Phil Coates is an accomplished remote location Director Cameraman, adventure photographer and professional expedition leader with an enviable record of working in extreme environments across seven continents. Clients include: BBC, Discovery International, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and National Geographic. Phil Coates is experienced director cameraman with an adventurous track record spanning seven continents. He has worked in extreme and challenging environments, from the very hot (°50/122°F) to the very cold (-40°C/-40°F) and the very high (up to an altitude of 8,000 metres)!
His filming portfolio includes BBC2’s Blizzard Race To The Pole, Channel 5’s Ice Break Heart and Challenge 8000 for Yorkshire Tyne Tees and Channel 4. Most recently he was up Mt Everest, part of a team filming Discovery International’s Everest Beyond The Limit. He began his career in television production at BBC Science & Features in London, and then later moved to the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol. His photographic career started when working as an outdoor activity instructor in the Yorkshire Dales, Phil just wanted to do the quality of light and the landscape justice so he embarked on a journey to learn all the technical and creative skills he could. Phil’s expedition achievements include skiing to the Magnetic North Pole.
LOCAL HERO from Cambridge, England and Les Contamines, French Alps
Personal Data:
T: +44 7890599272
E: phil@philcoates.tv
Website: www.philcoates.tv
Websites:
www.philcoates.tv
www.alpine-oasis.com
www.catlinarcticsurvey.com
Filming & Photography:
Adventure, Expedition, Human Endeavour, Science and Natural History
Favourite Camera and Lens:
My old favourite was the Nikon L35AW-AF and the Nikon 801s 35mm SLR my first 'go anywhere' expedition cameras. For location film work is was the old Sony Z1E camcorder however now I enjoy working with the Canon XF100 and Canon 5D Mark II and the super light and compact Canon G12.
Favourite Tripod set:
The super light carbon fibre Manfrotto 701RC2/190MFV- great for superlight expedition work – use a Manfrotto Tripod Apron to be able to create additional stability.
Manfrotto 504HD with 546B legs and mid leg spreader – great for uneven ground
Activity:
National and international broadcast television commissions, corporate film productions for outdoor companies, remote location photographic assignments.
Publications:
Phil’s images have appeared in a wide range of publications including… (Kerry choose the ones’ you want to put in.
• Cotswold Outdoor Catalogue
• High Magazine
• Tenson Outdoor Catalogue
• Himalayan Kingdoms (Mountain Kingdoms) Brochure
• Himalayan Kingdoms Expeditions (Jagged Globe) Brochure
• Saunders Tents Catalogue
• The Sun Newspaper
• Kona News
• Field & Trek Catalogue
• Terra Nova Equipment Catalogue
• Berghaus Catalogue
• Mountain Biker International
• Geographical Magazine
• Trail Magazine
• Craghoppers Catalogue
• Out There Trekking Brochure
• Phoenix Mountaineering Catalogue
• World Mountaineering – Mitchell Beazley Books
• Blizzard Race To The Pole – BBC Books
• Taunton Leisure Catalogue
• Running Free Magazine
• Alpine Oasis Website
• High Places Brochure
• Footloose Magazine
• Mountain Equipment Catalogue
• Radio Times
• The Sunday Mirror - Take It Easy Magazine
• The Sunday Telegraph
• News Of The World – Big On TV
• Sunday Express
• The Observer Newspaper
• The Independent On Sunday
• The Mail On Sunday
Broadcast Credits:
BBC, Discovery International, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, National Geographic, ABC Australia, Avro (Dutch National Broadcaster), UAE TV
Quotes:
On travel & adventure:
'The real voyage of discovery lies in not finding new land, but in seeing with fresh eyes.' – Marcel Proust
On working freelance
'Nothing’s definite until the cheque’s cleared… ' – Anon
'Change is inevitable apart from a vending machine…' – Anon
Product Testimonial:
My old KATA OC-84 wheelie carry on bag goes with me on every international job – it just fits into hand luggage regulations and even EasyJet allow it on!
Camera equipment:
Sony TRV900 – bomb proof ‘old school’ DV camera you can knock nails in with it
Sony Z1E
Sony EX1
Nikon D300s
Canon XF 100
Canon XA10
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 24-105 f 4 L
Canon G12
Lighting Equipment:
My favourite piece of lighting equipment is the sun – offers all you ever need…
However when I need some additional help I use:
Lite panel Micro Pro
Lite panel Micro Pro Hybrid
Manfrotto lightweight baby light stands
Expedition Equipment:
Old pair of La Sportiva boots – they get me to the right place, at the right time, for the right light… enough said.
