The Golden Warrior

The end of 2017 saw two big jobs back to back. The first was a ten day shoot in Kazakhstan for a documentary about 'The Golden Warrior'. One of Kazakhstan's heroes, his remains were discovered in 1969 and is believed to be a Scythian warrior from 2nd or 3rd century BC. This huge significance of rich history before Soviet rule has meant he has become an important figure and a symbol of Kazakhstan's independence.

National Monument of The Golden Warrior in Independence Square, Almaty

I was working with my old friend and mentor Une Herzer form Lighthackers. It was great to work with him again after so long and we clicked right back into place. We had to source our kit out there and after a nervous first morning looking at some pretty old gear we managed to find some high end film kit and a top notch crew to go with it!

I know what you're thinking...big lens means....

People have all sorts of things lying about in their garage..

It was a great shoot and we managed to cover of lot of content about this historical figure. Having recently got my license to operate a drone, I was really pleased to be able to use my Phantom 4 Pro. The scenery was breathtaking and the light gorgeous this time of year. 

Lake Issyk, taken with Phantom 4 Pro

Issyk Burial Ground, taken with Phantom 4 Pro

Loving the new toy....

After a successful shoot in Kazakhstan it was back home for 24hrs, a bit of family time, a quick pants wash and then off again on the next adventure. This time for something slightly different. Next stop...Mauritius.

St Catherine's Monastery

Just got back from filming at St Catherine's Monastery. Situated in the foothills of the Sinai mountains in Egypt, it is the oldest continuously inhabited monastery in the world. Built at the supposed site God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, it has existed for seventeen centuries. Home to Greek Orthodox monks, it attracts pilgrims from all over the world who are drawn by its history and its symbol of peace, for which it stands.

St Catherine's Monastery in the morning light.

The library in the monastery contains arguably the most important collection of ancient manuscripts and early printed books in the world. However the room is in danger of collapsing, so funding has been provided to restore the walls and create a new safe library to house these important antiquities. I was part of the film crew comissioned to document the process.

Drilling though a 6th century wall. Steel rods will be inserted to hold the granite blocks together and ensure it doesn't collapse. It's like Meccano, but on a bigger scale.

One of the Monks, moonlighting as a welder inside the library. Health and safety seems to be in God's hands here!

Local Bedouins are helping with the construction work. The monks and Bedouins have lived in harmony for centuries despite being of different faiths.

Scintillating action going on here. 

Declared a holy site by the prophet Mohammed, it has survied the crusades and the Ottoman conquest. A mosque was built in the 11th century, a symbol of two faiths being able to co-exist in peace.

The One Show(reel)

To show examples of my sync and actuality work, here are a few clips from presenter led segments I have shot for The One Show with Tigress Productions. Shot with the PMW500.

Slowmo Showreel

I spent a few days filming for the media department at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. I used a specialist high speed camera (Photron) from www.slowmo.co.uk to try and capture some of the seasonal highlights at the reserve. Most of the shots are recorded at 500fps, some at 1000fps

I recently spent a few days filming for the media department at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire. I used a specialist high speed camera (Photron) from www.slowmo.co.uk to try and capture some of the seasonal highlights at the reserve. Most of the shots are recorded at 500fps, some at 1000fps. Thanks for watching.