Shoot Blue

Alongside our range of camera and lighting equipment, Shoot Blue now offers a variety of production equipment designed to make your shoot run smoothly - and with minimal hassle. One of the most useful items we offer is Starlink, the SpaceX satellite internet service that enables fast, reliable internet connectivity and high-speed WiFi access in any remote location. With typical speeds for Starlink averaging around 200-300 Mbps for downloads and 20-30 Mbps for uploads, comparable to a high-speed fibre broadband service, the Starlink service is ideal for supporting unit bases, enabling crucial on-set activities like secure file transfers, real-time collaboration, and seamless communication across all departments. Whether it’s overcoming connectivity challenges in areas with little to no mobile coverage, supporting live broadcasts, or ensuring stable internet access for critical production tasks, Starlink is a great solution to handle the unique and demanding needs of on-location production environments. For the past two years, we’ve been supplying Starlink for a range of film and broadcast projects including: ➡ Henley Royal Regatta: live broadcast streaming using LiveU for Eurosport/Warner Bros. ➡ The Notting Hill Carnival: outside broadcast streaming. ➡ Several HETV dramas/feature films requiring mobile internet access at unit base. ➡ A BBC natural history series currently on location in Antarctica. Starlink is very much a ‘plug and play’ solution that is fast and simple to use, - and doesn’t require a technician to set it up on location. Shoot Blue also offers a range of complementary equipment to further support and enhance Starlink connectivity, including Mesh WiFi and additional networking equipment. To find out more, please visit our Starlink webpage or call us on 0208 343 1260.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: Our last interview featured someone most call a DIT, but Shoot Blue sees as an aspiring cinematographer. This one is about Gabriele Mango, his Ravensbourne classmate, often called a Gaffer, but also seen by us as an aspiring cinematographer. Above is Gabriele’s cinematography for an Under Armour and JD Sport branded content film, directed by Ed Peacock. He found the shoot exciting and challenging with four setups, including a gym built on a racing track. Despite being a one-day shoot, the AD department did a fantastic job ensuring enough lighting setup time for each scene. After all, to him, lighting is (almost) everything. Gabriele employed Shoot Blue's Alexa Mini with the Cooke Classic Panchros and a Laowa 12mm and Angenieux zoom for those more dynamic shots. The concept was a darker, high contrast look for the men and a warmer, airy feel for the women. After many location recces, Gabriele found his biggest challenge was the indoor gym with large windows where he’d need to wrap the sunlight around the subjects to create that commercial gradient he wanted. He used a combination of Vortex 8s, Litemats & Alladins on booms, and a Nanlux 1200D outside to bring out those beautiful Cooke flares. All this with a mix of static and Easyrig handheld shots and a film emulsion inspired grade by No.8's Tim Smith, rendered the look for the film. From the age of 15, Gabriele was passionate about photography. He travelled Africa and Brazil extensively which is when his passion for photography turned towards the moving image. He summed up his experience through a series of work exhibited in Rome, upon his return. Then in 2019, he moved to London to pursue cinematography. While studying, he discovered a passion for lighting and, like his classmate Harvey Davies, chose to bypass the traditional AC path, focusing on lighting as his entry point into the film industry. He has since worked on major productions like ‘The Crown’ and ‘Back to Black’ as a spark, while steadily building his portfolio as a cinematographer on other projects as he transitions into the role. We Shoot Blue are committed to supporting him until his transition from Gaffer into Cinematographer is complete- and beyond. Follow him to see when this happens! #cinematography #aspirations #perseverance

