ONE OF A KIND 

Tim Potter, a dedicated camera technician and GBCT chair, was renowned for his kindness, expertise and lifelong commitment to supporting crew. Tributes have poured in for a true gent.  

Tim Potter GBCT (Bectu camera branch and GBCT chair) joined the Guild in 1991 and was elected to the Board in 2006, becoming Chair in 2009. Through his roles in both Bectu and the GBCT, he championed the education and training of camera technicians.  

We have lost a kind, patient and unassuming comrade — a true gentleman with a wealth of knowledge and expertise, always generously shared. There has been an outpouring of shock and sorrow from all who knew him. Our deepest sympathy goes to his beloved partner, Kathy. Rest in peace, dear Tim — truly the best of the best. 

Remembering Tim Potter GBCT 

“I have lost a dear friend and my go-to person for most things GBCT and Bectu-related. Tim was a shy, decent, gentle soul who remained dignified and circumspect, even when confronted with hostility from those who misunderstood him and were under the illusion that they knew best. Like those who acknowledged and appreciated his brilliance, I will miss him greatly.” 

Lorraine Luke GBCT COO 

“Tim Potter was a pillar of the UK film and Television industry. He joined Bectu in 1985, when he went freelance as a clapper/loader, having first plied a grip with drink in order to ascertain how much he should charge. An extremely intelligent man, Tim became a valuable source of information and history for the Camera Branch, able to place in context the dilemmas facing members around rates, agreements and many other issues. Two of his valuable contributions were compiling the branch rate card and attending PACT negotiations, where he was able to spot loopholes and errors missed by everyone else.” 

Tim Bertani, Bectu camera branch communications  

“Tim staffed the Guild office following the loss of Dee. He was a steady influence and guiding voice in maintaining the organisation and generously devoted more than a year to ensure the GBCT survived. Dee was a hard person to follow. So too is Tim.” 

Gabriel Hyman GBCT 

“Tim and I worked together for over 10 years, sharing a mutual appreciation of good food and wine. He had a work “uniform” of grey jumper, black shirt, black jeans and black leather jacket, accessorised by metal rimmed glasses and mis-matched grey socks. He was a quiet, but persistent, fighter for the rights of others. His legacy runs far and wide.” 

Hilda Sealy GBCT 

“Tim was a great raconteur. One of his favourite stories was about his first major focus pulling job on the aerial unit of LWT’s series Piece of Cake. He was trussed into a simple harness and dangled perpendicular to the ground from a light plane. The cargo door had been removed to enable a clear view and the pilot zealously banked steeply and repeatedly in quest of exciting footage! Hair raising for Tim and without doubt impeccably sharp.” 

Jean Ash GBCT 

“I met Tim on my second job as a clapper loader. I wasn’t very good, but he forgave my inexperience and saw my potential. He kept seeing it. I remember getting a set of macro lenses from Panavision. The barrel of the lens rotated and the WLCS motors and cogs then disengaged. It was the morning of the shoot and I was panic-stricken. Under the fluorescent hum of the kit room, Tim had clearly seen all my mistakes before I’d even made them. He calmly walked over and set the motors to have a hard start and stop. I’ll carry him with me in everything I do, not just on set, but in life.” 

Jermaine Edwards, DP 

“Tim’s skills and talents went way beyond being a top focus puller. He was the driving force behind getting the UAL Diplomas up and running. He was a top mathematician with an Oxford degree, a total nerd and a brilliant, patient teacher. In my role as an assessor, I watched him gently explain to his trainee the science behind magnification and exposure loss when working with macros. His great passion was wine. We were in a restaurant in Bruges and he noticed a wine on the menu that he had bought at auction. He ordered it for us all to try. It was amazing. Totally not a wine snob, he just wanted to share it with us.” 

Mary Kyte GBCT 

“Tim was one of a kind – a positive role model, always supportive of crew. I met him in 1998 at Heathrow, en route to a commercial in Tokyo. Our time was much enhanced by a shared tase for fine wine. After one such appreciation session we decided to buy kimonos. Tim’s was, of course, grey.” 

Oliver Curtis BSC 

“You could speak to Tim about things which had nothing much to do with camera work: classical music, silent movies, paying bills, writing wills. Normal things. A large portion of his working life was devoted to initiatives which could never provide him with career advancement, only help fellow crew members. On and off set he talked about the GBCT, Bectu, pay and conditions and camera trainees – rarely about himself.” 

Roland Phillips GBCT 

“I first met Tim in 2004. I was green as hell and he was parachuted in to steady the ship. Before you could say black leather jacket, he was working miracles with the focus, using tiny bits of tape stuck on seemingly random parts of the set. I was awestruck. Tim became an integral part of my crew, an absolute master of his craft who taught me so much, be it about tea, red wine or staying inside the triangle.” 

Tat Radcliffe BSC