New Video - Shotokan Karate National Championships
24-08-2010
I recently made a short video for Wilford Karate School, which happens to be where I train! The video was made at the Shotokan Karate National Championships in August 2010 at Chilwell Olympia. The video is available to view by clicking on the link below!
Click here to view related media
Click here to view related media
BBC Voices Film Festival
28-07-2010
I've just returned from the BBC Voice Film Festival, where I was working with Wildeye on an exhibition at the Forum in Norwich with Piers Warren, Mike Linley and Jonathan (Jip) Jones. We had 3 stands: Filming macro with lots of creepy crawlies including a chilean rose tarantula, deaths head cockroaches, a wasp spider, giant crickets, baby salamanders and a variety of caterpillars; the handycam table with a very co-operative model, my very own baby tortoise; and finally filming a toad jumping around with a photron super slow motion camera.
We had a lot of fun, and hopefully got a few kids excited about wildlife and filmmaking. The highlight for me though, was when a young lad asked me where the remote control was for the tarantula I was holding, and then was very puzzled as to why the TV remote didn't work when he pointed it at the 8 legged creature!
Visit wildeye.co.uk for more information on their super mega courses...
We had a lot of fun, and hopefully got a few kids excited about wildlife and filmmaking. The highlight for me though, was when a young lad asked me where the remote control was for the tarantula I was holding, and then was very puzzled as to why the TV remote didn't work when he pointed it at the 8 legged creature!
Visit wildeye.co.uk for more information on their super mega courses...
Wildeye Big Cat Videos on youtube...
28-06-2010
I recently cut the Wildeye Big Cat Film Safari film into a shortened version for the web, and made some clips of a few big scenes from the trip. These have been uploaded to the Wildeye youtube page. They will appear on my website very soon! In the meantime, take a look here...
- Highlights... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7pakPI2jXU&feature=related
- When Leopard meets Elephant... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPFGUvVNr44
- The Jackal and the Hyenas... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMZZnjRXcA&feature=related
- When the Lion Cubs were playing... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7y-Ebuoo_0&feature=related
- The Thrill of the Chase (Elephants chasing lions, before the lions indulge in some oo-er missus)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vPHQW8uqUg&feature=related
- The Hunters and the Hunted (Leopards, lions, jackals, hyenas and impala in one huge event)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-aTLaRBQpk&feature=related
- Highlights... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7pakPI2jXU&feature=related
- When Leopard meets Elephant... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPFGUvVNr44
- The Jackal and the Hyenas... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buMZZnjRXcA&feature=related
- When the Lion Cubs were playing... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7y-Ebuoo_0&feature=related
- The Thrill of the Chase (Elephants chasing lions, before the lions indulge in some oo-er missus)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vPHQW8uqUg&feature=related
- The Hunters and the Hunted (Leopards, lions, jackals, hyenas and impala in one huge event)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-aTLaRBQpk&feature=related
David Bellamy and Robert Winston videos ready to view!
18-05-2010
Please follow the link below to view these two interviews. Robert Winston is talking about the subject of Trusting Technology, and David Bellamy discusses his views on climate change. Well worth a watch! Please also see my news item (3 below) to read about the seminars in more detail.
Click here to view related media
Click here to view related media
New Science World video!
18-05-2010
I've just uploaded the recently completed video of Science World 2010. This year it was held at Wembley Stadium, and guest speakers included Lord Professor Robert Winston, and Professor David Bellamy. Please see the news item (2 below) for more information on Science World, and follow the link below to view the video!
Click here to view related media
Click here to view related media
Wildeye Research and Production for Wildlife Documentaries course
04-05-2010
Last weekend I attended another Wildeye course, this time as a student. The Research and Production for Wildlife Documentaries course was led by Caroline Brett, an award winning producer and director who currently works for the Save Our Seas Foundation and makes a mean guacamole, and Alan Miller, a highly experienced writer, director and editor with an unashamed passion for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were assisted by Sarah Barber, who has worked as a researcher for over 3 years on wildlife and science series for children and adults.
The course covered writing proposals, making promos, who to pitch to and how to do it, as well as covering the planning, production and post production of wildlife documentaries. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and as well as meeting some lovely people, I came away with a lot of new knowledge and inspiration on how to get cracking with my first full length documentary...!
Keep your eyes on www.wildeye.co.uk/production.html for details of when the next course will be.
