It’s not often that I wait for the shops to open of a morning but yesterday was one of those days. I was outside WHSmiths as the shutters rose feeling like one of those muppets at the January sales. The reason for this break of character was to pick up the latest issue of Surfers Path magazine (Issue 77). Not only is the new SAS campaign film that I worked on free as a cover-mount but I had been told the accompanying article used some of my photography. This was great to hear and I was looking forward to seeing what shot they had used. However, upon picking up the magazine I realised, to my surprise, that it was not one photo but 12! Not only that but I was credited as the photographer for the article, this may sound obvious but not all magazines are so kind.
This is a great way to cap off a fantastic project working with Richard Stewart, the guys from SAS and all the surfers involved. Had a blast driving, loading, assisting and shooting and have seen some truly beautiful parts of our coastline that we are lucky to have and should do our utmost to protect. Hopefully, the film will be well received by surfers and non-surfers alike so go out, buy the magazine and have a look at the film – I’m looking forward to the call for the next one.
Surfers Path issue 77 with SAS campaign film as a covermount Credited and published photographer (P.102 if your interested) Magazine spread with my shots in full colour
Over the last couple of weeks I have been lucky enough to have been working with friends. Working for production company Spun Gold filming climbers Mike and Bean (of “Jack Osbourne: Adrenalin Junkie” fame). I met these guys when I was making my film with Tim Emmett and when they got in touch about a pilot TV show they were making I jumped at the chance. The show uses Mike and Bean’s NLP and life coaching skills to help couples who are experiencing problems in their relationships.
Shooting on my Z1 in Tewkesbury and Cheddar Gorge this was an interesting departure from all the camera assisting I have been doing recently, it’s been a while since I got to shoot my own stuff. On the climbing day in Cheddar I also got to work with another friend, shooter and climber (who I met up at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival) Adrian Samarra. We were shooting a Tyrolean traverse and abseil across the gorge and was a great day and an excuse to try and revive some of my rusty climbing skills.
All in all it was a lovely crew to work with and great to be shooting outdoors – Fingers crossed for the series.
Shooting in Tewkesbury The author – Suited, Booted and ready for action Shooting the traverse and abseil Bean, just hanging out Beautiful sunset to end the shoot
Browsing the magazine shelves today I stumbled across Whitelines snowboard magazine. As a skier I usually wouldn’t look twice but today I saw it was giving away a DVD as a cover-mount which just happened to be Relentless: Lives of the Artists, a film that just happens to have my name in the credits. It’s great to have a proper resolution copy of the film and a memento of a great filming trip out to Ireland. Now, if only I could find somewhere in Northampton that sells Surfers Path so I can get my hands on the SAS film.
My film, ‘Under the eye of the Jackdaw’, about Ice Climber and BASE jumper Tim Emmett has made it into the official selection for this years Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF). After being well received at the Kendal Mountain Film Festival I hope that it will be the same over in Canada. Sadly, I won’t be able to make it there in person but if anyone finds themselves at a loose end and in Vancouver on the 28th January then do pop along. Information about the film and festival can be viewed here and a short segment of the film can be viewed here.
Just after Christmas I worked on a 3 day shoot in Cornwall for the promo for the band Goldhawks for Bill and Ben productions. We shot local surfer Seb Smart at some of the most beautiful locations around West Cornwall. On the whole the weather played ball and produced some moody skies and decent swell… then the the snow came. For the final days shooting we headed to Kent to shoot the band performing. It was a cold and snowy night but the crew was kitted out in our winter gear and in good spirits and it should produce some good shots. I loaded across the 4 days and it was shot on 16mm on the SR3. This is the kind of jobs I love doing, even if my face says otherwise Keep an eye out for the video.
Seb battles the waves
Gazing out over Porthcurno
The Band perform amongst the smoke and the flares
Rich and Henry search for the shot
I have got a mention on St. Agnes based outdoor clothing company Finisterre’s blog. I feature in a round up of people that have been wearing their gear out and about over the last year. I bought an Etobicoke jacket from the guys a couple of months ago and it is honestly one of the best pieces of clothing I have ever owned, I haven’t taken it off since I bought it and it is perfect for working in. Head over to their site and check out their gear – Perfect for the current weather!
So, back from an epic road trip up to Thurso on the North Eastern tip of Scotland. This was the final part of the filming for the Surfers Against Sewage Campaign film for 2009. After an unofficial crew Christmas party, watching Ben Howard in Shoreditch, the night before we were in no fit state to embark on a 15hr drive North but, like the heroes we are, we set off. Stopping in Newcastle on the way to visit Nigel Cabourn for a cup of tea and with Gabe Davies for company we struggled on into the night – eventually arriving. Who would have thought you could drive so far in our small Isle. The days in Thurso were filled with the most amazing light for shooting, magic hour lasting for 2 or 3! The waves were good, the scenery was mind blowing and to quote someone on the trip “Those two little vans were filled with such good vibes and beautiful people”. The weather held but the swell did not, if it had I have a feeling we would all still be up there. Below is just a taste of what we got up to and saw. Keep an eye out for Surfers Path magazine in the new year where the film will be a cover mount and there will be an article with more shots from the film. Cheers Rich, Andy, Candice, Jack, Gabe, Nathan and Richie – Looking forward to the next trip!
Thurso East on the first morning Magic hour(s) coming to an end Bagpipe barrel The two Richs swap sunlit stories
Went to the Premier of the Relentless film ‘Lives of the Artists’ in Shoreditch Town Hall on Tuesday night. The event was well attended and it was great to see so many people out and wanting to watch the fruits of the all the crews efforts. I worked on ‘Powers of Three’ that was the forerunner to this film and was happy to see some of the footage has made it into this cut – As well as my name on the credits
Watch the film below and to find out more click here. (The film is also being shown on December 17th on Channel 4 @ 11.45pm)
Working back in South London at a rather nice house for another round of advertorials for Philadelphia cream cheese. I reprised my roll as Gaffer’s Assistant working with the same crew as last time shooting on the Sony 900 with Luke Cardiff as DP, Henry Landgrebe assisting and directed by David Pritchard. Chef Ed Baines cooked 4 dishes over the two days all incorporating cream cheese as a key ingredient. All tasted pretty good and I may even try them at home. Nice job with a nice crew and a great chance again for me to play with some lights.
Yesterday I found myself, once again, focus pulling. It was an odd job in that we were working on a commercial for the COI that was filming a music video, for the artist Kano, being made. The location was a fantastic Victorian water pumping station, complete with giant steam driven water pumps. There were 3 cameras on the commercial and I was working on B camera, an SR3, with Nick Gordon Smith roaming around the location looking for shots. It was a long day with cameras everywhere, lots of carrying and my first proper big focus pull.
The SR3 mounted on the dolly for the last shot of the day Kano performing on one of the giant pumps
Keep an eye out for the video.
