And the nominations are .....

Awards for Excellence

'Mo', Channel 4
Director of Photography: Julian Court
TX date/time: 31st January 2010
Type of programme: Drama

Reason for nomination:
Exquisitly filmed drama about Mo Mowlem and her fight against cancer (played by Julie Walters).  The lighting and mood of the programme were exemplary and a great reflection of what standard is possible with a good budget and very talented people.One of the best filmed dramas for television I have seen for several years.

EastEnders - Live episode, BBC1
Camera Supervisor: Duncan Unsworth
TX date/time: 19 03 10 – 19:30 – 20:00
Type of programme: Multi-camera (Studio or OB)

Reason for nomination:
The BBC marked the 25th anniversary of the continuing drama series EastEnders with a live episode broadcast from EastEnders home at the BBC studios in Elstree. The production involved a considerable technical operation much different to the normal routine at Elstree yet the editorial remit was that the show should look consistent to the viewer.

Multicamera studio drama often gets overlooked during award considerations by virtue of the numerous camera staff that have input into each scene, but I consider that the camera supervision of the many locations and 38 cameras on that evening deserves specific recognition. 

The show included a range of indoor and outdoor locations and a complex live stunt scene all of which looked balanced and smooth, all of which gave the audience the excitement and drama of the event. I believe that his planning in association with the director, and execution on the evening were a credit to the profession in the area often not recognised by the industry.

When Piers Met Sir Cliff, ITV
Camera: Alastair McCormick, Anthony Leake and Stuart Clayton
TX date/time: 26/09/2009
Type of programme: Entertainment

Reason for nomination:
This "A" list popular type of documentary with Piers Morgan and Sir Cliff Richard was a straight forward easy to watch programme which was well executed with good camerawork on the framing and also good "actuality" filminig which is always unpredictable.  For me a very professional production of this genre.

Service of Remembrance, London, BBC1
The Camera Crew
TX date/time: 11/11/2009
Type of programme: Multi-camera (Studio or OB)

Reason for nomination:
This was a live unrehearsed network programme of a major national event which in my opinion was excellent.  All the camera work was well framed and of a high technical quality and, considering they had to get it right first time, was very impressive.

Life - monarch butterfly migration sequence, BBC1 
Photography: unknown
TX date/time: November 2009
Type of programme: Natural history

Reason for nomination:
The canopy level tracking shots in temperate forests of Monarch Butterfly migration were exceptional. There was beautiful lighting and wonderful high speed and timelapse cinematography.

This World - Mexico Drug War, BBC2
Camera: Jonathan Young
TX date/time: February 2010
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
This film was about the bitter and tragic rival drugs wars which have engulfed Mexico over the last few years. Jonathan's camera follows the highly dangerous Mexican army patrols in Juarez, (the current murder capital of the world), discovering nightly, fresh scenes of multiple gang executions. Such scenes clearly present a problem for the cameraman. But Jonathan skillfully manages to portray the gruesome scenes without being salacious, and yet leaving the viewer under no illusion about how terrible the acts of execution have been.
In contrast to the raw reality of the above, there is the ultra sensitive section of the film where he follows a bereaved family to the place of their son's execution and brings the viewer into close contact with them to share the grief and bewilderment of their loss.In the sequences which re-tell the difficult story of the son's kidnap, Jonathan eye for the tiniest detail and the absract use of barely recognizable objects is master class in the cameraman's art of getting right under the skin of a story, when basically there are no pictures to work with. Jonathan can be very proud of having shot this moving programme in the most difficult of circumstances.

Outnumbered, BBC1     
Camera: Martin Hawkins and Pete Welch
TX date/time: April & May 2010
Type of programme: Other

Reason for nomination:
The improvisation aspect of this show is quite unique and as there is no rehearsal I think the cast and two camera operators work well together. So the children in the show are not distracted by lots of lights or camera dollies, the show is 95% hand held, shot in a real location and often in small rooms to make it feel as normal as possible for them. With these restrictions the shots are very well composed and constructed.
I think the camera work captures the chaos, comedy, mood and drama of each situation perfectly.
'A' Camera Operator - Martin Hawkins
'B' Camera Operator - Pete Welch

This programme has also been nominated again:
Reason for nomination:
Excellent camera shots.

