For over three decades, Sophie Darlington has helped create some of the most iconic natural history documentaries of our time - Planet Earth, The Hunt, Dynasties, Our Planet II, Queens and African Cats. Her work has earned her a BAFTA, an Emmy, and one of the highest honours in cinematography: membership of the ASC - the American Society of Cinematographers in recognising her as one of the leading visual storytellers of our time. In summary, she’s a badass.
This episode is full of wisdom from a true trailblazer - she was one of the first female DOP’s in a male dominated industry - what drives her, and how she’s now offering the same mentorship to upcoming talent she credits herself receiving (and yes, even she still has imposter syndrome).
This episode is brought you by MPB, who make it easy for storytellers to buy, sell or trade camera gear. Find your next camera at MPB.
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Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction: Breaking Barriers as a Female Wildlife Cinematographer
00:10:27 Finding Her Calling: From Modeling to the Serengeti
00:16:48 Balancing Motherhood and Career: Eight Years Away
00:18:57 Breaking into Bristol: The Old Boys' Club
00:21:29 The Craft: Film vs Digital and the Future of AI
00:30:42 Witnessing Decline: Cataloguing the Climate Crisis
00:32:36 American Society of Cinematographers: A Historic Achievement
00:35:04 The Industry in Crisis: Engaging New Audiences
00:45:56 The Fire Within: Advice for Aspiring Cinematographers
Visionaries with Alice Aedy
Producer - Chloe Puttock
Art Director - Liliana Saldanha
Director - Issey Rider
Camera Operator - Stephan Knight + Sam Mulvey
Lighting - Al Rice
Editor - Tom Forsey + Paolina Stefani
Colour Grade - Jasper Brown
Music by the talented Jon Hopkins
