Simon
Normanton is a factual film director, producer,
cameraman and recordist who has made, or worked on,
numerous character-driven films
in the wilder corners of this
earth.
Predominately 'travel and exploration'
and
'people and wildlife' films,
they have been broadcast by the BBC and C4
and
around the world;
in the
US by National Geographic, Discovery,
A&E, WNET etc.
Simon Normanton also supplies
specialist HD and SD video equipment for wild
adventures worldwide
Simon Normanton
as a director-cameraman
and director-recordist
Some Recent Projects:
Simon Normanton is currently working
on a 7-part Discovery Wildlife and People series
filmed around the world - from Manatees to Polar
Bears,
from Australia to the Andes to Jungles of Borneo
but shortly available to do such projects as:
Walking the World - The Dingle Peninsula
Location director, cameraman and recordist
on this 60-minuter
for Discovery HD Theatre and Reader's Digest through WestPark Pictures.
From a letter to Simon Normanton from Linda
Romano,
Executive Director Global Video Programming, Reader's Digest
"...you created beautiful material for both the Discovery and
Reader's Digest programmes. Because our condensed version focuses on
the scenic beauties of each destination we really benefited from your great
eye for the 'big picture' and the gorgeous detail that makes each
place memorable ..with many thanks, Linda"
Daga Rikici Zuma
Sasuntuwa
(From Conflict to Consensus, du Conflit au Consensus)
Director, cameraman and recordist on this 30 minute film, produced by
Lighthouse, in 3 languages, for a rural development organization in
Niger. This illumination of conflicting agendas amongst the
nomads and settled people of the Sahel is made for the local people
themselves.
It shows how they can take control of their own lives.
Amazonia's Mighty Jaws
Recordist, second cameraman, and HD equipment supplier
on this exploration for the legendry black caiman of the
Amazon swamps.
For National Geographic, through 'Shake the Tree'
director and producer Caroline Brett. (Camera Barbara
Tyack)
From Madeleine Carter International Commissioner at
National Geographic
"Dear All, I just watched the master - Bravo! The story, the
writing, the amazing images, the interesting sound design...it all works
together like a great symphony. I know this was a tough one but you'd
never know it. Great work."
From Sydney Suissa overseer of Domestic and International Channels,
National Geographic.
"This is a great show with all the elements of a classic, blue chip
wildlife film...
a real story told with lots of drama.
Starting out with the night scenes of tagging a caiman* was a great way into
the show.
It'll be a real treat to premiere this to the world. Well done.
S."
*shot by Simon Normanton
Kilimanjaro - Walking the World
Location director, with some camerawork, on
this 60-minute ascent of Kilimanjaro for Discovery and Readers Digest through
WestPark Pictures.
From a memo to producer Jonathon Schutz, from
The Discovery Executive Producer:
"What a pleasure screening this episode. It is one of the best
of the series, ... I
found it captivating throughout..... Bravo!
My only complaint is that it
needs to be cut down to time.
Congratulations on a first-rate show!"
David Gerber
The Nature Man - Gilbert White
Location director, sound recordist and occasional cameraman
on
this 60-minute search for the real Gilbert White, the 18th
Century naturalist,
presented by Michael Wood with Richard Mabey,
for BBC3, through MayaVision, using Lighthouse HD and sound equipment
Though hired as director-cameraman Simon Normanton thought it better
on this particular film to direct and record sound, another doing the
camerawork in the numerous multi-character sync sequences. He then
shot some of the non-sync sequences.
Searching for the Coast Wolf
Recordist and supplier/manager of HD equipment
in this collaboration with Richard Matthews of 'Wild Images' for ZDF, through
Matthey Film of Germany. A six week exploration through the
outer islands of Western Canada's Rainforest in search of the mysterious
coastal wolf and ghost bear. With the production company in Germany and Richard Matthews in South
Africa, Simon Normanton was deeply involved in the expediting of the project.
From Richard Matthews on winning First Prize for the
film at NaturVision;
"thanks to Simon for being such a
staunch ally and
such a dependable assistant and man of all jobs."
This film also won a 2nd award at the festival, for 'Best International
Film'
Death
Squeeze
Flying with Condors
Simon Normanton worked with Richard Matthews in a similar capacity on two
further projects: 'Death Squeeze' a people and wildlife film for
National Geographic - anacondas in Venezuela, constrictors in Puerto Rico and
the Turks and Caicos. 'Flying with Condors' literally so, in
the Argentine Andes, a BBC Natural World / ZDF production.
Simon Normanton also designed and produced pilot-controlled microlight
cameras for this production
Return of the Osprey
Executive Producer on this
Lighthouse 60-minuter
for the Nature Trusts and Anglian Water,
narrated by Sir David Attenborough,
the film tells the story of the reintroduction of the Osprey to
England.
This film won 1st Prize at the prestigious 'Communication in
Business' Awards
"A
really Splendid Documentary"
A message from our customer; "The
DVD won an award of excellence and was put into the final with 3 other DVDs.......to cut a long story short.....We
won!!!"
People and Trees - the Sahel ....
- the
Himalayas
Filmed, recorded and produced by Simon Normanton,
these two
half-hour films, shot in India and in Niger, for The Berkeley Reafforestation
Trust, tell the story of major reafforestation projects amongst the hill
villages of Kumaon and amongst the Nomads of Niger
Images from other projects directed by Simon Normanton
'Pakistan, The Game of
Kings', 'Iran, Peace and War' 'The Fly-Fishing Bug and
How to Catch it' etc....
