John Wildy was a noted breeder of pedigree cattle even before he changed from cine to video camera. What he needed was a way of showing farmers how the daughters of pedigree bulls had grown up on various farm.
In effect he was a pioneer of video dating . . . for cows! John soon found the camera useful for his hobby of following preserved steam locomotives on mainline railways. When filming a train at speed, you only get one chance for the best view as it passes.
As a result you benefit from the rare combination of a cameraman with a stockman's keen eye for detail, and agricultural background. Yet he has the reflexes to film high speed machinery and a countryman's skill at picking the best vantage points. Over the last twenty five years he has refined techniques and constantly invested in better equipment to bring you the reports of just what you would have wanted to see and hear if you had been on location with him. |
|
Jim Wilkie has been interested in things mechanical from an early age. He started driving tractors when he was 6 and is still enjoying them over 50 years later. At different times he has driven lorries, buses, and heavy horses as well as forklift trucks and specialised machinery.
As a youngster he used to help at technical film shows, For over 30 years he has been collecting old 16mm documentary films of machinery at work. He also organises the Dustbin Film Festival each year. For over 25 years he has had the pleasure of providing the ring commentary at various steam rallies.
In turn this led to writing a monthly commentary on vintage topics which currently appears in Vintage Spirit Magazine. He has written three books on the history of Tractors, Implements, and Combine Harvesters for Ian Allan Publishers. Currently he is the National Archivist for the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club. Most importantly he still enjoys watching vintage machinery at work. |
Videos / DVDs