Darren Bramley
Manufacturer Liaison Officer

Darren is Head of Cameras at GMTV where he has been since before the launch in 1992.

As one of the few original members of GMTV Staff he still enjoys the manic world of Breakfast Television. Involved in managing the studio crew, he also operates on the show every day in the studio, on PSC and OBs.

Introduced to the Guild in 1987 when at BBC Elstree, he has always been proud to be part of such a diverse band who care about the quality of camerawork and professionalism in the industry past and present.

Alison Chapman
Zerb Managing Editor
and
Website Administrator 
(non voting)

I have been on the GTC Council since 1992.

I worked at Thames TV, at first as a picture researcher, before training as a camera operator. After completing their Technical Training Scheme, I went into the camera department at Teddington where I worked for seven years, as well as on OBs and The Bill, work for which I was awarded a GTC Certificate of Merit and RTS craft award.

When Thames lost its franchise, I continued as a freelance camerawoman shooting mainly drama, on both film and tape.

I now work mostly in publishing including managing Zerb for the GTC. Since its relaunch in 2008, I have also been content editor and administrator for www.gtc.org.uk.

Christina Fox

 James French
Sponsorship and Advertising Manager
(non voting)

I Joined BBC Pebble Mill as a trainee camera assistant in 1979. Left Pebble Mill as a Lighting Camera Supervisor in 2001, when Studio A closed.

Freelance Lighting Cameraman since 2001, working for a wide variety of clients in studios, on OBs and as a PSC cameraman.

Involved with the GTC Council for over 20 years, in a variety of roles, including International Organiser, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Database Designer, GTC Newsletter Editor & Vice Chairman.

James Fulcher

Following advice from many TV professionals, I have made a conscious decision not to go to university. Instead I am learning camerawork practically, by working 'on the job'.

From the beginnings of creating small charity videos while at school, my range of work over the past two years has expanded to include working on broadcast productions as well as productions for major companies and brands.

I joined the GTC in 2007 in my last year of A-Levels and have used this as a springboard to start my training. 

I have recently joined the Council to help promote the GTC to students and young trainees. I am a firm believer in keeping up standards in craft camerawork to the highest quality possible and hope to help promote this through the GTC Council.

Martin Hammond

I formed MJH Media on 1st January 2007 as a small independent media consultancy having taken early retirement from Kodak after 38 years working mainly in the Motion Picture, Television, Commercials, Pop Promos, Corporate, Emerging Filmmaker, Student and other Audio Visual market segments. This consultancy offers support to media companies, trade associations, film festivals and individuals.

I work for five major Camera Guilds namely The British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), The Guild of British Camera Technicians (GBCT), The International Federation of Cinematographers (IMAGO), The International Association of Wildlife Filmmakers (IAWF) and the GTC.

As Producer of The BSC Film and Digital Image Evaluation Programme for the last 3 years I have been in regular contact with all of the camera suppliers and rental companies and therefore the majority of the GTC sponsors. I continue to make regular ‘location visits' to meet with camerapersons across all market segments.

I am proud to support the GTC on the Awards and website sub-committees and to support the GTC exhibition teams at UK and International Trade Fairs/Exhibitions.

Drew Hartley
Education Officer/Awards Officer

Drew Hartley is the Education and Awards Officer. Drew's roots are in theatre lighting and the cinema as he began as a trainee projectionist at 16. His TV career started as a technician/ camera trainee working in the corporate sector for a few years, before moving into the broadcast world. He worked with a variety of formats from Umatic highband to Betacam SP as a freelance, mainly on location on commercials and pilots.

The new millennium marked the end of Drew working as a freelance cameraman, as he was involved in an RTA which changed his entire life. Even though he doesn't fully identify himself with being disabled, he decided to look into other areas of the industry, writing his own work and directing short films using his knowledge and contacts within the film industry.

Drew is now writing for film and television along with a fellow industry colleague. He is currently working on various formats, but his experience gained while working behind the camera, has seen him helping others to get a foothold into the ever-evolving television industry.

Having been on Council for a number of years he believes passionately in maintaining the standards of television across the board in our industry and is a great advocate of the FT2 scheme and on the job training due to his own background within the industry.

John Henshall
Co-Vice Chairman Press/PR Officer

I worked as a cameraman at the BBC-tv centre for fifteen years, during which time the Guild was formed. As one of the first BBC members, I was founder Dick Hibberd's Vice Chairman before leaving to work as a freelance Director of Photography in 1976.

As a Director of Photography I worked on many of the earliest music videos and formed my own group of DoPs. Our work included servicing MTV Europe for its first ten years. Other credits include Channel 4's Network Seven and ITV's Spitting Image.

