Charlie Hamilton James
Encyclopedia
Charlie Hamilton James is an English photographer, television cameraman
and presenter, specialising in wildlife subjects. He started his career at 16, working on David Attenborough
’s The Trials of Life
. His work has since been commissioned by National Geographic Magazine, the BBC's Springwatch/ Autumnwatch shows and The Natural World and he now works primarily with his wife, Philippa Forrester
.
Their first collaboration, made when he was just 26, was My Halcyon River. Following its success, in 2003 they set up a production company, Halcyon Media, which specialises in wildlife productions. In 2007, they co-produced An Otter in the Family, a short documentary series about the adoption of an otter cub called Grace and their attempts to raise her as a wild animal in order to be released into the wild. They also produced the four-part Halcyon River Diaries, the first episode of which was broadcast on 16 May 2010 on BBC1. The series follows the wildlife found near their home. An additional episode was shown at Christmas, 2010.
The couple live in the West Country
and have three sons. All three have appeared in the couple's television programmes. The couple's meeting, and the arrival of their first son, Fred, in 2000, is described in her book The River.
During the week of 30 May-3 June 2011, Hamilton James is presenting a segment, comprising pre-recorded video and live commentary to camera, on the reintroduction of beaver
s to the United Kingdom, as part of the BBC's Springwatch.
medal winner for cinematography.
Camera operator
A camera operator or cameraman is a professional operator of a film or video camera. In filmmaking, the leading cameraman is usually called a cinematographer, while a cameraman in a video production may be known as a television camera operator, video camera operator, or videographer, depending on...
and presenter, specialising in wildlife subjects. He started his career at 16, working on David Attenborough
David Attenborough
Sir David Frederick Attenborough OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS, FZS, FSA is a British broadcaster and naturalist. His career as the face and voice of natural history programmes has endured for more than 50 years...
’s The Trials of Life
The Trials of Life
The Trials of Life: A Natural History of Behaviour is a BBC nature documentary series written and presented by David Attenborough, first transmitted in the UK from 4 October 1990....
. His work has since been commissioned by National Geographic Magazine, the BBC's Springwatch/ Autumnwatch shows and The Natural World and he now works primarily with his wife, Philippa Forrester
Philippa Forrester
Philippa Forrester is an English television and radio presenter, producer and author. Having presented shows such as Tomorrow's World, The Heaven and Earth Show and Robot Wars, she now makes wildlife programmes with her husband, Charlie Hamilton James.-Education:Forrester was educated at Westgate...
.
Their first collaboration, made when he was just 26, was My Halcyon River. Following its success, in 2003 they set up a production company, Halcyon Media, which specialises in wildlife productions. In 2007, they co-produced An Otter in the Family, a short documentary series about the adoption of an otter cub called Grace and their attempts to raise her as a wild animal in order to be released into the wild. They also produced the four-part Halcyon River Diaries, the first episode of which was broadcast on 16 May 2010 on BBC1. The series follows the wildlife found near their home. An additional episode was shown at Christmas, 2010.
The couple live in the West Country
West Country
The West Country is an informal term for the area of south western England roughly corresponding to the modern South West England government region. It is often defined to encompass the historic counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset and the City of Bristol, while the counties of...
and have three sons. All three have appeared in the couple's television programmes. The couple's meeting, and the arrival of their first son, Fred, in 2000, is described in her book The River.
During the week of 30 May-3 June 2011, Hamilton James is presenting a segment, comprising pre-recorded video and live commentary to camera, on the reintroduction of beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
s to the United Kingdom, as part of the BBC's Springwatch.
Awards
He was Wildlife Cameraman Of The Year's 'Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 91/92' and was nominated in three categories for Wildlife Cameraman Of The Year in 2007. He is also a Royal Television SocietyRoyal Television Society
The Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...
medal winner for cinematography.
DVDs
Some of Hamilton James' programmes are available commercially:- Natural World - On The Trail Of Tarka, BBC
- Halcyon River Diaries