We had such a great time last week celebrating the London Borough of Ealing's commitment to becoming a Living Wage Place, the first of its kind in West London! 🎉 📈 There are now nearly 70 accredited Living Wage Employers in Ealing who are committed to always paying their directly employed and contracted-out workers in line with the cost of living in London. The London Living Wage is currently £13.15. Accredited employers in the borough include Brompton Bicycle, Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing) and University of West London. The council is launching a new support and incentives programme at the event to encourage more local businesses to sign up. The first 250 businesses to accredit before 31 March 2025 will be able to access: ✅ grants to cover accreditation costs ✅ free recruitment services ✅ free business planning support ✅ free training and development programmes for employees ✅ a dedicated ‘Business Buddy’ – a council officer to support employers with access to council services and advice ✅ free promotional opportunities to showcase their business Contact [email protected] to find out more and sign up. Other accredited Living Wage Employers in Ealing include: The Classic Prop Hire Company; Belazu | B Corp™; Suzanne Lynch Design; Wellworking; Twining Enterprise; L'Aquila; City Harvest London; VMI.TV Ltd; EACH Counselling and Support; Articulate Marketing; AWTG Ltd; Benchmark Scaffolding; Todd Doors; Borough Broth | B Corp™; West London English School; Dementia Concern; Quatra; Get Set Hire; Greener Ealing; Pi Group Ltd; Association of Independent Music (AIM); Doughlicious The London Dough Co.; Alexanders Removals & Storage; TOM BOSWELL TREE SERVICES LIMITED; Rory Peck Trust; White Sands Cleaning Services; Shoot Blue; ChargeBox ; ROLLADOME ALL SKATE LIMITED; West London NHS Trust; Preedy Glass; Action West London; SXOLLIE; Placemaking London ; Pow Food Catering and Home Delivery; Southall Community Alliance and more! #LivingWage #London #Ealing #business #westlondon

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: Meet Harvey Davies, an up-and-coming cinematographer with an inspiring journey from Dorset to London. Pictured above are stills from the music video for Ratting Stuff director, Tansy Taylor | Artists - Aubrey Trnql ft. Merunisa | Song- ‘Crazy’. Harvey’s breaking into the industry came unexpectedly, during an industry week at Weymouth College, when he met Arran Green. Moving to London to study Digital Film Production at Ravensbourne after leaving Weymouth, Harvey immediately reached out to Arran, who called him on set the next day as a spark trainee! From there, Harvey’s career grew. He quickly transitioned from spark trainee to camera trainee, learning the ropes from the talented James Tilyard. His first big gig as an AC was on a Dizzie Rascal shoot, and although it was challenging, he persevered, next on a Rolls Royce commercial. Harvey then discovered a preference for mental stress (DIT work) over physical stress (ACing) after a six week job as a Data Wrangler on Channel 4’s, Big Boys. He decided to delve further into this technical side and Data Wrangled for another TV series, Sneakerhead. Keeping his eyes and ears peeled for opportunities, he next met the renowned Notorious DIT, at the BSC Expo in 2022, leading to his next job as a DIT on feature film, The Beast Within and then documentary series, The Fake Sheikh. He found this role to be more rewarding, offering him invaluable insights into cinematography, through his work and by working with other more established cinematographers. Harvey now primarily works on commercials and dramas as a DIT, and on short form as a DP, and until he gets to DP for longer form, he will continue to hone his skills as a DIT, using tools like EL zones and scopes for accurate exposure and quality control. Lensing ‘Crazy’ for Tansy was an enjoyable experience, using Shoot Blue's Cooke S4/i lenses and Alexa Mini, a light meter and keeping an eye on the scopes, chopping and changing NDs to keep light consistency and then using our 600D to mimic the sun for inserts after it disappeared behind the houses. #filmmaking #journeys #camerarentals #cooke

Starring Sophie Cookson, & Lucien Laviscount, This Time Next Year Year is the film adaption of the New York Times bestselling novel by Sophie Cousens. Cameras, lenses & grip supplied by Shoot Blue. Cinematography by Luca Ciuti. Out now on Amazon.

JOB OPPORTUNITY - LIGHTING TECHNICIAN Are you passionate about lighting and lighting equipment? Do you have the technical skills and dedication to ensure our clients have the best gear for their projects? Shoot Blue is looking for a talented and dedicated Lighting Technician to join our team! Shoot Blue is a dependable independent rental company that’s been running for over 15 years with the aim of making filmmaking accessible in a sustainable and ethical way. - WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - - Technical Expertise: One year experience in lighting equipment and techniques. - Attention to Detail: Ensure all equipment is maintained and ready for client use. - Team Player: Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively. - Commitment: A desire to grow with us and stay on for a minimum of two years. - YOUR ROLE - - Maintain, repair, and prepare lighting equipment for rental. - Ensure all equipment meets our high standards before it goes out to clients. - Collaborate with the team to manage inventory and track equipment. - Provide technical support and advice to clients as needed. - Continuously learn and adapt to new technologies and methods. READY TO LIGHT UP YOUR CAREER? If you’re ready to take the next step in your career in a committed role, we’d love to hear from you! Tell us why you’d be a good fit and apply now by emailing your cover letter and CV to [email protected].

