Living In … meets acclaimed TV camera operator and drone specialist Alexander Bryant to talk about an adrenaline-fuelled career which has taken him all round the world …

What’s the biggest achievement in your career?

“After already taking jobs as a camera operator I went through training to get my drone licence from the Civil Aviation Authority, allowing me to fly a drone for commercial use, a perfect string to my bow as a camera operator.  My biggest achievement has been turning this into a form of work which I have become known for amongst our part of the industry.  It has been fantastic to be part of drone shoots across the world.  Also seeing the product of my footage, for example some incredible aerial shots of the Angel of the North at sunset, which was used for the title sequence of well known MTV reality show ‘Geordie Shore’ as well as much of the drone footage which other shows like Gold Rush heavily rely on. “

How did you start out?

“I started at the University of Greenwich, studying Digital Film Production.  The choice was based around it being a very practical course, although at this time I didn’t really know what area of the media industry I would want to pursue.  This worked well as it covered shooting styles, editing styles and gave us the ability to try things and make lots of mistakes!  However after receiving my degree and taking some office runner jobs at production companies, by this point knowing I wanted to focus on the camera department, it was still not the easiest industry to break in to.  I found the best way would be through an apprenticeship style, and so joined the kit ‘facilities company’ Procam.  Here I started out as a driver, delivering kit to production companies or locations, and over 5 years worked my way up from driver to warehouse worker, checking through kit before it went out, and up into the ‘crew pool’, where I homed my skills as a camera assistant.  After going freelance I used the skills and contacts I’d made over these years to move up to camera operator. “

What’s your most memorable moment?

“The first time I saw the northern lights / aurora borealis in Canada’s Yukon.  I had already worked on one season of Gold Rush in Colorado USA the year before and knew that working up in Canada would have different challenges, but I was not quite expecting how much I would fall in love with the wild aspect of filming in such a remote setting.  Seeing all sorts of wildlife and beautiful endless scenery (with the odd gold mine tearing through it) was such an incredible experience, seeing a family of grizzly bears feeding from a river and many other animals.  The first night I saw the northern lights we were sitting at the camp fire and someone pointed out the little smudges of light in the sky, which all of a sudden became a huge light show.  Having virtually no light pollution out there it was an incredible spectacle, and one I was not expecting to see so clearly.  There were a few of us who had never seen them before and so was a shared special moment that I’ll always remember.  I have been lucky enough to see these quite a few times in both Canada and Alaska, USA, and act like an excited child every time! I also cherish the memory of filming with executive chef Tom Brockbank in the bustling kitchens of Melbourne’s famous and classic Hotel Windsor for ’The Worlds Most Incredible Hotels'.  As a British ex-pat in Australia he joked how he assumed all camera crew would just live off bacon sandwiches, and the next morning at breakfast amongst the fancy little meals in the grand dining hall and without ordering anything, a well dressed waiter came with a personal breakfast covered with a posh serving dish.  Presented to me underneath was a huge bacon sandwich, something they don’t normally serve in the hotel.  I looked over to the kitchen door to see Tom stood laughing with a big grin on his face.  Good food is always the most memorable, not sure how interesting getting a bloody bacon sandwich is though!“

What your plans are for the future?

“I am hoping to continue building on travelling with work, filming in more extreme environments outdoors and building a reputation as a go-to camera / drone operator for these more adventurous shoots.  I would also like to work on more food based travel shows, as well as adventure documentaries and more work in North America. 

What do you love most about your job?

“The variety of what I am filming as a camera operator, and the experiences I can have around that as a result.  One month I could go from filming a tough old gold miner welding some huge machinery, stopping to film a bear wandering through the mine, and the next I could find myself filming a food fight at one in the morning for a reality show, or a beautiful vineyard for a travel programme.  I also love getting good food, so jobs where the crew are well fed or we’re in locations that have fantastic quality produce (for example filming in Tuscany for two months) always stick in my mind.  The skills I’ve learnt through this variety has made me a better camera operator, and the experiences as a part of the shoot and around working keep me in love with the job.”

What's the furthest place your job has taken you (in the world)?

“The longest distance travelled has been Australia, both the Gold Coast (for Geordie Shore) and Melbourne (Worlds Most Incredible Hotels).  I have also worked in Colorado, USA filming in the Rocky Mountains, which is absolutely stunning and really fun communities.  However the furthest-away-feeling place is the wilderness of Canada’s Yukon Territory for Gold Rush, living out on a camp in the hills two hours drive away from the nearest town Dawson City.  Our locations are just a few hours drive south of the arctic circle and the conditions are extreme.  Although we don’t film during winter, the spring and autumn become very very cold, with northern lights at night and short days.  The wildlife of bears, eagles, moose, lynx, caribou and wolves moving freely through the environment is also so special. “

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?

“I see myself running the camera side of programmes focusing on subjects in the wild and travel shows journeying around the world, both camera operating in the traditional sense as well as aerial filming.”

Any advice for young people hoping to break into the industry?

“If you know you want to work in film, television or other media entertainment, gain as much experience early on across a broad range of areas.  I did not realise how much I wanted to pursue the camera side of the industry until working as an office runner for an advertising production company, and having experience on location of seeing every aspect of the shoot.  Also similarly after some experience in the more hierarchical and disciplined drama side, I realised that I was more suited to being part of a small crew filming TV in a demanding location, and being able to home in on this helped me advance my career.  The main thing I’d say to keep in mind when starting out, whatever path you go down, is knowledge that pursuing a career in the media industry is not a quick-fire young persons career.  Especially in the areas I’m moving in, camera operators range all the way from late 20s to retirement age.  The patience to learn the craft and continue gaining contacts and experience for years whilst building trust in the industry is key.“

* For more details on Alexander’s amazing work, go to: asbryant@me.com