Now on the horizon in late May is the third major trip of this huge documentary filming adventure for the UK Overseas Territories! We have been flung over the roaring white foaming seas of Antarctica, 60 degrees South, the roughest oceans on Earth, and to the parched and arid landscapes of Ascension Island, to the lush green Flax-covered hills of St. Helena, and then to the pure blue azure oceans and mellow people of the Caribbean Islands, and now, later this month, we travel to Pitcairn Island, the end of the road for the crew of the famous mutineers of the HMAV Bounty, and the resting place of Fletcher Christian, instigator of the one the most famous mutiny’s of all time. We will be investigating the many stories of the people and wildlife on both Pitcairn and Henderson island, both rich in plant life and wildlife.
As usual, I will be filming with the small Sony range of camcorders, and for the second time the new Sony PMW-200, which allows me to record the high-definition 4:2:2 images which when using the Sony EX1 required the use of the nanoFlash on previous shoots. I was lucky enough to have had the PMW-200 for the mammoth Antarctic trip earlier this year, and totally enjoyed using this camera, mainly because it meant not carrying the additional bulky recording devices!
At just under three weeks, this is by no means a long shoot, yet the same focus is required; get the shots when you see them! On the Pitcairn voyage we will also be taking a new addition to our filming kit, a good and stable Libec jib, which allowed us to get rather creative shots of penguins in Antarctica.
As spring roll’s into summer here in the UK, I dream of these far flung islands and feel the excitement of seeing a new place but am pleased to be here to enjoy what seems to be one of the nicest springs we’ve had in the UK for at least three years.
Keep up to date with my latest travels and photos via Twitter! You can find me @simonvacher. Inspired by nature and driven by the elements…
