From Â鶹´«Ã½ to Planet Earth

How a broad creative degree led Abi Thomas to the ultimate dream job
BA (Hons) Creative Media graduate Abi Thomas filming atop a mountain.

From Â鶹´«Ã½ to Planet Earth

How a broad creative degree led Abi Thomas to the ultimate dream job
Imagine spending seven weeks in a remote area of Nepal filming tigers... That’s just part of the day job for one of our graduates, Abi.
To celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, we caught up with Abi to talk about her incredible journey from studying her BA (Hons) Creative Media (formerly Media Arts) at Â鶹´«Ã½ to filming for stunning documentaries like Planet Earth III, Asia, and the upcoming Blue Planet III. 
Her secret? Not closing herself off to just one skill too early!

I have reached exactly where I wanted to be.

Abi reflects on her work for the Attenborough masterpieces.

Why creative media? 

Originally from the Forest of Dean, Abi knew she wanted a career in the creative industries, but she wasn't sure what area to focus on.
Attending an open day, she found the BA (Hons) Creative Media course offered her a wide range of learning allowing her to shape what she wanted to be. Â鶹´«Ã½ quickly became her first choice.
During her time at university, Abi jumped at opportunities. One of her major highlights was the university’s focus on industry connections. She was paired with an industry partner from Twofour, an award-winning, major television production company proudly based right here in Â鶹´«Ã½.
BA (Hons) Creative Media graduate Abi Thomas at work.

I had done photography at A-Level and loved drawing, and I was really interested in film but had never actually done it. I wanted a broad course because I wasn't entirely sure what my exact path would be yet.

Climbing the ladder in a competitive industry 

After graduating in 2017, Abi moved to London, diving straight into the fast-paced world of television. She built up her resume doing short-term placements for major companies like Hat Trick Productions, working on massive comedy institutions like Have I Got News For You. 
In these early days, Abi frequently worked as a "Logger" â€“ watching raw footage in real-time, taking detailed notes so the editors know exactly where the best moments are. 
Though building an essential bank of experience, Abi knew her true passion was wildlife. At Christmas, she made a bold move to Bristol â€“ a hub for natural history and wildlife filming. She continued to work in entertainment TV, working as a runner on sets like The Crystal Maze, The Great British Bake Off, and Tipping Point. 
Eventually, she stepped closer to the camera, landing a freelance role as a Jib (a giant, crane-like mechanical arm used to get those sweeping, cinematic high-angle shots you see on TV) Assistant. As an assistant, Abi worked alongside the operator learning the mechanics.
BA (Hons) Creative Media graduate Abi Thomas at work for the BBC.

Landing the dream 

By 2019, Abi’s determination and perseverance paid off. The BBC’s Countryfile was looking for an in-house camera assistant and drone pilot. Because Abi had logged so much filming practice at university –&²Ô²ú²õ±è;and had even bought her own drone to practise with – she stood out from the crowd and got the job. 
Years followed in which Abi filmed in beautiful locations and captured amazing wildlife sequences, before then spending time in house working for BBC Asia.  
In 2024, she took the nerve-wracking leap into the world of freelance natural history filmmaking. From National Geographic to Disney, Apple TV and Sky TV, Abi has worked hard on building a fantastic repertoire of work.
Finally, but by no means least, she landed a dream role on a flagship David Attenborough series for the BBC.
 
 
 

Why a broad degree makes a better filmmaker

Even though Abi now focuses on camera operating and filming, she insists that the broad nature of her Â鶹´«Ã½ degree is what makes her so good at her job today. 
Because the creative media course taught her how to edit, she doesn't just shoot blindly. When she’s out in the wild tracking animals, she knows exactly what the story looks like from the editing room's perspective, allowing her to capture the perfect angles and sequences that the production team needs. 
What’s next for Abi? She’s currently expanding her skills even further, mastering complex thermal imaging technology to see what animals get up to in the dark.
To see some of the breath-taking environments Abi works in and check out her professional portfolio, visit her website at .
 
 
 

Ready to start your own journey? 

If you want a creative career but don't want to limit your options on day one, explore where BA (Hons) Creative Media at the Â鶹´«Ã½ can take you. 
Alternatively, explore your creativity with our range of arts degrees to suit every passion, or register for an open day to discuss your options in person with our dedicated staff and student ambassadors.
Blurred camera filming - creative media