The course covered writing proposals, making promos, who to pitch to and how to do it, as well as covering the planning, production and post production of wildlife documentaries. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and as well as meeting some lovely people, I came away with a lot of new knowledge and inspiration on how to get cracking with my first full length documentary...!
Keep your eyes on www.wildeye.co.uk/production.html for details of when the next course will be.
David Bellamy and Robert Winston!
29-04-2010
On the 15th of April I travelled down to London Wembley Stadium to film my third Fisher Science World. The exhibition was even more of a success than normal with many more delegates, due in part to the presence of Prof. David Bellamy and Lord Prof. Robert Winston (or Prof. The Lord Robert Winston as is apparently correct in British Usage!) In Robert Winston's chosen topic, Trusting Technology, he discussed whether the results of technological ideas are always in line with their original good intentions, and how the media and politicians can help mould dangerous views and expectations about the potential gains or risks of new technologies. However, it was the ideas discussed in David Bellamy's seminar which really stuck out for me.
His chosen subject of carbon dioxide inevitably led to a discussion on his controversial views on man-made climate change. Whatever your opinions on this, David reminds us of the importance of not overlooking other important issues such as conservation, pollution, over-fishing, inequality and poverty. The solutions to all of these problems should go hand in hand, sustainable living, more equality, and respect for the planet and its resources (easy eh!!). Whatever an individual's stance on the difficult subject that took the forefront, it was impossible not to be inspired by his warmth, boundless energy, and insatiable passion for conservation.
The interviews with both David Bellamy and Robert Winston will be posted both here, and on the Fisher Scientific website, along with the Science World promotional video.
Keep those eyes peeled!
His chosen subject of carbon dioxide inevitably led to a discussion on his controversial views on man-made climate change. Whatever your opinions on this, David reminds us of the importance of not overlooking other important issues such as conservation, pollution, over-fishing, inequality and poverty. The solutions to all of these problems should go hand in hand, sustainable living, more equality, and respect for the planet and its resources (easy eh!!). Whatever an individual's stance on the difficult subject that took the forefront, it was impossible not to be inspired by his warmth, boundless energy, and insatiable passion for conservation.
The interviews with both David Bellamy and Robert Winston will be posted both here, and on the Fisher Scientific website, along with the Science World promotional video.
Keep those eyes peeled!
More adventures in the Peak District!
31-03-2010
Over the last few months I've been filming more caving, abseiling, and high ropes on a joint project for Fisher Scientific, Madabout and Wildtracks. The shoot involved more scrambling around in caves, dangling off the edge of bridges, and climbing up trees to get shots of the Fisher staff dangling and scrambling around!
I've just finished the first edit, and there will be more to come. Some of those will make it on the website, so further updates will come once they are ready!
I've just finished the first edit, and there will be more to come. Some of those will make it on the website, so further updates will come once they are ready!
Big Cat Film Safari 2010
31-03-2010
On 13th March I got back home from my second Wildeye Big Cat Film Safari in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.
Sadly, Piers Warren was unable to join us this time, so it was up to me and Cameraman Extraordinaire Gavin Thurston (Life, Big Cat Diary, Planet Earth, Life of Mammals...the list goes on...!) to organise the motley crew of eager wildlife filmmakers and photographers.
The trip was again a success, sightings include: so many lions we lost count; close encounters with cheetahs and cubs; a very up close and personal encounter with Olive the leopard and her two cubs frolicking in the branches of a tree; hyenas, jackals, elephants and giraffes and even white rhino!
Yikes. Of course, I didn't see as much as the guests, as much of the time I was busy editing away in possibly the best office in the world, in the shade of a big tree by the Olare Orok river. Mara Bush Camp is a temporary eco camp - when we go, so does the camp. We were right in the bush, no fences, so although most animals tend to stay away from anywhere where humans are dwelling and doing their human thing, from my office I could still see hippos belching and farting in the river in front of me, and vervet monkeys climbing trees around me, as well as countless varieties of bird. :-)
Piers Warren of Wildeye is already busy making plans for next years trip, so if you'd like to come along please visit www.wildeye.co.uk/bigcats.html. If you are planning a trip to the Maasai Mara, I really couldn't recommend Mara Bush Camp enough, find out about them here: www.marabushcamp.com (and they aren't even paying me for that!)
I am going to be organising my photos over Easter so look out for those in the coming weeks! In the meantime, the thumbnail will have to do ya!
