About
From then, to now
Stuart Nicholls
Hi, I'm Stu. If there is one thing I have learned from over 25 years in the television and live broadcast industry, it is that you have to understand the whole production pipeline to truly make a show work. Whether I am flying a Polecam over a live crowd or sitting in control operating racks, guaranteeing a multi-cam rig, my focus is always on flawless technical execution and attention to detail delivering the story.
Emagine Productions OwnerFrom Breaking News to Specialised Polecam Operation I started out back in 2000 as a freelance news cameraman, spending my early years shooting primarily for BBC News and BBC London. You learn to think on your feet in news, but I always wanted to push the creative side of camera movement. In 2005, I bought my Polecam and quickly realised how much a dynamic, lightweight jib could elevate a production. By 2008, I made Polecam my primary focus, and it is still what I am most well known for doing today.
That rig has taken me to some incredible places. I had the pleasure of operating Polecam for six series of Derren Brown’s shows on Channel 4, and I have covered two FIFA World Cups—Russia in 2018 and the USA in 2026 along with countless music concerts and corporate events.
Behind the Scenes: Engineering & Directing Over the years, my work naturally expanded beyond the camera itself and into the technical backbone of live events. Since 2010, I have worked extensively as a racks engineer and vision guarantee, I also regularly vision mix and direct conferences and corporate webstreams.
For me, it is all about having a hands-on, problem-solving mindset. I like knowing exactly how everything connects—from the glass to glass —so that when we go live, the crew is confident, the client is happy, and the stream is rock-solid. Its probably one of the things I love most about this industry, the ability to innovate, think on your feet and come together as a crew to produce great entertainment.
Let's Work Together
Whether you need a dedicated Polecam operator, a vision guarantee to keep your racks in check, or reliable comms gear for your next event, I am ready to help.
