The International Association of Wildlife Film-makers (IAWF)
 

 
Philip Richardson
Cape Vulture in Drakensberg, South AfricaThe Chain Ladder, Drakensberg South Africa
Amphitheatre, Drakensberg South AfricaTugela Valley, Drakensberg South Africa
Lozi canoeists following their King and queen to summer palaceKhoi San paintings in the Drakensberg, South Africa
Filming Bearded Vultures in the Drakensberg, South AfricaFire in the Drakensberg, South Africa
Paddlers moving the King of Barotseland, Zambia

Cape Town, South Africa

Philip Richardson

 

Director / Lighting Cameraman / Producer
Full Member

Telephone: +27 (0)21 7121698
 Mobile: +27 (0)82 3372213
 Email: philip.awf@icon.co.za
Website: www.africawildlifefilms.co.za

 

Phil trained and practiced as a zoologist, with a DPhil from Oxford, for nearly 20 years before moving across to cinematography, where he has now had 15 years of experience as a cameraman and producer, making films for BBC Natural World, National Geographic, Discovery, ORF and NHK. As a zoologist Phil specialized in the behavioural ecology and mating systems of large mammals, and this knowledge and training have proved invaluable in writing and shooting documentaries ever since. In 1994, Phil joined forces with his wife, Lynne to form Africa Wildlife Films (AWF). Since then they have produced and filmed seven one-hour specials and are currently producing three more. They have won several awards.

Skills

Animal Behaviour, Extreme Locations, HD, Long Lens, Macro/Studio, Super 16, Sync Shooting, Timelapse

Credits

Swimming Scared
A shark story from the other side. How Cape Fur Seals avoid being eaten by Great White Sharks. An AWF/ National Geographic Channel Production. Director & principal cameraman. In production.
Zambezi: The Thundering River
A two part series following the river and how it affects the lives of the wildlife and people along its course from source to mouth. An ORF / SV / AWF production. Director & cameraman. In production.
Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears
A herd of eland follow the seasons up a green but hostile mountain. ORF & AWF in co-production with WNET, WDR & BBC. Director & principal cameraman. Cine Golden Eagle Award 2009.
Life in Cold Blood: Land Invaders - Amphibians
A BBC NHU production. Contributing cameraman.
Namaqualand - Africa's Desert Garden
The magical transformation of a landscape - from a fantasy of flowers to a desert. An ORF, DDE, BBC and AWF Production. Principal cameraman and producer. Awards: NaturVision 2006 International Nature- and Wildlife Film Festival: Best Camerawork, 2nd prize
The Zambezi Troop
The trials a young baboon, growing up on the banks of the Zambezi river. An AWF & DDE Production in association with WNET. Producer and Cameraman.
Walking with Lions
Phil and Lynne Richardson go on foot while filming lions hunting buffalo at a spring. A National Geographic Explorer Special. Principal cameraman and producer. Awards: Best Nature and Wildlife Film, New York Film Festivals (2004).
Living with Lions
A behind the scenes look at the making of "Walking with Lions". National Geographic Explorer. Contributing Cameraman.
Manhunters: The lions of Njombe
A true story about a pride of lions that terrorized a group of villages in northern Tanzania. A BBC NHU production. Wildlife Cameraman.
Vanishing Pools of the Zambezi
The wildlife on the banks of the Zambezi river face a dilemma between satisfying their needs for food and water. A BBC, OSF and AWF production. Producer and Cameraman.
Foxes of the Kalahari
A group of small carnivores in the Kalahari breed together for protection against predators. A National Geographic Explorer and Partridge Films Production. Producer and Cameraman.
Meerkats: A Kalahari Saga
A family of meerkats in the Kalahari Desert face the worst drought in living memory. A Discovery Channel and Partridge Films production. Producer and Cameraman.
Bluewater Adventure
A six-part adventure series covering water sports in southern Africa. An MNet SA, Getaway Magazine and AWF production. Contributing Cameraman.
Aardwolf
A film about research on this and other termite eating mammals in South Africa. NHK the Global Family. Contributing Cameraman.
Elephant Translocation
An insert about the first international translocation of whole family herds of elephants from Zimbabwe to South Africa. An AWF production for CNN, BBC, SABC etc. Contributing Cameraman.
Mashatu: Land of Giants
This film chronicles the impact of elephants on this famous game reserve in southern Botswana. An MNET SA. and AWF production. Contributing Cameraman.
Pangolins
An environmental programme about research on the pangolin, the only mammal with scales. An SABC 50/50 and AWF production. Contributing Cameraman.

Equipment

  • Panasonic HDX 900 with Fujinon 13 X 4.5 BERM HD lens
  • Panasonic HVX 200 with underwater housing
  • Panasonic AGHMC 1UE with polecam and towcam underwater housings
  • Canon lenses: 150-600 f5.6, 400 f2.8, 300 f2.8 with 2x
  • Arriflex high speed SRII super 16 complete outfit with time lapse
  • Nikon Stills Lenses: 12 - 600mm and macro
  • Bosher straightscope and periscope
  • Nikon D200 & D70s with sync flash intervalometer for digital time lapse
  • Bolex EL & SB2 with sync flash intervalometers (S16 film)
  • Aspheron 5.5mm, Switar 10, 26 & 50mm lenses
  • Motion control stepper motor head with intervalometer
  • Toshiba 3CCD matchbox camera with Tamaha 3mm lens
  • Ikegami Infra red camera
  • Grow light rigs with daylight control
  • Studio lights, stands and reflectors
  • Remote controlled vehicle lights - tungsten & infra red
  • Ronford tripods & heads
  • Lightweight mini jib 3m
  • Mini dolly & 5m tracks
  • Cable cam for HDX900 with 20m cable
  • HHB Portadat sound recorder with Seinnheiser stereo and radio mikes
  • Yaesu and Motorola Radios: HF & VHF
  • Fully rigged Nissan Patrol 4x4 with roof and side mounts
  • Fully equipped field camp to house 8 persons
  • Studio 6 x 7 m
  • Full equipment list available on request