WILL

BENSON PRODUCER / DIRECTOR

Tel: 07557 419336 Email: wilf_benson@hotmail.com Website: willbenson.co.uk

PERSONAL PROFILE

A highly versatile specialist factual producer/director with extensive experience in presenter-led, science and
natural history programming, filming across the world in challenging and unpredictable conditions. A pro-active all-
rounder with a proven ability to self-shoot, direct, edit produce, negotiate access, develop new story ideas, schedule
complex shoots and problem solve in the field. I hold an I-Visa (valid until 2020) and a full, clean UK driving license.

RECENT WORK

SHOOTING PRODUCER/DIRECTOR FLYRIDE FILMS
China’s Five Sacred Mountains: Behind the Scenes (May–June 2018)
(4 x 30’ Legend Cultural Development / CCTV)

Directing & shooting behind the scenes for a month with an international crew making an aerial film about China’s
most sacred mountains.

PRODUCER/DIRECTOR TALESMITH / FREEBORN FILMS
The Lions Last Roar? (working title) (Feb 2017–current)
(1 x 90’ theatrical release)

Writing and directing all parts of this investigative documentary exploring the conservation role of lion trophy
hunting in Africa. Filmed in Zimbabwe, South Africa, USA, Canada and Europe.

EDIT PRODUCER ARROW MEDIA
Sharks in the City: Los Angeles (Jan–Feb 2017)
(1 x 45’ Discovery US)

Directing the edit, writing the scripts and designing all GFX.

PRODUCER ARROW MEDIA
Shark Week: African Shark Safari (July–Dec 2016)
(1 x 45’ Discovery US)

Scheduling three weeks of filming across South Africa and Madagascar, managing shoot logistics, filming second
camera on location, writing scripts and directing the edit.

ASSISTANT PRODUCER / EDIT PRODUCER OXFORD SCIENTIFIC FILMS
The Secret Life of Dogs (April–July 2016)
(3 x 45’ ITV / BBC Worldwide)

Finding stories and setting up shoots across Africa and America; scheduling 4 weeks of location and studio filming,
working with the art department to create studio sets, as well as directing and edit producing part of one episode.

DEVELOPMENT PRODUCER DOUBLE ACT TV
The Frozen Ark (Dec 2015–Jan 2016)
(10 x 40’ Pivot TV)

Developing stories for this presenter-led science/adventure series focusing on wildlife conservation across Africa.

SHOOTING ASSISTANT PRODUCER OXFORD SCIENTIFIC FILMS
Ingenious Animals (July–Dec 2015)
(3 x 60’ BBC One/BBC Worldwide)

Finding stories and contributors, scheduling and setting up three months of presenter-led international shoots in
Africa, USA, Canada and South America. Shooting IVs and additional material on second camera on location.

EDIT PRODUCER OCTOBER FILMS
Outrageous Acts of Science – Ep. 5 (Feb 2015–June 2015)
(1 x 45’ Discovery Science/Discovery UK)

Directing the edit for an episode of this science series, writing the script and designing all GFX.


SHOOTING ASSISTANT PRODUCER OXFORD SCIENTIFIC FILMS
The Queen’s Garden (Sept 2013–Oct 2014)
(2 x 45’ ITV1/PBS)

AP across both episodes of this natural history series filmed on location in the 40 acre garden of Buckingham Palace.
Developing stories with the director, and scheduling and directing key natural history sequences.

SHOOTING ASSISTANT PRODUCER OXFORD SCIENTIFIC FILMS
The Natural World, Honey Badgers: Masters of Mayhem (April–Aug 2013)
(1 x 60’ BBC Two/PBS)

Finding stories and contributors and setting up the two months of filming in South Africa. On location I recorded all
location sound, shot time-lapse and assisted with the setup and filming of the night time natural history sequences.

ASSISTANT PRODUCER OXFORD SCIENTIFIC FILMS
Development (Feb 2012–March 2013)

RESEARCHER ATLANTIC PRODUCTIONS
Kingdom of Plants 3D: With David Attenborough (Dec 2010–Sept 2011)
(3 x 60’ Sky 3D, 1 x 75’ IMAX)

Researching stories, setting up complex 3D shoots and sourcing exotic plants and animals for time-lapse and studio
sequences. Working with the scientists at Kew Gardens to devise a way of creating SEM and UV images in 3D.

SHOOTING PRODUCER / DIRECTOR THE BUSHCAMP COMPANY, ZAMBIA
PROMOTIONAL ONLINE VIDEOS (Aug–Nov 2010)

Based on a remote camp in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park I shot, edited and produced over 30 short wildlife
and conservation videos over 4 months for this high-end end safari company’s website.

BOOKS
AUTHOR
Kingdom of Plants: A Journey Through Their Evolution HARPER COLLINS
(Sept 2011–Feb 2012)
I am the sole author of this natural history book about the diversity of plant life on Earth. BBC Wildlife Magazine
Book of the Month, July 2012.

SUB-EDITOR
David Attenborough’s First Life: A Journey Back in Time HARPER COLLINS
(April–June 2010)
Proofed, edited and annotated this popular science book which chronicles the origins of animal life on Earth, with an
introduction by Sir David Attenborough.

EDUCATION
University of Southampton (2005-2008) BACHELORS’S DEGREE
BSc (Hons) [2.1] in Zoology (6 week dissertation field research carried out on the Sesse Islands, Uganda)

Farmor’s School Fairford (2002-2004) A LEVELS
Biology [B] Psychology [B] Graphic Design [B] History [b]

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Self-shooting (Sony FS7, Canon XF305/XF105/5D), sound recording, trained on Thermoteknix thermal-imaging
camera, lighting and shooting in infra-red, data wrangling (Silverstack), rigging and filming remote nest-box
cameras and camera-traps.


REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST