My TV & Film work CV
Here is my CV, a list of some of my television and non-broadcast film & video credits since 1995, and details of some of the film & video equipment I own.
STEVE DOWNER CV, CREDITS & EQUIPMENT LIST
Mobile: +44 (0)7827 411329
E-Mail: DownerFilm@aol.com
Websites: www.hdcinematography.co.uk www.wildlifefilm.co.uk
__________________________________________________
I'm a film and video Director/Cameraman and Director of Photography with credits on over 100 international television programmes, and the winner of numerous awards for cinematography including two News & Documentary Emmy’s for Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft - Cinematographers for the National Geographic film The Last Frog, and for ABC’s Living Edens - Denali, Alaska’s Last Wilderness. My National Geographic film King Cobra, filmed in southern India over a period of five months, won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement in 1998 and was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography.
In November 2006, BROADCAST magazine listed me as one of the HOT 100 television talents of the year.
I began freelancing in 1981, after spending three years as assistant cameraman to Ron Eastman on various BBC wildlife programmes and the classic children’s feature film Tarka the Otter, and a year as a staff cameraman at London Scientific films working mostly on the groundbreaking macro special effects series Bellamy’s Backyard Safari.
Since then I've worked as a freelance Director/Cameraman & DOP in locations across the world including North, South & Central America, Alaska, India, China, Japan, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and the Canadian high Arctic. The prestigious series I have contributed to include BBC Television’s The Blue Planet, The Trials of Life, The Life of Plants, Land of the Eagle, Predators, Nightmares of Nature, Dragons Alive, The Living Isles, Living Britain, Wildlife on One and The Natural World, and six programmes for National Geographic Explorer, filming a diverse range of animals - from big cats and deadly snakes, to the microscopic mites that live in the ear of a moth.
During the past three years I've filmed for the BBC series Nature of Britain, Autumn Watch, Coast, Planet Earth, and Life in the Undergrowth; filmed a one-hour National Geographic special Attack of the Giant Gerbils in the Gobi Desert; appeared both behind and in front of the camera in Endemol’s daytime BBC series Animal Park, and filmed several non natural history projects including two feature films, Nadine and A Moment of Guilt, music videos for Indian singer/film star Kamaal Khan and UK boy band Billiam, five short films, Greener Grass, Gorgeous Labour of Love, Hans & Stanley, The Chauffeur's Hat, and Last Chance Romance, for film festivals, and corporate videos for Center Parcs, the Avon & Somerset Fire Service, the UK Meat & Livestock Commission, and Woodhouse plc.
I have experience of shooting on many film and video formats, including 35mm, Super 16, HDCAM, DVCPROHD (tape & P2) DigiBeta, BetaSX, MiniDV, DVCAM and HDV (1080i & 720p). I own a comprehensive JVC HD110E video kit, with optics ranging from telephoto lenses for long range filming, to microscope lenses for filming the tiniest details of insects. These optics can also be used on other camera systems, from HDTV to MiniDV. In addition, I have also designed and built specialist and innovative items of equipment such as time lapse units for film and video, a deep focus optical system, and miniature remote cameras for surveillance or for getting intimate behavioural sequences of animals, both on land and underwater.
_________________________________________________
CREDITS
A selection from over 100 film & video projects
2008
A TURTLE'S GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC
BBC. Contributing cameraman.
ANIMALS ON BLUE
Filmed tropical butterflies and golden retriever puppies against blue screen using the new Arri D21 High Definition digital cinematography camera. This was the first UK shoot for Arri’s upgrade of the D20 camera. HDCAM SR 4:4:4.
IN THE WOMB - EXTREME
Pioneer Productions / National Geographic TV. Specialist filming in the USA of kangaroo joeys in their mother’s pouches using Olympus high definition endoscope probe. DVCPROHD.
MY GENERATION - BILLIAM
Project Monkey. Director of Photography on music video for boy band Billiam, to be released June '08.
2007
A MOMENT OF GUILT
Alex Lichtenfels/Steffan Aquarone. Director of Photography on feature film shot in Birmingham. ProHD
NATURE OF BRITAIN
BBC. Filming freshwater invertebrates for Alan Titchmarsh series. HDV
ANIMALS ON THE EDGE
Windfall Films. Filming unique location footage of the young of the world's smallest & rarest bat, the bumblebee bat, for proposed HD series. HDV
THE CRIMSON WING: MYSTERY OF THE FLAMINGOS
Kudos/Crimson Wing/Disney. Assisted in the filming of flamingo eggs hatching for the opening sequence of Disney feature film, to be released January 2008. Super 35mm / Arri 435
LAST CHANCE ROMANCE
SHhhh...Productions. Short surreal film filmed on Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk. HDV
WINGS OVER WARMINGTON
Wrote, filmed & edited 52 minute promotional DVD for Fir Tree Falconry Centre in Warwickshire.
