NATHAN CROSBY

Nat started his career in 1956 as a trainee assistant film cameraman at the BBC Film Department based at Ealing Film Studios. Within four years he was made up to cameraman and over the next 27 years he experienced a life filled with travel, adventure and drama. His body of work is immense collaborating with many of the top directors such as Stephen Frears, Richard Eyre, John Madden and John Schlesinger and winning three BAFTA Awards. He also directed the television film “Amy” photographed by Remi Adefarasin BSC.

Nat left the BBC in 1987 and was continually in demand shooting numerous features and commercials. He reaped 3 BAFTA TV Awards for Best Film Cameraman, in 1982 for Going Gently (Directed by Stephen Frears), In 1984 for An Englishman Abroad (Directed by John Schlesinger), and in 1987 for The Insurance Man (Directed by Richard Eyre). He received a BAFTA nomination in 1980 for the Play for Today Blue Remembered Hills (Directed by Brian Gibson).

Although I had never met Nat, I had spoken to him recently and one can clearly appreciate his warmth and popularity from the tributes below. We are further grateful to Nat for kindly gifting to the BSC his memoirs ‘A Cameraman Abroad’ and a painting of himself by John Brackley.

After a long career Nat was happy to retire to a small village in Norfolk where he continued to make his own short films. He will be remembered for his immense talent, his penchant for cigars and good food and his love for his dog “Smudge” who often seems to have accompanied him on location!

Alex Thomson BSC/John Daly BSC/PM