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Director of Photography Simon Reay discusses his work on the hit survival series Man vs. Wild.
For six seasons of the popular Discovery Channel series Man vs. Wild, ex-U.K. Special Forces trooper/ survival expert Edward "Bear" Grylls has demonstrated how to survive in the most inhospitable environments, including the frigid temperatures of the Arctic Circle, the blistering heat of the Mojave Desert and the untamed jungles of Vietnam.
Man vs. Wild is more of a "howto" program than a documentary - and as such, Grylls receives a certain amount of production support from the crew members following him. Whether jumping from a helicopter, rappelling down a slick cliff wall or scaling the side of a volcano, they go where Grylls goes (with support from a safety team, led by ropesman David Pearce), and after their host, series cinematographer Simon Reay is usually first into the fray.
Simon, what's your background? Do you have any previous experience that qualifies you to shoot Man vs. Wild?
Simon Reay: I never deliberately pursued this type of photography and I don't think my background qualifies me for what I do now - one of my first jobs was as a camera operator on Teletubbies - but I do have an aptitude for it. I have worked on various documentaries, dramas and commercials, but Man vs. Wild is easily the most physically demanding and longest running job I have ever had.
How big is the crew?
Over the years we've formed a tightknit crew who learn from each other and our experiences. This plays well with Bear because his background in the military means he's at his best with small teams who know each other well and can adapt to new situations and environments together.
What kinds of cameras do you use on the show?
The camera package has changed significantly in five years due in part to advances in technology, and also because I have eliminated all the unnecessary items, such as a tripod. Nowadays, the...