AWARDS - WINNERS & NOMINATIONS

Glasshouse Media - ‘BOPPER AND ME’

CINEMATOGRAPHER & SOUND (USA & UK locations)

I shot our hero, other contributors, and a lot of Winter Dance Party rock 'n' roll live action at the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. I filmed in a Beechcraft Bonanza airplane, recreating the fateful flight, The Day the Music Died. I filmed numerous interviews and setups in the USA and the UK, including a MIV with Sir Tim Rice.

Feature Film Documentary: about one man’s quest to get his hero inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to playing to a full house every time it is screened in Clear Lake, it also had to be moved to a larger cinema in the Tyneside Multiplex when it had its Dock' n 'Roll showing in Newcastle.

Award:

1, Iowa Independent Film Festival - Critics' Choice 2023.

http://www.ianmccann.com/news

Netflix / Fulwell 73 - ‘SUNDERLAND ‘TIL I DIE’ (series 1 & 2)

DOCUMENTARY CAMERAMAN

I provided all camera equipment for filming the Vox Pops interviews. I worked with top Sound Recordist, Chris Corner. For the on-pitch shoots, I worked with camera equipment provided by production.

Documentary series: worldwide release, about Sunderland Football Club.

Award:

1, National Reality TV Award - Nominated 2019.

OTHER CREDITS

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘SEAGRASS & OYSTERS’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP)

I spent two days with ARD's Author and Mathew Birch, one of my go-to Sound Recordists, filming MIVs, Vox Pops IVs, and lots of live-action B-roll footage, including glorious seascapes in this idyllic, fabulously inspiring, and evocative location. I supplied all the camera and lighting equipment, and booked Mathew.

Documentary: about a Scottish community restoring their Sea Loch’s ecosystem after years of destructive dredging.

Glasshouse Media - ‘SHANE’

CINEMATOGRAPHER & SOUND

I supplied all camera and audio equipment and undertook all filming and sound recording for this film over more than a year, working at various interior and exterior locations, including Holm House Prison, Stockton on Tees, and Holy Trinity Brompton Church, London.

Feature Film Documentary: The story about one of the UK's 6 most dangerous prisoners.

https://youtu.be/0xV8UriX6AE

Sea and Sky Pictures - 'NOT THE END OF THE LINE'

CINEMATOGRAPHER & DRONE OP

After a location Recce day, and several days testing cameras, classic cine prime lenses, and various filters, looking for a particular period look, I lit and shot day and night scenes around the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, in the fabulous Yorkshire Dales.

I used my drone to film the opening shot, establishing the location, and as it descended, capturing a steam train leaving the station, and revealing/introducing our heroes as they walked into the station.

I used a powerful haze machine to provide steam as required, and greenscreens seen through the carriage windows for some of the scenes.

We also had a "studio" shoot using a set, built off-site, representing a railway carriage compartment. Again, I used greenscreen techniques, albeit there was not really enough space to rig and evenly light the chromakey screen.

Our film is a documentary, a period drama, and a comedy (a first for me). Not the End of the Line celebrates the 200th anniversary (27/09/2025) of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first steam-powered railway, and tells the story of its inception. This short film is part of a much larger multimedia production and will be broadcast on YouTube and other digital platforms.

Several scenes tip their hats to famous railway-related scenes in well-loved movies, including: Brief Encounter, North by Northwest, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Railway Children, Oh Mr Porter, and Murder on the Orient Express.

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘DEATH AFTER ANESTHESIA’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & DRONE OP

First order of the day: film establishing drone shots, so the German audience gains a sense of where our contributor lives and works, followed by shooting a setup/intro sequence filmed on the bridge overlooking the harbour. Next, we filmed an interview while driving through the town. After lunch, I set up for the main interview in the contributor's home. My key light was my Aputure 600D Pro, to balance the summer light through the window. I fitted it with a 60x90 softbox modifier for window-shaped catch lights. I used two matched cameras. I mounted one on a track and dolly with a 35mm prime lens, and the other was on a fixed tripod with a 60 mm lens. Finally, I shot numerous B-roll cutaways, outside the house and in his office.

Documentary style piece: about the use of general anesthetics in dental general practice, which was banned in the UK in 2007 and may soon be banned in Germany.

Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM) - 'BEAUTY FOR ASHES'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I lit, filmed with 2 matched 4K cameras, and captured the sound using an overhead boom mic and a hidden lavalier on a wireless system. I supplied all the equipment.

Contribution to a documentary: Commissioned by Director Graeme Spencer, of Cloak Productions, to film a 2-camera MIV with Ayaan Hirsi Ali, in Oxford, for inclusion in a documentary being produced in Israel.

https://youtu.be/sgjT4FqZ1sM?si=hPOQb68SS72Z4o3j

TF1 (French National Broadcaster) - 'IBRAHIMA KONATÉ'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

As requested, I supplied 2 cameras, all lighting, and audio equipment. A third camera for the MIV was brought by a colleague who came to help shoot the MIV. First, I filmed an in-car IV as Ibrahima drove to training. Then the Producer and I went to Anfield to film some Vox Pops and B-roll. After that, we went to assess the room suggested for the MIV. It was acceptable. So, I planned the lighting and camera positions. My colleague started to set up while the Producer and I went to film at The Anfield Wrap, a local podcast studio specialising in Liverpool FC news discussions. Finally, we returned to the hotel to complete the setup for the MIV. Ibrahima arrived somewhat late, with friends. So we positioned them out of sight so as not to catch Ibrahima's eye. And action! My French is a little too limited to follow everything said, but as always, Ibrahima was interesting, entertaining, and engaging on camera with lots of smiles and energy. The Producer was very happy.

Sports news doc style feature for TF1's Telefoot show, about the Paris-born Liverpool F.C. player, 2024.

https://youtu.be/3iCojvTDDVs?si=Qx5ihBtchhhPrRTA

Netflix / Woodcut Media - 'MURDER IN THE RED LIGHT’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I supplied all equipment, lit, filmed, and recorded sound for silhouette MIVs with several sex workers. Then I shot B-roll footage. All filming took place in a Manchester "massage" parlour.

Documentary: about murder, prostitution, sex workers, and brothels.

TF1 (French National Broadcaster) - 'IBRAHIMA KONATÉ'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

TF1 has long been a regular client. I handle many of their northern UK assignments. So when they needed to film a sit-down MIV with a Paris-born Liverpool defender, I was commissioned. I provided 2 cameras, and they unexpectedly brought a 3rd camera and tripod from France. I lit and we shot the interview in a spacious function room, which was almost perfectly quiet, after I killed a few bar refrigerators. 3 cameras mean at least 3 backgrounds, so I went to considerable trouble to manage a complex lighting rig. I made adjustments to the supplied camera's settings, so its pictures matched those of my cameras.

Sports news feature: about the Liverpool F.C. player, 2022.

Smithsonian Channel / Woodcut Media - ‘COMBAT SHIPS 4'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I supplied all the equipment and filmed a long, fascinating interview with a retired US Navy aircraft carrier crew member. I also recorded the sound.

Documentary: about aircraft carriers.

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘NORDSTREAM'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP)

I supplied 2 matched cameras with all support. I filmed interviews on the contributor's yacht. My Sound Recordist was on the dock, as the boat was so small. He captured and recorded the audio directly, using radio mics, and sent audio feeds to the cameras wirelessly. After the MIV, I shot setup shots, establishers, and other b-roll around the marina and town.

Documentary: about the subsea explosion on the Nordstream pipeline.

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘HEADERLESS FOOTBALL’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP)

Working with a Sound Recordist and my camera equipment, I filmed a football match being played by retired professionals. I also filmed pre- and post-match MIVs with Dr Judith Gates and players, and Vox Pops IVs with fans.

Documentary: featuring a match at Spennymoor Town, conceived to show how 11-a-side football works with heading restrictions might be, and continue an "ongoing conversation about the safety of players." Professor Willie Stewart from Glasgow University published research showing that footballers are up to five times more likely to suffer from dementia than the general population. The match, organised by charity Head for Change, only allowed heading in the penalty box for the first half and then banned all heading during the second half. Co-founder Dr Judith Gates said they wanted the match "to raise awareness of the dangers of heading". She also said it would be a "legacy" for her husband, retired Middlesbrough defender Bill Gates, who has a neurodegenerative condition. Bill was invited to kick off the match.

