MARK SHARMAN CASE STUDY
iconic species sounds almost too good to be true, but there are times when things can get just a little too real. “Filming large marine life has been my most thrilling experience so far,” says Mark. “It really reminds you of your size and place. I’ve filmed beside whale sharks, sperm whales, humpback whales and orcas which were all memorable experiences. I’ve also had a brown bear mother walk her two young cubs right past where I was sitting. “In my experience all these wild animals are generally quite shy and move away from you, so when the odd one allows you to stay close and film for a few minutes, they are really special moments. I don’t see the natural world as a scary place; wildlife is often misunderstood and sensationalised in the media, so I have a healthy respect for something that could do me harm. “Ultimately you’re in their domain so you have to move and act accordingly, take advice from experts, and everyone is happy,” explains Mark. “The only time I was ever genuinely threatened in the wild was when we had an encounter with poachers whilst on patrol with eco guards in Gabon. I filmed the capture of a poacher while being shot at by the guys who ran away, and it wasn’t until after the adrenaline had worn off that I thought about the danger we had been in.” So, is there any advice that Mark would pass on to those who might be considering following in his footsteps? “It’s going to be a long haul,” he says, “so building resilience to setbacks is key. There will always be double the number of knock-backs as there will be big breaks, so you’ve just got to keep going and look for different angles. “It’s a very competitive area to get
THIS PAGE Swimming with rays was a stand-out experience for Mark Sharman, as he got underneath, highlighting them against the bright sky. Equally memorable was the opportunity to film around dolphins, including this encounter with a mother and her calf.
into, so a deep and unshakable passion is needed. Getting any experience in the industry is a good move, taking every opportunity to learn and develop the craft with hands-on experience. Meet as many people as possible in the industry and then make sure that you take the time to keep in touch with them. “Most of my work comes from recommendation, by reputation and from people I already know,” he concludes, “so the bigger the network you can put together, the more chance there is of work coming in. Also take on board the fact that clients prefer working with nice people, so being easy and fun to deal with will also give you a big advantage.”
More information www.marksharman-cinematography.com Instagram: @marksharmancam
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AUTUMN 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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