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By Geraldine BoyleMy love for photography began as a young teenager. Studying Art & Design in school, I was obsessed with capturing images and the development process. I studied a Photography evening class at GCSE level. Spending many nights in the darkroom I never dreamed it would lead to University, let alone working for the BBC and flying drones. Art College opened my eyes to the importance of networking, gaining trust and permissions. My first university project involved convincing the manager of the Royal Mail Headquarters to let me photograph in the building. I was told it would be unlikely and to prepare a back-up. Instead of emailing or phoning, I simply walked in, absolutely terrified but pretended to have no fear. To my surprise, I was welcomed in, given a quick tour and shown the view from the roof. It was a total bluff but it gave me the confidence I desperately needed. My confidence continued to grow from the thrill of these challenges. I accompanied police patrols, capturing work late into the night, on occasions in dangerous circumstances. I followed teenage gangs for a year, gaining their trust and documenting them against the landscape. It became an obsession. Regardless of the day, the weather, I walked, searching for content with my Mamiya camera. In the end, I was known on a first name basis, and ‘welcomed’ into the groups. The work portrayed the animalistic nature of youths gathering in large crowds to socialise. It represented the way in which they actively constructed their own identity, individually and collectively. I was honoured to exhibit this work with the Royal Ulster 'Mistaken Identity' Academy in Belfast. After the excitement of university ended and the real world beckoned, I stumbled, trying to decide on a career path. I did freelance work, shooting family and social events, but it didn’t bring me joy. My Mother spotted an advert in the newspaper calling for young people to apply for BBC work experience while studying for a Diploma in media techniques. I suddenly realised that my background in Photography was a great foundation into the television industry. After a grueling group interview I was given the incredible opportunity to be trained by the BBC. I shadowed the Current Affairs office where they filmed Panorama and immediately fell in love the fast paced work. I was offered freelance work as Production Assistant and a contract thereafter. Starting at the bottom involved a lot of late nights, weekend emails and being on call during important filming dates. But, it also gave me the opportunity to experience various elements of TV. I assisted on shoots, organised logistics and payments while maintaining the departmental camera equipment. Working on eight productions at once was the norm. It was fast paced but extremely rewarding, particularly when your name appeared in the credits at the end of a long production. My interests in camera operation and new technologies evolved so in 2016 I moved to London embarking on a new role as Senior Technician. I was determined to combine my passion for photography, the outdoors and production. My goal was to become a Drone Operator. Once my mind was set, I knew it would happen, but I had to convince several managers first. It took a few months of continued effort before training was approved, but I was determined. At one point in February, I stood outside for four hours in the same spot... flying a drone in figures of eight. At the time, I had a chest infection and pleurisy but I was adamant to keep going. I loved flying and filming so much that I stubbornly carried the kit for 2 miles to the designated flying field. The apparatus was cumbersome and heavy even only a few years ago. After six months of formal training and exams, I became a Certified BBC Drone Operator; the only female operator in the department. I was ecstatic! It was empowering to know that I represented my female colleagues. A mere forty years ago, women were rejected from working in the same department. I’ve been incredibly lucky to film for the likes of BBC News at Ten, Gardeners’ World, Panorama and Children in Need. However, I never imagined my drone work would lead me to the shores of Cork. On a freelance shoot with Vodafone last year, I filmed in Baltimore and Skibbereen. Although I visited Cork over the years, that experience of working in the creative industry opened up my eyes to what the County had to offer. The crew joked about how wonderful it would be to live in such a place... The joke is on the crew, I decided to make it happen! It’s a truly special time for the film industry in Cork and I’m thrilled to be part of it. I have always been a huge advocate of the creative industries in Ireland. Covid-19 didn’t stop my plans of studying an MA in Film and Screen Media at UCC. Rather, it encouraged me. Who doesn’t love a challenge? In a year where the world has come to a halt, I’m privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate with like minded people, and expand my knowledge of an industry with which I am deeply connected.
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