YouTube / Franklin Pictures / Mirage Prdns - ‘UP THE TOWN’

GAFFER

DOP - Dave Prevatt (USA)

Working with Dave and a Cameraman from the USA, I lit the 3 MIVs at Huddersfield Town's stadium and training centre, and I supplied all the lighting equipment ordered by the DOP.

Documentary about Huddersfield Town football club for the new American owner., Kevin Nagle.

TF1 (French National Broadcaster) - 'CRISTIANO RONALDO'

LIGHTING CAMERAMAN & SOUND

My producer flew in from Paris with a very special guest. I filmed Vox Pops and B-roll GVs outside Old Trafford, which was very busy with fans enjoying the news and the sunshine. Then we fed my footage to Paris from the back of my car, using a LiveU unit. It was not a match day, so we did not have to drive miles to get a strong signal.

Sports news feature: about Manchester Utd. player, 2021.

ITN / Channel 4 News - 'NEWCASTLE UNITED - CARABAO CUP TROPHY PARADE'

NEWS CAMERAMAN & SOUND

I supplied all the camera and sound equipment. Location 1: filming B-roll of the crowd having a great time outside St James Park, as-live PTCs, and Vox Pops IVs. Location 2: Town Moor, I filmed B-roll of the crowd, and live PTCs, all fed to the studio by a satellite truck.

Sports feature: about the celebrations after a 70-year-long trophy dry spell at Newcastle.

TF1 (French National Broadcaster) - 'MANCHESTER CITY - THE TREBLE'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I was tasked to film the Man City fans enjoying their team playing Inter Milan in Istanbul. The venue was a fan zone at Mayfield Depot, a Victorian freight facility deep under Manchester's railway. The match was a big deal. Thousands of fans were determined that their team would beat Inter Milan, win the Champions League, and the Treble, and they would enjoy a famous "I was there" night and celebration of what they hoped would be a historic victory. The event management put me on a scaffold, which offered panoramic views of the crowd and the huge screens, but this was only suitable for big establishing shots. I really needed to see faces, passion, despair, excitement, so I quickly grabbed all the wides, then descended for the all-important, in-your-face, wow pics. I captured the reactions that conveyed the passion and excitement when, eventually, the only goal of the match was scored and secured victory for City. I worked alone, shooting pictures and capturing audio. I supplied all the equipment.

Contribution to a documentary-style piece: about Man City's spectacular 2023 season.

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘WORLD CYCLING’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP)

I shot a 2-camera Master interview with Brian Cookson OBE, retired President of the Union Cycliste Internationale, UCI, at the National Cycling Centre's velodrome in Manchester. I supplied all the camera and lighting equipment. I booked Mathew Birch to handle the sound recording, which is always a good call.

Sports Feature documentary: about the history and future of world cycling.

Blue Fin Films - ‘BT SPORT PUB CUP’

LIGHTING CAMERAMAN & SOUND

I filmed the Commentator narrating the play from the press box, on-pitch action, pitchside MIVs, and all sorts of B-roll.

Documentary style: football tournament shoot (multi-camera factual).

Football Association (FA) / Over Exposed TV - 'PRESS CONFERENCES'

LIGHTING CAMERAMAN & SOUND

I was commissioned to film press conferences at Sunderland and Liverpool football clubs for inclusion in a film being made for the FA. I supplied all the equipment.

Documentary film: for and about the Football Association (FA)

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘WHAT IF THERE WAS NO MORE AIR TRAFFIC’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I supplied all the equipment for filming, a laptop for a Zoom-based interview from Germany, and a camera assistant. Following a style-guide provided in advance, I set up a wide symmetrical shot in the contributor's upper-floor living room, with views of the mountains to the south of Edinburgh seen through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall behind the contributor. As required, I positioned his face in the middle of the wide picture, so with much more than normal headroom. After filming the interview about the worldwide aviation industry and its impact on the global economy and environment, I shot some B-roll, including the contributor making a paper plane, launching it off the balcony, and landing on the lawn below.

Documentary: about aviation, international logistics, the world's economy, and the environment.

Oxford Digital Media - ‘RECIPROCAL READING’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I booked. Mike Palfriman, a very experienced Lighting Cameraman as my second Camera Operator, and Martin Ellis, one of the most experienced and skilled Sound Recordists in the region. Over 2 days, we lit and filmed a variety of MIVs, with teachers and children, both one on one and in group situations, and plenty of B-roll in Class and around the school.

