WILDLIFE FILMMAKER . DIRECTOR . PRODUCER

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My ambition as a filmmaker is to inspire audiences about the natural world, giving them an understanding and reason to conserve it. I aim to achieve this by creating powerful, entertaining and dynamic content that turns heads, starts conversations and acts as a catalyst for change.

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Silverback Films’ original Our Planet and Our Planet Halo projects were the perfect springboard into the blue-chip world, allowing me to effectively combine my educational background as an environmental scientist, with my passion for natural history story-telling and filmmaking.

 

Over the last 15 years, I have developed my skills and experiences in the wildlife filmmaking industry to become an adaptable, innovative, grounded and confident producer / director, throughout all stages of production. I have worked on a range of format types, including blue chip series, feature films, IMAX and online shorts for a range of commissioners.

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DEVELOPMENT

 

I am a creative development thinker with a keen eye for stylish presentation and attention to detail. I have developed and designed a number of pitching documents presented to Apple, Google, Facebook and Microsoft (amongst others) as part of the Our Planet project and digital content stream.   

 

Through Otterly Media I have worked with a number of production companies and private clients to develop editorial pitching docs for a range of programme types and formats. Subjects have included natural history, science, expedition, adventure, history and sport for a range of commissioners including BBC, Netflix, Sky, Sky History, Nat Geo, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. I particularly enjoy creating engaging, visually impactful pitching documents am proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud including Photoshop, InDesign and Lightroom, Canva, Pitch and Shorthand.

 

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EDITORIAL & WRITING 

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I craft and deliver editorial documents to a high standard (written and visual) including running orders, treatment, storyboards and scripts. My most recent script written was highly commended by Sir David Attenborough during the comm record on Secret World of Sound; and was nominated for Best Writing - The Buzzies Awards at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers.

 

I am skilled at weaving together multiple storylines into cohesive and engaging stories. I love blending scientific facts seamlessly into narratives, crafting concise, entertaining and evocative scripts using simple, engaging language that lands with target audiences. I pay meticulous attention to overarching themes and episode flow. I particularly enjoy shaping a script’s character and tone, using subtle nuances and wordsmithing to align with themes and bring stories to life. I am skilled at adapting scripts to specific audiences and am excited to work with new commissioners.

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RESEARCH

 

Proactively connecting and effectively communicating with scientists and experts around the world is a fundamental part of my research process. It allows me to identify the latest and most important story lines, which I can then craft into emotionally engaging and compelling narratives.

 

My knowledge is science based and broad ranging. From global big-picture ideas, environmental challenges and innovative solution-based stories, down to biome specific, wildlife behaviour and character led stories. I’ve provided detailed research documents and developed engaging editorial documents covering all key biomes: oceans, frozen worlds, freshwater, deserts, grasslands, jungles and forests. I have an excellent understanding of current conservation and environmental issues. 

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PRE-PRODUCTION

 

I am highly organised and take pride in planning strategically with my team, camera crew and fixers to deliver well managed shoots; ensuring editorial aspirations align with budgets and available resources; consulting with camera crews to ensure the most appropriate camera equipment is booked, to deliver the visual ambition of a sequence; and completing timely permit applications.

 

 

RISK ASSESSMENTS

 

Creating comprehensive risk assessments enables me to be responsible for the safety of crew on location. I have assessed a wide range of shoots, including those in remote and challenging locations and in marine environments. Preparing considered filming schedules for complex shoots allows me to get the most out of a crew on location, whilst considering their safety and wellbeing first and foremost.

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LOCATION WORK

 

With over 1,500 days logged in the field, I am a confident, dynamic and reactive director on location. I am experienced working safely in extreme, challenging and remote locations and particularly enjoy working in polar regions and at sea. I have extensive international shoot experience working across the world (Africa, South America, Central America, North America, Asia and Europe). Shoots include long lens, CineFlex/ShotOver, macro, studio, live internet broadcast, drone, night (Selex, IR and lowlight), underwater and 360. With sequence focusses ranging from animal (behaviour and character led) to people, places, conservation and the environment.

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DIRECTING SYNC & WORKING WITH CONTRIBUTORS

 

I am experienced working with and interviewing a broad range of contributors, from high profile talent including Sir David Attenborough, world leaders, public figures and top scientific experts to conservation pioneers, tech entrepreneurs, local community figures and children. Many interviews filmed used the EyeDirect system.

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CAMERA OPERATION & RIGS

 

I am technically minded and have worked with a number of different camera systems and rigs including REDs, Sony F55, Selex, GH5, Z7 NXCAM, DSLRs, 360 rigs topside and underwater, Ronin, GSS, ShotOver and CineFlex. I enjoy exploring the use of new camera technologies which have the potential to elevate visual production values.

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DRONE OPERATION

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CAA approved remote pilot certificate SUSA 0-7kg cat. +100 flying hours logged (DJI Inspire, Phantom, Mavic).

