Neil takes initiative, and completes the basic goals while looking for those beautiful shots only he brings back.  As producer of an adventure and wilderness TV show for over ten years, the camera operators who excel are few and far between.  It's too easy to get the safe shot, and yet Neil communicates well to set the stage and executes the difficult shots. He comes back with a more nuanced story line and the elegant and artistic moments that bring a final edit from mundane to sensational.  I have worked with Neil from the Kalahari desert to the Colorado mountains and seen maintain his equipment from 100 degree heat to -20F cold while in a good humor. His up-before-dawn and late night time lapses are the most dramatic elements in our show's history.  He collaborated with me to design a hero style show opener that utilized slow motion footage.  His quad-copter or "drone" flying footage was the first in our show's history, and still the most interesting!

Neil Cowley is beyond talented. He’s a self-starter, a self-generator, and selfless with his wonderful, creative ideas. He’s always striving to bring his readers beyond the obvious elements of the story.

As a field producer/director, I have worked with Neil for 4 years and on each production he has been a key member of the team. Neil has a comprehensive understanding of camera equipment, lighting and cinematography. I can rely on Neil to creatively capture the image I have for each shot. With a ever cheerful attitude Neil inspires the whole crew to be more creative and makes each shoot a fun atmosphere. I highly recommend Neil as a go to Videographer in any circumstance. Whether you have a highly controlled set or you are capturing fast ever changing action Neil is a great hire for your next production.

Neil designed our first website and would always lovingly add his expert eye to our mailing and publications.  He always took the time to help me learn what he was seeing, or how it would help communications rather than just show me he could do it better.  Neil was there to do strategic thinking, branding and opportunity identification.  He partnered with me in reaching donors as effectively as consumers, and helped me communicate those emotional cues that are the motivation for donating just like purchasing.  Neil was also able to utilize common print formats to allow us to give away print pieces and mail effective communications that had a cohesive style and message on our minuscule budget.

I was very hesitant to spend on getting Neil to Uganda for the purpose of making video:  how could he do better than a team with college degrees?  But he did - piece was the first successful 3min video that shows what we do, and the people of Uganda in their natural state without overt or manipulative 'tone'.  These video pieces helped introduce me to fundraising audiences as I was invited to speak in schools and churches across the country raising thousands of dollars and impacting tens of thousands of individuals in Uganda.

full project

I have worked with Neil for 4 years on 12 different shows.  Each time I log and watch through his footage he brings a creative eye to the production. Neil is a consummate professional that is calm, works at whatever pace fits the set, and captures the shots that shine. I really like working with Neil and would recommend him for your production team.