INKA CRESSWELL
FILMMAKER I MARINE BIOLOGIST I PHOTOGRAPHER
INKA CRESSWELL
M.A. Wildlife Filmmaking • B.Sc. Marine Biology • Camera operator • Photographer
WORK EXPERIENCE
Assistant Producer
'OUR OCEANS' FOR NETFLIX, WILD SPACE PRODUCTIONS
June 2023 - Present
Bristol, UK
Researcher
'OUR OCEANS' FOR NETFLIX, WILD SPACE PRODUCTIONS
October 2019 - June 2023
Bristol, UK
Ocean Advocacy
FREELANCE
2016 - Present
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Keynote speaker at Ocean Heroes Bootcamp
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Panellist / Speaker at Ultramarine summit, Sea7 seminar series, Wildscreen, Blue Earth Summit and Jackson Wild.
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Host for World Ocean day for Schools reaching over 32K students in 26 countries
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Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society
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Oceans topic leads for the intersectional environmentalist and author of several articles on ocean health, conservation filmmaking, and photography - all articles can be found on my website.
Wildlife Photographer
FREELANCE
2016- Present
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Selected as an Adobe Lightroom rising star photographer of 2021
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Judge for several international photography competitions.
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Partner photographer at Girls Who Click where I mentor aspiring young photographers and provide photography workshops for teenagers.
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Produced and filmed a short film / commercial for Panasonic advertising their new camera the S1H
Underwater Camera Operator
OFF THE FENCE FOR BBC 'THE ONE SHOW'
August 2019
Bristol, UK
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Primary Underwater Camera Operator for Eyes on the Seas blue shark episode.
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This shoot was completed free diving using the Panasonic GH5S and Nauticam housing
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This episode aired on BBC2 at 19:00 24/09/19
Self shooting Producer/ Director
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND - MA WILDLIFE FILMMAKING
September 2018- October 2019
Bristol, UK
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Produced a 15 minute student film about marine protected areas and shifting baselines.
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This production was shot in 3 international locations and required extensive underwater and topside filming in remote locations.
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As a part of this student project I completed all research, industry standard risk assessments, developed treatments/ pitches, Created a digital campaign for funding, editing (Adobe Premiere), colour grading (DaVinci), foley / sound recording / track lay (Pro tools), scripting and worked with University of Bristol students to develop a bespoke score.
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During production I acted as Primary underwater and topside camera operator using a variety of tech including Ronan S gimbal, DJI Mavic Drone, Genie motion timelapses, Osmo, Underwater camera housings shooting 4K 10 bit / underwater lighting systems as well as Super 8 Underwater film cameras.
Underwater Photographer & Videographer, Dive Instructor, Social Media Manager
BLUE MARLIN DIVE January 2018 - October 2018
Gili Trawangan, Indonesia
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Open Water PADI Dive Instructor, Digital Underwater Photography Instructor, Dive Against Debris Instructor and Emergency First response Instructor
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Recreational and Technical dive photographer
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Ran Social media accounts and promoted dive events.
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Ran Ocean conservation talks
Photographer, Videographer, Marine Biologist, Diver
THE WATERMEN PROJECT 2016-2018
Revillagigedo Archipelago, Bimini Bahamas
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The watermen Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. I am currently working for the watermen project as a Young Ambassador. During our recent expeditions to Revillagigedo Archipelago and Bimini Bahamas I assisted the team by using my photography and film making skills to capture the research efforts and document the scientific procedures. During our Revillagigedo expedition I also used my training as a marine biologist to process and record biopsy samples and give presentations to participants about shark tourism. This opportunity allowed me to develop my free diving skills and learn first hand about shark tagging procedure.
Spring Scholarship Awardee
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 2016
Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou, China
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1 of 2 students selected to participate in a research project studying the effectiveness of payments for ecosystem services in Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve, China, the habitat of the endangered Guizhou golden monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi). This Project was funded by the National Science Foundation and San Diego State University.
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Assisted in collecting vegetation data such as; biodiversity, canopy cover, GPS, Plot slope, tree diameter, and average tree height. Installed camera traps to monitor Guizhou golden monkey movement and dispersal throughout the reserve.
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Filmed and assisted in editing a short documentary about the field research that can be used as an outreach resource informing the public about the project.
Marine Biology Research Assistant
FISH ECOLOGY LAB, SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY 2015-2016
San Diego, CA
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Assisted in building and deploying parasite traps
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Analysed trap contents using microscopy
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Identified and sorted marine invertebrate and plankton samples.
