I am an award-winning director. Science, survival and adventure are my main areas of specialism. Currently on Aircrash Confidential for Discovery. Recently I have done Japan's Killer Quake and 100 Days In The Gulf on the Deepwater Horizon BP accident, Killer Quake for C4 on Haiti and World's Deadliest Places for Nova (WGBH).
I've also just written a book.
I've worked on Ways To Save The Planet for Discovery presented by Jennifer Languell, Basil Singer and Kevin O'Leary, DIY SOS with Nick Knowles for BBC Bristol and Into Alaska for Travel Channel US hosted by Discovery/Animal Planet Natural History expert Jeff Corwin. Also Top Gear for BBC2 and Into The Bermuda Triangle for National Geographic.
I've had a great deal of hands-on experience with global warming issues, science in general, geomorphology, wildlife and engineering. The other side of the coin is I have a background in showbiz, film and music.
I try to bring something new and compelling to all the subjects I deal with and to make television which is good to look at as well as thought-provoking and informative. I stay calm under pressure and am used to running multiple crews/cameras as well as single units under difficult and sometimes dangerous situations in varied conditions.
I have worked under armed escort and have been shot at on occasion - but they've missed so far. At it again in Haiti recently with armed guards in tow which proved to be essential.
I've been filming earthquake programmes for ten years (DisasterRUS!) with the occasional diverdsion into things like Engineering Connections with Richard Hammond for BBC 2. Before that I did North American wildlife with Jeff Corwin for Travel Channel US/Discovery HD and a one hour special on Kenyan Lions, also with Jeff for Discovery Channel US.
I did a season for BBC2's Top Gear which was a real buzz and Gadgets & Stuff for Bravo with zoologist Liz Bonnin.
I wrote and directed Massive Speed with Chris Barrie for Discovery on the history of motorbikes and helicopters. Locations included TT course on the Isle of Man and Dutch Air Force in Holland.
I filmed the aftermath of the Pakistan earthquake zone and its impact for Channel 4, and was producer/director for Pioneer for Nat Geo US hi-def series Naked Science on the causes of tsunami and volcanoes also for Celador for BBC2 series No Waste Like Home on eco issues.
Before that I was producer /director of a documentary for National Geographic TV US on the Bermuda Triangle filmed on location in Florida including flying in a WW2 Avenger bomber, and we went as far afield as San Francisco and Vancouver plus i did a second show on surviving extreme weather for the same strand on lightning and tornadoes filmed in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Florida.
I am experienced in single camera factual/interviewing; multi-crew, dramatic reconstructions, outside broadcast and location filming. I have shot on HD, DV-CAM, DSR, Ex-7, Digibeta, 16mm and 35mm.
I always feel really excited about the next challenge/adventure/trip as every project is unique.
Simon Ludgate
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