James Bebbington

Education

Equipment

My Equipment/Kit: DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone, DJI Ronin R1 & RS2 Gimbals, Extensive High Quality LED Lighting (3x 5600K Freshnel, 1x Bi-Color Freshnel, 2 RGB Tubes & 2x 1x1 Panel), Miller Air Tripod, Rhino Slider + motor unit + arc pan head, Rode GO Lav Mic Kit + Rodelink Lav Mic Kit, RODE NTG 3 & Recorder, Sachtler Aktiv 8 / Flowtech 75 Tripod, SmallHD 702 Touch and Portkeys BM5 Monitors, Sony 24-105 & 70-300mm Zooms, Sony 24, 35, 50, 85, 90mm Primes, Sony Cameras

I can use: Rode Ntg 3 & Recorder, Smallhd 702 Touch And Portkeys Bm5 Monitors, Dji Ronin R1 & Rs2 Gimbals, Sachtler Aktiv 8 / Flowtech 75 Tripod, Extensive High Quality Led Lighting (3X 5600K Freshnel, 1X Bi-Color Freshnel, 2 Rgb Tubes & 2X 1X1 Panel), Sony 24-105 & 70-300Mm Zooms, Sony 24, 35, 50, 85, 90Mm Primes, Rode Go Lav Mic Kit + Rodelink Lav Mic Kit, Rhino Slider + Motor Unit + Arc Pan Head, Miller Air Tripod, DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone, Sony Cameras

About me

ADVERTISING AND NARRATIVE EXPERTISE
- Studio, Green Screen & Location Lighting
- Operate RED (Epic-W / Monstro), Blackmagic & Sony ranges Gimbal operation - DJI Ronin capable of carrying - RED cine setups CAA Licensed Drone Operator - Mavic 2 Pro
- Edit, colour grade and basic GFX using FCPX, Resolve & AE
- Well used to working as part of a crew

ADVENTURE AND SPORTS EXPERTISE
- Operate Sony FS7, FX6, FX9 & A7SIII & Panasonic EVA1 / S1H Observational documentary fIlming coverage
- CAA Licensed Drone Operator - Mavic 2 Pro
- Gimbal operation - highly portable DJI RS2 setup’s
- Extensive use of GoPro and custom setups
- Operate in remote and highly challenging environments Extreme Sports Coverage (esp water related)
- 16 Hour Outdoor First Aid
- iRata Level 1 Rope Access

CORPORATE AND INDUSTRIAL EXPERTISE
- Interview and green screen lighting
- Able to operate quickly with high production value Sound recording - Boom, Lav & Foley
- Gimbal, Slider and simple motion control operation CAA Licensed Drone Operator - Mavic 2 Pro
- Practise operating in industrial and corporate settings Comfortable working solo or as part of a small crew


About Me:

Over the last few years I’ve shot over 60 TV adverts, various adventure sports segments, music videos, short films, multiple sports documentaries and an independent feature film. My work has been aired across all the major UK TV channels and on various networks internationally.

I originally learnt how to shoot and edit videos creating content for my sporting sponsors - I’ve been on the GB kayak team since 2004 and was the 2011 World Kayak Champion. My love of filming blossomed alongside my kayak skills - aged eighteen I filmed all of our kayak adventures for a season and released a successful feature length kayak film called "Next Ticket".

In 2015 I retired from making my full-time income from kayaking (although I still compete) and focused on taking my cinematography skills to the next level.

In 2017 I joined the in-house team at ABF Pictures where I got to shoot and edit TV commercials. I was fortunate enough to work alongside some extremely talented directors of photography and directors and by doing so learnt to frame, light and operate with confidence in complex and challenging scenarios. I left to go freelance again in late 2018 so I could further develop my skills, although I can regularly be found behind the lens on many an ABF shoot.

I currently work as a freelance director of photography and camera operator specialising in TV commercials, adventure, sports and expedition productions but regularly work across many other genres.

The highlights of my career so far have been to film two world first expeditions with Steve Backshall. The first in 2018 was a mission to tackle the last un-run river of the Himalayas by Kayak. Then in 2020 I got to work with Steve again on the second series where I ended up filming bears up close from the water on another kayak first descent in Kamchatka, Russia.

Using the skills gained as a adventurer and kayaker i’ve operated in all manner of hazardous and hard to reach environments to get engaging coverage and unique shots. After choosing to pursue a life behind the lens post kayaking the journey and opportunities I’ve taken have helped me to merge those unique outdoor skills with a wide ranging cinematographic base.

I’d say my niche is being able to achieve high production value shots at a fraction of the cost and time many productions are used to. I achieve this using a diverse skillset derived from my unusual background. I’m just as at home being part of a large crew working collaboratively as I am working solo kayaking backwards down an un-run river filming a piece to camera whilst navigating grade 5 rapids.

What drove me to enjoy working in such opposite ends of the filming spectrum is what led to my success in kayaking. I love to technically and creatively figure out challenges and innovate solutions.

License & Passport

Skills

Secondary Job Title	Editor
Job Titles	Video Editor, Aerial / Drone Operator, Photographer, Director of Photography (DOP), Cinematographer, Camera Operator
Years in industry	6+ years