MICHAEL BRENNAN
Following a degree course in Illustrative Photography at RMIT Michael Brennan has gained, over a 27 year period, a formidable degree of technical and creative experience at the highest level of broadcast and corporate media in Europe. He returned to Australia in 2009.
He has a long list of World and European technical firsts, including the first owner operator to utilise High Definition video imagery in Europe for both ground and aerial applications.
He is renowned for applying both new ideas and new technology to produce compelling images that educate and communicate.
This is reflected by being asked in 2002 to be editor in chief of specialist trade magazine "High Definition Magazine" a role he still performs until the present day.
His training expertise is proven by creating and conducting bespoke courses as diverse as aerial camera operator training for Metropolitan Police, High Definition technical courses for BBC and the Prague Film school and "Theory of the Moving Image" course for Sony and Disney computer games designers.
With 25 years of creative and innovative experience behind him Michael is still at the forefront of technical and artistic interpretation of contemporary tastes.
In November 2009 he received a Gold award from Australian Cinematographers Society for his aerial work on “HOME”
Aerial Achievements
First to use Cineflex High Definition stabilised camera in Europe.
Certification of the Cineflex for use in Europe.
Michael's technical knowledge of aerial applications is proved by his engagement by Arena Aviation and BBC as an aerial operator and consultant for the launch of their live news helicopter service immediately following the London Bombings in 2007.
Camera operator of the sole helicopter covering the Bunsfield Oil Fire largest fire in Europe since WWII
One week of live aerial filming of the Gloucester floods, the largest floods in recent history.
Designed & commissioned hardware with EASA certification to better utilise camera equipment on helicopters.
Design and operate a full trial of live media helicopter unit for State Broadcaster RTE Ireland.
800 hours of specific aerial filming experience in UK, USA, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil,Germany, Chile Hong Kong, Italy, France, Ireland, Denmark, Mexico, Swaziland, New Zealand, Netherlands & Australia.
Specialist Work
A three year liaison with Controlled Demolition UK to create innovative integration of cameras into, on top of and around multi story buildings prior to their demolition.
In 2008 Michael was contracted by both ITN and the BBC to liaise with explosive experts to film the detonation of a home made liquid explosive in the hulls of a retired passenger jets, to demonstrate the effects of a small "Tang" bomb.
In addition Michael has filmed over 100 high end documentary programs on subjects of human behavior, art and science.
Other Qualifications
Current BOSIET certificates including HUET from NUTEC Rotterdam.
"Introduction to Emergency Management" an EMA approved course.
Trained Volunteer firefighter with CFA.
PPL fixed wing.
Memberships and associations
ACS Australian Cinematographers Association
VSTA Victorian Screen Technicians Association
DCS Digital Cinema Society
EDCF European Digital Cinema Forum (editorial board)
SOC Society of Operating Cameraman
GTC Guild of Television Cameramen
BKSTS British Kinematic Sound and Television Society
ALEA Airborne Law Enforcement Association
This deep and broad range of experience at a world class level, using high technology in innovative ways to both communicate and educate, continues to evolve today through the use DSLR and RED camera at one end of the spectrum and Go Pro cameras at the other.