WATCH: Captain Kirk lands a BAFTA for drone-flying skills and thanks cast member sheep by name
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A drone pilot who has brought a film BAFTA to Aviemore attempted to thank every cast member by name – even though they were a huge herd of sheep!
“They were the real stars, so thanks to Barbara, Brambles, Margaret, Aretha – she’s got a great bleat! – and Patricia, and Lisa.”
But Kirk Watson, who runs Perfect View Productions Ltd, had no fear of falling asleep in his acceptance speech. He was naming them, not numbering them.
And anyway he was far too thrilled by the film’s success.
The Great Mountain Sheep Gather, directed by Johnny Shipley of Windfall Films, was announced as the BAFTA choice at the weekend and Kirk Watson Films duly posted: “Just won a BAFTA as part of the drone team for our cinematography on The Great Mountain Sheep Gather.
“Thanks to Johnny of Windfall Films, the director behind this, for pulling together many amazing drone pilots to shoot this and the whole idea behind it.
“I got my longest single shot with no cuts that I’ve ever had on TV.”
Mr Watson told the Strathy that the biggest personal thrill was that achievement, registering by far his longest ever uncut footage in several years of licensed drone photography.
He said: “It ran to seven minutes and 30 seconds – and worked, it held the viewer despite all the challenges of maintaining the action smoothly and without the film sagging, and becoming boring.
“I was really pleased that it worked, it was special.”
And challenges there were, filming on Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak at 978 metres. It held no fears for the former mountain instructor, who relocated from his Aberdeenshire roots to Aviemore some 21 years ago.
In that time he has seen plenty of higher peaks than the Lake District, especially after choosing to specialise in drone cinematography and film-making.
“I travel worldwide with the company offering professional, CAA approved services. We have had our own films in Edinburgh, Dundee, Fort William, Dundee, Aviemore, Kendal, Hobart and Antarctica film festivals.
Mr Watson has worked with ITV, BBC, National Geographic, NHK Japan, BBC ALBA, Discovery Channel and on several feature films.
Find out more about Perfect View Productions Ltd's work and view stunning footage from across the globe here