For the past fifteen years I have been heavily involved in the developing field of digital imaging since its birth, organising conferences in the US and consulting for major imaging companies. I am delighted to be invited back onto Guild council and made Co-Vice Chairman and hope that my experience since my days as a BBC staff cameraman may be of benefit to the Guild.

Dick Hibberd
Honorary President

I started my career in this industry as a trainee film director with a small company in Edinburgh, specialising in documentaries. After spells with both Ferranti and Decca Radar filming top secret flight trials, I moved to BBC Lime Grove as a Technical Operations Cameraman on Crew 1.

ATV beckoned with more money and I stayed there for 8 years doing multi-camera studio and OB work before moving on to Alpha TV in Birmingham, and then again to TWW in Cardiff. It was here that I began to see the necessity for an organisation to cater for the needs of television cameramen. From this realisation, with the help a few dedicated television cameramen friends, the Guild was born.

After TWW became HTV, I continued to work there as Head of Cameras for studio and OBs for 14 years. 

My next and last move was to Thames TV to work as a technical supervisor, sometimes filling in as a lighting director, then studio supervisor, and finally as a production manager.

At the age of 80 I am still very active in the world of television. I now work (unpaid) as cameraman, lighting cameraman, director and tea boy gofer on amateur video productions. I am still fascinated by the media, with all its never-ending developments, and feel as strongly as ever about the need for a Guild of Television Cameramen, catering for both men and women the world over.

I feel very honoured to have become the Guild's first President, and will do my upmost to maintain and uphold the ideals of the Guild.

John Hoare

I worked for the BBC in a variety of roles up to Lighting Cameraman and Resources Manager, as well as lighting in small studios and on location, until 2001 when I took early retirement, and since then I have freelanced in similar roles. Of all the shows I was lucky enough to work on the two I most like to remember are ' Blackadder Goes Forth' (Camera Supervisor), and 'Live and Kicking' (Resource Manager).

I was the GTC Treasurer from February 2003 to January 2010, and am now enjoying stepping back to a less demanding role. I am very proud to have been involved in the development of the GTC website, and its continuing evolution.

Paul Kay

I worked for the BBC  1954–1989. Camera Superviser/Senior Cameraman 1965–1989. B SKY B and Freelance until 2002. Outside Broadcast experience in early days, also with B SKY B many years later. Experience virtually all multicam - drama series and situation comedy; senior cameraman on Question Time for 10 years.

Interests: photography; gardening; angling; clay pigeon shooting; and of course the grandchildren.

Guy Littlemore
GTC Awards Organiser

Graduated in 1981 from the Polytechnic of Central London with a B.A. (Hons) in Film & Photography, I joined ATV Birmingham as a trainee studio cameraman. In 1985, I became a news cameraman, using the then new lightweight ENG cameras. In 1988, I transferred to the film unit of Central TV (the old ATV) to shoot on location for national and regional productions. I worked alongside some great cameramen during my time at ATV & Central TV, and the knowledge I acquired prepared me for a freelance career as a lighting cameraman, which I began in February 1991.

My freelance career has been wide-ranging, with productions such as Challenge Anneka in the 1990s, to recent years when I have been shooting in Africa, India and South America for Comic Relief, and as a camera operator on BBC Extra’s productions. The television industry is a collaborative process and it’s about working with talented crews and organised production teams who can make the shoot a rewarding one.

Health & Safety is a prime interest (sad… I know!), alongside camerawork. I am qualified with a NEBOSH National Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety. I am also a BECTU Nation safety rep and a Graduate member of the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH).

The Guild is a great organisation that is advancing and enhancing the craft of the cameraman. I would like to see it expand to encompass a more global brand for television cameramen worldwide.

Graeme McAlpine
Chairman

I joined LWT in 1977, where there was a great chance to work on many notable shows in both the studios and on outside broadcasts.

After various attachments, the chance to transfer to become a lighting cameraman in their PSC department beckoned at the end of the 80s.

Leaving this staff position for a self-employed career in 1991, the years since have been as a freelancer in studio, outside broadcast and PSC, within both the broadcast and corporate work place.

Having always been a strong supporter of the Guild for many decades, the opportunity to re-join the Council will give me a new and exciting challenge to promote and invigorate the work of the Guild.

Ray Meier

Dan Mulligan
Standards Officer

Clive North
Workshop Coordinator

Rex Palmer
Membership Officer

I worked for the BBC from 1963 to 1996, initially at TV centre then at London Outside Broadcasts where I became a Camera Supervisor before taking early retirement and going freelance.  

For the past eleven years most of my work has been for Bernie Ecclestone covering the Formula One Grand Prix races all over the world. Initially this was just for a number of European pay-per-view digital satellite channels, but since 2004 we have been providing the World feed from an ever increasing number of the circuits.

