Gareth Tandy

Gareth started his career in the 1950s at the age of 5 as a child actor, continuing this avenue until, at the age of 13, he became more interested in what the technicians were doing rather than wearing make-up! By 17, he was a film dispatch boy working for Associated British Pathe. After a couple more years, he worked on his first film, Two Gentlemen Sharing, as a freelance runner before stepping up to 3rd AD in 1970. He continued as a 3rd AD for a fair while as he thoroughly enjoyed it and seemed much more fun than being a 2nd AD. Some of the credits at this level were Star Wars, 7% solution, some Ken Russell’s (Tommy, Valentino and Lisztomania) as well as a rather good TV drama called QB7. He finally bit the bullet and stepped up to 2nd AD during the late 70’s, although he still managed to jump around a bit between 3rd/2nd and even 1st, some model effects units such as Superman 1 and 2, Krull, Dark Crystal, etc. His more memorable 2nd AD credits were Little Shop of Horrors, Spies Like Us, Eye of the Needle and another rather good TV called Ellis Island. He eventually made the move to 1st AD during the latter 80’s on second units such as Roger Rabbit and Indiana Jones, then onto main unit work, starting with a 3-year stint on Jeeves and Wooster. His 1st AD credits are mentioned on IMDB. He still manages to get away with it and shows no signs of either dying or retiring just yet.

Gareth has also spent a lot of time working with students at Beaconsfield, assisting with their graduation and 1st year films as well as being roped in on Freebees wherever he believes they’re worthy of being made.