THE URBAN FREESTYLER EXTREME
Brick Lane Films Ltd. Cameraman on a HDV video production showcasing the skills of the most talented UK extreme urban sports freestylers. The 12 sports include Freerunning, Trial Biking, Mountain Boarding & Basketball.
60 DAYS OF GOODBYE POEMS OF OPHELIA
Wellcome Trust/Surrey University. Art installation project bringing together a fine artist, a microbiologist, a musician, a sound engineer and a specialist cameraman (Steve Downer). The famous Pre-Raphaelite painting of Ophelia is recreated in coloured bacteria and using timelapse photography the image is seen to transform and decompose over a 60 day period. For information on the project see www.jowonder.com
THE CHAUFFEUR's HAT. Short film. DV
2006
ANIMALS ON BLUE
High Definition video (HDCAM SR) filming of reptiles, insects, amphibians & small mammals against blue screen, using the ARRI D20 Digital Cinematography camera.
NADINE
Matchstix Productions. Feature film, shot on ProHD for transfer to 35mm. Filmed on location in south London, the story of the final day in the life of a self-harming teenager.
AUTUMN WATCH
BBC. Shooting macro DigiBeta footage of caterpillars, butterflies and spiders for the Mini Epics inserts for the forthcoming SPRING WATCH offshoot.
COAST
BBC. Filming kittiwake behaviour and interviews with presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff around the coast of Bridlington. DVCAM
NATURE OF BRITAIN
BBC. Filming Super 16 macro footage of large blue butterflies hatching within an ants nest for the Alan Titchmarsh series.
INVASION OF THE BODY SCRATCHERS
Scream Films. Shooting HDV video footage (using Canon XLH1 and Sony FX1E cameras) of parasites - leeches, fleas, bedbugs, maggots, ticks, dust mites - for a 3-part SKY/BSB series.
SIGNING IN THE CITY
Corporate video and website material for Woodhouse plc showing the robotic manufacturing process used to produce signposts giving directions to London landmarks. miniDV
HANS & STANLEY
Independent short film shot on Super 16.
2005
SONY HDCAM SHOWREEL
High Definition material shot on HDW750P for Sony's HD showcase presentation at IBC 2005.
FORESTRY COMMISSION OSPREY CENTRE
Video of badgers & red squirrels for presentation at the Osprey Visitor Centre. miniDV
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT …….?
Pilot for a proposed television series bringing great art and artists to young people in a unique and entertaining way. miniDV
GORGEOUS LABOUR OF LOVE
SHhhh…Productions. Surreal Victorian Gothic musical narrative of innocence corrupted. A ten-minute short shot on DigitalBetacam in locations around London. Selected for showing at numerous film festivals, including Cannes, during 2006.
Winner of Best Short Film award, Dubrovnik International Film Festival 2006
PLANET EARTH
BBC NHU. Filming birch tree defoliation in Abisko, Swedish Arctic. High Definition using Panasonic Varicam HDC 27FE.
LIFE IN THE UNDERGROWTH - The Silk Spinners
BBC NHU. Filming orb spider web building. Super 16 / miniDV realtime & timelapse.
Winner, Granada Wild Award for Animal Behaviour, WILDSCREEN 2006
2004
ATTACK OF THE GIANT GERBILS
Film Formations Singapore/National Geographic Channel Asia. A one-hour special about the plague of gerbils devastating the deserts of Xinjiang province, China, and the use of golden eagles to eradicate the rodents. Filmed in extreme conditions in the Gobi Desert over a six-week period. Super 16/MiniDV/remote miniature cameras.
PLANET EARTH
BBC NHU. Filming deep ocean creatures, including the rare Vampire squid, in controlled conditions at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, California. HD on Sony HDW750P.
GREENER GRASS
Uber Films. Dark short drama for theatrical release. MiniDV.
LIFE IN THE UNDERGROWTH
BBC NHU David Attenborough series. Timelapse sequences, filmed over a three week period, of butterfly lifecycles. Video timelapse using Canon XL1s and Apple computer system.
ANIMAL PARK
Endemol /BBC. Filming specialist macro and remote camera sequences (including “Sheepdog Cam”) & presenting in front of camera with Ben Fogle and Kate Humble. MiniDV.
