M.J. Bassett Biography

Fast Facts

• Interested in becoming a veterinarian as a child, he would leave school at 16-years-old to work as a cinematographer's assistant in Africa, an experience that would ultimately lead him to filmmaking
• Hoped to launch his filmmaking career in nature and wildlife-centric programming while studying zoology in college
• Transitioned to filmmaking after shopping his script for "Deathwatch" around for many, many years
• His first job in the industry came when broadcast journalist Janet Street-Porter sought his help with a children's wildlife program in the late '80s
• Once worked as a puppeteer on a children's show while pondering a career move