Description
Ive been working my way through the camera department since 2010, starting as a kit room technician, then freelance as a trainee, then 2nd AC. In 2018 I was given the opportunity to operate on a pilot by my friend and colleague, Mark Milsome, whom I met while working on Downton Abbey. Tragically, as we all know, shortly after we shot the pilot, Mark was killed. The pilot (called The Athena) went on to be picked up by Sky, and the Director, Isabelle Sieb, and Director of Photography Cinders Forshaw wanted to keep the team as close as possible to the pilot, so I went on to operate for 6 months on B camera. It was an unexpected jump, but one Id never look back from, and I always remember Marks encouraging words.
After finding it hard to get work without doing Steadicam, I decided to take a course and buy a Steadicam rig in 2020. This turned out to be an eventful year, as we moved house and had our second child, all during the first lockdown. Even though it meant there was no work, I was able to spend time at home with the family (something I missed with our first daughter), and practice my Steadicam in our new garden. The following couple of years have slowly seen work picking up again, with the odd days operating on TV dramas again, but most of my Steadicam work being on short films, promos and the occasional commercial - a good place to practice and hone my craft. However, my main job title really has been stay-at-home Dad, as my wife has been doing most of the paid work - something that I have loved being able to do, but also fuelled my desire to get back to work and have some normal conversations again
Now Im looking to get back into long form TV drama or features that will give me a good run of work, where I can operate or do Steadicam on a regular basis. What I love most about operating is being a part of the creative process, and I thrive off directors and DoPs who like to think about things differently and arent afraid to try new things.