Meet the GTC Council!

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

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.

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.

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 am currently writing in Zerb and GTC In Focus so GTC members can keep track of my progress whilst taking this alternative route to education.

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

Drew Hartley
Education Officer/
Awards Officer

Drew Hartley is the Education and Awards Officer, Drew roots are in Theatre lighting & the cinema, a trainee projectionist at 16 began his TV career as a technician/ Camera trainee working in the corporate sector for a few years, before moving into the Broadcast world working with various formats from umatic highband to Betacam SP working freelance mainly on location and field work on various commercials and pilots.

The new millennium marked the end of Drew working as a freelance Cameraman at least, as he was involved in an RTA which changed his entire life.

Even though he doesn't fully identify himself as being disabled he decided to look into other areas of the industry writing his own work and directed a few 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 whilst working behind the camera, has seen him helping others to get a foothold into the ever evolving Television industry.

John Henshall
Co-Vice Chairman

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
Treasurer

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.

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.

Ray Meier
Exhibitions Manager

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow members who assist me in the various tasks including the production of updated posters and voluntary stand duties.

Clive North

I'm a freelance documentary lighting cameraman, working mainly in broadcast science and history programmes with my own Sony HDCam kit.

I've been on the Guild Council for around three years.

Rex Palmer
Membership Secretary

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

 Brian Rose
Chairman/
Manufacturers Liaison and Standards 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.

Phil Rowe

As for me......I started life working as a Civil Engineer so came to the world of television camera work in a rather unconventional way. 

My initial training was with ITV Meridian where I worked in the studios and the newsroom. Having spent a few years assisting and being 'multi-skilled' I specialised in camera and got a staff job based out of the Newbury studios. 

I have been freelance for seven years and work mainly with PSC shooting documentaries, sport, news and corporates. 

The best bit about my job? It's not really a job, is it?

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 Samuels

 John Tarby
Co-Vice Chairman/
Awards Event Organiser