Documenting Flyby Technology is a storyteller’s dream, especially if you love all things aviation as I do! They are a maverick tribe of elite British pilots, instructors and interesting misfits with a global vision for the future of aviation, and the capability to make it happen. Work-class drones, together with incredible technology, are becoming a force for good in this new chapter of aviation history. However, tech is tech. It’s the people behind it all who really matter. Highly-trained, skilled pilots in this fast-moving sector are a sought-after commodity, as industries will be forever changed by this aviation revolution. Follow with me as they change our perception of what is possible. Drones for Good!!

Annalisa, it is fair to say, has changed our company forever. She is so polite and respectful but has a terrific ability to get you talking on camera. Not to get gotcha moments. She gets you onto subjects you love talking about. Have I mentioned that she is a terrific pilot too, yet?
— Jon Parker, FRAeS, Founder of Flyby and former Sea Harrier Pilot
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creating stories that matter.

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Authenticity is the most important component of anything I create and the details required were for this film exacting for powerboat racing legend, Mike Ring, and his boatbuilding team. It was an exciting, full production film short for the launch of a new 10 metre military RIB. Aerial footage was captured with an Inspire II drone and involved me launching and hand-catching it from a tugboat platform out at sea, whilst directing the shots from the drone operator and a cameraman on the rib itself. It was a complex and challenging shoot. I like to design the soundtrack first to create the right atmosphere, and this was no exception. The Royal Engineers crewing the high-performance boat were fantastic to work with, and it couldn't have been done without Tugboat Erica and the Littlehampton Harbourmaster. Take a look at their website here: Ring Powercraft.

Artist Hannah Vickery wanted something to help grow her business, but she also wanted potential clients to feel connected to her. So I filmed this at her West Sussex studio, creating an elegant way for Hannah to explain how she goes about creating such beautiful and lifelike pencil portraits of dogs and other animals. So much thought goes into the detail and most portraits take several days to complete. Take a look at her website, Country Dog Portraits.

A behind-the-scenes look at the making of this landmark exhibition about Hampshire's very own Jane Austen as it is being developed and built by Hampshire Cultural Trust. This film was installed as part of the exhibition marking the bicentennial of her death showcasing six portraits from private and public collections brought together for the very first time, works by artists including Grayson Perry, and Jane Austen at The BBC. Includes interviews with curators Kathryn Sutherland and Louise West, and exhibition designer and manager, Ioannis Ioannidis.

The Making of The Mysterious Miss Austen Exhibition: Prop and costume maker, Claire Isbester, explains how the copies she is making of Jane Austen's silk pelisse, a type of light coat that actually belonged to the much-loved author, will be used in the landmark exhibition.

Annalisa is a sensitive and thoroughly professional film maker. She made an excellent film for ‘The Mysterious Miss Austen’, a ground breaking exhibition marking the bicentenary of the author’s death. Annalisa worked tirelessly with the curators and designers to produce a series of films about the exhibition, which are both engaging and informative. She is a pleasure to work with.
— Louise West, Co-Curator of 'The Mysterious Miss Austen', Hampshire Cultural Trust, Winchester, Hampshire

The University of Winchester has its own record label, Splendid Fred Records, and this film is about an album of songs created to help raise awareness of climate change. It's also the 2017 Green Gown Award winner for Student Engagement.

Chasing Perfection follows the restoration of a baby grand Steinway over the course of several months as Shawn Hoar works his magic to bring it back to life in his state-of-the-art workshop, Shawn's Pianos in West Hartford, Connecticut. As a Master Craftsman, Shawn is always chasing perfection as he restores these complex instruments from the beams up, uncovering the secrets of the original craftsmen as he works. We also get to see his beautiful showroom filled with pianos, vintage and new, for pianists, piano lovers and collectors of all levels.

The film won a platinum in the 2016 AVA Digital International Awards and a gold Hermes award.

So Much More Than Pudding: The Human Story Behind Meals-On-Wheels. Connecting with the people whose stories you are telling is so important. On the day of filming, Alice changed her mind about being interviewed. But actually, she decided to get her hair done so she'd be at her best to explain why Meals on Wheels are such an important part of her life. CW Resources, Inc., is a national nonprofit based in New Britain, Connecticut. They create more than 2.5 million meals a year for delivery to seniors like Alice, whose only contact with the outside world on most days, is the driver delivering her meal. The film was a 2017 Gold Hermes award winner.