Documentary style: film demonstrating and explaining the advantages of reciprocal reading techniques.

ARD (German National Broadcaster) - ‘YARD ACT’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP)

I filmed a MIV with all 4 band members in a group, in a Leeds venue. Then we filmed setup and other B-roll of them on the mean streets nearby. Martin Ellis, one of a select group of my go-to Sound Recordists, handled the sound recording work brilliantly.

Music feature piece: about the Leeds-based band, Yard Act.

Dave Roberts Media - ‘Sergio Aquaro Sculpture’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I was commissioned to film the unveiling of the Sergio Aguera statue outside Manchester City's Etihad Stadium..

Contribution to a documentary about the man and his career.

Dave Roberts Media - ‘Man City 10 Years On’

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

I was commissioned to film the fans, Manager, and Players from that legendary night when Sergio Aguero scored the winning goal with the last kick of the game, securing Man City's first Premier League title, and taking the title away from arch-rival Man United.

Contribution to a documentary about the big day.

Building The Legend - 'BUILDING THE LEGEND (PART 1)’

FILMMAKER, DIRECTOR, DOP, SOUND & EDITOR

I created this film in a mixed style, contemporary but with a 60s vibe, as the subject is a 20th-century project, but recreating an iconic 1960s car.

A documentary style film: celebrating the recreation of the legendary 1960s Jaguar XJ13 Le Mans racing car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w02XIcX7g1Q&t=4s

Building The Legend - 'SHAKEDOWN AT CURBOROUGH'

FILMMAKER, DIRECTOR, DOP, SOUND & EDITOR

I shot, edited, and graded the film to give it a 1960s period, 8mm film LOOK, wobbly handheld shots, reduced contrast, muted colours, and a faded old film vibe.

A passion piece film: about Neville Swales taking his masterpiece Jagual XJ13 recreation on a shakedown test drive around the Curbolough Sprint Circuit, and having some fun with old mates from back in the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I8S0omb3AY&t=317s

Economist Film Unit - ‘CULTURE WARS - TWO TRIBES'

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY (DOP) & SOUND

Documentary about the increasing polarisation of societies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71djyj4R_GU&rco=1

'IAN McCANN’S CLASSIC CAR PORTRAITS (INTERNATIONAL)’

FILMMAKER, DIRECTOR, DOP, PHOTOGRAPHER, SOUND & EDITOR

Using a set of high-resolution classic car portraits, I animated a very brief film together with some uber-cool music, then edited a 2nd scene, using BTS pictures shot by my daughter, who is such an artistic young woman.

A short documentary-style film: to introduce my car photography service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4wQsvFbZJw

TVA - 'THE MAGIC OF THE ARTS'

FILMMAKER, DOP & EDITOR

I was commissioned to make this commercial using TVA's image library assets, which I animated using Adobe After Effects.

Teaser Film about TVA's work.

https://vimeo.com/215693607

TVA - 'MAKING AN IMPACT'

FILMMAKER, DOP, SOUND & EDITOR

I was commissioned to shoot interviews to structure the short film and to use images from TVA's digital image library for the B-roll, which I animated using Adobe After Effects.

Teaser film about TVA's work.

https://vimeo.com/215693459

TVA - 'THE ART OF CHANGING LIVES'

FILMMAKER, DOP, SOUND & EDITOR

I lit and shot the interviews with key TVA people and used TVA's image library for the B-roll material, which looks amazing, especially after I animated it in Adobe After Effects.

Corporate Image Film

https://vimeo.com/215691130?from=outro-local

Johnson Controls / Electro Media AV - 'FIRE TEST'

COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER & PHOTO EDITOR

I was commissioned to shoot high-resolution documentary-style and BTS photographs of a 3-camera crew filming airport firefighters testing a new extinguisher foam on an aircraft fire, at Teesside Airport's International Fire Training Centre. I used my 50 megapixel Canon 5Ds and L series zoom lenses, which were perfect for a rapid-fire shoot such as this. Each of the two planned tests was expected to last no longer than a few short minutes. So, I worked handheld. As I was photographing a film crew, I had to shoot without fill-in flash.

Documentary-style photography of an aircraft fire being extinguished using a new fire-extinguishing foam being launched by Johnson Controls. I also captured BTS shots of the film crew shooting a promo.