Toufique Ali

Shooting Camera Assistant & Drone Operator


I am a shooting and lighting camera assistant. I also have over 18 years experience in broadcast, documentary and entertainment formats as a former self shooting producer director, having worked in both short and long form content, as well as factual entertainment and broadcast music television. 

I am experienced in producing branded content films and corporate video for business clients and have an excellent understanding of editorial workflow. 

I have also managed several YouTube Channels (BBC Three, Nintendo and Rule’m Sports with KSI)

I am very comfortable working with celebrities, presenters, actors, influencers and members of the public/ contributors; and I have filmed all over the world including Sydney, Australia; Crete, Greece; Zambia, Africa; and Reykjavik, Iceland to name but a few.

My biggest strengths as a shooting camera assist is that I can light for many on location and in studio setups and I camera operate with most broadcast and cinema line cameras (Arri, Sony Cine Line Cameras, RED, Panasonic, Blackmagic) and I have done this for various formats including documentary, music entertainment, reality and factual entertainment.

My passion is camera operating, lighting and cinematography, as well as being able to assist on large scale productions as well as fully manage small scale shoots. I understand the requirements for cameras, lenses, lighting, grip and monitoring. 

In 2017-2019 I wrote, directed and produced my own short film 'Altered States' which was selected for the Berlin Online Film Festival and was selected for Camerimage 2019 Talent Demo Sessions, where I gained invaluable advice from the DOP Adam Newport-Berra ('The Last Black Man in San Francisco'); and I aim to write, produce, direct and shoot more narrative short film drama content and music content, as well as produce more commercial work going into 2023-2024. 

In 2020, I got my first job in drama working as a camera trainee for series 22 of the popular television drama Midsomer Murders. This gave me the impetus and the catalyst to pursue a career in the camera department

In 2022, I got re-licensed with the CAA with my GVC certification for commercial drone work. I have three DJI drones and recently got the DJI Mini 3 Pro with ND Filters. 

Since then I have been working as a camera assistant at S+O Media in West London and I continue to assist, light and camera operate on various content through the company. 

My long term goal is to become a 2nd AC/ Clapper Loader in narrative drama/ music content and commercials/ advert work and to learn more about focus pulling systems to then become a 1st AC, with a long term goal to becoming a lighting DOP/ Camera operator in these areas.

I want to continually enhance my camera knowledge skills, cinematography and shooting style; and I welcome the opportunity to work on independent, commercial and freelance projects in narrative drama, short film, music content, documentary and commercials/ adverts/ promos. I believe my wide ranging skills and understanding of set life - having gained invaluable experience in television broadcast content makes me a strong team member for any production.  

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