OK Go; 'This Too Shall Pass' (Rube Goldberg Machine version) Music Video, 
YouTube and probably MTV
Steadicam: Mic Waugh
TX date/time: Frequently since March 1st, 2010
Type of programme: Entertainment

Reason for nomination:
A truly amazing video, apparently done on one shot but actually containing one hidden edit.
It consists of a whacky machine that actually works in time with the music and is combined with the band members singing the lyrics.
It must have taken hundreds of takes and the camera operation is nigh on perfect.
The producer described the Steadicam operator's efforts as Herculean.

True Stories: Mugabe and the White African, More 4
Director of Photography: Andrew Thompson
TX date/time: 18 May 2010
Type of programme: Extreme

Reason for nomination:
This powerful expose of the harsh reality of life in Zimbabwe today is beautifully filmed in extremely challenging circumstances. Despite the fact that all the gear had to be smuggled in and out of the country several times, and that the crew were constantly evading being caught by officials enforcing the total media ban in that country, the DoP opted to stick with a large format camera and full sound kit with recordist in order to achieve the best quality pictures he could.
Parts of the film are self-shot by the main characters using an A1. While these are powerful and essential in order to cover the story, the nomination is not for these sequences but for those shot by Andrew Thompson (the bulk of the film).

True Stories: Mugabe and the White African, More 4
This programme has also been separately nominated in the Factual category.

Reason for nomination:
A powerful and cinematic documentary shot and directed by Andy in difficult conditions. As Time Out have said "Surely one of the best documentaries of the year."
 

Art of the Sea - In Pictures, BBC4
Photography: Will Edwards
TX date/time: Last shown 13 May 2010, 03:55
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
This cameraman showed superb sensitivity to the subject of the programme which dealt with the sea as a subject for artists over the centuries. From Turner to modern times and contemporary artists work Will Edwards choice of subject and composition, combined with nature's own lighting, produced wonderful images perfectly reflecting the feel and atmosphere of the artworks being discussed.
The sequences near the end of the programme on the Newlyn School and St.Ives as a haven for artists was especially rich and a delight to watch.

 

BBC Proms 2009 (A Celebration of Classic MGM Film Musicals), BBC
Camera: Vince Spooner and crew
TX date/time: 01/08/2009
Type of programme: Multi-camera (Studio or OB)

Reason for nomination:
Really great multicamera teamwork turning out highly skilled interpretation of the music with very little rehearsal night after night throughout the long Proms season.
(I think this was BBC2 but could have been one of the other
BBC channels.

 

Nilgiri Mountain Railway (India Hill Railways series), BBC2
Photography: Nick Porter and Tarun Bhartiya
TX date/time: 02 04 10
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
This subject lends itself to beautiful imagery and the cameramen didn't fail to deliver. Every shot is a winner. I couldn't see a dud shot anywhere. Even the wobblies (from the loco footplate) were truly justified and not artificial. Beautiful composition throughout.

Another programme in this series has also been nominated:

Indian Hill Railways, BBC2
Photography: Graham Day  and Ajay Narona
TX date/time: 16th April 2010
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
One of a series of beautifully filmed programmes. These were camera led documentaries telling the stories of many ordinary people connected with the Indian railway at Shimla, that is so high that snow arrives-to great excitement!  The cameramen got skillfully behind their subjects eyes and captured the mood and culture. Enchanting.

Reason for nomination:
The coverage was excellent throughout, Always 'on the ball'. Excellent camera work without once intruding.

