I studied the BA (Hons) film and Video course at the University of Wales Newport from 2002 to 2005.
Since I left the course I have been working as a cameraman and director in Nairobi Kenya, specializing in feature length documentary filmmaking. I have shot and directed in Africa, South America and Europe. My work as DOP includes; CNN's top award programme 'CNN Heroes an all-star tribute' (see video at www.justinpurefoy.com), BBC 2 Stephen Fry's television series 'A Last Chance to See Special', BBC Natural History Unit and National Geographic work. My work as a Director includes Television Commercials for a UK advertising Company, directing an OXFAM television commercial and a promo for a National Geographic series.
Recently I worked with filmmaker Richard Stanley on a documentary for road safety as well as filming the 'behind the scenes' on an IMAX 3D film. I just completed a documentary for CNN Worlds Untold Stories on mental health in Kenya and a Channel 4 documentary that will air at the end of March on Conservation in Kenya.
I am also working with a fellow ex-student from Newport Ash Jenkins, on a documentary in Kenya on Yoga and the Kenyan post-election violence. We have shot a promo and currently looking for a commission, we are using crowd funding as a means to raise funds and awareness for the project. (see our website at http://www.yogaforunity.co.uk/index.html).
My passion for television and documentary filmmaking was inspired by the BA (hons) Film and Video course I attended at Newport film school in Wales. By working with very talented fellow students in my class and with the collaboration and friendships I built with my lecturers, Newport offered me a professional environment in which to learn about the filmmaking process. During my time at Newport, the University organized guest filmmakers like Peter Greenaway, Kevin McDonald and Kim Longinotto to come in and talk about their films and the film industry.
I believe that every year Newport produces some of the boldest and most professional graduation films. Newport helped guide me into the right area of television and gave me the platform to make different and challenging films during my three years on the course.
It was the encouragement and support from our lecturers and the University that gave us the confidence to travel to Northern Uganda to make our final year film, a documentary about children who flee abduction at nighttime from a rebel movement called the Lords Resistance Army. We won best Producing credit at the Film School of Wales, finest films festival.
I have had a great opportunity working in Africa as a cameraman, where I have been able to meet and film some of the worlds most interesting and inspiring people as well as traveling to some of the most beautiful locations. I continue to learn everyday about camerawork and documentary filmmaking and I thank Newport for putting me in touch with talented colleagues who I still know and continue to work with even after I left the course.
http://www.justinpurefoy.com