**Ultimate Escape – Camera Operator **
For the international adventure reality series Ultimate Escape, produced by Helium Pictures in Sydney, I worked as a Camera Operator during the New Zealand shoot.
The production was divided between two units: one following contestants braving the raw elements of the New Zealand wilderness in early winter, and the other documenting life inside a secluded Rotorua lake lodge known as The Hold. While the field unit endured short daylight hours, freezing temperatures, rain and vast terrain, my assignment was within The Hold, where contestants faced the mental challenge of problem-solving under pressure.
Inside The Hold, one half of each team was confined with only the bare essentials: a bed, a chair, a desk, a TV displaying the stage maps, an iPad for tackling puzzles and riddles, and a limited supply of food. Their mission was to guide their partner, simultaneously pushing through the wilderness, using only short bursts of restricted communication. Success demanded teamwork, resilience, and the ability to exchange critical information under extreme constraints. The ultimate prize: $100,000.
My role focused on capturing the tense atmosphere inside The Hold while also establishing the setting in and around the lodge, including the opening capture sequence and shots filmed from the lake using a water housing. We documented the psychological pressure as participants waited, strategized, and solved problems. While less physically demanding than the field unit, the challenge was to translate the confinement, suspense, and intensity of limited communication into compelling visuals.
I was extremely fortunate to work alongside the talented DOP Geoff Thomas (Australia), who brought Executive Producer Vanessa Oxlad’s vision to life with his wealth of experience and creativity. Across five weeks, the team collaborated to deliver a challenging and rewarding series that we are all proud of. The hope now is that Ultimate Escape will continue into a second season at an exciting new location.
