James Aldred

James Aldred
Emmy award winning cameraman, specialising in wildlife and filming from ropes at height in remote locations. Trained by the BBC Natural History Unit and most at home whilst filming in the rainforest canopy, I have spent the last 20 years working regularly with the BBC and National Geographic to explore and document the wonders of the natural world. Long lens animal behaviour, aerial cable-cam systems and filming at height from ropes are my core skills. I've been fortunate to work on many acclaimed productions along the way - including numerous David Attenborough projects (such as Life of Mammals, Life in the Undergrowth & Planet Earth) and have been BAFTA / RTS award nominated several times. Alongside my film work I also present the occasional programme for BBC Radio, and am author of the book The Man Who Climbs Trees published by Penguin Random House.

Recent Work

Birds of Paradise - Silverback Films for Netflix 2018
Hostile Planet - Plimsoll Productions for Nat Geo 2017
The Forest - Blast Films for Ch4 2017
H is for Hawk - Mike Birkhead Assoc for BBC2 2017
Trees with Judi Dench - Atlantic Productions for BBC1 2017
Munduruku - Greenpeace 2016
Islands in Time - Free Spirit Films for Terra Mater 2016
Jungle Animal Hospital - NHU for BBC2 Natural World 2016
Forces of Nature - BBC London for BBC1 2016
The Hunt - Silverback Films for BBC1 2015
Earth’s Natural Wonders - BBC Glasgow for BBC1 2015
The Queens Garden - Oxford Scientific Films for ITV 2014
Glastonbury Festival - BBC1 2014
Batman of Mexico - Windfall Films for BBC2 2014
Vultures - Halcyon Films for BBC2 2013
Great British Year - NHU for BBC1 2013
Orangutans: Ape Escape - NHU for BBC2 Natural World 2013
Win the Grand National - Oxford Scientific Films for Ch4 2013
Africa - NHU for BBC2 2013
Chimpanzee - Great Ape Ltd for Disney Nature 2012
New Forest - NHU for BBC2 2012
Inside Nature’s Giants - Windfall Films for Ch 4 2012
Lost Gardens of Heligan - Halcyon Films for BBC2 2012
Secrets of Living Planet - NHU for BBC2 2012
One Life - Nat Geo Cinematic Feature 2011
Human Planet - NHU for BBC2 2010
Monkey Eating Eagle - Ice Wolf Films for BBC2 2010
Monkey Life - Ch5 ongoing 2010
Naked Beauty - Disney Nature 2010
Living with Monkeys - Indus Films for BBC2 2009
Life - NHU for BBC2 2009
Climbing Giants - Leopard Films for Ch5 2008
Blue Peter - BBC1 2008
Amazon with Bruce Parry - Indus Films for BBC2 2008

1997 - 2008
Planet Earth BBC / Life in the Undergrowth BBC / Life of Mammals BBC / The Mummy Universal Studios feature film / Deep Jungle ITV / Jungles BBC / 60 Deadliest BBC / Autumn Watch BBC / Nature of Britain BBC / Springwatch BBC / Time Machine Nat Geo / Talking with Animals BBC / Wild Africa BBC / Gorilla Special Natural World BBC / Congo Natural World BBC / Wild Indonesia Natural World BBC / Sahara Animal Planet.

Additional Info

Skills
• Long lens, handheld, remote cams & gyro-stabilised rigs
• Presenter led & obs/doc sync sound camera
• Filming at height on ropes in any environment
• Rope access safety for presenters, inc David Attenborough
• Award winning BBC Radio 4 presenter
• Published author: "The Man Who Climbs Trees" Penguin
• Advanced cable cam design, rigging and operation
• Published stills photographer and article author
• Company Director [www.canopyaccess.co.uk]

Training & Qualifications
BBC Natural History Unit Bursary Cameraman 2010
IRATA Level 3 qualified rope access technician
University of Derby - 1st class BSc Hons in Biological Imaging
London College of Printing – Distinction in Media Studies

Contact