At the age of 19, Christian Marot never expected a response to the letter he sent to Sir David Attenborough, which included a copy of his wildlife filming work. However, within 10 days, he received a reply that featured both praise and valuable feedback, along with the original USB stick affixed to the personalized stationery bearing the broadcaster’s name.
„It was just surreal,“ Marot expressed, noting that the encouragement he received was pivotal for an emerging wildlife filmmaker.
Now a decade later, as a professional camera operator, he found himself filming close-up segments of Sir David releasing harvest mice in a sunny field in Greenford, which he described as a genuine „pinch me moment“. Marot faced several challenges due to his dyslexia and past discouragement from teachers who doubted his potential.
From Enthusiast to Professional
On a rainy day in Greenwich Park, Marot reflected on his journey since becoming captivated by wildlife at the age of 12, after watching a box set of films from Sir David. This fascination ignited his passion for photography, initially leading him to capture images of the wildlife in his own back garden.
His early dedication paid off when he became a finalist in the respected International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.
At 19, following the passing of his grandmother, he utilized a small inheritance to fund a trip to Madagascar, inspired by Sir David’s documentary about the remote island. Equipped with a basic camera setup and limited experience, he nevertheless captured stunning footage and later edited a short film that he sent to Sir David.
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Marot was pleasantly surprised to receive a response from the esteemed naturalist, who took the time to critique his footage. „How amazing for someone of his stature to have written back to someone like me, just a young boy who had a passion for wildlife,“ he remarked.
Years later, when he received the opportunity to work on „Wild London,“ he was thrilled at the possibility of collaborating with his childhood inspiration while also focusing on a project set in his home city. Marot stated, „This was the chance to join forces with my hero, and I never thought those two worlds would collide.“
During the first filming day in Greenford, he met Sir David, who introduced himself and quickly eased Marot’s nerves, creating an environment conducive to collaboration.
A Journey Full Circle
Marot’s tasks included capturing close-up shots of Sir David’s hands as he gently interacted with the harvest mouse. Reflecting on his experiences while filming for the documentary, he noted that it felt like a full-circle moment, recalling when he first picked up a camera and started photographing the wildlife in his garden.
While he never mentioned the letter to Sir David, much to the disappointment of his mother, he later shared his story to express gratitude. „Attenborough had such a profound effect on the course of my career,“ Marot affirmed. „I wouldn’t be here without him. And it really demonstrates that with a bit of drive, dedication, and putting yourself out there, it is possible.“
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Jasdeep Bhambra auf Unsplash
