film/tv & RaDIO
The Cave Connection - Into the Unknown
In 2012 Neil was part of New Zealand's "Extreme Caving Team" that discovered what became NZ's deepest cave, the Stormy Pot - Nettlebed system. Neil shot the Stormy Pot end of the footage in the Red Bull Media House film The Cave Connection - Into the Unknown which screened in the 2014 Banff Mountain Film Festival. The film won awards in NZ and internationally at The NZ Mountain Film Festival and Switzerland's Diablerets film festival.
Beneath New Zealand
Production company, Making Movies, contacted Neil and fellow cavers to help film the caving portion of Prime TV's Beneath New Zealand, a three-part documentary on the underground forces that form and change New Zealand landscapes. They had a great time guiding the crew around Mega Mania Cave in Kahurangi National Park and presenting for viewers what makes caves tick.
Wild About New Zealand
Neil and his dad, Kerry Silverwood, take Gus Roxburgh through an iconic West Coast cave on episode 5 of Wild About New Zealand, exploring NZ's national parks.
Armageddon on Radio New Zealand
Deep in the heart of the Paparoa National Park lie two significant caves, Fox River and Armageddon. Cavers believe that they are actually both part of one large system. Neil and his partner, Lauren Kelley, recorded an expedition attempting to make the connection for Radio New Zealand in order to share the sounds and the experience with a New Zealand audience. It aired on Spectrum with host Justin Gregory.
First Crossings - Harwood's Hole
Neil was part of the team that guided Kevin and Jamie through Harwood's Hole for the TV One show, First Crossings. In this, episode the duo recreate the iconic exploration of Takaka Hill cave, Harwood's Hole. Neil also worked as a cameraman for in-cave portions of the production.
Faszination Erde
For the New Zealand episode of Faszination Erde, Neil guided and rigged abseil safety equipment for German presenter Dirk Steffens and a small film crew in two West Coast caves and helped them bring to life the story of the Moa in New Zealand's natural history.
Modern Dinosaurs
Produced by New Zealand film company, Making Movies, Modern Dinosaurs tells the story of the unique wildlife of New Zealand and Australia and how certain species came to be what they are today. Neil guided and presented the cave-related portions of the series.