James Brickell

James Brickell - Wildlife Filmmaker

James Brickell has a passion for wild animals and has directed some of the most highly regarded UK presenters in wildlife filming. His TV filming career to date has included the Really Wild Show, Wildlife on One, Big Cat Diary and most recently, the ground-breaking, highly acclaimed series with Sir David Attenborough: Life in Cold Blood (BBC1, 2008).

James Brickell is a wildlife filmmaker at the prestigious BBC Natural History Unit. His latest work includes capturing snake behaviour for Life in Cold Blood and features some genuine world-firsts in wildlife filming. He managed to capture a wild rattlesnake hunting (never previously observed) and snakes jumping across a mudflat in the Far East (behaviour which is new to science). Despite spending a great deal of time in close proximity to a wide range of dangerous animals including Polar Bears, Lions, Cheetahs and Crocodiles, he has so far escaped largely unscathed with only a small Piranha bite.

Inspired by figures such as Gerald Durrell and Jacques Cousteaux, James became fascinated by animals from a young age, and filled his parents house with a menagerie of tarantulas, snakes and lizards. After reading Zoology, he followed his dream and joined the BBC Natural History Unit and is delighted to have the opportunity to work with his childhood hero, Sir David Attenborough. During his career he has also directed Michaela Strachan, Nick Baker, Simon King and Charlotte Uhlenbroek.

James offers an intriguing alternative for speaking events. With numerous anecdotes and stunning film footage and photographs, James shares his story of life behind the camera. He gives an insight into how they capture extraordinary footage and deal with the pressures of time, budget and often uncooperative, dangerous animals and yet still keep the team motivated. A very entertaining and different after dinner speaker who easily engages a non-specialist audience and brings alive the sheer wonder and magic of nature.

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