I got into the film world in a very roundabout way. My last job before jumping into making my first documentary Plastic Shores was as a researcher for a foreign policy think tank. I was their environmental specialist which meant I researched subjects relating to the environment that could have an effect on UK foreign policy (resource scarcity, energy supply, climate change, etc). It was my frustration in having my research largely ignored that made me decide to go into a medium that could engage a wider audience on these important issues.
Although my career is now firmly rooted in the film industry I still hold a deep passion for environment issues. The ocean is a subject very close to my heart and I currently sit on the Junior Committee of the world's largest marine conservation charity Oceana. This charity is one of the most effective I have ever come across and works on a "limited number of strategic, directed campaigns to achieve measurable outcomes that will help return our oceans to former levels of abundance." Their main office in Europe is based in Spain but a Junior Committee, founded by Stephanie Bilet, operates in London.
The main project on the Junior Committee's schedule is a sustainable fashion show showcasing brands who abide by a strong ethical and environmental code. The show is planned for mid-March and will be formally announced in the near future. I won't go into too much detail of the event but one of the partners we are hoping to have on board is Rapanui, a sustainable brand based out of the Isle of Wight. These guys have been doing amazing things for a few years now with everything they make being made from recycled or organic materials, by renewable-power, and with minimal waste. They also like to give something back, as can be seen in their new campaign with Crisis.