A tribute to Phil Mottram (1931 - 2014)

A Tribute to Phil Mottram (1931 - 2014)  

Read the Guardian obituary, written by Mike Leigh here.

A tribute by Moshe Nitzani, LFS IT Manager and graduate of the school...
Phil Mottram passed away on 28 May 2014. He was 83 years old. In 1959, after a career in the RAF as a navigator, Phil became a student of The London School of Film Technique in Brixton. Later on he became a lecturer, course tutor, and in the mid 80's the administrator of what was by then the London International Film School.
Phil was a very special man and a natural born teacher. He loved to share his knowledge about cinematography, music, history and geology. He had a great sense of humour which sometimes baffled overseas students who had never heard the Goons Show.

During his reign as an administrator, Phil continued to teach Cinematography classes. He was tireless, energetic person, full of enthusiasm and lived his life to the full.
There is a series of interviews with Phil shot for the 50th anniversary of the London Film School. You can view them on
http://www.lfs.org.uk/50th
After his retirement Phil put all of his energies into the restoration of a monument in Ilam village, Derbyshire. As a child, Phil was evacuated to the area, and fell in love with Ilam. You can read about it here:
http://www.ilam.org.uk/ilam-cross.asp
For me, he was a close and special friend who was also my teacher and boss in earlier times. I admired him very much and I know I am not the only one.
Phil is survived by Laura Mottram his wife for 60 years, his daughters Helen, Kate, Esther and his son Simon.

The funeral took place yesterday, attended by all his close family, friends and ex-colleagues. Tomorrow, Thursday, 11 June, Phil’s ashes will be scattered in his beloved place the village of Ilam in Derbyshire

I will miss him very much.
Moshe Nitzani 

Phil's family has set up a Phil Mottram Tribute Fund raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society.  If you would like to make a contribution, you can do so by following this link:  https://www.justgiving.com/Philip-Mottram


And some messages from LFS graduates..

Ranjan Kamath  - Phil Mottram is was a privilege to know you. Thank you for being such a wonderful support to a young fella from India when I was at LFS. You will always remain my champion! RIP  

Jide Bisayo - Great man, Phil Mottram. The history of London Film School and some of us students who passed through his tutelage will not be completed without mentioning this wonderful man. RIP.

Anne Campbell Weimoth -  I will remember Phil as an wonderful,patient and kind tutor and man. RIP

Glenn Ujebe  - Masokoane Phil taught me the appreciation of photography made me understand lighting and broad cinematograph concepts - long before digital cinematography became fashionable. He was such an inspiration with a very deep sense of humor - but more importantly also made me appreciate different kinds of apples and their origin. He made me understand the power of ancient Egyptian civilization - that early Egypt was always pre-occupied with the idea of moving images - as an Afrikan that made dig deep into Egyptology and the appreciation of Africa's contribution to world civilization. Phil Mottram our great teacher - let your eternal shadow continue to inspire generations to come about the power of cinema!

 Scott Nicholas Amendolare - Words cannot express adequately his commitment to the school and to those of us who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a tireless champion for the student body and due to his dedication, he along with long list of tireless champions created an enriching experience that changed the lives of many.

Gaelen Greene - Phil Mottram was the best! A fantastic administrator who made LIFS - the best experience ever! I remember him well. He taught me how to make cine film! Very British - he was affectionately referred to as a Gnome! (He was very, cute!) I will miss him. RIP Phil Mottram.

Rebecca Finley - Phil was a wonder. I loved his classes, with the dry-erase ink that would end up all over his gesturing hands, and his genuine enthusiasm for all things film. Such a bright, lively man with a contagious smile. My condolences to his family and friends. He was greatly admired and will be greatly missed.

Johanna Schwartz - Love him! One of my favourites ever. Definitely an amazing intro for us internationals to the ways of the Brits! One of a kind. xxx

Jean Sicotte - Another star blinked out in last night's sky, I was wondering who it was, now I learn it was Phil one of the LFS crew that made me a resilient filmmaker, who thought me that filmmaking is but a monster roller coaster ride, he was so right, I've lived the biggest highs and lows in film and he was right in affirming that filmmaking is one of the most beautiful "métier" in the known universe.

