About Martin
Hi, I’m Martin!
Hi I’m Martin and I‘ve been a lighting cameraman at the high end of Broadcast for over 23 years.
I trained in Glasgow where I achieved a HND with distinction in Television Production.
In 2006 I moved back to Ireland, immediately directing for RTE Junior (The Den & SMS Music show).
May 2014 – July 2015, I produced & directed & edited a half hour magazine style show.
I then moved to the news department of the national broadcaster RTE & TG4, filming not just news but on the weekly show Nationwide.
I spent 2 years filming and editing feature VT’s for the TG4 weekly current affairs show ‘7LÁ’.
Within the ENG environment the majority of contributors are not media professionals so I have vast experience with helping people to speak and perform in front of camera
Later in 2020 I added a drone to my equipment. I am trained and registered with the IAA, having Open Certificate A1, A2 & A3. Flying with the Mavic 3pro
In my career to date I have worked on a huge variety of jobs for all the UK and Irish broadcasters in single camera crew operations and in studio/ multi camera broadcasts.
In 2012/13 for instance, I headed up a production which streamed three live TV programmes daily to the internet using some of the latest technology.
Broadcasters I have worked for include RTE, TG4, Virgin Media News, BBC (News, BBC Scotland, BBC News 24, Newsround), Channel 4, ITV, SKY (News, Sports HD, Sky HD), DW TV (Germany), Setanta Sports, Basque TV, Golf Channel, CBS Sports.
Not just broadcast I work with some major corporate clients like Consello and Teno PR.
As I work a lot in live broadcast my kit reflects this. I have a LiveU 300e which means I can transmit live to any broadcaster in the world that uses the LiveU servers (which is all broadcast stations).
In nearly 20 years I have seen the changes from DVCAM & Digi Beta tape, linear editing to 4k RAW, SLOG and very responsive non linear editing systems, what do we have in front of us in the next 20 years? Technology waits for no man!!
My kit is very versatile and adaptable being able to shoot full HD 1920×1080 at 120fps and 4K, the capacity to stream using up to 4 cameras, editing using premier pro, full audio & lighting kit.
My filming approach very much depends on the brief the client is looking for. However left to my own devices I let the talent in front of me work on giving me more of an observational look and feel. I direct the people in away that helps them tell their story, but not over-direct, because if they are standing in front of you then they know more about that subject so it’s more about getting that out of them.
I like filming when people least expect me as you get the most honest performance. I tell them after.
As I have worked across nearly every genre of filming, I am very comfortable both as a single operator or as part of a team, once I have a camera in my hand I am happy.
Showreel
Watch video at https://vimeo.com/1132565989
Home Location
Galway, Ireland
Also available to work in
- Dublin
- Cork
- Limerick
- Kerry
- Wicklow
- Waterford
- Ireland (nationwide)
Languages
- English – native
Roles and Functions
- DOP– since 2002
- Lighting Camera – since 2002
- ENG – since 2002
- Drone Pilot – since 2020
- Editor – since 2002
Owned Cameras & Equipment
Cameras
- Sony FX9
- Sony FX3
- Sony FS7
- Sony PMW 680
Lenses
- Sony 28-134 (Zoom)
- Sony GM 24-70
- Sony G 24-105
- Sony G 70-200
Tripods
- Sachler Flowtech 10 (for FX9)
- Small rig tripod (for FX3)
Lights
- Aputure 300x with softbos and dome
- Aputure 120d with softbox
- Amaron 100
- Dedos x 3 lights
- 4 x RGB panels Newer
Sound
- 2 x Sony lapel mics
- 1 x Sony handheld mic
- 5 x Sennheiser lapel mics
- 1 x Sennheiser handheld mic
- 1 x Sennheiser 416 mic with wind sheld
Drone
- Mavic 3 pro with smart controller
Extras
- Atomos Shogun Monitor
- Directors Monitor
- 4 x C-stands
- 4 x Light stands
- Zyhuin Gimbal (FX3)
- Grey/Black backdrop
- Greenscreen Backdrop