FIRE SERVICE TRAINING VIDEO
Mike Bennett Associates. Filming training video at Severn Park Fire & Rescue Training Centre for Avon & Somerset Fire Service. MiniDV.
2003
DRAGONS ALIVE
BBC NHU. Blue chip series on reptiles. Filmed a large variety of species in India, Mali, Costa Rica, Bali, & Komodo, including King Cobra and Komodo Dragon. Super 16/MiniDV.
E SANAM
Corner Pocket Films. Director of Photography/Cameraman on a music video for the popular Indian singer, Kamaal Khan. Filmed on the streets of London and on a yacht on the River Thames. Released on MTV & music channels worldwide. Super 16.
RED SQUIRRELS
Red Alert charity/Center Parcs promotional video. MiniDV.
JOURNEY OF LIFE
BBC NHU. Timelapse sequences of swallowtail butterfly lifecycle. Video timelapse using Canon XL1s and Apple computer system.
2002
ANIMAL CAMERA
BBC NHU. Contributing cameraman on a series showing how new technology can show animal behaviour in new ways. Developed deep focus lens system, and animal-mounted mini cameras.
THE BIG SQUEEZE
BBC NHU/Animal Planet. Filmed cyclorama title sequence of pythons and boas for this programme about constricting snakes. Super 16.
THE REALLY WILD SHOW
BBC NHU children’s series. Filmed a series of stylised “animal dating classified ads” in which animals show off their best attributes to potential mates. MiniDV.
AN AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
Artangel. Filmed traditional map making at the London A-Z Company for artist Richard Wentworth’s exhibition showing the changes taking place around London’s Kings Cross area.
2001
WILDLIFE SPECIAL - SERPENTS
BBC NHU. Major contributing cameraman on a programme showing why snakes are so successful. Many of my sequences were filmed at high speed - 500 frames per second, including an eyelash viper catching a hummingbird and the world’s fastest snake strike. Super 16.
2000
SNAKE HUNTER USA / SNAKE HUNTER CENTRAL AMERICA
Zebra Films/National Geographic. Snake behaviour cameraman on two programmes following herpetologist Rom Whitaker on snake hunting trips. Winner of Best Presenter Led Programme Award at Wildscreen Festival 2002. Super 16.
1999
PREDATORS
BBC NHU. Filmed for two programmes in this innovative series, including the sequences of giant Japanese hornets being “cooked to death” by honeybees, and a spider being willingly fed upon by her offspring. Super 16.
AFRICA’S DEADLY DOZEN
Tigress Films/National Geographic. Major contributing cameraman on a one hour special on Africa’s deadliest snakes. I filmed 6 of the species, including the most dangerous, the Black Mamba. Super 16.
MICRO FLYERS
Green Umbrella/WGBH-Nova. Filmed high speed insect flight, at 10,000 frames per second, for a documentary about man’s attempts at building miniature flying machines.
1998
THE BLUE PLANET
BBC NHU. Four weeks filming coral sea life at a research centre on Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, including the spectacular annual spawning of the corals. DigiBeta.
SQUIRRELS UNDER SIEGE
BBC NHU - Wildlife On One. Three months spent filming Californian ground squirrels and their predators. This species is the only rodent to be immune to rattlesnake venom. Included much underground behaviour filmed in specially designed sets. Super 16.
LIVING BRITAIN
BBC NHU. Blue chip series about the natural history of the of the British Isles. Super 16.
1997
TOUGH DUCKS
BBC NHU - The Natural World. Filmed the UK behavioural sequences of this one hour film about the diverse and inhospitable places ducks inhabit, including underwater footage of eider ducks.
EXPLORING THE HIGH FRONTIER
Oxford Scientific Films/National Geographic. Filmed high canopy invertebrates in Costa Rica for this multi-award winning documentary about scientific research in the rain forest canopies of the world. Filmed for the first time the parental care of strawberry poison arrow frogs. Nominated for the 2000 Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography. Super 16.
WHERE LEMMINGS DARE
BBC NHU - Wildlife On One. Two weeks filming lemming behaviour above and below the frozen
tundra in Alaska.
1996
KING COBRA
Zebra Films/National Geographic. Five months in southern India filming the life of the world’s largest venomous snake, which can reach 18 feet in length and has venom potent enough to kill an elephant. Winner of the 1998 Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement and nominated for Outstanding Cinematography. Super 16.
1995
THE LIVING EDENS - DENALI, ALASKA’S LAST WILDERNESS
ABC/Kane. Specialist macro cameraman. Winner of 1997 Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Craft - Macro Cinematographer. Super 16.
__________________________________________________
EQUIPMENT
DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA (HDV PROHD 720p)
JVC GY-HD110 16:9 High Definition 3 CCD camcorder. HDV1 720p progressive.
Fujinon Th16x5.5BRMU zoom lens.
Fujinon 0.8x wideangle adaptor.
JVC/Nikon lens mount adaptor.
7” 16:9 portable field monitor
Also shoots 16:9 or 4:3 standard DV
AUDIO
RODE NTG1 shotgun microphone, phantom powered
RODE Dead Cat windgag
MICRO VIDEO CAMERAS
A selection of micro (15 gms) & lipstick type cameras
for covert filming or mounting onto animals.
Microwave 2.4Ghz link to video recorder.
380 -480 lines resolution.
STARLIGHT VIDEO CAMERA
SONY single chip ultra low light (0.004lux) CCTV colour video camera.
570 lines resolution.
C & Nikon lens mount.
PULNIX TMC6
Single chip remote head miniature C & Nikon mount colour video camera.
450 lines resolution.
STILLS CAMERAS - DIGITAL
OLYMPUS E1 PRO 5 megapixel.
OLYMPUS E400 10 megapixel.
14-54mm Zuiko lens.
17.5-45mm Zuiko lens.
55-100mm Sigma lens.
Olympus/Nikon lens mount adaptor.
LENSES, SUPER 16, 35mm and for JVC HD110
NIKON 28mm f2.8 macro.
NIKON 55mm f2.8 macro.
NIKON 60mm f2.8 macro.
TAMRON 90mm f2.8 macro.
SIGMA 105mm f2.8 macro.
NIKON 200mm f4 macro.
NIKON 19mm & 35mm micro lenses.
NIKON 300mm f4.5.
ARSAT 300mm f2.8.
1.4X & 2X extenders.
Macro extension tubes.
LENSES, SPECIALIST
Own design (optically superior to most other systems)
Macro/Borescope/Periscope deep-focus lens system.
Range of C mount lenses, including HD quality optics.
Can be fitted to JVC HD110 camera.
TIME LAPSE, VIDEO
STUDIO SYSTEM
FrameThief digital video timelapse system. Frames are captured from a
Digital source - a miniDV camcorder or digital stills camera - to the hard
drive of an Apple iMac G4 desktop computer.
Advantages over film timelapse systems include continuous monitoring
of image capture, up to 25 meters from subject; no vibration from camera
shutter movement (ideal for macro/micro filming); rock steady images;
playback of captured images while the timelapse is still running (bad takes
can be erased); previously shot images can be overlaid (like animation gels)
for perfect frame matching.
LOCATION SYSTEMS
1) Similar system to above, using SONY VAIO laptop computer and
ScenalyzerLive image capture software.
2) Direct capture of images from OLYMPUS E1 PRO digital stills camera
to either CompactFlash card or hard drive of laptop computer. This
system produces images that exceed HDTV resolution.
DIGITAL STILLS CAMERA SYSTEM
HD quality, with capture to memory card or computer hard drive using Olympus E1 camera.
HARD DRIVE VIDEO CAPTURE
VideoLan software for Sony Vaio laptop. Converts the computer into a portable HDV 16:9 monitor for the Sony FX1E and JVC HD110 cameras, and also enables capture of full resolution HDV footage to the hard drive.
TRIPODS & HEADS
MANFROTTO 510
SACHTLER 16
MILLER 16
Tall & short tripod legs.
Low level base.
Camera saddle.
LIGHTING
800/650 watt redheads (3)
2000 watt blonde.
1000 watt broadlites (2)
1500 watt broadlite.
50 watt/12 volt cold lights for macro filming (10)
Schott KL1500T fibre optic unit for macro filming.
Dragon 100 watt/12 volt portable light.
Studio & portable electronic flash units.
PAG C6 20/30watt camera mounting video light. Gives approx 2 ¼ hours use from 6v battery.
MOTION CONTROL
Miniature laptop computer operated tracking/rotate unit, for macro tracking in real time or timelapse. 8” of linear movement, 360 degree rotation.
POST PRODUCTION SOFTWARE
APPLE iMac G4 / 260Gb HDD, with Final Cut Pro 2 digital editing software and Adobe Photoshop 6.
SONY VAIO K315B widescreen laptop with Adobe Premier editingsoftware, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2, Adobe LightRoom and RawShooter Pro RAW conversion software and DVD burner.
