Assignments 2009


The true presence of Erta Ale is felt as presenter scientists Brian Cox and Ashley Davies stand on the crater edge.

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM - BBC - Ethiopia

Documentary featuring Erta Ale the worlds largest lava lake. This is located in the remote Afar desert of NE Ethiopia and is regarded as the “hottest place on earth” with daytime shade temperatures in excess of 50 C! The lava lake is situated in a crater circled by 40 m vertical basalt rock and rubble cliffs.
Access to the area was by old Ethiopian air force MI 17 helicopter to avoid kidnapping, local tribal unrest and car bombs! The 4 day shoot was based on a make shift camp on bare black lava flows. Filming took place at dawn and dusk into the night due to extreme daytime temperatures.
Film and Mountain safeguarded the crew and presenter / scientists Brian Cox and Ashley Davies at the precipitous crater edge.
An abortive attempt was made to film near the lava lake inner crater, but a hasty retreat was made when the recce team encountered extreme heat, a 50 m high lava eruption and noxious gas.
Director / Producer: Paul Olding
Associate Producer: Ben Finney
DOP: Chris King
Camera Assistant: Hadyn Thomas
Sound :Freddie Claire
Paramedic :Wayne Roberts

F & M provided: Crew and presenter safety, Rigging for cameras, Recce into crater, Equipment Hire, Risk Assessments, Still photographs, F & M team of Brian Hall

A Brian Hall about to descend into the inner lava lake crater of Erta Ale, Ethiopia

B Erta Ale is the worlds largest lava lake and night is the best time to view the dramatic eruptions which throw molten lava 50 m in the air.

C Erte Ale is in one of the remotest and hottest parts of the world, the remote Afar desert of NE Ethiopia and access was by old M17 military helicopters.

 

CELEBRITY ADRENALINE JUNKIE
…PATAGONIA - ARGENTINA
Produced by Ginger TV for ITV 2

Jack Osbourne takes his parents, Ozzy and Sharon dog sledding  in the spectacular mountainous  area to the north of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia. For three days in July - the southern hemisphere mid winter they each mushed their huskies dog teams across the snow covered wilderness stopping to camp in a remote log cabin at the tree line.

Producer: Amber Ronowicz
Director: Craig Pickles
Prod / Dir: Tom Dalzell
DOP Danny Bishop
Sound: Dan Clarke
Doctor: Martin Rhodes
Security: Mark ‘Jaymo’ James & Trevor Terrell

F & M – Brian Hall provided Crew and cast safety in snow environment, Risk Assessments, Equipment advice and Skidoo driving.

A  Jack, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne reach their high point after three days of dog sledding to the north of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia.

B The Osbourne’s dog sled route passed through the beautiful dwarf woods on the snow covered mountains in the wilderness north of Ushuaia.

C Sharon Osborne mushes her team of huskies in the Patagonian valley floor as the film team ride in “comfort” on the skidoos.

Jack Osbourne snow bound for 3 days in the Ushuaia hotel.

 

COUNTRY TRACKS Roaches, Staffordshire, UK, BBC 

Ben Fogle climbs the classic rock climb, “Valkerie”  with Dave Turnbull, CEO of the British Mountaineering Council for the popular TV series.
                   
F & M Brian Hall provides camera safety and rigging, Equipment.

 

 

Ben Fogle watches the ropes as Dave Turnbull from the BMC makes the crux move on the classic “Valkerie” at the Roaches, Staffordshire, UK.

Ben Fogle climbs the difficult moves on “Valkerie” high above the trees on the Roaches, Staffordshire.

 

“F WORD” – GORDON RAMSEY – Galicia, Spain
Optomum for Channel 4
Percebes (or Goose barnacles) are a rare seafood delicacy of Galicia in NE Spain. They are collected at low tide from exposed wave washed platforms. The best percebes are found in the most inaccessible and dangerous places such as the base of granite cliffs. 
Filming follows Gordon Ramsey as he joins Javier and Jorge, two barnacle collectors. They descend down 40 m sea cliffs by rope, in wet suits, then with speed and dexterity, to avoid being washed away by the waves, they collect the percebes.

Camera: Ben Joiner
Sound: Rob Entwistle
F & M services provide by Brian hall & Rory Gregory including.
Sea cliff crew and cast safety and rigging, Equipment, Risk Assessments. Recce. 


A Gordon Ramsey lowers down into the rough sea to collect Percebes
 B 6 people a year are killed collecting Percebes!
 C Action cameraman struggles to shoot in the 2 m swell
 D Javier and Jorge sell their catch for up to €150 / kg


EIGERNORDWAND- Switzerland
Indus Films for BBC

An attempt to film an ascent of the North Face of the Eiger with climbers Kenton Cool, Neil Brodie and Simon Anthamatten in winter conditions for a programme on the history of the Face. After a week of bad weather in March and only one day of climbing, filming was suspended with the hope to go back and finish the filming later.
Director: Steve Robinson
Producer: Gwenllian Hughes
Climbing cameraman: Keith Partridge

F & M provided Camera safety and logistics on the N Face, Rigging, Equipment hire, Risk Assessments. Team of Brian Hall and Swiss guide Hansruedi Gertsch.

Severe march weather clears off the North Face of the Eiger as mountaineers Kenton Cool and Neil Brodie play the waiting game below.