Teaching for Further and Higher Education
In addition to personal Masterclasses, Piers has taught and been part of professional panels. He is always interested in sharing his knowledge and insights with those looking to join the film and television industries. He is an experienced public speaker, with a number of off-the-shelf presentations and the ability to prepare speeches tailored to your requirements.
BA in Film, University of Westminster
In February 2023, Piers taught a four-hour seminar on documentary camerawork.
“Piers came to Westminster University as a Guest Lecturer, talking to final year BA Film students. His presentation was extremely well put together with just the right balance between case studies of projects he had worked on, and insight into the industry - gained through his 20 years experience. The students loved It, and I received a great deal of positive feedback. We’d love to have him return.”
Toral Dixit, Documentary Director
and Lecturer in Film Production
BA in Film Production Webinar,
Lincoln University
In July 2020, Piers took part in a Webinar for Lincoln University’s BA in Film Production with Rachel Scarrot, Lecturer on the course
“As a producer/director I’ve known and worked with Piers for many years. He’s an incredible person to work with – creative, talented, thoughtful, a brilliant communicator, kind, humorous – a fantastic combination of skills for filmmaking and tutoring. When mentoring junior colleagues in the film industry, I would ensure that they worked with Piers, as I knew they were in safe hands with someone who would steer and support them, and champion their cause. He’s a rare gem in the screen industry!”
Rachel Scarrott, Documentary Director
and Lecturer in Film Production
Starting Out with Cameras,
Wildscreen Mentee Group
In Feb 2022, Piers gave and hour-long presentation to the mentee group for Wildscreen: a charity which runs the Wildscreen Festival in Bristol, they are committed to developing diversity in Natural History film-making. Piers shared insights and advice on how to build confidence with cameras and get on in the industry.
“It was a pleasure to work with Piers on Industry Insight: Camera Skills which was delivered to the ScreenSkills and Wildscreen Emerging Talent mentee cohort. The webinar gave a fantastic insight into shooting techniques, logistics and technicalities and Piers is championing making the industry more accessible, diverse and inclusive.”
Georgia Torres, Wildscreen
Outreach & Sustainability Coordinator
Webinars
Piers has worked with a range of industry organisations to deliver quality Please visit my Camera Workshops page and scroll down to register for Upcoming Events. He has worked with both Wildscreen in Bristol and charity Women in Film and Television to deliver webinars to their members.
Women in Film and Television:
Caroline Hawkins, Creative Director, Oxford Scientific Films
Caroline Hawkins is an award-winning filmmaker who joined OSF in 2004 after a 13-year freelance career as a director on mainstream hits such as The Clothes Show and The Good Sex Guide.
Caroline is the creator of the international hit Meerkat Manor. Other credits include the three-part blue-chip natural history series Magical Land of Oz, Wild Korea, Secret Life of Farm Animals, Honey Badgers: Masters of Mayhem and the four-season US dramatised documentary series Fatal Attractions for Animal Planet.
Piers Leigh first worked with Caroline in 2015 as Series DoP for Dogs Might Fly (Sky One), since then she was nominated in 2019 for a BAFTA in the Single Documentary category for Driven: The Billy Monger Story (BBC). The film was also shortlisted for a Grierson and a Broadcast award.
Women in Film and Television:
Lucy Haken, Director and Series Producer
Lucy Haken is a Producer/Director and Series Producer with over 15 years working in specialist factual documentaries for major UK and international broadcasters. As a science graduate, Lucy specialises in science and history film-making.
Lucy has extensive experience producing blue chip projects with large scale and ambitious filming set ups, international filming, directing high profile presenters, writing and commissioning complex CGI and producing Live and As-Live studio and OB broadcasts.
Jo Woolf Media Training and Mentoring
In August 2020, Piers joined Personal Coach Jo Woolf for a panel discussion on camerawork and lighting. He was one of four guests on the panel alongside DoP Sarah Smither, shooting PD Richard Mejeh and shooting PD Cara Bowen.
After each panellist answered a series of questions, the panel became a discussion. In particular, there was a focus on the role of leadership and mentoring in the industry, with a particular emphasis on the need to encourage diversity.
Panel highlights 6 mins 44 secs
Full panel 1 hr 20 mins
“Piers has a huge passion for mentoring, and is keen to pass on his knowledge and experience to those finding it hard to break into the demanding world of cinematography"
Jo Woolf, Television Producer, Coach and Trainer
Click here to visit Jo Woolf’s Facebook page