5 October 2006
Maarten - Cameraman / Producer
From: The Netherlands
Hi, I'm Maarten and I am the onboard cameraman for this leg of Defending Our Oceans. I work as a producer / cameraman at our international office in Amsterdam co-ordinating our video output on oceans issues. This means I am usually at the receiving end of footage coming in from the Esperanza. It makes it all the more exciting to once again be allowed during the expedition and hey, the Pacific - could be worse!
What are you looking forward to most in this campaign?
Seeing beautiful marine life.
Have you been on a Greenpeace ship before?
Yes, I am a member of staff at Greenpeace International and am occasionally allowed to work on the ships. The last time was during our work on bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean in May.
How or why did you get involved with Greenpeace?
The first thing I drew when I was a kid were whales, soon after came the Greenpeace inflatables. To coin a phrase from Ray Liotta in Goodfellas: "As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to work for Greenpeace."
What was your best experience with Greenpeace so far?
I think working on Defending Our Oceans has been the best work I have been involved in thus far. As a marine biologist and film maker, I feel deeply connected to the oceans.
What do you like most about your work on the ship?
I feel I am very privileged to combine my interests in marine biology and film making. Getting close to a story and getting access by having a camera in your hand is great. Telling stories through images is my passion.
And least?
Very long hours in a hot, stuffy and cramped edit suite are ruining my back!
If you had three free wishes, what would those be?
1. Planet saved - switch over to natural history filming
2. Miss World
3. No more back problems
What is your favourite place on the ship?
Outside on the accomodation deck looking out over the bow.
Why this place?
Breezy yet slightly sheltered and more quiet than most parts of the ship!
If you were not on the Esperanza at this moment where would you probably be instead and what would you be doing?
Probably sitting in a more spacious edit suite in Amsterdam editing the footage coming off the Esperanza.
What personal connection do you have to the ocean (if any?)
I have a masters degree in Marine Biology but that is merely the cerebral side. I think the oceans truly are a place of beauty and wonder.
Did you bring anything special for spare time?
As I had to bring dive gear and camera equipment and travel four days to reach the ship, I brought as little personal stuff as possible. US airline security made me part with my toothpaste and deodorant. (I got some replacements in case you are worried!). My green frog Kikkert will travel anywhere with me though.
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