Tim Potter

Portrait of Tim Potter by Veronica Keszthelyi-Scown

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It was with shock and distress that the Camera Branch learned of the unexpected death of our Chair, Tim Potter. It happened just days after he attended the Bectu Conference in York where he appeared to be his usual, cheerful self.

Tim Potter joined Bectu in 1985, as he went freelance as a Clapper/Loader. One of his anecdotes was about how he plied a grip with drink in order to find out how much he should charge for his work when starting out. As he built his industry knowledge, he also shared his insights with his colleagues.

An extremely intelligent man, Tim became a valuable source of information and history for the Camera Branch as he was able to place in context the dilemmas facing members around rates, agreements and the many other issues we have to navigate. Over the years he held the roles of both Secretary and Chair of the Camera Branch and had been serving in the latter role for many years. Compiling the branch rate card was just one of his valuable contributions.

Tim gave up many hours of his time, not only for branch meetings, but as a member of the London Production Committee and the Film Policy committee. In meetings, there was frequently a time when all eyes would turn to Tim Potter as his wisdom and experience meant he could offer authoritative advice on what course of action to take and what pitfalls to avoid. In addition, Tim sat in negotiations with PACT for both Film and TV drama agreement negotiations, often able to spot loopholes and errors missed by everyone else.

If this was not enough, Tim also joined the Guild of British Cinema Technicians in 1991, eventually also chairing that organisation since 2009. Through his positions in both Bectu and the GBCT, Tim championed the education and training of camera technicians.

Difficult though it is to organise a predominately freelance industry, it is hard to overstate the contribution made by Tim, first in simply showing up, then in his commitment to informing his fellow members and putting in the hours to try to improve their situation; all this with modesty and a friendly smile.

Tim Potter was a pillar of the Film and Television industry in this country and at just 66, has left us far too soon. We can only hope that some of his colleagues will come forward to take on his work as it is unlikely that a single person could.

Tim Potter, Camera Branch & GBCT Chair, Focus-Puller: 27th of June 1958 to 21st May 2025.

Welcome to the Camera Branch

Due to poor attendance on the 19th July 2025, we have decided to have another attempt at an AGM on the 11th of October. The next Camera Branch Meeting is on the 13th of September. It’s a committee only meeting. Contact the branch if there are matters you’d like to be discussed or come in person to the AGM in October.

More details for future meetings on our Meetings & Events page.

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You can find our rate cards here and current agreements here.

Note on Preparation & Wrapping:

Prep & Wrap is the time typically used to prepare to work at the start and to pack away at the end of each day. Some departments are asked to include this time within their rates for actual working hours.

The amount of included Prep & Wrap time applicable to the Camera Department is ZERO. This means that productions should arrange to start & complete shooting to allow time for preparation and wrap WITHIN THE CONTRACTED HOURS or pay the additional time as OVERTIME.
The only exception to this is the role of Script Supervisor, as is listed in the current agreements. Branch Script Supervisors object to this situation and the branch continues to work to eliminate prep & wrap time for all roles in the camera department.

Everything the Camera Branch does is decided democratically by its members, and through a committee of around 30 crew members which is elected once a year at the AGM. The AGM is one of four meetings a year for all Camera Branch members. We would love to see you there! Check our Meetings & Events page for more details. The next meeting will be in September, take place in person (and online) and will focus on our Ratecard. See you there!

The committee also usually meets four times a year and consists of members who are passionate about improving working conditions and creating lasting change. They volunteer their time, energy and experience when they can. If you’d like to get involved, please do get in touch with us. info@camerabranch.org.uk.

For an update on the negotiations with PACT regarding the TV drama agreement, please visit our Agreements page. If you are in the process of negotiating your next job, please get in touch with us info@camerabranch.org.uk.