Jonathan Garvey

Stop-Motion Technical Person

About me

Hi, I’m Jonathan Garvey! 👋 I specialize in stop-motion animation, primarily working in the lighting and camera department, where I’ve taken on roles from Director of Photography (DoP) to lighting and camera assistant, and lots in between.I bring a broad skill set to each project, including lighting and camera work, motion control, DMX lighting, and practical lighting setups—from tiny 0.5mm lights to custom large 8x4 soft-boxes.I’m a problem solver who’s comfortable working across departments to support all technical aspects of stop-motion production. Whether it’s rigging, optimizing workflows and pipelines, improving studio efficiency, or managing production schedules, I’m ready to jump in wherever needed to help bring projects across the finish line.

Projects I've worked on

Here’s a selection of posters and screen grabs from short films, TV shows, and commercials I’ve contributed to. My credits include roles such as Director of Photography (DoP), Motion Control Lead, Technical Director, and Lighting & Camera Operator.For specific details on my role in each project, please reach out for the latest copy of my CV.

Studios I've worked with

Moco

Motion Control is one of my passions; I love using it to add cinematic and dynamic elements to projects. In addition to working with a variety of industry-standard rigs, whether from established brands or custom-built in-house rigs, I also design and engineer my own motion control (MoCo) solutions, available for rent. These custom rigs are crafted to address challenges I've encountered with other brands, offering quick setup, real-time operation, and seamless integration with Dragonframe’s DMC-32 (also available for rent) or can internally operate in realtime. Most importantly, they deliver reliable repeatability.Currently, I offer modular tracks in various travel lengths, from 20 cm to 2 meters, which can be combined to create track/boom capabilities and can be mounted vertically without issue. My setup also includes pan, tilt, and roll heads that mount to any track or function as standalone units.Beyond tracks, my MoCo gear includes turntables, chopper arms, and other specialized equipment for a wide range of production needs. If your project requires a specific solution that isn’t readily available, I can engineer a cost-effective solution tailored to your needs.

Studio/Rental

I also have a studio space in Manchester suitable for smaller projects, with a full array of equipment available for rent—both within the studio and for external use. This includes cameras, lenses, rigging and grip, camera stands, geared heads, the list goes on. Along with 3D printers, laser cutters, metal lathes, and a range of power tools.Please reach out if I can help bring your vision to life! Or if you want a more detailed list of equipment.

Contact me

Feel free to reach out if I can help support your production. You can use the form below or email me at Contact (@) JonathanGarvey.co.ukFor a copy of my latest CV, reel, or references, don’t hesitate to get in touch—I’d be happy to provide any additional information you need.

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