Filming: A Perfect Planet, Episode 5, ' Humans '
Definitely a career highlight when an Attenborough film comes knocking on your door. To have my 6 minutes of Attenborough time on air, not only as a sound recordist but also doing the drone cinematography, is a dream come true. And to be assigned to film the work of Sea Shepherd alongside that of the marines and fisheries of Gabon was so inspiring.
I have spent a lot of time at sea the past few years, and every ship is different. Sea Shepherd’s The Bob Barker with it’s heli-deck at an odd angle, post it’s protest work down in Antarctica’s waters where it was squashed whilst protecting whales, and it’s vegan crews, all working passionately to protect the seas and oceans, was a very inspiring place to spend 10 days.
A slightly smelly place to work and live, as the ship lost the water pump, and washing was restricted in the muggy heat off West Africa’s still waters. The film crew were given good digs down in the bowls of the ship, we were all bunked up together, Emily Franke the producer director and Paul Williams the DOP, with a little curtain around our bunk home. The Galley produced amazing and varied vegan delights.
We boarded ships checking on the fishing practices, health and safety and bycatch. Our ship would operate undercover and reveal itself when it was close enough to surprise its prey.
I hope you enjoy watching the series, and that you feel inspired to support Sea Shepherds work.
I have to shout out for John Hare’s camel programme too, as his work over the decades has been amazing in saving last remaining wild Bactrian camels and creating one of the biggest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. He features in Ep. 3, more info on his website. Links below. His books are really interesting too.