As Membership Secretary it's my job to vet all Membership applications to make sure that the applicants are eligible to join and that they are joining at  the appropriate Grade. I also assist the Administration Officer in the task of checking up on lapsed members and in trying to encourage resigning members to reconsider their decision.

Simon Roe
Treasurer

 Brian Rose
Welfare Officer

Brian Rose spent many years working his way through the ranks in both film and television. As a cameraman, he has worked on a wide range of productions, from documentaries, to commercials and feature films. He later joined OpTex, working as Technical Manager in their rental department, developing Digital Cinematography and working closely with the BBC on strategies for HDTV production.

More recently he has gone back to working as a cameraman, trainer, and consultant.

However, like other members of the GTC Council, he admits that most of his time seems to be spent on Guild matters but is firmly convinced that it is all worthwhile.

"I was brought up to believe that quality always comes first and that there is no excuse to deliver anything but excellence. That's what the Guild has always been about and I am very proud to be able to serve it. I believe that we will continue to lead and indeed, that leadership has become even more important now, than in the past."

John Rossetti
Secretary

John Rossetti started his career as a film trainee at BBC Ealing, and worked as camera assistant with Ken Russell on the Monitor series and Jonathan Miller and Dick Bush on Alice in Wonderland.

John then moved to Alexandra Palace, became a news cameraman, and later worked at Lime Grove on Tonight and 24 hrs mostly with Fyfe Robertson. He then joined BBC TV production training as assistant technical instructor. He now has his own lighting company and freelances as a lighting cameraman in News and Drama/Documentaries.

Nominated for best photography at the Celtic Film Festival for Tristan & Isolt for Carlton.

I started in advertising and commercial photography in Glasgow, and an opportunity to do some illustrative work for BBC TV convinced me I wanted to move into ‘movies’!

I came to London, into industrial and corporate filming –government department and international company respectively – before joining BBC’s Ealing Television Film Studios (TFS).

After over 20 years, with experience across a wide range of current affairs, documentary and drama programmes, along with a period in operational management, I went freelance in 1992 (also when I joined the GTC) trading as ESP (Eric Samuel Productions).

Since then I have worked as a lighting cameraman on location, in studio and on features – big screen through to webcasting.

The rich range of experience among GTC members can benefit us on a mutual basis, and I hope to contribute in helping our craft as it faces ongoing technical and production challenges.

 John Tarby
Co-Vice Chairman

It is ironic that my career started in the photographic department at a government establishment doing research to improve safety in the Fleet Air Arm. My father, a Fleet Air Arm pilot, was killed in a flying accident when I was very young. Video didn't really exist as we know it today so 35mm was used to film experiments and I assisted the photographers with high-speed motion analysis cinematography. In essence I was a film loader.

I moved to Unilever where I was able to continue photographic studies before graduating to documentary filming and then TV production on the pretext of applying it to consumer research. I was grateful to be given the chance to shoot films so that when I applied for the National Film School I could take a good showreel. However at my interview they said that although my work was excellent I couldn't go there as I was already well qualified!

So I left Unilever having directed my first corporate video for them a pastiche of Horizon. My very first freelance project as director won a BISFA prize and an ITVA Award but I preferred camerawork and I became a freelance tv cameraman in 1981 when it was quite rare in TV. My lucky break came when a family friend who admired my photography in Padstow invited me to do location camerawork for his company. This was Keith Ewart a photographer who built his own tv studio in Wandsworth. I did some of my best location work for him.

I have worked for all the usual suspects: APTV, BBC (several departments), CBS, Channel 4, CNBC, EBN, ITN, ITV (Granada, LWT, Central, Southern), Reuters, Sky Sport, TV3 Sweden, TV Globo Brazil, VRT Sport (Belgium), BP Oil, BT, British Gas, Cunard, Fidelity Investments, IDV, Motorola, NCR, Philips, Unilever, University of London, Burson Marsteller, COI, Hill & Knowlton, Shandwick, J Walter Thompson & others.

The GTC council chased me for years trying to persuade me to join council. In 2004 I succumbed and agreed to run the Awards event largely because I was well qualified having attended all of them for 20 years! I am proud of my 6-year term as your awards event organiser during which we transformed the event from a sort of rural retreat into the capital city celebration worthy of further development and exploitation that it is today. Indeed we already know others have their eye on the event! I hope, indeed I shall expect, to see the event continue to move onwards and upwards. I know it is the prime thing we do as a Guild which demonstrates to the wider TV community the benefits of employing professional TV cameramen everywhere and our members in particular

John Tarby Awards Event Organiser 2004-2010