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VFX PROCESS & PIPELINES

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I have worked with VFX supervisors on location. Filming included drone photogrammetry to create 3D worlds, landscape backplates to create the environment in which live action with actors would be placed and wildlife assets for compositing and rotoscoping.

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SOUND RECORDING

 

I have experience recording sound on location including interviews, key behaviour sounds and atmos, using multiple channel mixers, radio mics, shotgun mics, geophones, hydrophones, atmos recorders and acoustic cameras.

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DATA MANAGEMENT

 

I am meticulous about DIT workflow and management on location and am experienced using ShotPutPro, SilverStack and DaVinci Resolve.

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POST PRODUCTION

 

From logging rushes to making selects and rough cuts in Avid. I have delivered throughout the edit, working closely with editors and being reactive to SP, EP and commissioner feedback. I have provided briefs to GFX artists; music composers and track layers; written and fact checked scripts for comm records and supported final deliveries.

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BUDGET MANAGEMENT

 

Managed own projects budgets and worked with PCs & PMs to successfully deliver episodes to budget.

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LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

 

With good planning and clear communication, I have effectively managed teams both in the office and on location to deliver sequences successfully. I am confident in my decision making and absolutely love solving problems, which comes in especially handy on location when under pressure. I endeavour to create a positive and productive work environment, where everyone feels valued and supported. I am an advocate of being approachable, open and supportive to my surrounding team, especially recognising the value of allowing less experienced members of the team to take on new responsibilities and giving them the support, guidance and confidence to do so effectively.

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PROFESSIONAL OUTLOOK

 

I am a highly motivated, responsible, hardworking, creative and determined producer, with bags of enthusiasm to complete any given task to the best of my ability. I particularly enjoy a challenge and getting stuck in at the deep end. An organisation fiend, I work quickly and efficiently under pressure allowing me to spend time focusing on attention to detail. I have a strong team spirit but am also able to work effectively on my own. I consider myself an honest, friendly and out-going individual with a good sense of humour. 

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ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / QUALIFICATIONS

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Experienced working in extreme and challenging environments in remote locations.

Particular love of Polar regions, Oceans and Mountains.

ALBERT Carbon literacy trained and certified.

Wilderness First Aid trained and certified | Emergency First Aid At Work |​ Fire Warden trained.

Two valid passports and ivisa.

South African Field Guide & Cyber Tracker.

PADI Advanced Open Water Dive.

Powerboat Level 2 | RYA Day Skipper Theory | RYA Marine Radio Short Range Certificate.

BORDA 4x4 Off Road Driving.

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WHERE IT STARTED...

 

Rebecca was born in England and brought up in rural Leicestershire surrounded by fields, the beautiful English countryside and animals. From an early age she was happiest exploring the outside world and quickly developed a deep passion and enthusiasm for wildlife and the natural environment. Rebecca went to University straight from school, and having gained a BSc in Environmental Science and a MSc in Climate Change at the University of East Anglia, she chose to follow her childhood dream of becoming a wildlife filmmaker. After selling her car to buy a camera she travelled to Africa to develop her film and photography skills.

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Rebecca studied wildlife filmmaking at the Wildlife Film Academy run by the Natural History Unit Africa based at Entabeni Conservancy, South Africa. Her first three-minute short film ‘The Hunt’ revealed her creativity and passion to capture the moment and get ‘close up’ in the wild. After leaving the Wildlife Film Academy she spent time with a ‘game capture team” based in Naboomspruit and subsequently worked with wildlife researchers at Phinda Game Reserve. Later she returned to Entabeni Conservancy this time to undertake her field guiding qualification FGASA (Level 1), Cyber Tracker (Level 2) and S.M.A.R.T Wilderness First Aid (Level 1) at the Nature Guide Training School.

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After securing an internship with the Shamwari Film Unit based at Shamwari Game Reserve Rebecca moved up to the Limpopo Province to work for WildEarth Djuma Safari based at Djuma Game Reserve in the Sabi Sands. At Djuma Safari she spent the majority of her time on camera filming two three-hour live game drives a day. These live drives were streamed live online twice a day on WildEarth Tv, Djuma Tv and Ustream. This experience provided the opportunity that Rebecca needed to capture some amazing moments of some of the most dangerous, colourful, elusive and endangered species on our planet. It also gave her quite a following with the regular viewers of the game drives.

 

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WILDEARTH SAFARI TV TESTIMONIALS

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"Becs, you've done an exceptional job behind the camera in recent weeks! I wish you much success in the future!! You will be missed!!"

 

"Becs, you are an amazing photographer - every single one of your photos tells a story - you are brilliant!"

 

"Becs these are fantastic, I agree with Kay, you have a great eye for your shots - truly beautiful photos!"

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WHEN NOT AT WORK...

 

I can generally be found on the water, in the snow or up a mountain!

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