Stitcher 3 image stitching software.
VEHICLE
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA MPV
Mobile: +44 (0)7827 411329
E-Mail: DownerFilm@aol.com
Websites: www.hdcinematography.co.uk www.wildlifefilm.co.uk
__________________________________________________
I'm a film and video Director/Cameraman and Director of Photography with credits on over 100 international television programmes, and the winner of numerous awards for cinematography including two News & Documentary Emmy’s for Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft - Cinematographers for the National Geographic film The Last Frog, and for ABC’s Living Edens - Denali, Alaska’s Last Wilderness. My National Geographic film King Cobra, filmed in southern India over a period of five months, won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement in 1998 and was nominated for Outstanding Cinematography.
In November 2006, BROADCAST magazine listed me as one of the HOT 100 television talents of the year.
I began freelancing in 1981, after spending three years as assistant cameraman to Ron Eastman on various BBC wildlife programmes and the classic children’s feature film Tarka the Otter, and a year as a staff cameraman at London Scientific films working mostly on the groundbreaking macro special effects series Bellamy’s Backyard Safari.
Since then I've worked as a freelance Director/Cameraman & DOP in locations across the world including North, South & Central America, Alaska, India, China, Japan, Africa, Australia, Indonesia, and the Canadian high Arctic. The prestigious series I have contributed to include BBC Television’s The Blue Planet, The Trials of Life, The Life of Plants, Land of the Eagle, Predators, Nightmares of Nature, Dragons Alive, The Living Isles, Living Britain, Wildlife on One and The Natural World, and six programmes for National Geographic Explorer, filming a diverse range of animals - from big cats and deadly snakes, to the microscopic mites that live in the ear of a moth.
During the past three years I've filmed for the BBC series Nature of Britain, Autumn Watch, Coast, Planet Earth, and Life in the Undergrowth; filmed a one-hour National Geographic special Attack of the Giant Gerbils in the Gobi Desert; appeared both behind and in front of the camera in Endemol’s daytime BBC series Animal Park, and filmed several non natural history projects including two feature films, Nadine and A Moment of Guilt, music videos for Indian singer/film star Kamaal Khan and UK boy band Billiam, five short films, Greener Grass, Gorgeous Labour of Love, Hans & Stanley, The Chauffeur's Hat, and Last Chance Romance, for film festivals, and corporate videos for Center Parcs, the Avon & Somerset Fire Service, the UK Meat & Livestock Commission, and Woodhouse plc.
I have experience of shooting on many film and video formats, including 35mm, Super 16, HDCAM, DVCPROHD (tape & P2) DigiBeta, BetaSX, MiniDV, DVCAM and HDV (1080i & 720p). I own a comprehensive JVC HD110E video kit, with optics ranging from telephoto lenses for long range filming, to microscope lenses for filming the tiniest details of insects. These optics can also be used on other camera systems, from HDTV to MiniDV. In addition, I have also designed and built specialist and innovative items of equipment such as time lapse units for film and video, a deep focus optical system, and miniature remote cameras for surveillance or for getting intimate behavioural sequences of animals, both on land and underwater.
_________________________________________________
CREDITS
A selection from over 100 film & video projects
2008
A TURTLE'S GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC
BBC. Contributing cameraman.
ANIMALS ON BLUE
Filmed tropical butterflies and golden retriever puppies against blue screen using the new Arri D21 High Definition digital cinematography camera. This was the first UK shoot for Arri’s upgrade of the D20 camera. HDCAM SR 4:4:4.
IN THE WOMB - EXTREME
Pioneer Productions / National Geographic TV. Specialist filming in the USA of kangaroo joeys in their mother’s pouches using Olympus high definition endoscope probe. DVCPROHD.
MY GENERATION - BILLIAM
Project Monkey. Director of Photography on music video for boy band Billiam, to be released June '08.
2007
A MOMENT OF GUILT
Alex Lichtenfels/Steffan Aquarone. Director of Photography on feature film shot in Birmingham. ProHD
NATURE OF BRITAIN
BBC. Filming freshwater invertebrates for Alan Titchmarsh series. HDV
ANIMALS ON THE EDGE
Windfall Films. Filming unique location footage of the young of the world's smallest & rarest bat, the bumblebee bat, for proposed HD series. HDV
THE CRIMSON WING: MYSTERY OF THE FLAMINGOS
Kudos/Crimson Wing/Disney. Assisted in the filming of flamingo eggs hatching for the opening sequence of Disney feature film, to be released January 2008. Super 35mm / Arri 435
LAST CHANCE ROMANCE
SHhhh...Productions. Short surreal film filmed on Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk. HDV
WINGS OVER WARMINGTON
Wrote, filmed & edited 52 minute promotional DVD for Fir Tree Falconry Centre in Warwickshire.
