“The wider response by the SC team to the various challenges we’ve had, in just the short time I’ve been out here, has been comprehensive, professional and proportional – in a way I’ve not experienced on other jobs recently.
Be proud of your team – they’re an excellent bunch!”
WILL, SENIOR ENGINEER, NEP
“I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you. A massive thank you. Not just for PNG, which was a monumental task but for the whole series. I know it’s been tough at times but I couldn’t be more grateful to have worked with you across it. It’s taught me a hell of a lot and I know that we’d absolutely not have been half as successful if you weren’t involved in the shoots or the planning.
Every bit of your time has been incredibly valuable to me and Nutopia, so thank you. And finally, your team and your staffing model, is second to none. Every time someone has not been available, the next person in line delivers in every sense and becomes someone that we want to work with again. It’s incredibly rare to have that.”
TOM CARLING, SERIES PRODUCER: POLE TO POLE, NUTOPIA FOR NAT GEO/ DISNEY+
“I can’t recommend Secret Compass enough. They have managed multiple shoots for me at the ‘Critical Risk’ level. I can honestly say that the planning and preparation that they put in place is brilliant. And when things don’t go to plan, they are there with solutions and options to help you out. Productions often fear having security/medical persons with them on the ground, the people Secret Compass provide have always fitted seamlessly into our team. It’s great knowing they have my back.”
JOSH BAKER, 2 X EMMY NOMINATED FILMMAKER AND JOURNALIST
“After working as a documentary cameraman and photographer for 25 years in some of the most remote places in the world, I was delighted with the knowledgeable service and excellent support from the team at Secret Compass for my latest expedition to the Sudan. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure!”
ROGER CHAPMAN, DOCUMENTARY CAMERAMAN
“For the last 18 months we have been working with Secret Compass on the development, planning and execution of Walking the Nile. In all their responsibilities Secret Compass excelled. Their dedication and professionalism was of the highest order throughout, delivering a rare combination of efficiency and rigour. Their fast responses were clearly thought out and comprehensive. Throughout an expedition where civil war, political hostility and severe weather conditions provided constant challenges, they met each challenge with expertise and good humour – another rare combination. I recommend them without equivocation. We will use them again.”
ADAM BULLMORE, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, WALKING THE NILE FOR CHANNEL 4
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“Secret Compass were instrumental in organising access, permits and security in South Sudan. They were excellent at securing the myriad authorisations we needed from the government, the military, the press office, national security and regional governorates. It’s not an easy task and they were very good at it, on the ground and ably backed up by in the UK.
Secret Compass were excellent at giving an overview of the security situation there too with very good contacts within NGOs, the UN, local journalists and workers and the military. Their country security analysis was second to none and allowed us to present a solid case with the broadcaster for us to go in as safely as possible, in full knowledge of the risks or potential risks therein.
Tom McShane was alert and dynamic on location from this point of view too and as the man in ultimate charge of our security. Filming an observational film about a guy walking along the river means that we want to film huge swathes of the country, in some arguably unfriendly locations, but it all went off without incident. All in all it was an extremely demanding, tough shoot ably helped by a great bunch of guys who know and care about what they’re doing. I’d take them anywhere.”
ROGER CHAPMAN, DOCUMENTARY CAMERAMAN
“I worked hand in hand with Secret Compass. They’re the best professionals in the business.”
SCOTT MADDEN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, HIGH NOON ENTERTAINMENT, FOR DISCOVERY
” The Secret Compass team engaged fully with the story we were trying to tell as part of a landmark natural history series in South Sudan and Uzbekistan. They helped to forge instrumental links with the local people to give us unprecedented access, far more than we expected.
They provided invaluable logistic and high-risk assessment services in facilitating our filming and showed a fantastic understanding of the cultural, logistical, risk analysis, financial and editorial requirements of the shoot. Our crew were very well looked after and made as comfortable as possible in a difficult environment. All aspects of the shoots were arranged impeccably and the shoot’s success is owed almost entirely to Secret Compass and we will certainly be employing their services again on shoots in the future.”
JOSH PITT, PRODUCER, PASSION PLANET FOR NAT GEO