Sadly, Piers Warren was unable to join us this time, so it was up to me and Cameraman Extraordinaire Gavin Thurston (Life, Big Cat Diary, Planet Earth, Life of Mammals...the list goes on...!) to organise the motley crew of eager wildlife filmmakers and photographers.
The trip was again a success, sightings include: so many lions we lost count; close encounters with cheetahs and cubs; a very up close and personal encounter with Olive the leopard and her two cubs frolicking in the branches of a tree; hyenas, jackals, elephants and giraffes and even white rhino!
Yikes. Of course, I didn't see as much as the guests, as much of the time I was busy editing away in possibly the best office in the world, in the shade of a big tree by the Olare Orok river. Mara Bush Camp is a temporary eco camp - when we go, so does the camp. We were right in the bush, no fences, so although most animals tend to stay away from anywhere where humans are dwelling and doing their human thing, from my office I could still see hippos belching and farting in the river in front of me, and vervet monkeys climbing trees around me, as well as countless varieties of bird. :-)
Piers Warren of Wildeye is already busy making plans for next years trip, so if you'd like to come along please visit www.wildeye.co.uk/bigcats.html. If you are planning a trip to the Maasai Mara, I really couldn't recommend Mara Bush Camp enough, find out about them here: www.marabushcamp.com (and they aren't even paying me for that!)
I am going to be organising my photos over Easter so look out for those in the coming weeks! In the meantime, the thumbnail will have to do ya!
The Culling
31-03-2010
It's been a very busy couple of months, and a long time since an update, so now, time for 3 in a row!
In February I joined a bunch of talented filmmakers and actors as camera operator on the zero budget feature film "The Culling". I think we worked a tiring 74 hour week (or something similarly ridiculous!) but the wonderful people and endless jokes made it a highly enjoyable experience. For me, it was the first time I've shot a feature film, so it was refreshing to be able to really play with the light and the look of the shot. We have a few pick up shots to do, but the director Nick Archer has already started the edit, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the result. Details of the screening to come when the masterpiece is completed!
Please visit www.ottproductions.com for updates and more information on THE CULLING!!
In February I joined a bunch of talented filmmakers and actors as camera operator on the zero budget feature film "The Culling". I think we worked a tiring 74 hour week (or something similarly ridiculous!) but the wonderful people and endless jokes made it a highly enjoyable experience. For me, it was the first time I've shot a feature film, so it was refreshing to be able to really play with the light and the look of the shot. We have a few pick up shots to do, but the director Nick Archer has already started the edit, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long for the result. Details of the screening to come when the masterpiece is completed!
Please visit www.ottproductions.com for updates and more information on THE CULLING!!
Archive
• New Video - Shotokan Karate National Championships
• BBC Voices Film Festival
• Wildeye Big Cat Videos on youtube...
• David Bellamy and Robert Winston videos ready to view!
• New Science World video!
• Wildeye Research and Production for Wildlife Documentaries course
• David Bellamy and Robert Winston!
• More adventures in the Peak District!
• Big Cat Film Safari 2010
• The Culling
• Caving and Abseiling in deepest darkest Derbyshire!
• New Live Music Video - Tasty Morsels
• New Fisher Science World Video!
• New Big Cat Film Safari Video!
• BirdFood Screening and Interview
• BirdFood Screening
• Fisher Science World 2009
• Wildeye Big Cat Film Safari 2010 - Dates announced!
• New Photos!
• New Photos!
• Wildeye Big Cat Film Safari
• Welcome to the news page!
• New Video - Shotokan Karate National Championships
• BBC Voices Film Festival
• Wildeye Big Cat Videos on youtube...
• David Bellamy and Robert Winston videos ready to view!
• New Science World video!
• Wildeye Research and Production for Wildlife Documentaries course
• David Bellamy and Robert Winston!
• More adventures in the Peak District!
• Big Cat Film Safari 2010
• The Culling
• Caving and Abseiling in deepest darkest Derbyshire!
• New Live Music Video - Tasty Morsels
• New Fisher Science World Video!
• New Big Cat Film Safari Video!
• BirdFood Screening and Interview
• BirdFood Screening
• Fisher Science World 2009
• Wildeye Big Cat Film Safari 2010 - Dates announced!
• New Photos!
• New Photos!
• Wildeye Big Cat Film Safari
• Welcome to the news page!