Hi, I’m James Chisholm, a Bristol-based freelance camera operator and assistant for broadcast sports, live events, commercials and branded content. Over the last few years I’ve focused on the live broadcast field, building cameras, rigging systems, and working as both operator and vision engineer to deliver fast-paced, high-energy coverage. I also work as a self-shooter for corporate and promotional videos, bringing a hands-on, collaborative approach to each project. As a DoP I’ve had the privilege of contributing to an independent feature, a documentary, and multiple music videos and short films. I’m passionate about storytelling with a cinematic eye, love collaborating with crews and clients, and bring experience across a wide range of cameras, rigs, lighting setups, and on-set workflows to ensure quality results on every frame.

James Chisholm

Hi, I’m James Chisholm, a Bristol-based freelance camera operator and assistant for broadcast sports, live events, commercials and branded content. Over the last few years I’ve focused on the live broadcast field, building cameras, rigging systems, and working as both operator and vision engineer to deliver fast-paced, high-energy coverage. I also work as a self-shooter for corporate and promotional videos, bringing a hands-on, collaborative approach to each project. As a DoP I’ve had the privilege of contributing to an independent feature, a documentary, and multiple music videos and short films. I’m passionate about storytelling with a cinematic eye, love collaborating with crews and clients, and bring experience across a wide range of cameras, rigs, lighting setups, and on-set workflows to ensure quality results on every frame.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m James Chisholm, a Bristol-based freelance camera operator and assistant for broadcast sports, live events, commercials and branded content. Over the last few years I’ve focused on the live broadcast field, building cameras, rigging systems, and working as both operator and vision engineer to deliver fast-paced, high-energy coverage. I also work as a self-shooter for corporate and promotional videos, bringing a hands-on, collaborative approach to each project.

As a DoP I’ve had the privilege of contributing to an independent feature, a documentary, and multiple music videos and short films. I’m passionate about storytelling with a cinematic eye, love collaborating with crews and clients, and bring experience across a wide range of cameras, rigs, lighting setups, and on-set workflows to ensure quality results on every frame.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Camera Operator (Broadcast & Live Sports) at Self-employed / Freelance
February 1, 2020 - Present
Covering a variety of sports (snooker, pool, boxing, rugby). Builds, rigs, and operates tower, pedestal, handheld, and fixed cameras for live events; experienced across studio, fixed, tower, handheld and pedestal positions.
Vision Engineer at Self-employed / Freelance
August 1, 2020 - Present
Builds vision engineering stations, rigs monitor systems, and syncs RCP panels to CCU/BPU units. Sets colours and exposure for system cameras and racks cameras during live broadcasts; rigs PTZ cameras for remote operation in live sports.
PTZ Camera Operator and Vision Mixer at Self-employed / Freelance
January 1, 2020 - Present
Rigging and programming cameras, building preset positions, and macros for vision mixing in live sports broadcasts (snooker, pool, darts, boxing).
Director of Photography - Spin State at React Films / MJR Films
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Feature-length narrative film; DoP on Spin State (2019).
Director of Photography - Woky Man (Documentary) at Shy Guys LTD / React Films
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Documentary – Woky Man (2019); DoP for documentary project.
Director of Photography - IBZ (Short) at MJR Films / Kat Ronson
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Short – IBZ (2018); DoP for short film.
Director of Photography - I am the Doorway (Short) at MJR Films / Matthew Rowney
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Short – I am the Doorway (2017); DoP for short film.
Clapper/Loader - Funky Pigeon Christmas TVC at Funky Pigeon
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
2019 Christmas TVC campaign - Clapper/Loader - DoP Jonas Mortensen.
Camera Assistant - Moonpig TVC at Moonpig
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
2018 TVC – Head of Cards; Camera Assistant - DoP Stuart Luck.
Camera Assistant - Screw Vix TVC at Screw Vix
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
2018 TVC – Open Early; Camera Assistant - DoP Stuart Luck.
Camera Assistant - Song for Wales promo (S4C) at S4C
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
2018 Promo; Camera Assistant - DoP Mark Nutkins.
Director of Photography - Renegade (Music Video) at Reigning Days
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Music video DoP: Renegade – Reigning Days.
Director of Photography - Shine (Music Video) at Rews
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Music video DoP: Shine – Rews.
Director of Photography - Your Tears (Music Video) at Rews
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Music video DoP: Your Tears – Rews.
Director of Photography - Empire (Music Video) at Reigning Days
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Music video DoP: Empire – Reigning Days.
Director of Photography - Run (Alternate Video) at Wildwood Kin
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Music video DoP: Run (Alternate Video) – Wildwood Kin.
Camera Operator - Outsider (Parody) at Blank Parody
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Camera Operator for Outsider – Blank Parody (music video).
Director of Photography - Odilo Fabian (The Possibility of Impossible Dreams) (Short) at MJR Films
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Short – Odilo Fabian; Dir. Matthew Rowney; DoP.
Short – IBZ (2018) – DoP at MJR Films / Kat Ronson
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Short – IBZ (2018); Dir. Kat Ronson, Matthew Rowney; Prod Co. MJR Films.

Education

BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography at Bournemouth University
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2013
National Diploma - Media Production (3x Distinction) at Cornwall College
January 11, 2030 - January 1, 2010

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services