series
Swiss emigrants set out to build new lives abroad. The series follows their hopes, challenges and fresh starts far from home.
Director Katja Lau
Direction in Los Angeles and Arizona (8 episodes)
View on 3+ ↗05 / 3+
Adieu Heimat
Reality documentary series
Programme image · Rezolution Pictures · Lunabeach06 / REZOLUTION PICTURES · LUNABEACH
Born to Be Wild:
The Story of Steppenwolf
Feature documentary
The story of Steppenwolf, from the band’s German roots and early years in Toronto to its breakthrough in California and enduring influence on rock music.
US Production: Katja Lau · New Focus TV
View production ↗
07 / ORF 2 · WELTWEIT
Room for Dreams in a Housing Crisis.
How Will We Live in the Future?
Documentary report · 31 min
Rising housing costs are putting the dream of having a home under increasing pressure. WeltWeit explores how we might live in the future, including new models of shared housing in Stockholm.
Los Angeles Research
Watch on ORF ↗07 / ORF 2 · WELTWEIT
Room for Dreams in a Housing Crisis.
How Will We Live in the Future?
Documentary report · 31 min
08 / PREPRODUCTION
The United States and Its Borders
Documentary series
View more work
Summer of Love
Studio presentations with Dita Von Teese · ARTE
Summer of Fish and Chips
Studio presentations with Johnny Rotten · ARTE
Lab C – California Dreaming
5 episodes · ARTE
American Rivers
LA River episode · ARTE
Galileo
24 h Las Vegas episode · Pro 7
Rock of Ages
3 episodes · ARTE
Die Welt der Winde
NDR
Fountain of Youth
Loma Linda episode · ARTE
Fest im Sattel
TV feature documentary · ARTE
Mein unglaubliches Leben
TV special · Sat1
Advertising / Commercial
Behind-the-scenes campaigns, still photography and video production.
FILM LOCATIONS · THE AMERICAN WEST
03 / LOCATIONS & ACCESS
A location is more than a backdrop.
It is part of the story. We support the search for suitable settings and contributors, then coordinate the next steps toward filming.
Los AngelesCaliforniaAll 50 US states
For stories about the American West, preparation starts with focused research: Which places tell the story? Who can provide context? What is feasible on location?
Discuss research ↗04 / KATJA LAU
Local knowledge. An international perspective.
German & English20+ years of experienceNew Focus TV · 2003
Katja Lau
Producer & Director · Owner, New Focus TV
Katja lives in Los Angeles and is available for productions in all 50 U.S. states.
Her focus includes directing on location and conducting in-depth documentary interviews with personalities from music, entertainment, and contemporary culture.
Katja combines experience in German television with many years of production work in Los Angeles. Since 2003, she has led New Focus TV and coordinated productions for European media companies.
Katja's experience spans reality formats, factual features, and high-end documentaries.
Contact Katja ↗
05 / LET’S TALK
What story will you tell?
Tell us your subject, planned filming dates, region and the support you need.
contact@newfocustv.com ↗+1 323 899 0342
For a WhatsApp voice call, open the chat and select the call button.
LOCATION & TIME ZONE
Santa Monica, California
Pacific Time · UTC −8 standard / UTC −7 daylight saving
Based in Los Angeles. Available in all 50 US states.