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Christian Marot’s journey into wildlife filmmaking began with an unexpected response from one of his greatest heroes. At 19, he sent a letter to Sir David Attenborough, including a USB stick containing some of his early wildlife footage. To Marot’s astonishment, the famous broadcaster replied within ten days, returning the USB with thoughtful praise and constructive feedback on personalized stationery. “It was just surreal,” Marot recalls, describing the moment as “hugely encouraging for a budding wildlife filmmaker.”
Fast forward ten years, and Marot, now a professional camera operator, found himself shooting close-up scenes of Sir David in a meadow near Greenford, West London. The experience was deeply personal for Marot, who had struggled with dyslexia and faced doubts from teachers about his future success. Filming Sir David releasing harvest mice into the wild was, as he describes it, a “pinch me moment.” Despite the nerves he felt on the first day, the naturalist quickly put him at ease, and Marot’s excitement grew as he captured intimate footage of the interaction.
Marot’s passion for nature photography took root at the age of 12 after receiving a box set of Sir David Attenborough’s films. Inspired, he began photographing local wildlife in his own backyard, patiently waiting to capture images of visiting creatures. His talent earned him a place as a finalist in the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition. At 19, following the death of his grandmother, he inherited some money and used it to fund a self-led filming trip to Madagascar, armed with minimal equipment. There, he filmed unique wildlife footage that he later edited into a short film, which his family encouraged him to send to Sir David Attenborough. The reply he received was surprisingly warm and supportive, reinforcing his drive to continue in this career.
In recent years, Marot has built experience as a camera assistant and second camera operator, steadily advancing towards his goal of working alongside his inspiration. That opportunity came with the BBC’s documentary *Wild London*, which highlights urban wildlife amid London’s cityscape. The series allowed Marot to combine his love for nature with his connection to his hometown. He reflects, “It was the opportunity to work on something with my hero, but also the opportunity to work on something that’s in my home town. And I never thought those two worlds would collide.” As the program showcases everything from pigeons on the Tube to snakes by Regent’s Canal, Marot feels his journey has “come full circle,” proving that dedication and passion can truly shape one’s future
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