I’M WITH THE CAMERA CREW ... GET ME INTO HERE!
BERNARD Tomic wasn’t the only Gold Coaster to take up residence in the jungles of South Africa for I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!
Bond University film and television student Michael Hamilton is there too – and will be right up until the final bush tucker trial.
Hamilton, 29, is part of the specialty camera crew installing hot-head remote cameras and 360-degree cue-ball hanging cameras to make sure the viewers at home don’t miss a minute of this year’s rumble in the jungle.
A firefighter in his hometown of Darwin, Mr Hamilton said it was an “awesome’’ experience being part of such a big production.
“One of the best parts is definitely the crew,” he said.
“Most of them have been doing the program for many years, so they’re like a big, happy, super-friendly family.
“In my role, I’m based in the trials, not in the studio.
“You work hard, but working outside is fun as the time goes really fast and no two days are ever the same.
“Also, this is my first trip to South Africa, which is exciting. It’s a great location. They look after you and they actually feed you well, too!”
Mr Hamilton has worked on TV advertisements for Tourism NT and National Geographic and live broadcasts of international sporting events such as cricket and V8 Supercars.
“I think it’s important that you have a really good work ethic,” he said. “People notice hard work.”
Mr Hamilton came to the Gold Coast on a career break from firefighting to attend Bond University on an indigenous scholarship.
“I was keen to learn different aspects of other areas of production to help me reach my goal of becoming a documentary film maker,” he said.
“At Bond, I feel like I’m always learning and I get to do cool stuff. I also really enjoy the Gold Coast, which is a lot different from what I thought it would be. You feel like you are on holidays all the time.”
Mr Hamilton returns soon to work on the Commonwealth Games as part of a 47strong crew of Bond film and TV students.
They will receive paid experience with host broadcaster NEP as part of its broadcast training program.