About me

I am a video journalist and documentary film producer-director. In 2005 I founded specialist video agency erafilms conducting field-investigations and media production for international NGOs operating in the development, human rights and environmental sectors. I often work in complex places with vulnerable people.

I'm keen to support non-profit advocacy with investigative research, documentary and multimedia outputs. UK-oriented organisations active in social exclusion issues, worker rights and environmental conservation are of particular interest to me at the moment as are international organisations working in environmental peace-building, conflict resources and commodity supply chains. I am also interested in collaborating with organisations to integrate video research methods into monitoring, evaluation and learning activities.

In early 2020 I am completing a Leverhulme funded interactive research project at the intersection of human rights and cultural practice, and collaborating with EHRC funded academics on a multimedia website.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Media production (camera-sound-edit)

Interactive multimedia website build; narrative and visual storytelling

Field-based investigative research, logistics and security

Campaign advocacy and social media content

Video skills training

Participatory video practices and community organising

Project design, research strategy, project management and budget control

Theory of change, horizon scanning and other qualitative research methodologies

COUNTRY WORK

UK, Germany, France, USA, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Gabon, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Morocco, Qatar, Nepal, India, Indonesia, Philipines, Japan

My main camera is a field-tested Sony FS5 with professional ENG Sony OS lens on a shoulder rig. I work with lav radio mics, a shot gun mic and other audio recording devices. Apple Macbook Pro with FCPX. My kit is built for field-based mobility and location edits as well as longer form studio edits.

Ben's work

Byker COVID 19 Mutual Aid - Books + Dumplings

Byker COVID 19 Mutual Aid - What We Do

Byker COVID 19 Mutual Aid - The Great Byker Seed Swap

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