Rob Hill – Underwater Camera Operator

About Me

I am a UK based underwater camera operator working in features, drama, commercials and natural history. I enjoy working as part of a creative team in the studio or on location and regularly travel to worldwide shoot locations. I also support other operators shooting second camera or as a focus puller.

As a HSE qualified rebreather diver with over 20 years diving experience and having spent most of my career on or under the water, I have developed a fine-tuned skill set when working in these environments. With the diving process coming as second nature, it allows me to focus on achieving the best shot possible.

Recent Projects Include:

Narrative:
Levon’s Trade – Amazon (2025)
The Gorge – Skydance / Apple TV (2024)
After the Flood – ITV/ Quay Street Productions (2024)
Red, White & Royal Blue – Amazon (2023)

Commercials:
Nike // Breath – Shoot Europe
Toyota // Let’s Go Beyond – Rogue Films
Speedo // Swim United – W Communications
Nestlé // Paralympic Campaign – Nestlé Content Studio
Visa // Olympic Campaign – Something Inc.

Contact:

Phone : +447799 653 071
Email : mail@rob-hill.co.uk

Visit my IMDb Pro Profile

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Underwater Filming

I work on a wide range of productions including features, dramas, commercials, natural history and documentaries. The common theme is always the water!

I believe working in different sectors of the industry allows me to stay fresh and up to date with new equipment and techniques for achieving stylistic shots, a lot of which are transferable.

Experience shooting in natural environments – our oceans, lakes and rivers as well as in underwater studios and swimming pools. Collaborating closely with all departments and artists to meet the creative brief.

I work alongside marine coordinators in the pre-production phase to help setup the shoot from the outset, this ensures everyone gets the most out of it without compromising safety.

I have shot HDRI and provided underwater VFX data wrangling for features shooting in studios on green and blue screen.

Camera systems I shoot with;

– Arri Alexa Mini/ Mini LF/ Alexa 35
– Sony Venice 1 & 2
– RED DSMC3, DSMC2 & Komdo
– Z Cam E2 series
– Sony A7 series, FX3, FS7 & FX9
– Panasonic S1H, GH5/S & EVA1
– Phantom Veo & Flex (high speed)
– 360 VR (underwater & topside)

I have access to a range of underwater camera systems, each shoot requires a different setup and this allows me to stay flexible and work to the needs of the production.

Please get in touch to discuss your shoot and for more relevant examples of projects I have worked on.

Diving Experience

Diving for over 20 years in the UK and around the world has enabled me to be comfortable and confident in the use and maintenance of rebreathers, twinsets and single rigs as well as the use of full face masks and audio recorders.

Qualifications:

– HSE Professional SCUBA (Part 4)
– HSE First Aid at Work, O2 Admin & AED
– Rebreather Diver and Owner – JJ-CCR & AP Evo+
– Recreational Trimix Diver
– Experienced in a wide range of environments including ice, wrecks & open ocean
– Diving Supervisor on a range of shoots
– Full face masks, diver comms & audio recording

1st AC / Focus Pulling

I have been an underwater 1st AC and focus puller since 2016. In that time I have worked on a wide variety of feature films, dramas, commercials and music videos.

I am competant in the preparation and maintenance of underwater camera housings having worked with them extensively in the field and with an underwater camera rental company. I regularly work with Gates, Nauticam, Scubacam, Aquatica and custom built housings.

Recent credits include:

Features – No Time to Die, Fantastic Beasts, Dungeons & Dragons, Marvel Eternals & No Way Up.

Drama – Sex Education, Willow, Britannia, Cobra 2 & The Rising

Music Videos – Arlo Parks, Callum Scott & Take That World Tour

Natural History & Topside

I have operated and assisted on a range of natural history and documentary shoots around the world. Experienced in sequence work with a range of cetaceans in open ocean.

Recent shoots: BBC – The Americas (2024), Apple TV+ – Earthsound (2024) & Netflix – Our Universe (2023).

Aerial Filming

I have held a CAA Operation Authorisation since 2017 having logged over 100 hours of flying for TV & commercials. All of my aerial filming is covered by comprehensive liability and aviation insurance. I hold a GVC and A2CofC certificate.

Experienced in flying from a range of platforms especially boats. Subject tracking and close proximity flying whilst working under local permits.

Topside & Grip Systems

Experienced with the use of gimbals (Ronin 2 & Movi), sliders, motion control timelapse & mini Jibs/crane setups.

I have spent a lot of time rigging grip in boats and around the water as well as skippering camera boats.

DIT & data wrangler on location using Shotput Pro.

Polecam & Tow Cam

I’ve setup and operated various custom polecam and tow cam systems for filming animal behaviour. This includes high speed polecam work.

Each system requires an element of adaptation on location which is a process I enjoy working through.

Working from hard boat & RIBs often alongside in-water work.