Cameron on a mission
By JARED SMITH - Taranaki Daily News
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Is New Plymouth's Cameron Betts the next Peter Jackson?
The 15-year-old Francis Douglas Memorial College student is eyeing a film-making career, having so far netted a highly commended in Youth Development at the 2009 Young Achievers Awards.
Described as forward-thinking with a passion for film and television production, Cameron took his love of making home movies and branched out into the media world at a young age.
His first outlet was getting involved at Waves in New Plymouth about 18 months ago, running youth programmes in filming activities.
"When I got into Waves I started to express myself a bit more in the industry.
"We help the young kids put forward their ideas into scripts and from there we can go out and shoot films, and give kids the opportunity to make their own edits of their documentaries."
Honing his technical skills, Cameron expanded and worked on several local projects, including video for the fireworks at TSB Bowl of Brooklands, as well as camera footage for news articles that have appeared on TV1 and TV3.
Today he will shoot anything from festivals to weddings.
"Over the last year and a half I've established a business for myself, and it's built up over that time by getting in with local media companies, then being able to get more work, and promote myself more to go forward.
"When people see me get up at events, start filming and doing what I do best, it is kind of a shock to see at such at young age.
"But when people see the final product that I make for them, [they know] that I'm capable of delivering what a pro in the industry can do."
Inspired by the Save Our Streets campaign, Cameron also contributed his time and skills to the New Plymouth police, helping with a programme to monitor the town CBD.
With two years left at Francis Douglas, his sights are set on attending the New Zealand Broadcasting School in Christchurch, and he has been invited for work experience in a Wellington newsroom when that is under way. "Down there I can start getting contacts for myself, and earning my wings.
"Through the media you're always telling a different story, you're always getting new pictures, you're always going to new places, meeting people.
"I picture myself going abroad and travelling the world, I guess."