THE URBAN FREESTYLER EXTREME
Brick Lane Films Ltd. Cameraman on a HDV video production showcasing the skills of the most talented UK extreme urban sports freestylers. The 12 sports include Freerunning, Trial Biking, Mountain Boarding & Basketball.
60 DAYS OF GOODBYE POEMS OF OPHELIA
Wellcome Trust/Surrey University. Art installation project bringing together a fine artist, a microbiologist, a musician, a sound engineer and a specialist cameraman (Steve Downer). The famous Pre-Raphaelite painting of Ophelia is recreated in coloured bacteria and using timelapse photography the image is seen to transform and decompose over a 60 day period. For information on the project see www.jowonder.com
THE CHAUFFEUR's HAT. Short film. DV
2006
ANIMALS ON BLUE
High Definition video (HDCAM SR) filming of reptiles, insects, amphibians & small mammals against blue screen, using the ARRI D20 Digital Cinematography camera.
NADINE
Matchstix Productions. Feature film, shot on ProHD for transfer to 35mm. Filmed on location in south London, the story of the final day in the life of a self-harming teenager.
AUTUMN WATCH
BBC. Shooting macro DigiBeta footage of caterpillars, butterflies and spiders for the Mini Epics inserts for the forthcoming SPRING WATCH offshoot.
COAST
BBC. Filming kittiwake behaviour and interviews with presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff around the coast of Bridlington. DVCAM
NATURE OF BRITAIN
BBC. Filming Super 16 macro footage of large blue butterflies hatching within an ants nest for the Alan Titchmarsh series.
INVASION OF THE BODY SCRATCHERS
Scream Films. Shooting HDV video footage (using Canon XLH1 and Sony FX1E cameras) of parasites - leeches, fleas, bedbugs, maggots, ticks, dust mites - for a 3-part SKY/BSB series.
SIGNING IN THE CITY
Corporate video and website material for Woodhouse plc showing the robotic manufacturing process used to produce signposts giving directions to London landmarks. miniDV
HANS & STANLEY
Independent short film shot on Super 16.
2005
SONY HDCAM SHOWREEL
High Definition material shot on HDW750P for Sony's HD showcase presentation at IBC 2005.
FORESTRY COMMISSION OSPREY CENTRE
Video of badgers & red squirrels for presentation at the Osprey Visitor Centre. miniDV
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT …….?
Pilot for a proposed television series bringing great art and artists to young people in a unique and entertaining way. miniDV
GORGEOUS LABOUR OF LOVE
SHhhh…Productions. Surreal Victorian Gothic musical narrative of innocence corrupted. A ten-minute short shot on DigitalBetacam in locations around London. Selected for showing at numerous film festivals, including Cannes, during 2006.
Winner of Best Short Film award, Dubrovnik International Film Festival 2006
PLANET EARTH
BBC NHU. Filming birch tree defoliation in Abisko, Swedish Arctic. High Definition using Panasonic Varicam HDC 27FE.
LIFE IN THE UNDERGROWTH - The Silk Spinners
BBC NHU. Filming orb spider web building. Super 16 / miniDV realtime & timelapse.
Winner, Granada Wild Award for Animal Behaviour, WILDSCREEN 2006
2004
ATTACK OF THE GIANT GERBILS
Film Formations Singapore/National Geographic Channel Asia. A one-hour special about the plague of gerbils devastating the deserts of Xinjiang province, China, and the use of golden eagles to eradicate the rodents. Filmed in extreme conditions in the Gobi Desert over a six-week period. Super 16/MiniDV/remote miniature cameras.
PLANET EARTH
BBC NHU. Filming deep ocean creatures, including the rare Vampire squid, in controlled conditions at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, California. HD on Sony HDW750P.
GREENER GRASS
Uber Films. Dark short drama for theatrical release. MiniDV.
LIFE IN THE UNDERGROWTH
BBC NHU David Attenborough series. Timelapse sequences, filmed over a three week period, of butterfly lifecycles. Video timelapse using Canon XL1s and Apple computer system.
ANIMAL PARK
Endemol /BBC. Filming specialist macro and remote camera sequences (including “Sheepdog Cam”) & presenting in front of camera with Ben Fogle and Kate Humble. MiniDV.
