Biography
Born and educated in the Eastend of London, Robin's first taste of adventure and the outdoors came through exploring the local canals by kayak or roaming the nearby Epping forest. Whilst at school his interest in outdoor sports grew and regular canoeing and climbing trips gave a welcome escape from the city.
On leaving school, at the age of seventeen, Robin was offered work as a canoeing instructor for the local education authority, an opportunity that began a ten year career as an instructor of outdoor and adventure sports - working in centres both in the UK and abroad.
In 1995 Robin's fascination for the natural world and his growing interest in photography saw him enrol onto Derby University's Biological Imaging degree course. Three years later he graduated with an Hon's Degree and a burning ambition to embark on a career as a wildlife film maker.
After a spell of assisting jobs on everything from features to commercials, Robin got his first big break in natural history filmmaking as part of the team filming Last of the Red Whales, a Survival Special for the Norwich based company Survival Anglia. The film saw Robin and cameraman/producer Clive Lonsdale sail and film their way from New Zealand to Chukotka in Siberia in search of whales, a journey taking in some six countries and lasting the best part of a year.
Robin now lives in Bristol, England and has in excess of fifty broadcast credits as a natural history and documentary cameraman.
Experience includes:
- Self Shooting Director
- Long lens behavioural wildlife filming
- Sync/documentary filming, presenter lead and actuality.
- Extreme environments
- Set design, filming and lighting, macro, green-screen.
- Timelapse (Digital & Film),
- Underwater
- Mini & remote cameras. Cameras and sound systems rigged in a variety of moving vehicles including helicopters, jet aircraft, motorbikes and submarines. Also set-ups for natural history applications including nests and burrows.
- Steadicam & Aerial Filming.
- Rope access
- Infrared Cameras & Lighting
- HSE Scuba Diver
Additional Skills & Qualifications:
Prior to embarking upon his career in film and TV production, Robin worked for over ten years as an instructor at a number of outdoor and adventure centres. This work allowed him to gain a number of additional qualification further enhancing his effectiveness as acameraman.
- Mountain Leader Training Board: Mountain Leader Certificate
- Mountain Leader Training Board: Rock Climbing Instructor (SPSA)
- British Canoe Union: Level 4 Coach/Examiner (inland & Sea)
- PADI: Advanced Open Water & Rescue Diver (re-breather experience)
- Royal Yachting Association: Senior Instructor
- Royal Yachting Association: Power Boat Instructor
- Royal Yachting Association: Windsurfing Instructor
- Ski Instructor (ASSI)
- VHF & SSB Radio Operator Licence
