Date : 3rd April 2013

 

Chris Packham is a cinematographer and presenter who has appeared on television since the late 80's, staring in TV shows such as The Really Wild Show, The Animal's Guide to Britain, Secrets of Our Living Planet, Autumnwatch, Springwatch, Winterwatch  and many more!

John - Hi Chris first of all thank you for talking to us today.

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​John - When you were growing up what were the TV shows that got you hooked watching them?



Chris - For me it was all about Stingray , then Thunderbirds , then Captain Scarlett , then UFO - without Gerry Anderson my early life would have been wasted ! Animal Magic was on but I preferred my wildlife in the flesh . Then came Star Trek . Then Fawlty Towers . Then stuff like Doomwatch and Survivors . I'd also be allowed to stay up late on Friday nights and watch Hammer Horror films - vampires , werewolves . . .

still can't get enough !





​John - When did you first realise that you wanted to work in the world of television?



Chris - The day before it started . It was never a childhood ambition , or a teenage one . I wanted to do whatever I could in work terms and talking too much about animals was something I'd been rehearsing since I was three!





​John - Do you remember your 1st day working on a TV show, what was the show and how did ur 1st day go?



​Chris - Oh yes , I remember it like it was yesterday . I had no training and no guidance , it was a baptism by potential ridicule . But I had a furious desire to satisfy my employers and I think they recognised this . They knew I'd take it seriously and work hard to succeed . And I did , I watched TV very critically , analysed what I liked , didn't like , learned how people communicated , how they looked and how they phrased what they said . Then I tried to find a way of doing it in a style of my own . I'm still working on it !



 

​John - Who influenced you in your career?



​Chris - Lots of people . Some negatively but many positively . Directors , producers , cameramen . . . sound men . . . researchers , I think about everyone's reaction and like criticism . I don't like myself , never have , so it's helpful to get some positive guidance !





​John - Over the years who has been the most famous person you have worked with or met?



​Chris - Well , I've been (mainly) fortunate to have met lots of well known people . Joan Collins once gave me a filthy look as I was standing soaking wet in my boxers , I had a conversation with Jane Fonda about birds and Ricky Gervais sent me a very kind mail . But ultimately it's my own heroes who I have been most flattered by . Jim and Julie Reed of The Jesus and Mary Chain and Captain Sensible of the Damned have written to me - their letters are pinned on my office wall .





​​John - What was the most life risking experience you had while filming any of your TV shows and if so what animal caused it and how did you react and carry on?



​Chris - ​This would be a very long list . Animals sometimes catch you out and sometimes it hurts . It's all about concentration and avoiding complacency . And of course it's about carrying on .

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​John - Having filmed allot over the years what has been the one experience you will remember for the rest of your life that stands out above others.



Chris - Another long list . But flying in a Supermarine Spitfire is something I still re-live and still pinch myself to believe it really happened .





​​John - What do you make of the changes in kids TV shows from past to present do you think they still have the same spark as in previous years and do you think there should be more wildlife shows to raise awareness?



​Chris - Steve Backshall is such an important broadcaster . Kids love him and he is about the only person flying that flag - top work from a top bloke . And yes of course there should be more kids wildlife TV .



 

​John - What projects are you currently working on and where can ur fans see you next?



​Chris - I'm getting ready for Springwatch and also filming 3x1 hours about burrowing animals (Badgers , Moles , Rabbits , Water Voles) and 3x1 hours about animal intelligence . So busy , which is why it has taken so long to answer these questions . Sorry .

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John - Thank you for your time Chris and for answering our questions