My Journey as a Cinematic Brand Ambassador for Formatt Hitech

Cinematography is constantly evolving, and as a Director of Photography, I’m always on the lookout for ways to fine-tune the images I capture in-camera. One of the most important aspects of that is filtration—shaping the light and texture of an image before it even hits the sensor. This is what led me to Formatt Hitech, and eventually, to becoming a brand ambassador for their Firecrest Cinema filters.

Catching Up with Leighton Cox: Mastering the MK-V AR Rig.

Recently, I had the pleasure of catching up with Leighton Cox, an incredibly skilled Steadicam operator, to talk all things Steadicam and, more specifically, how he preps for a job using the MK-V AR rig. It was a great opportunity to dive into the rig’s capabilities, the challenges of operating it efficiently, and the extra layers of precision and balance it demands.

Working in the film and TV industry is often seen as glamorous and exciting, filled with creative challenges and the thrill of bringing stories to life. However, behind the scenes, there are real risks, and the physical and mental toll on crew members can be significant. As an industry that regularly demands high-risk tasks such as stunts, special effects, and extreme environments, it’s crucial to address the importance of health and safety on set and reflect on the tragic events that have drawn attention to these concerns.

Football has always been a massive part of my life, but I never imagined that my career would lead me to the very heart of the game—on the pitch, alongside Premier League stars and my national team heroes. It all began with an FA Cup tie at Solihull Moors, a small non-league ground, and ended with me standing on the pitch as Wales celebrated World Cup qualification for the first time in 58 years.

From the Red Carpet to Maccies in a Tux: My Surreal Cannes Experience

In the world of filmmaking, there are certain moments that feel like something straight out of a movie — experiences so surreal, they blur the line between dream and reality. One of those moments for me was the time Daniel J. Harris from Focus Shift Films and I decided to go to the Cannes Film Festival... just because we could.

Preparation is one of the most vital stages of any shoot, whether it’s a short-form commercial, a high-end TV drama, or a larger-scale production. The camera prep process ensures that everything is technically sound, creatively aligned, and ready to meet the demands of the project. Having worked extensively across various formats and scales of production — from small commercials to long-form TV dramas — I've seen how the nature of prep shifts depending on the job. The time and resources allocated to prep are often dictated by the budget and schedule, but the core principles of thoroughness and attention to detail remain constant.

Humble Beginnings: DIY Creativity

My earliest experiences in music video production were built on collaboration with like-minded creatives. Without access to high-end studios or elaborate sets, we made do with what we had—bed sheets hung on living room walls, ceiling lights modified with DIY snoods, and practical lighting sources enhanced with colored gels and atmospheric haze. We experimented with shooting through wine glasses and torn diffusion gels, eager to see what unique visuals we could create.

From Echoes of Summer Sin to Wrexham's Hidden Premiere and a Seat at the Table"

Reflecting on the summer before I moved to Cardiff for university, Echoes of Summer Sin feels like the spark that set everything in motion. Shot in the heart of Wrexham, North Wales, this was my first film as a director. At the time, I could never have imagined that this small project would set me on a path to where I am today. If you'd told me then that I'd still be working in the film industry all these years later, I wouldn't have believed you.

A Journey from Green Screen to Virtual Production

My journey into the world of cinematography and visual effects began long before I found myself working in the Film and TV industry. Back in university, I was asked by my friend Yasha Hindine to help shoot behind-the-scenes footage for his video mapping projects in Cardiff. Yasha’s work involved projecting visuals onto venues for live music events, creating immersive experiences that combined art and technology. One short film project required several green screen shots, and it was during this process that I began to appreciate the importance of storyboarding. At that point, I wasn't fully aware of how essential this step would become in my career, but it planted the seed for my fascination with VFX.