Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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Stories
Vianet Djenguet - BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image Production, 2006
Vianet graduated from Leeds Beckett in 2006 with a degree in Film & Moving Image Production and is now a freelance wildlife cameraman with an extensive background in wildlife, science and history, recently producing an episode of Natural World for the BBC entitled My Congo.
Stories
Vianet graduated from Leeds Beckett in 2006 with a degree in Film & Moving Image Production and is now a freelance wildlife cameraman with an extensive background in wildlife, science and history, recently producing an episode of Natural World for the BBC entitled My Congo. Vianet explains “My first job in television was as an Assistant Cameraman working on Casualty for the BBC, where I learnt so much about lighting techniques. I then moved onto documentary cinema verité and then wildlife documentaries which is a dream come true. My first Natural World film, My Congo, was my biggest break in the industry, and it had such a warm and positive response from viewers - I still receive emails from people expressing how much they loved it.”
Vianet’s journey to studying at Leeds Beckett wasn’t as straight forward as most. He explains “I began studying at another University only to realise the course wasn’t what I’d expected so a good friend advised I try Leeds Beckett. I went to meet the Head of Film & Moving Image Production to speak about the course, and I was able to join the class a little later than everyone else.”
“The course was exactly as advertised and what really impressed me was the hands on aspect, I was able to use professional equipment and right from the beginning had the latest equipment in my hands. I particularly enjoyed the Cinema Verité classes - I never missed one - so storytelling form behind the camera has always been something I've carried with me.”
Vianet’s dedication clearly paid off, with his work on Natural World broadcast to millions. Vianet says “My Congo was an amazing project, but there were some challenges too. I’m quite a private person so revealing so much of myself about my background and my childhood to so many was quite difficult for me. My job often focuses on revealing other people’s stories but when the camera turned on me I felt quite exposed. There were physical challenges as well, including a 10 hour rainforest trek to meet a local tribe as well as following a silverback and his gorilla group.
“But it’s worth it, I love telling stories visually, whether they involve humans or wildlife, I love challenging myself to give a voice to the voiceless. At the moment, I’m working on a new documentary for BBC Two, part of a three-part series, called First Year on Earth, where I’ll be following baby gorillas and leopards from their very first week on earth until they’re one year old which will be broadcast in 2019.”
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