FIRE SERVICE TRAINING VIDEO
Mike Bennett Associates. Filming training video at Severn Park Fire & Rescue Training Centre for Avon & Somerset Fire Service. MiniDV.
2003
DRAGONS ALIVE
BBC NHU. Blue chip series on reptiles. Filmed a large variety of species in India, Mali, Costa Rica, Bali, & Komodo, including King Cobra and Komodo Dragon. Super 16/MiniDV.
E SANAM
Corner Pocket Films. Director of Photography/Cameraman on a music video for the popular Indian singer, Kamaal Khan. Filmed on the streets of London and on a yacht on the River Thames. Released on MTV & music channels worldwide. Super 16.
RED SQUIRRELS
Red Alert charity/Center Parcs promotional video. MiniDV.
JOURNEY OF LIFE
BBC NHU. Timelapse sequences of swallowtail butterfly lifecycle. Video timelapse using Canon XL1s and Apple computer system.
2002
ANIMAL CAMERA
BBC NHU. Contributing cameraman on a series showing how new technology can show animal behaviour in new ways. Developed deep focus lens system, and animal-mounted mini cameras.
THE BIG SQUEEZE
BBC NHU/Animal Planet. Filmed cyclorama title sequence of pythons and boas for this programme about constricting snakes. Super 16.
THE REALLY WILD SHOW
BBC NHU children’s series. Filmed a series of stylised “animal dating classified ads” in which animals show off their best attributes to potential mates. MiniDV.
AN AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
Artangel. Filmed traditional map making at the London A-Z Company for artist Richard Wentworth’s exhibition showing the changes taking place around London’s Kings Cross area.
2001
WILDLIFE SPECIAL - SERPENTS
BBC NHU. Major contributing cameraman on a programme showing why snakes are so successful. Many of my sequences were filmed at high speed - 500 frames per second, including an eyelash viper catching a hummingbird and the world’s fastest snake strike. Super 16.
2000
SNAKE HUNTER USA / SNAKE HUNTER CENTRAL AMERICA
Zebra Films/National Geographic. Snake behaviour cameraman on two programmes following herpetologist Rom Whitaker on snake hunting trips. Winner of Best Presenter Led Programme Award at Wildscreen Festival 2002. Super 16.
1999
PREDATORS
BBC NHU. Filmed for two programmes in this innovative series, including the sequences of giant Japanese hornets being “cooked to death” by honeybees, and a spider being willingly fed upon by her offspring. Super 16.
AFRICA’S DEADLY DOZEN
Tigress Films/National Geographic. Major contributing cameraman on a one hour special on Africa’s deadliest snakes. I filmed 6 of the species, including the most dangerous, the Black Mamba. Super 16.
MICRO FLYERS
Green Umbrella/WGBH-Nova. Filmed high speed insect flight, at 10,000 frames per second, for a documentary about man’s attempts at building miniature flying machines.
1998
THE BLUE PLANET
BBC NHU. Four weeks filming coral sea life at a research centre on Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, including the spectacular annual spawning of the corals. DigiBeta.
SQUIRRELS UNDER SIEGE
BBC NHU - Wildlife On One. Three months spent filming Californian ground squirrels and their predators. This species is the only rodent to be immune to rattlesnake venom. Included much underground behaviour filmed in specially designed sets. Super 16.
LIVING BRITAIN
BBC NHU. Blue chip series about the natural history of the of the British Isles. Super 16.
1997
TOUGH DUCKS
BBC NHU - The Natural World. Filmed the UK behavioural sequences of this one hour film about the diverse and inhospitable places ducks inhabit, including underwater footage of eider ducks.
EXPLORING THE HIGH FRONTIER
Oxford Scientific Films/National Geographic. Filmed high canopy invertebrates in Costa Rica for this multi-award winning documentary about scientific research in the rain forest canopies of the world. Filmed for the first time the parental care of strawberry poison arrow frogs. Nominated for the 2000 Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography. Super 16.
WHERE LEMMINGS DARE
BBC NHU - Wildlife On One. Two weeks filming lemming behaviour above and below the frozen
tundra in Alaska.
1996
KING COBRA
Zebra Films/National Geographic. Five months in southern India filming the life of the world’s largest venomous snake, which can reach 18 feet in length and has venom potent enough to kill an elephant. Winner of the 1998 Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement and nominated for Outstanding Cinematography. Super 16.
1995
THE LIVING EDENS - DENALI, ALASKA’S LAST WILDERNESS
ABC/Kane. Specialist macro cameraman. Winner of 1997 Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Craft - Macro Cinematographer. Super 16.