Annalisa’s attention to detail is impeccable and the quality of her work is phenomenal.
— Sandie Lavoy, Sr. VP of Community Rehabilitation Services , CW Resources Inc., New Britain, Connecticut.

I made this series of short films for CW Resources, Inc. a national nonprofit, to take to Washington DC as a lobbying tool for raising awareness among legislators of the 14(c) Special Minimum Wage Certificate, a provision under the Fair Labor Standards Act allowing those with significant disabilities to work and earn at their own pace. It's a contentious subject because it raises questions about some basic human rights. The brief was to put a human face on some difficult issues by telling some very personal stories to create a deeper understanding of the organisation and its work. A 2017 AVA Digital Gold award winner.

Community Mental Health Affiliates (CMHA) wanted to showcase the importance of their comprehensive behavioural health and addiction services to legislators, potential employees and funders. Told through the eyes of their clients and employees, I was embedded with the organisation for several months to uncover these stories and shine a light on the longterm value and effectiveness of their work.

The Spirit of Caring is the resulting series of short films about people from all walks of life, who have worked hard to overcome some of life's most complex problems with the help of CMHA. The campaign won highest honours, a platinum at the 2016 Hermes International Awards and a gold in the International AVA Digital awards."

Annalisa took the snippet of an idea that we had to tell our agency’s story and created a powerful and uplifting message of hope, empowerment and recovery.
— Ray Gorman, President and CEO, Community Mental Health Affiliates, (CMHA), New Britain, Connecticut

Still Photography | News | documentary

About Annalisa Russell-Smith

Annalisa is an adventurous soul who loves nature and whose curiosity has led her to explore and travel all her life. She's passionate about storytelling as a way to connect with people, recognising that throughout the ages, we have relied upon stori…

Annalisa is an adventurous soul who loves nature and whose curiosity has led her to explore and travel all her life. She's passionate about storytelling as a way to connect with people, recognising that throughout the ages, we have relied upon stories to keep our cultures strong.

Her passion for motorbikes led to the exploration of obscure country lanes all over the British Isles where she grew up. Later, she had a go at learning to fly hang gliders before deciding she'd be better off with an engine and started exploring the countryside from the air in an old Cessna.

In her twenties, she sold up everything to go around the world for a year -- something she'd dreamed about since she was small. “Are you mad?” some said. "Where will you sleep?" they asked. It was a good question, because online anything hadn’t been invented yet, so word of mouth was the main source of information, and writing letters kept you in touch with those you cared about.

Others thought she was brave and wished they could do the same.

“Make up your mind and set a course” she told them, it’s easy really.

Setting off first to Africa armed with her camera and a small backpack, she travelled on a shoestring around Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia. Hong Kong was next, which was still under British rule, before taking the train across China, where she rode around Beijing on a bicycle for a month or two in the cold, staying in the only hostel for Westerners near the Temple of Heaven. The adventures continued in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, America and Canada.

"It's the best thing I've ever done…the kind of adventure that builds self reliance and character…although I didn’t think it at the time. I was just following a dream!”

In 2007, while living in New England, her best friend roped her into volunteering to start a farmers' market. A self-confessed food snob, it didn't take long before she was involved in the local food scene, helping to run a small farm that she got certified organic. People loved her beautiful produce and learning how to use and cook with seasonal ingredients to make the most of what was available.

It was at this time that she fell in love with video, while working in her full-time job as a photojournalist for a small daily newspaper. She made it her focus to help organisations use storytelling to create a better understanding of their mission or services. She's learnt her craft by trial and error in the field, and from the incredible teaching faculty at the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) whose professional development workshops are held at the University of Syracuse, New York and the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College. While serving as the NPPA's Regional Chair for New England, she also created a training workshop for visual journalists held at the The Boston Globe headquarters in 2016.

Annalisa rediscovered her love of flying in 2015 when she bought her first drone. She is a fully qualified CAA PfCO, GVC and A2CofC pilot (trained by Flyby Technology) and a self-shooting Producer/Director. Her interviewing style is relaxed and informal, putting the subject at ease in front of the camera.

Experienced in all aspects of story development from concept to on-site shoot management and post production edit.

Annalisa is available for assignments anywhere in the world.

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