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT - Jake Betteridge 'Commit yourself to it. Don't doubt yourself after. You may lose a little, but you'll gain so much more.' Jake Betteridge's advice works well for any creative, and not just in film. Jake is a branded content & commercials cinematographer who's clearly doing something right. Pictured above is Jake's work on a global narrative film for Ford Motor Company, directed by Brett Hill from the Canadian agency, Create A Bond. The film, to which regional archive footage can be added, will be displayed in Ford dealerships worldwide and encapsulates the warm nature of the Ford name and the role the dealerships and sales teams play in creating that Ford guest experience offering happiness in the form of adventures for years to come. Following two customer’s journeys in reverse, from the peak of their adventures to when they first purchase their car, the film opens with a skydiving scene! The film called for a nostalgic, fun and colourful look over a clean clinical one. For this, Jake was particularly fond of the Cooke Panchros, having used them across multiple projects. The T2.2 stops offer a cinematic depth of field, creating painterly swirly bokeh around the centre, to which the eye is drawn. Shoot Blue's extensive range of the Cooke Panchros paired with our Alexa mini was his perfect match! Being a hectic and ambitious shoot, Jake needed everything in place and working perfectly, which he said made Shoot Blue a great partner and a welcomed addition for the A/Cs on set as well. For most shots, Jake used either the PeeWee Dolly or the Ronford Baker Slider with the assistance of standout grip Adrian Greeny, known for his ‘bundles of energy and solutions”. For the handheld shots, Jake used our Vario 5 + Stabil G2 arm + flex vest, a vest originally designed for women and now loved by almost everyone! He finds it a definite improvement from the original design, especially in the mid-torso area. At Shoot Blue, we've kitted out all our Vario 5 combinations with the flex vest as part of our #gearforwomen mission, and we're so glad to hear it's popular with the men, too! Thanks for coming to us for this one Jake and we look forward to having you again.

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: Rarely does a short film script wield such imperative force that its impact resonates universally- a sentiment shared by Mark Nutkins when asked to lens Chi Thai's film, Lullaby, which premiered at SXSW this year. A distinguished British cinematographer known for The Split, Pennyworth and Bridgerton, Mark Nutkins embarked on a cinematic journey delving into the narrative of a Vietnamese refugee. Her harrowing struggle to come to terms with the guilt associated with her particular survival captivated Mark, elevating the project beyond storytelling into an exploration of the human condition. The story after all was about 'Loss... and the journey of grieving for that loss in an environment that is unfamiliar to you'. Understanding the need for stories like this to be told, Mark was honoured to be a part of it. He finds the story important on a human level because it doesn't just highlight the journey of grief into some level or form of acceptance, but it also portrays a very difficult story of one refugee. Mark added that a lot of people in the 70s in the UK alone would not have known about the Vietnamese refugees that came to their shores, let alone the fact that not everyone made it. To Mark, short films are important: for filmmakers to be able to practice their craft, for wider stories to be told and for filmmaking to be accessible. He appreciates the support rental houses give towards it, providing a healthier industry for all. Mark has a small circle he works with and working on this film, the crew knew after the first few shots, that this was a special one and they all seemed proud to have been a part of it too. Lullaby was shot using Shoot Blue's Alexa Mini LF paired with Zeiss Supreme Primes and Black Satin filters, and for efficiency, our 'less clinical' Angenieux Zooms (EZ-1 FF 45-135mm and EZ-2 FF 22-60mm) for the underwater scubacam shots. When shooting the underwater shots (in a tank, in a studio and in rather cold weather), Mark's concentration lay solely on the actor and the story. To come across a cinematographer with such dedication to the story above all else is truly inspiring, and we at Shoot Blue are honoured to support such talent. - Tanya Kuruvilla

Soaking up some March sunshine for a location shoot in the Lincolnshire Wolds today!

All star cast the last two days on @argyllemovie Lit and shot for @208films for @entertainmenttonight . The legend that is @samuelljackson - Who gave us a Pulp Fiction anecdote! The stunningly beautiful @sofisia7 @claudiaschiffer #samrockwell @bryancranston @brycedhoward @johncena @arianadebose @henrycavill All held together and a pleasure to film. One of the finest British film directors. The man. Matthew Vaughn @marv_films . Thanks for having me in always. Thanks to the crew. Thanks to @shootblue @shootbluelighting for flawless film kit and lighting as ever. 🙏🎥