Tributes to James Miller

Shocked and very disturbed to hear of James's death. There's no point in saying what a wonderful cameraman and journalist he was. Everybody in this business knows his wonderful qualities. What a terrible waste.

Sorious Samura and Ron McCullagh,
dictated from Sierra Leone.

James and I joined Frontline Television at roughly the same time and spent several memorable years criss-crossing the world's trouble spots. There were times when our work was dangerous, but mostly it was an exciting, challenging and deeply rewarding way to earn a living.

Five years ago I gave up that life, joining the BBC as a much more mundane staff cameraman.

But I continued to follow James' career with interest. I watched as he grew from news shooter to first class documentary film maker. It was no surprise that Beneath the Veil made such an impact. Like all of James' work, the film was characterised by one thing: a determination to tell the stories of the downtrodden, the victims of the system.

On occasions I envied James his success. Life is very different as a staffer. I missed the freedom to travel and make films that made a difference. Look at James - a man with a camera really can change the world! And I envied the life he led when not away filming - bringing up two children in Devon, surfing the days away.

But of course as a staffer I have the luxury of being insured, looked after, protected. James did not have that luxury. His death reinforces the enormous dangers faced by freelance cameramen and independent producers around the world - and reminds us of the vital work of the Rory Peck Trust.

My thoughts now are with James' family. If there is any consolation at this dreadful time, it is that his work really did change the world.

Tony Smith, Former Frontline Television freelance

James Miller was one of the most accomplished cameramen of his generation. Brave but methodical, imaginative but totally dependable - he epitomised the best of freelance qualities, attitudes and traditions. The industry will be overwhelmingly the poorer for his loss.

David Lloyd, Head of News Current Affairs and Business, Channel 4 Television

James was brave, enterprising, but certainly not reckless. In fact one of the things that made him such a good cameraman was that he was courageous - but deeply sensible.

David Henshaw, Hardcash Films, producer "Beneath The Veil"

We were shocked to learn of the fatal shooting of James Miller while he was filming in Gaza. It was an appalling happening. While we did not know James, his memorable pictures of life under the Taliban were run on the ABC last year and had a considerable impact. Not just for their content, but also the courageous enterprise it took to obtain them. He is to be saluted. We will be grateful if you can convey to his wife and family as well as friends and colleagues our sympathy at their loss as well as our sense of outrage and shock.

John Tulloh, Head, International Operations, ABC News and Current Affairs, Sydney.

I worked with James in Africa, and like James was the recipient of one of your bursaries. My last trip to a war zone was with James. We travelled to Sierra Leone to film several reports for ITN. It was an ill fated trip. We came under fire and someone was shot onto me. I then contracted malaria….I was lucky. I recovered and got well again, after many months of being unable to work. I still get repeat attacks but I'm fine otherwise. What happened in Sierra Leone made me rethink my career and I left television to work as a crisis manager in PR. I try to avoid foreign travel.

James and I had used the medical training we received thanks to the Rory Peck Trust when we were in Africa. I wish I had been with him this weekend.

I want to thank you for what you did for us both. Please keep up the valuable work you do, despite all of these deaths. Think how many more there would be if you were not around.

Jonathan Hawker, Freelancer

 

 

 

 

 

      
 


 

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