INTERVIEW
SR : Your book shows that you are a gifted raconteur . Did you ever yearn to be in front of the camera ?
JR : No I think it takes a special type of person to yearn for that , actually . The best are very skilled . Even at 95 , David Attenborough can make you listen and can read a script in a very engaging way – often without any mistakes in the first take . It ’ s an underestimated skill , as you will quickly discover if you try to become a good YouTuber !
SR : At the time of BP1 it seemed that the days of blue-chip natural history filmmaking may be coming to an end , with lower budget , presenter-led documentaries coming to the fore . Now we seem to be in a new golden era , with streaming companies commissioning alongside trad channels . What do you think the future holds for marine natural history filming ?
JR : I think it is better than ever , and not only because of the better funding from the streamers etc . but because filming in general has become more democratic , anyone can start their own YouTube channel for example . That ’ s not ‘ blue chip ’ filming but it is access to storytelling via moving pictures – something that only say 25 years ago was very difficult unless you had deep pockets . For the bigger productions I think it is great that we have started to put in some environmental aspects into every film , so that there is not this make believe fairy-tale world where everything is fine – it isn ’ t .
SR : Your book is inspirational stuff . What advice would you have to a young person hoping to forge a similar career ? How is the business different today to when you were starting out ?
JR : Thanks . Like everything you need to show interest . Even if you try making films on your own , which the new online media allows , you will need to have enough interest to keep going to complete films on time and get them regularly posted etc . What I have noticed in myself is that if I have the motivation to stay up until 2am finishing writing or editing a short film , then it is probably something I can make a living from because it will not be a chore and I will complete the project . Things that I only talk about doing come to no more than that – talk . Completing something is everything – have half written books or half made videos are no good . Just get it out there !
The sun backlights a blue whale spout in Baja
Employers too will want to see your interest – in this business it ’ s important for them to know that you are interested in modern media . They want to hear why you like certain documentaries or not , and have watched and analysed lots of other people ’ s work . And most of all that you have done something – maybe made a short film on your phone ( and completed it ).
It is different now – probably fewer official training schemes in the BBC like I did . I got in on a trainee Studio Manager course in radio that opened doors everywhere . But there are plenty of new things too going for the young person – the whole exciting digital landscape for a start , changing by the minute – enjoy it , learn , and use it to your advantage . �
An iconic image from Blue Planet 1
PHOTO : MARK CARWARDINE
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