Sky News Crewcast - The Sky News Camera Department Podcast

In this episode, current Mick Deane Scholar Ruth Odewale speaks with Crewcast’s Phil Hooper about her journey at Sky News so far. Ruth reflects on what it means to be the ninth recipient of the scholarship, shares her ambitions for the future, and discusses some of the memorable experiences she's had along the way, including the day she met an Avenger...

Presenter: Phil Hooper
Guest: Ruth Odewale
Producer: Nathan Hale

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In this episode of Crewcast, Phil Hooper catches up with newly installed LA Bureau shoot edit Caleb Swinney. Caleb barely had time to unpack before being thrown straight into life on the road. From a freezing deployment in Minneapolis to powerful stories in Mexico, Syria and Ukraine, Caleb talks honestly about the chaos, pressure and privilege of our job and of bureau life. It’s a warm, funny and revealing conversation about storytelling, resilience, teamwork and what it really takes to do the job when no two days are ever the same.

This episode contains some bad language.

Presenter: Phil Hooper

Guest: Caleb Swinney 

Producer: Nathan Hale 

Music: Lee Byatt

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In this month’s episode, Phil Hooper speaks to Manchester based shoot/edit Lee Byatt.

Lee talks candidly and eruditely about his time at the BBC and SIS, his experience as a lecturer, and his journey to his current role at Sky News.

He tells Phil why he loves his job, opens up about some of his passions outside the workplace, explains how Covid inspired his creativity and he shares why he enjoyed Elton John’s wedding so much… 

Presenter: Phil Hooper

Guest: Lee Byatt

Producer: Nathan Hale 

Music: Lee Byatt

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In this episode, Phil concludes his chat with Belfast based Camera Operator Graeme McNeill. After speaking about growing up and working in Northern Ireland last time out, this time they discuss his recent trips to Iran and Afghanistan. Graeme explains what it’s like going into a country that is under attack from The United States, the challenge of corporate compliance when it comes to kit, issues at the Iranian border, how his team were mistaken for the US President and more...

Presenter: Phil Hooper

Guest: Graeme McNeill

Producer: Nathan Hale 

Music: Lee Byatt

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We are delighted to announce the return of the Sky News camera department podcast for another season. 

Phil Hooper is back, with a new logo and a new theme tune (composed by the camera department’s very own Lee Byatt).

In this episode Phil speaks to Graeme McNeill, the Belfast based camera operator. In this, the first of two parts, Graeme talks about what it was like growing up in Northern Ireland, trying (and occasionally failing) to avoid covering “Paddywhackery”, the importance of doing the right thing and much more.

Presenter: Phil Hooper

Guest: Graeme McNeill

Producer: Nathan Hale 

Music: Lee Byatt

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It’s the final episode of season one of Crewcast and who better to round things off than recently honoured Jackie Faulkner MBE.

Jackie needs no introduction to most of us at Sky. She is arguably the person most responsible for the way the department is today. The passion, drive and empathy she showed during her time at Sky News has granted her lifelong “Legendary” status for most. 

For those that don’t know her, fear not! Thanks to resident podcaster Phil Hooper you can get to know her through this fascinating conversation. Jackie talks about life at Sky in the early days, from building site to transmission of the first broadcast, getting 05:30 calls from Rupert Murdoch and what it was like to send people to their first war. 

Presenter: Phil Hooper
Guest: Jackie Faulkner
Producer: Nathan Hale 

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In a first for Crewcast, our resident podcaster Phil Hooper speaks to one of our Correspondents. Ashna Hurynag is loved by the camera department and wider company and Phil felt it was only right to catch up with her before she leaves Sky News and heads to pastures new at Good Morning Britain to be produced by ITN. 

Ashna talks to Phil about some of her experiences in the last five years at Sky and the importance of kindness, authenticity and food(!) in our line of work.

Warning: Contains some strong language

Presenter: Phil Hooper
Guest: Ashna Hurynag
Producer: Nathan Hale 

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This Month, resident Sky News cameraman and podcaster Phil Hooper speaks with London based shoot / edit Josh Masters. Josh talks about his time at Sky News so far, from his placement on the Mick Deane bursary to travelling the world for Sky. 

If you've ever wondered how to pack one bag for a trip to the Arctic and Africa or what it's like to doorstep a sitting US President then this one is for you.

Warning: Contains some strong language

Presenter: Phil Hooper
Guest: Josh Masters
Producers: Nathan Hale & Dave Rees

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This Month, resident podcaster Phil Hooper speaks to excellent cameraman and even better human Richie Mockler. 

Richie shares a few of the incredible experiences he has had since he joined Sky News including the time his team was ambushed in Ukraine. He also talks about how his passion and drive were forged from challenges at a very early age.

Take a listen, it doesn’t disappoint… 

Warning: Contains some strong language

Presenter: Phil Hooper
Guest: Richie Mockler
Producer: Nathan Hale

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Something a bit different this episode.

We talk about how our mental health can be impacted, by what we see and do. Phil talks openly about his personal experiences in order to highlight the signs to look out for should we become affected. 

In this conversation, our resident podcaster Phil Hooper talks with James Scurry, a Sky News producer and trained psychotherapist. They discuss mental health in our profession, focusing on the growing recognition of trauma among journalists, the need for peer support and practical tips for maintaining mental wellbeing.

Presenter: Phil Hooper
Guest: James Scurry
Producer: Nathan Hale

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