Fruit Cat - He was such a kind man. Always available to help wayward students in need, and always with pithy thoughts and a delicious dry sense of humor. I also enjoyed his classes and observations on film, and on life in general, immensely. One of the best aspects of LIFS during my time there~ RIP


 

I am most indebted to Mr. Phil Mottram, in my professional life as Film and Television Producer. He was my Teacher of FILM ANALYSIS, as well as Facilitator to the CAMERA & LIGHTING assignments in COURSE 44 (1966-1969) at The London School of Film Technique, now The London Film School. Mr. Mottram introduced me to each constitutive part, segment, of film as visual and manual element of the medium I was grasping in my learning of film making. He was excellent teacher and facilitator to explain things in a very attractive way. I remember, he first showed the film at our small cosy and warm film theatre at the school in the mornings and asked us the students to bring in a written form that what we had seen in the picture he had shown to us. Back in the afternoons, he asked each one of us to explain that what we had seen and exposed it as in contrast, to the seen film by showing it again, after everybody had exposed their understandings. That way, we shared with everybody our own vision and experience on the shown film. A great lecturer, Mr. Mottram he was. May God Almighty give him eternal life in His kingdom because he was good, made good and shared his knowledge with a great heart.  I am Hernán Rubin, one of the best producers in my country, Venezuela, thanks to such teachers as Mr. Phil Mottram at the London Film School.


Ian Hart, Peace Mountain Productions


I think the photo is from my days at the school in 1967-8 when Phil was teaching us to shoot a walking-ahead interview with the Eclair NPR, over the shoulder. Phil had a formative influence on my career and many others. Thank you Phil.


  
Gary Mills, Director of Education and New Media at Center on Congress at Indiana University


I remember Phil as my inspirational first-term instructor in 1980. His guidance was instrumental in my career.


MARY RYAN, Independent Writing and Editing Professional


Phil was not only a gentleman, he was a gentle soul, a steady presence during turbulent times. I assume he is bringing those qualities to his new, exalted position. As a young displaced Yank in Ted Heath's London, I add my gratitude for Phil's being at LFS when he was greatly needed!


Serge Everdepoel, Lighting designer/Director of photography


Phil was a mentor both in film and in life. His combination of wisdom and humor was unique and heartwarming. He was able to give you confidence to try out all sort of techniques of which he knew that most of them would not work. He stood patiently until you found out yourself. Then he would say that this is the reason of existence of a filmschool. It gives you the luxury to fail and improve. He even took me to a scubadiving expedition to Lulworth's cove, talking all the way up and back about lighting, textures and geology which only he could blend in a natural and seamless way.


Forever grateful!!!


Serge Everdepoel LIFS 78/81, DOP/LD Belgium


Paul Geday, Board Member at Contemporary Image Collective


I remember his humour, his helpfulness and advises. It was always good to have a good chat with him. RIP Phil


Lili Lakich, Owner, Lakich Studio and Fine Art Consultant


Phil was a good and thorough teacher. I still can't seem to throw away my notes even though I went into another profession. I'll always remember him for having us light a brick. A BRICK!


Leonardo Aranguibel, Production Director at Disney Media Distribution LatAm, Us Hispanics, Europe, Middle East and Africa.


Great guy, our dear Phil! I agree his humor was unique indeed. His lectures were delightful and also those wonderful hikes talking about botany and film history at the same time, unforgettable! 20+ years after leaving The LIFS, he remembered me and my name once I told him the nickname other students had given me...The best teacher I had in my life, no doubt. I'll never, ever, forget him... Leo Aranguibel ("Da Vinci") LIFS 75



Billy Arellano, Director at Arellano Producciones


One of my great teachers. His humor was so cool. Ill remember him always.


Jack Orchel, Co-Founder & Chairman, Galloway Nature & Heritage Trust


Phil was a superb teacher whose enthusisam for camerawork and image making was infectious. He taught me how to observe critically and creatively and enriched my life by doing so. I was fortunate to have been one of his students at LFS in 1972-73.


Curtis Clark, Independent Motion Pictures and Film Professional


Phil had a seminal impact on my early development as a student cinematographer at the LFS. His skilful dedication to teaching and his passion for the art and craft of cinematography inspired me to become a professional cinematographer, always striving to practice it as an art form with an understanding of its technological foundation. It was the best possible preparation for a cinematography career. Phil will always be remembered!


Frits Oostvogel, Assessor film content at Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision


For students in course 54 (''71-'72) Phil's dedication to the fundamentals of the moving image and the moving camera was as witty, contagious as it was inspiring. Because of him -and some others at the time- LFS was an excellent education in the medium.


Something I will cherish forever. Thank you Phil!!!

Øyvind Asbjørnsen   - A warm, compassionate teacher with a dry, northern sense of humour. May he rest in peace.

Harold Monfils - Phil Mottram, a teacher, an inspiration and a friend. You will be remembered by many.
Craig Gavin Galbraith - A kind hearted administrator. He always tried hard to set us overseas students at ease. Phil will be remembered and missed.
Antonio Fernandes - A very good professiional and extremely dedicated person to the film school.I am proud to have such a good teacher and a friend.God bless you Phil.