Paul “Mungo” Mungeam: The renowned adventure cameraman
Interview: Tom Warburton
Photos: Stani Greenway
Hanging out of helicopters, trekking through jungles and hanging out with a list of celebrities is all in a day's work for renowned adventure cameraman Paul “Mungo” Mungeam. Dure magazine caught up with the legend to discover the secrets of the trade and discover his latest foray in front of the camera.
Hi Paul, thanks for speaking to us! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Please call me MUNGO, it’s how most people in the industry know me these days. Some don’t even know my real name! I have been a Cameraman for over 25 years now. In that time I’ve travelled to nearly 100 countries and found myself in lots of different situations; some fun, some scary and some just ridiculous! I’ve worked with some of the biggest names on our screens, many of whom have become good friends.
You’ve had the privilege of filming with Bear Grylls, you must have been through some hairy situations, do any stick in your mind?
People often ask so you’re the guy who does most of what Bear does while holding a camera on your shoulder? Yes, that’s true & I have the scars to prove it.
No doubt, working with Bear is great fun... it’s big boys playing with big toys. There’s rarely a day working with Bear that we aren’t flying in helicopters (usually with the doors off!) so in real terms of risk, this is probably the most dangerous part of the shoot. I once chatted with a helicopter engineer who pointed out a bolt that held the rotor blades together... he said: “This is what we call the ‘Jesus bolt’ because if that fails, the next person you’ll meet is Jesus!” Yet, the degree of danger and the excitement of a surge of adrenalin is what keeps us coming back.
As an adventure cameraman, you’ve operated in some of the world’s most hostile territories. What’s the most challenging environment to film in?
Easy answer = Jungles. They are nothing but hard work; hot, wet, humid and dirty. Everything is out to crawl on, or in you. And, a number of those critters can even kill you! Jungles are definitely not for the fainthearted. Over the years, I have learned that the best way of coping in such environments, is to embrace them and become part of them. Washing is overrated anyway?
You filmed for Charley Boorman’s “By Any Means” what kind of limitations are there for filming across borders?
Over 4 months we travelled through 24 countries, using 112 different forms of transport. To make it more practically achievable, we streamlined the team down to only 3 of us; Charley, Russ (Producer) and myself. The travel was non-stop, but fun. We proved that armed with a mobile phone and a credit card you can pretty much travel anywhere these days. We only had a few hiccups crossing borders and that was due to having 3 passports each (for multiple visas) as opposed to the usual one. Having completed such a trip, you realise that the World really is quite a small place - so, get out there and see it for yourself!
You’ve now moved from behind the camera to in front of it with your new series “Expedition Mungo” how did that come about and is it an odd transition to get used to?
Presenting ‘Expedition Mungo’ was something I wasn’t sure if I could do or not? I had spent decades behind the camera working with Presenters, and through that experience, I clearly knew what worked and what didn’t. The key to coming across well in front of the camera is to simply be yourself! Lot’s of people just can’t do it and have what we call “Red Light Syndrome” - (when recording a red light comes on the camera, and some people just turn to jelly) I REALLY enjoyed making Expedition Media (Animal Planet/ Discovery/Quest) as to whether I did well? Watch it and I’ll let you be the judge of that!
You’ve worked with a lot of celebrities in the past, how do they react to the situations you put them in and how do you prepare them to film in challenging environments?
We rarely prepare celebs for the challenges we’re about to put them through. This is for two reasons: We want to film a genuine reaction from them, so the less they know the better. And, if they did know what was in store for them, they would probably not turn up!
You carry a lot of equipment in your line of work. What should every camera operator have with them when filming in challenging environments?
A camera is a good start! Joking aside, you have to look after yourself; Water, food, appropriate clothing/footwear and a reliable form of communication are essential. We often say, “It’s only TV!” Meaning, it’s mostly not worth dying for. Come prepared with knowledge about the environment (including weather and wildlife) as well as the right kit. The best intel always comes from the locals who live there. Always have a backup/get-out plan. Another phrase we use is, “What if?” Know what your plan is if you break your leg, get lost, run out of water or run into trouble. Regarding actual kit, I always take a knife (Leatherman multi-tool) and some paracord (tough, multi-purpose string) As this can be adapted to use as laces, belt, washing line, trap etc.
Filming in the freezing cold or soaring heat can be incredibly hard and getting the perfect shot can be difficult, how do you get the best shot?
Getting the best shot is less about the challenge of coping with the elements, but more about using them, along with your instinct. We refer to the ‘Golden Hour’, that first or last hour of daylight - when the sun is rising or setting. The low sun creates the most beautiful golden light and often the wind and sea calm for this daily natural spectacle. The early bird catches the worm, and you will rarely be disappointed if you make the extra effort to get up before the sun!
On a more technical note: understand how to get the best out of your camera... use appropriate filters, apertures or angles to illustrate the story of what you see through your lens.
With travel being at the core of your work, when you do get a chance to get away on holiday, what do you prefer, a beach getaway, a cultural trip or an action-packed adventure?
I have a wife and two boys under 5 years of age, so holidays are usually dictated to us by school holidays. It’s always a contentious issue, as my wife would love to go overseas more, whereas I (who travels the whole time) just love to spend time in the UK. Getting on a plane for me is the equivalent of going to an office. I know it may sound glamorous, but the reality is that living out of a bag wears thin after a while.
At this stage, due to Covid and the boys age, we will staycation, but as they grow up and the world opens up again, I consider it my privilege and parental duty to show them as much of the World as I can.