The Thought Exchange

14/09/2024

Amazing review in Telegraph for Kids Like Us!!

“'A documentary about children with cancer might sound like punishingly grim viewing. A sort of misery safari for rubberneckers to wallow in tragedy. Kids Like Us (Sky/NOW) defies all such expectations. This feature-length film is uplifting, frequently funny and really rather beautiful.
The youngsters aren't just disarmingly frank about their experiences but astonishing in their ability to articulate them.
The eye-opening programme's secret weapon is how it hands the children ownership. They narrate their own stories and interview each other. Boring old adults are largely absent, bar the odd parent or doctor. This is cancer seen through the eyes of a child and all the more potent for it. Made in association with Children with Cancer UK, it's unlike any other charity film you'll see.
The film's subjects are mischievous, courageous and wise beyond their years.
With winning understatement, Harry concludes: "My life would be a bit better without cancer. But if I wasn't blind, I wouldn't be in this documentary." "I don't think cancer sucks," adds Tia. "It can be annoying and mean but it's my friend because it has made me stronger." The kids are indeed alright!”

Thanks Jodie Chillery - Gravett for sharing that!!

23/04/2024

Upcoming Camera Skills Workshops for Researchers and APs

Bristol Sat 22nd June - 10am-1pm morning - 2-5pm afternoon
London Sat 6th July - 10am-1pm morning - 2-5pm afternoon

Piers runs regular Camera Skills workshops for APs and Researchers. He has over 60 graduates from those courses, many of whom have progressed their careers and are now working as shooting APs and PDs. Piers partners with Electra in London and with Tabb in Bristol to deliver quality training with access to high-end equipment and facilities.

Piers offers focused masterclasses which get participants understanding the essentials of camerawork and demystifies the technical jargon which can be so off-putting. In a relaxed environment, he can share insights, experiences and tips he has gleaned in over 20 years of working professionally for international broadcasters.

Although primarily aimed at Researchers and APs already working in the industry, these sessions are also accessible and informative for anyone who has an interest in getting better at shooting documentary.

Fees qualify for the ScreenSkills bursary, covering upto 80% of the cost of the course.

Piers runs camera skills workshops and training which aim to pass learning and skills on to early career film and television professionals. Many of the course graduates have moved into shooting roles and have progress their careers after completing his training courses.

22/04/2024

Tuesday 30th April, 6-8pm

HI All

Just wanted to let you know about a little event in Bristol I am taking part in...

How the Hell Are We Going To Shoot That?
Creative solutions in camerawork

From Britney Spears voice-syncs, to pieces-to-camera with Stephen Hawking; from an archeological dig 30 metres underground, to surgery on an elephant - challenging shoots require creative solutions. Join Director of Photography Piers Leigh as he shares these and many other concrete examples from over 25 years of experience, and explains the thought process behind the solutions he came up with.

Probably the most inspiring little film night in the world. Join us in Bristol for an evening of...

11/04/2024

Upcoming Camera Skills Workshops for Researchers and APs

Bristol Sat 22nd June - 10am-1pm morning - 2-5pm afternoon
London Sat 6th July - 10am-1pm morning - 2-5pm afternoon

Piers runs regular Camera Skills workshops for APs and Researchers. He has over 60 graduates from those courses, many of whom have progressed their careers and are now working as shooting APs and PDs. Piers partners with Electra in London and with Tabb in Bristol to deliver quality training with access to high-end equipment and facilities.

Piers offers focused masterclasses which get participants understanding the essentials of camerawork and demystifies the technical jargon which can be so off-putting. In a relaxed environment, he can share insights, experiences and tips he has gleaned in over 20 years of working professionally for international broadcasters.

Although primarily aimed at Researchers and APs already working in the industry, these sessions are also accessible and informative for anyone who has an interest in getting better at shooting documentary.

Piers runs camera skills workshops and training which aim to pass learning and skills on to early career film and television professionals. Many of the course graduates have moved into shooting roles and have progress their careers after completing his training courses.

