About Wild Fox Productions Ltd

WILD FOX PRODUCTIONS

A Cumbrian based film Production Company specialising in wildlife and Natural History subjects.

Joseph Richardson, Wild Fox Productions, was writer, cameraman, director and co-producer of recent Border TV Wildlife documentary “Seasons of the Red Squirrel”.

Joseph reflects
"From the earliest age I can remember my brother and I being encouraged to take an interest in and to respect wildlife and natural history. Other interests came and went but if anything my interest in wildlife grew. I would draw and paint birds, animals, trees, more often than people.
I left school with two O levels and a CSE with the usual comments "could do better" ringing in my ears. For me learning in a crowded classroom was not the environment I thrived in. I served my time as an apprentice signwriter for Lowther Estates and in my own time continued to draw and paint in between the usual activities of youth.
My love of wildlife has helped me to recover from the sad periods of my life when inspiration is hard to find. Eventually I decided to set up as an artist and signwriter which I did for 25 years, carrying out some interesting commissions.
In 1999 a close friend encouraged me to use a camcorder for the first time. It was to be a turning point in my life, as I felt as if I had found my true vocation filming wildlife and the red squirrels in the village.
As I captured more footage I decided to try and make a short film about red squirrels,
seeking advice from various sources. As in any situation deciding which advice to take can mean the difference between success and failure. I read every book on the subject I could find, including some advice from the late Colin Willock of Survival. He basically said if you keep trying sooner or later an opportunity will arise, and with luck an important factor, you can achieve your ambition..
My first chance came when my Osprey footage from Bassenthwaite Lake was used on ITV Border news in 2002, and several times since. I began to learn how to edit my footage on a computer and then contacted a TV Editor, Trevor Wonfor, who in turn contacted Executive Producer Jane Bolesworth. They viewed my opening minutes and encouraged me to continue, with the possibility of a documentary on ITV Border!
A year later, on 15th September 2005 at 7.30 on ITV Border, I was given full credits as writer, cameraman, director, and co-producer with Trevor Wonfor, as "Seasons of the Red Squirrel" faced "Eastenders", on BBC1 the same time! I was lucky enough to have Fiona Armstrong, another wildlife enthusiast, as narrator. I was told later that it equalled the BBC1 viewing figures in the Border region.
I had achieved something I didn't think possible thinking back to my school days and could hardly speak when friends and neighbours kindly phoned to congratulate me later.
I have now edited a 54 minute extended version of the story to release on DVD and Video, at a time when the future of our native red squirrel is in doubt. This is really my tribute to a wonderful animal."