I’m James Melrose, an experienced freelance lighting cameraman covering Teesside and the wider Tees Valley. I provide professional camera operation, location lighting and production support for documentaries, corporate films, branded content, interviews and factual television.
Based in South Shields, I’m within convenient reach of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and locations throughout the Tees Valley. Producers can book me with a complete camera, lighting and sound package or bring me into an established production crew.
Camera and lighting support for Teesside productions
Combining camera operation and lighting within one role provides a practical option for productions that need professional images from a compact crew. This approach works particularly well for corporate interviews, industrial films and documentary-led content.
I regularly provide camera and lighting support for:
- Corporate interviews and customer case studies
- Manufacturing and engineering films
- Construction and infrastructure projects
- Documentary and factual television
- Branded and social media content
- Commercial productions
- Observational sequences and location footage
Depending on the brief, I can operate the camera, light interviews, record location sound and capture supporting footage. For larger shoots, I can work alongside a dedicated sound recordist, camera assistant, second operator or lighting team.
You can explore my wider UK lighting cameraman services or visit my main North East lighting cameraman page.
Sony FX9, FX3, lighting and sound equipment
My principal camera is the Sony FX9, supported by the compact Sony FX3. Together, they provide a flexible setup for interviews, documentary sequences, multicamera productions, gimbal work and commercial content.
Available equipment includes Sony G Master lenses, professional tripods, production monitors, radio microphones and shotgun microphones. I can also provide Aputure LED lighting, soft modifiers and grip equipment for interviews and location filming.
In addition, I can provide insured drone filming when aerial footage would strengthen the production. I hold an A2 Certificate of Competency and carry appropriate commercial drone insurance. All flights remain subject to weather, landowner permission and relevant airspace restrictions.
I tailor the equipment package around each production. Therefore, producers only need to hire the cameras, lighting and sound equipment the job genuinely requires.
My six-seat production vehicle can transport crew and equipment between locations across Teesside and the wider North East.
Filming across Teesside and the Tees Valley
I cover Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham, Redcar, Hartlepool, Yarm and the surrounding Tees Valley. I can also travel to Darlington and more rural locations across the wider area.
The region provides a distinctive mixture of industrial infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, business parks, university buildings, riverside locations and coastline. Locations around the River Tees can offer striking industrial backgrounds, while Redcar and the surrounding coast provide a very different environment for documentary and commercial filming.
Each location presents different practical requirements. An operational industrial site may require inductions, personal protective equipment and a compact camera setup. By comparison, filming beside the coast may demand weather protection, battery power and a lighter package that can move quickly.
My North East base helps visiting producers plan realistic travel times, access and equipment requirements. The North East Screen Film Office can also assist productions looking for regional locations, facilities and production contacts.
Industrial, construction and interview filming
My work includes filming inside active construction, engineering and industrial environments. These shoots require careful preparation because production must often continue around operational teams, machinery and site restrictions.
Before filming, I can discuss inductions, PPE, access, sound conditions and the safest camera footprint. I can then adapt the package so that it captures polished footage without obstructing the people working on site.
My recent industrial work includes long-term construction documentation, interviews and location filming for CRC Evans. This has involved recording the development of a major project while responding to changing site conditions and production milestones.
For interviews, I consider the contributor, background, available space, existing light and surrounding noise. You can see a wider selection of lighting approaches on my Interview Examples page.
Whether the production involves an executive interview, factory process or fast-moving documentary sequence, I aim to create professional images while keeping the filming process efficient and unobtrusive.
Book a lighting cameraman in Teesside
I’m available with or without camera, lighting, sound and drone equipment. I can work independently, join an existing production team or help source additional camera operators, sound recordists, assistants and specialist equipment.
To check availability, send me your filming date, Teesside location, expected deliverables and initial equipment requirements through my contact page.
