Abi Thomas
Camerawoman and Drone Pilot
In November 2024 I had the absolute privilege of going onto BBC Breakfast to share my experience filming the stunning tiger sequences for the BBC Asia series and discuss the incredible stories behind the footage I captured. As a drone pilot and wildlife filmmaker, I was thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking series, which highlights the breathtaking beauty and diversity of Asia’s wildlife. My work focused on capturing intimate, never-before-seen views of tigers in their natural habitat using cutting-edge drone technology. It was a challenging but deeply rewarding experience, involving dense jungles, unpredictable conditions, and a commitment to ensuring the animals were undisturbed. During the interview, I talked about the innovative filming techniques that brought these sequences to life, the technical and environmental hurdles I overcame, and the importance of showcasing Asia’s wildlife to inspire conservation efforts. It was an honor to promote the BBC Asia series and share the magic of these moments with viewers.
BBC Breakfast
Wildscreen Cinematography Masterclass: Drones
In 2024 I was lucky enough to be part of the Wildscreen Drone Panel, where we delved into the fascinating world of drone cinematography. This masterclass brought together industry professionals to discuss the unique skills and techniques that have made drones an indispensable tool in modern filmmaking.During the panel, I shared insights from my experiences as a drone pilot, including behind-the-scenes details of filming the spectacular tiger sequence for the BBC Asia series. I explained how we used drones to capture breathtaking, intimate aerial shots while ensuring minimal disturbance to their natural behaviour. In addition, I discussed the growing role of FPV (First-Person View) drones in natural history filmmaking. These high-performance drones offer unprecedented manoeuvrability, allowing for dynamic, immersive shots that traditional drones can’t achieve. We also explored the broader challenges of filming in dynamic environments, the creative potential of drones in wildlife storytelling, and their advances.
Happy Half Hour Podcast
I recently had the pleasure of featuring on the Happy Half Hour Podcast, where I spoke about my journey into the film and television industry as a freelance camera operator and drone pilot. It was a particularly special conversation for me, as my career actually began at Happy Hour when I worked there as a runner early on.
Returning to the company to record the podcast felt like a real full circle moment. We talked about those early days starting out in the industry, the lessons I learned along the way, and how those experiences helped shape the path that led me to where I am today.
During the episode we also discussed some of the projects I’ve been lucky enough to work on since then, including natural history productions such as Blue Planet, Asia and Planet Earth. It was a great opportunity to share a few behind the scenes insights from filming in the field, as well as talk about the challenges and rewards of working as a freelance camera operator. It was fantastic to return to where my journey began, catch up with the team, and reflect on how far things have come since those early runner days.
Episode 8: https://youtu.be/aia5v0SAMr4?si=NZCv0UdepLPhw676
BBC Radio
I recently appeared on BBC Radio to talk about my journey into wildlife filmmaking and how my career in the industry began. As someone who grew up in Gloucestershire, it was a real privilege to share my story on a regional platform and reflect on how my interest in the natural world eventually led me into film and television.
During the interview, I spoke about how I first started out in the industry, the early steps I took to break into wildlife filmmaking, and the determination it takes to build a career in such a competitive field. We also discussed how growing up in Gloucestershire helped shape my appreciation for nature and storytelling, which continues to influence the work I do today.
It was a great opportunity to highlight the different pathways into the industry and hopefully encourage others from the region who are interested in filmmaking or working with wildlife.
Disgraceful Magazine
I was thrilled when Disgraceful magazine invited me to share my story in an exclusive interview back in 2021. It gave me the perfect opportunity to reflect on my journey into the television industry, from discovering my passion for filmmaking at university to thriving as a Technical Assistant and Drone Pilot.
In the interview, I talked about my time at the BBC working on Countryfile, my love for capturing nature’s beauty through innovative drone techniques, and my goal of working on groundbreaking nature documentaries like Planet Earth and A Life On Our Planet.
I also opened up about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, the icons who’ve inspired me, and my current adventure learning FPV drone flying.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fba9wfHsYwt5-q07NfcrhvLpRQMNNa4z/view?usp=drive_link