 

Winter Olympics - Ladies Skeleton - Amy Williams run, BBC2
Photography: Ice track camera team
TX date/time: 18 02 10
Type of programme: Sport

Reason for nomination:
The fastest whip pans and crash zooms I ever saw! The contestants passed within inches of the cameras at 80mph.
This is the most exhilerating sports coverage I have ever seen. OK, other sports are exciting but this left me breathless in my armchair. The camera team must have been working as hard as the competitors to frame them so well.

 

 

 

Songs of Praise, BBC1
Camera: Tom Ritchie and Christopher Sharman
TX date/time: 21 03 10
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
Beautifully framed, composed portrait pictures of singers.
Beautifully lit.
Beautiful stained glass windows, framed and lit.

Who Do You Think You Are – Kate Humble, BBC1
Camera: Tom Hayward
TX date/time: 29/07/09 - 21.00
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
Outstanding cinematography for what could have been a very straightforward looking subject.OK, he had a good guest to follow, but as well as its obvious creativity his work sensitively captured the joy of discovery associated with one character and the sadness (particularly in view of the very large loss of life) associated with another of Kate's ancestors.

 

Desparate Romantics - Episode 6, BBC2 
Camera Operator: John Hembrough
TX date/time: 25/08/09 21.00
Type of programme: Drama

Reason for nomination:
Elegant camerawork with superb composition coupled with brilliant camera moves.

 

Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1  
Camera Supervisor and Crew
TX date/time: 21.11.2009
Type of programme: Multi-camera (Studio or OB)

Reason for nomination:
Beautiful fluid camera operation, on jib, steadicam, and static cameras. The operation of all cameras were seamlessly joined so that the average viewer would have no idea that the choreography that went on behind the camera, was equally expert as that which went on in front of the camera.

 

BBC Golf, BBC1      
Camera Operator: Peter Rimmer
TX date/time: Through summer of 2009
Type of programme: Multi-camera (Studio or OB)

Reason for nomination:
Peter Rimmer puts an amazing amount of thought into his composition. His shots are better framed than many of us could achieve with a stills camera. This is particularly evident in his work on BBC Golf, where Peter has had the responsibility of being in charge of the radio mini cameras for many years. 
His shots on golf owe much to him getting into exactly the right position, no matter how much the extra effort. His handheld shots are so steady, they could come from a steadicam. Most of all his shots are a thing of beauty, reminding us all that there is very much a place for 'art' in our work.

 

Simon KIng's Shetland Diaries, BBC Scotland
Specialist Camera: Simon KIng (plus Sam Gracey Charlie Hamilton-James Jamie McPherson Additional camera Marguerite Smits van Oyen)
TX date/time: 00.2.2010
Type of programme: Factual

Reason for nomination:
A completely captivating, and enchanting slice of life in the Shetlands, with entrancing wildlife photography, from one of the world's greatest natural history cameramen.

 

Mike Baldock Award

John Tye has been nominated for this year's Mike Baldock Award. Mike Baldock was Head of Cameras at Thames Television at the time that the Guild was formed. 

Recently the Mike Baldock Award has been given to a person who in the opinion of the Council has rendered a valuable service to the TV industry or organisation, and that nominee need not be a member of the Guild of Television Cameramen.

John has been nominated for the Mike Baldock Award for his camerawork services to the charity Dreamflight, where he has been a long-standing cameraman for many years. His endeavours have raised the profile of camerawork in the charity arena.

Dreamflight is a charity that changes young lives through taking seriously ill and disabled children, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando. Once a year, 192 deserving children from all over the UK, board a chartered Boeing 747 and head to Florida to spend 10 magical days of fun and excitement. 

Dreamflight photographer (and BA pilot) John Cavanagh organises a team of 6 or 7 ‘self shooting' cameramen to film and edit a documentary of each group. Whilst some of the cameramen are professionals (and Guild members) others are not. John Tye is a trustee of the charity and works for British Airways as a Captain on their long-haul routes. 

Click here to read about the work of Dreamflight in the Spring 2010 issue of Zerb.