27/01/2024

Hi - really excited to share my first episode of Wilderness. There are 4 eps and I shot Patagonia and Kalahari. Broadcasting Sunday 28th at 9pm on BBC 2, last week's episode got significantly more viewers than BBC1!!!

Just to reassure you, I did hurt my ankle, but only missed one day of filming as I had to leave the main trek early. I was able to walk, although it was extremely painful, but the safety team felt taking me any further was a major risk because of the huge logistics involved in getting us off the glacier without helicopters etc

So huge thanks to Bolton Steve, who escorted me down to base camp, very slowly. In the end I beat the rest of the team by half-a-day, because they were able to descend so much more quickly.

Very proud of the camerawork and always a privilege to do my work in these incredible locations. Massive shout to the expedition team, Lucas and Ceci!! Tough as old boots that lot....


Simon Reeve

27/01/2024

Hi - really excited to share my first episode of Wilderness. There are 4 eps and I shot Patagonia and Kalahari. Broadcasting Sunday 28th at 9pm on BBC 2, last week's episode got significantly more viewers than BBC1!!!

Just to reassure you, I did hurt my ankle, but only missed one day of filming as I had to leave the main trek early. I was able to walk, although it was extremely painful, but the safety team felt taking me any further was a major risk because of the huge logistics involved in getting us off the glacier without helicopters etc

So huge thanks to Bolton Steve, who escorted me down to base camp, very slowly. In the end I beat the rest of the team by half-a-day, because they were able to descend so much more quickly.

Very proud of the camerawork and always a privilege to do my work in these incredible locations. Massive shout to the expedition team, Lucas and Ceci!! Tough as old boots that lot....

24/01/2024

Great reviews for Wilderness with Simon Reeve... I even got a mention, although deeply in the shadow of Jonathan Young's jigger flea incident..... the family think I was hamming it up, but it was genuinely pretty damn sore!!!

15/01/2024

Hi All - another bit of work to share with you. All four episodes are released on iPlayer this Sunday 21st. I shot both Patagonia and Kalahari episodes....

I have to say, hunting with the San people of the Kalahari was one of my career highlights. I hope you enjoy.

Piers Daniel Leigh

Subscribe and 🔔 to OFFICIAL BBC Trailers 👉 https://bit.ly/2XU2vpOWatch the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 https://bbc.in/2J18jYJ Journey deep into the heart of E...

16/09/2022

The edit is in full swing!! Hope to have something soon….

06/09/2022

Lost in the woods… just waiting for a lens.

24/08/2022

Amazing shoot with , exploring complicated ancestry in South Carolina.

11/04/2022

DoP and Steadicam on short film The Agreement, directed by , nice to get some time in the vest photos by

16/09/2021

I was DoP on the live show which Bill Bailey did at Royal Opera House. First comedian to do ROH since Jackie Mason in the 70s….

Very funny…. Hope you enjoy it!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zpbw

02/07/2021

Ross-on-Wye sunrise

13/05/2021

Gerhard Steenkamp is a pioneering vet who works on the some biggest animals in the world. An interesting discussion about his work and the ethics of working in unethical places.

Full Podcast on all the usual platforms.

https://tte.captivate.fm/listen

05/05/2021

Jaelyn Eberle is a mammal palaeontologist, specialising in fossil from the Arctic. I really enjoyed working with her on Ellesmere Island and we had a great conversation for Episode 4 of Series 1.

Full Podcast on all the usual platforms.

https://tte.captivate.fm/listen

30/04/2021

Albert Lin is a force of nature, talking here about taking a chance and his passion for exploration.

Full Podcast on all the usual platforms.

https://tte.captivate.fm/listen

22/04/2021

NASA Volcanologist Kayla Iacovino talks about her love of astronauts and geology!! Now she gets to combine both space and rocks in her job!!!

Full Podcast on all the usual platforms.

https://tte.captivate.fm/listen






















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