Degree Illustrative Photography

Highly Experienced HD Documentary & Commercial DP

Cineflex V14 Aerial Cameraman and Aerial Cinematographer

High Definition Consultant, Lecturer & Writer

Michael Brennan is regarded as a innovative and imaginative director of photography.

After studying the highly regarded degree in Illustrative photography at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, he moved into television as a writer and director/cameraman of commercials. On arrival in London he became the ACTT unions' first "video lighting cameraman".

Since then Michael has specialized in video and digital photography working in long form documentaries, drama and corporate fields, amassing a credit list of over 200 hours of programming

In the past 25 years he has introduced new styles and innovative techniques that are still in use today.

The advent of High Definition saw Michael perfectly placed to integrate and develop this new medium in creative and original ways. His initial testing of the f900 HD camera in 2001 was edited by Avid Europe into a HD showreel for NAB, Sony then screened the 35mm transfer at Cannes. Such was its success that thirty 35mm prints have been distributed around the world to facility companies and other organizations interested in an impartial test.

Although he is the first freelance DP in Europe to own a f900 cinealta HDCAM camera he is actively exploring other formats and systems. He shot a Fanta commercial for Coca Cola using a new model of a super digital slo motion camera he first used a decade ago and then frequently uses the Viper camera for Philips TV commercials.

His feature credits include the US European co-production, full length action feature High Speed, the first US action feature shot on HD, 2nd unit DP on HD feature, Joyrider a Classic Films production and Rabbit on the Moon a UK Mexican co production.

HD commercials include Turkish airlines, Irish Tourist Board, Nigerian Bank and Qatar Airlines. His 3D work includes The Mission, a 3D production for a US museum. His aerial portfolio includes work for Sony Playstation BBC, ITV, ITN, Discovery Channel Channel 4 as well as Irish Tourist board, French aerial projects include Boomerang and Earth from Above. He was first to use the Cineflex High Definition stabilised aerial gimbal in Europe in 2003 and is one of Europe's most experienced V14 DP/operators.

Michael was invited to speak at IBC "Meet the Cinematographer" and was keynote speaker at the Broadcast HD conference in 2003 and invited to speak at Edinburgh Festival and the HD master class of the 2003 and 2004 Production Shows.

He has conducted various HD master classes at BBC where he is the first "HD" DP recognised as such. He designed and conducted a week long HD master class at the Prague Film School.

In May 2003 Michael joined the editorial board of European Digital Cinema Forum's, Digital Film Production Handbook as well as contributing a chapter.

Many equipment manufacturers respect Michael's comments and views which extend to all areas of production and distribution. HD24.com is renowned world-wide as a valuable independent reference source.

His growing HD library, Clip HD, has been used by Touchstone Pictures, Discovery Channel BBC ITV US production houses and stock footage libraries.

His work as a consultant includes Americas Cup organisers and UK companies developing software on behalf of for Microsoft and Apple Computers and leading computer games designers.

Since 2003 he has been editor of High Definition Magazine, Europe's specialist bimonthly HD publication.

2007 saw Michael begin an exciting programme of illustrated two day lectures entitled Cinematography for Digital Artists, clients include Disney, Sony, Climax and Blitz games houses.

"The prospect of exploring new genres in cinema and broadcasting is exciting as it is daunting. Daunting because the truly new avenues for HD are those controlled by distributors, studios and large media companies.

I have ideas on how this new technology can be used to make feature films that are new and take us a step forward in the development of cinema. Let's face it, not much has changed in the cinema in the past 100 years. Cinema copied the theatrical experience. Television copied the cinema experience.

HD vs 35mm. They are quite different, but a HD image becomes film once it is laser scanned (recorded) to negative then printed. The HD transfer has a slightly different look, it doesn't quite have the range of colours or tones, which is frankly not less issue for an audience than the colourist, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't demand higher quality in future HD systems.

What HD offers is the opportunity for a new approach to how features are created and produced. Use of stabilsied HD cameras, 3D and miniature cameras is of particular technical interest.

Possibly more opportunities for producers and directors then, than DPs!"

Michael is available as DP, aerial cameraman, aerial HD camera operator and HD consultant. He has a close relationship with HD manufacturers and rental companies worldwide.

He holds Australian and British/EU passports and is an active member of BKSTS, GBTC, BECTU and SOC.