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Used SCUBA to collect data and prepare traps.
Project Assistant for ‘Great White Shark 3D’ & ‘The Last Reef’
YES/NO PRODUCTIONS 2010-2014
Cancun- Mexico, Gansbaai- South Africa, Los Angeles- USA, & Brighton- UK
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Assisted in location research
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Assisted behind the scenes in set up and sound recording
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Worked on screen during the shooting of the ‘Gardener of Hope’ statue in Piunta Nizuc.
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Documented behind the scenes activities in the form of time logs and behind the scenes photography.
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Worked as a runner assisting in the film shoot and in buying props.
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Took shark identification photos
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Ocean Ambassador
MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY August 2020- Present
UK
The Marine Conservation Society is the UK's leading marine charity working towards a thriving marine environment. Ocean Ambassadors are passionate about our marine environment and want to help make it a better place for both wildlife and for people.
As an active supporter of MCSUK, I am proud to contribute to educational resources available to schools and the general public helping to educate people about our oceans and what can be done to protect our coastlines. I also use my platform to share fantastic marine resources educating the general public and inspiring a new generation of marine conservationists.
Partner Photographer
GIRLS WHO CLICK July 2020 - Present
GLOBAL
Girls Who Click empowers teen girls to enter the male-dominated field of nature photography and use their work to further conservation efforts around the world.
We aim to inspire a new generation of female nature photographers and conservationists through our free nature photography workshops for teen girls.
As a partner photographer, I run free workshops on underwater nature photography/videography and act as a mentor in the Girls Who Click Ambassador mentorship programme providing the girls with insight into the professional world of nature photography, help the girls develop their portfolio and cultivate a supportive community in the photography industry.
Marine Mammal Medic
BRITISH DIVERS MARINE LIFE RESCUE 2015 - Present
Sussex, UK
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Completed lecture and practical courses in effective marine mammal rescue procedure.
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Assessed the state of a marine mammal in need of rescuing and used problem solving skills to create a plan of action for the best rescue procedure.
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Demonstrated leadership and communication skills by organizing and teaching large groups of volunteers to carry out a mammal rescue.
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Practiced using whale pontoons safely and effectively to refloat a stranded Cetacea.
Communicate Film Crew
COMMUNICATE - THE NATURAL HISTORY CONSORTIUM, 2018
Bristol, UK
Wildscreen Film Crew and Volunteer
WILDSCREEN, 2018
Bristol, UK
Expedition Volunteer
OPERATION WALLACEA, Summer 2012
Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
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Conducted and analysed stereo video reef fish surveys
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Carried out manatee surveys where I assisted in the capture of manatees which were then measured, the sex was determined, DNA was collected and blood samples were collected. Manatees were then tagged and released.
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Collected environmental data such as water salinity, temperature, PH and vegetation cover.
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This volunteer experience allowed me to gain field research skills, improve my fish identification skills, gain scientific diving skills and improve my leadership/teamwork skills.
EDUCATION
B.Sc. Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology
San Diego, CA 2012 - 2016
GPA: 3.2, Deans List Spring 2016
DIVING
rEvo Rebreather, HSE Media Diver, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression Procedures, PADI Digital Underwater Photography Instructor, PADI Dive Against Debris Instructor, NAUI AAUS Scientific Diver
PERSONAL SKILLS
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Advanced public speaking: Experience presenting complex information on marine research and digital storytelling in a variety of settings— Public talks, Panel discussions, Academic, high school, middle school and on-camera—at an appropriate level. To find out more about my latest talks please visit the events page.
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Teamwork: All of my work experience has been in a team setting. These experiences have taught me key collaboration, communication and time management skills.
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Leadership: I am proud to be an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, the UK's leading marine charity. A mentor and partner photographer for Girls who Click a non-profit organisation empowering teenage girls, an Ambassador for Girls Who Scuba an organisation that celebrates women in diving and an Ambassador for Fourth Element.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Videography, Digital photography, Underwater photography, Social media applications and algorithms (Instagram 17K+ followers, Twitter 8K+ Facebook, YouTube). Scientific writing, Scientific research, Microsoft programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Microscope work, Laboratory work, sterile technique, SYSTAT and Biostatistics (ANOVA’s, multiple comparisons, T-tests and regressions)
CONTACT ME:
