Former Park House School, Newbury, pupil was a camera operator working on the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
While billions across the world watched the week of events leading up to the funeral of Her Majesty, one former Park House pupil was among the team of technicians making sure the broadcasts went smoothly.
James Neal, a freelance camera operator, was one of many hundreds of extra crew hired for the historic event.
Mr Neal said: “I feel very honoured and extremely lucky to be involved as a camera operator in both the BBC and ITN coverage of events this past week.”
Mr Neal, aged 32, grew up in Woolton Hill and attended the junior school in the village before going to Park House School.
He studied film and television production at Westminster Film School, before landing a place on the training scheme at ITV’s London Studios. In 2012 he worked as a camera assistant at the London Olympics.
Mr Neal said: “In my line of work we get to visit some amazing places and witness some fascinating events up close, but I'm fairly certain nothing will ever compare to this.
“I have always loved history and to have the opportunity to witness it first hand and play a very small part in broadcasting it to billions is something I will be forever grateful for."
He explained that the entire route was made up of separate outside broadcast teams linked together. For example Wellington Arch, Wellington Barracks, Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards, Whitehall, Westminster Abbey, Windsor all had their own director and broadcast team.
“To see almost the entire UK TV industry come together for this one event was incredible,” he added.
Mr Neal was stationed outside Buckingham Palace for the BBC for the arrival of Her Majesty’s coffin and the procession to Westminster Hall.
On the day of the funeral, he was working for ITN and positioned outside the front of Westminster Abbey.
He explained that on a job like this you may only get a few shots and play a small part in a massive operation.
Mr Neal said: “You put the billions of viewers watching out of your mind and don't realise the gravity of what you've filmed until afterwards. I still can't quite get my head around the entire thing.
“It was impossible not to feel moved by the scale and beauty of the processions.
“The haunting sound of the minute guns as the Queen's coffin left Buckingham Palace and the bagpipes in the procession to Westminster Abbey will remain with me forever.
“Before the processions the silence that fell over London was astonishing, as if everyone was holding their breath. I've never heard the city so quiet before.
"It's so hard not to find the entire thing emotionally quite overwhelming, it was actually very comforting to have a job to focus on.
“It's the high pressure moments that make this job interesting and when it goes smoothly it can be very rewarding.
“It's a such privilege to work for the broadcasters, directors and camera supervisors on this event who were some of the best in the world.
“The images that we captured document one of the most significant moments in world history and will be with us forever. That is something that makes doing this job so fantastic.”