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EQUIPMENT
DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA (HDV PROHD 720p)
JVC GY-HD110 16:9 High Definition 3 CCD camcorder. HDV1 720p progressive.
Fujinon Th16x5.5BRMU zoom lens.
Fujinon 0.8x wideangle adaptor.
JVC/Nikon lens mount adaptor.
7” 16:9 portable field monitor
Also shoots 16:9 or 4:3 standard DV
AUDIO
RODE NTG1 shotgun microphone, phantom powered
RODE Dead Cat windgag
MICRO VIDEO CAMERAS
A selection of micro (15 gms) & lipstick type cameras
for covert filming or mounting onto animals.
Microwave 2.4Ghz link to video recorder.
380 -480 lines resolution.
STARLIGHT VIDEO CAMERA
SONY single chip ultra low light (0.004lux) CCTV colour video camera.
570 lines resolution.
C & Nikon lens mount.
PULNIX TMC6
Single chip remote head miniature C & Nikon mount colour video camera.
450 lines resolution.
STILLS CAMERAS - DIGITAL
OLYMPUS E1 PRO 5 megapixel.
OLYMPUS E400 10 megapixel.
14-54mm Zuiko lens.
17.5-45mm Zuiko lens.
55-100mm Sigma lens.
Olympus/Nikon lens mount adaptor.
LENSES, SUPER 16, 35mm and for JVC HD110
NIKON 28mm f2.8 macro.
NIKON 55mm f2.8 macro.
NIKON 60mm f2.8 macro.
TAMRON 90mm f2.8 macro.
SIGMA 105mm f2.8 macro.
NIKON 200mm f4 macro.
NIKON 19mm & 35mm micro lenses.
NIKON 300mm f4.5.
ARSAT 300mm f2.8.
1.4X & 2X extenders.
Macro extension tubes.
LENSES, SPECIALIST
Own design (optically superior to most other systems)
Macro/Borescope/Periscope deep-focus lens system.
Range of C mount lenses, including HD quality optics.
Can be fitted to JVC HD110 camera.
TIME LAPSE, VIDEO
STUDIO SYSTEM
FrameThief digital video timelapse system. Frames are captured from a
Digital source - a miniDV camcorder or digital stills camera - to the hard
drive of an Apple iMac G4 desktop computer.
Advantages over film timelapse systems include continuous monitoring
of image capture, up to 25 meters from subject; no vibration from camera
shutter movement (ideal for macro/micro filming); rock steady images;
playback of captured images while the timelapse is still running (bad takes
can be erased); previously shot images can be overlaid (like animation gels)
for perfect frame matching.
LOCATION SYSTEMS
1) Similar system to above, using SONY VAIO laptop computer and
ScenalyzerLive image capture software.
2) Direct capture of images from OLYMPUS E1 PRO digital stills camera
to either CompactFlash card or hard drive of laptop computer. This
system produces images that exceed HDTV resolution.
DIGITAL STILLS CAMERA SYSTEM
HD quality, with capture to memory card or computer hard drive using Olympus E1 camera.
HARD DRIVE VIDEO CAPTURE
VideoLan software for Sony Vaio laptop. Converts the computer into a portable HDV 16:9 monitor for the Sony FX1E and JVC HD110 cameras, and also enables capture of full resolution HDV footage to the hard drive.
TRIPODS & HEADS
MANFROTTO 510
SACHTLER 16
MILLER 16
Tall & short tripod legs.
Low level base.
Camera saddle.
LIGHTING
800/650 watt redheads (3)
2000 watt blonde.
1000 watt broadlites (2)
1500 watt broadlite.
50 watt/12 volt cold lights for macro filming (10)
Schott KL1500T fibre optic unit for macro filming.
Dragon 100 watt/12 volt portable light.
Studio & portable electronic flash units.
PAG C6 20/30watt camera mounting video light. Gives approx 2 ¼ hours use from 6v battery.
MOTION CONTROL
Miniature laptop computer operated tracking/rotate unit, for macro tracking in real time or timelapse. 8” of linear movement, 360 degree rotation.
POST PRODUCTION SOFTWARE
APPLE iMac G4 / 260Gb HDD, with Final Cut Pro 2 digital editing software and Adobe Photoshop 6.
SONY VAIO K315B widescreen laptop with Adobe Premier editingsoftware, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2, Adobe LightRoom and RawShooter Pro RAW conversion software and DVD burner.
Stitcher 3 image stitching software.
VEHICLE
VAUXHALL ZAFIRA MPV
Seagull. BBC COAST