The recent tributes and kind words from Will’s family, friends and colleagues have been of great comfort and lovely to read. We were overwhelmed with the amount of people and contacts who have taken the time to sit down and reflect on their time and interactions with our Will. It has shown us, although we knew already, quite how wonderful he was and the positive impact he made on the people he met.
Please see a link here for details of his funeral, access by posting into web browser, (/) all who wish to attend are welcome.
Thank you for your support and kindness at this time. We will continue to monitor his messages, but in the fullness of time we will memorialise his accounts.
Simon, Debbie and Jessica
@jessfrance@debbie.france2
This is the hardest post that we will ever have to write. After fighting cancer for 13 years, we lost our beautiful William on the 12th December. Aged just 28 he passed away peacefully at home with his mum and dad in the early hours of Friday morning. He was a beautiful, kind, loving, polite son and brother, and we cannot put into words our loss. To say that we will miss him is a massive understatement, he had a beautiful kind soul, with a wicked sense of humour. He was such a positive person who always embraced life head on - what ever.
William was courageous in the way that he faced adversity with optimism, pride, and a positive mindset, never shying away from a new treatment or an exciting venture. He was stoic in his fight against his cancer but he bought parts of that into his everyday life which allowed him to not only be our lovely boy, but also a friend and colleague to many, he left such an impression on all he met.
William’s social media accounts will be monitored, and any other information we need to share will be posted.
Debbie (mum), Simon (dad) and Jessica (sister)
@debbie.france2@jessfrance
Colouring the Void by William J. France (camera trainee)
From the August page of our 2026 calendar, Perspectives of Space.
William reflects on his image:
“Colouring the Void is about how the construction and architecture of the Guinness Storehouse uses light and structure in different settings. The inspiration for this photography comes from the unique and engaging presentation of the building, which keeps surprising visitors with very differently designed rooms, with this photo shining a light on the 300,000,000 Nitrogen Bubbles found in every Pint of Guinness; with each bubble lighting up to show how that Creamy head is created...”
The calendar is now available to pre-order from the Mark Milsome Foundation online shop.
Click link in bio and order yours now. 🙏
@willfrance_camera@andramilsome_@markatmission@fabianwagnerdop@fran_entertainmentpublicist@missiondigital@asteraofficial@sonyprofilmmaking #calendar #calendar2026 #calendardesign #annualcalendar #photography📷
Day 21 (9/10/25)
The One with a new shiny lens, loads of checking in/revision and world class banter
As autumn descended, giving me the chance to rock my MMF Beanie once again, it was another day, another dollar and another 8 hours of feeling part of the team. Checking in and cleaning the slate was the order of the day. Getting straight to it I inspected a pair of legs, later with the help of Paul, before shadowing Margarida on a Camera Service and helping with cable management. I then doubled down on inspecting batteries on a specific job. Where I found lifehacks, like putting the 2-pin lemo light checker on my Apple Watch, which sped up the process and made it fun. It was great to be able to be thorough in my inspections, something which can be tricky when we need to be moving quickly haha. Just before I went to lunch though, there was a new toy to play with. A new F8 Zoom Probe Lens, that makes everyday objects look like things from a different planet; so naturally we became obsessed with its insane close focus. I decided to give a lecture on my Micropthalmia Hyperdisplaysia. It needs a lot of lighting, because of the DOF, but when you nail it its so easy to see the appeal.
After having my fun I went off to lunch. Having a beef salad with new Potatoes, lettuce and Peppers which was delicious. Afterwards I got back to doing more checking in, with an ARRI Mattebox, a Mini Xboxx and SmallHD monitor. It was a great time to practice and revise my personal practices. And more importantly I felt right at home doing it, it felt seamless to move on from one thing to the next; to the extent I very nearly cleared the whole bay I was working on bar a rolling spider (which I wasn’t confident enough about inspecting). And to help things Starkey popped in (in-between poolside sessions 😉 ) to have a chat.
So yeah, overall it was a good day, where I didn’t feel grateful, lucky or privileged. I felt part of the team, I felt competent and most importantly I felt confident, and people left me to it. As always, here’s to more!
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
Day 20 (2/10/25)
The One where there was a swanky new DLR Train, PREP was the word of the day and Guy brought the Malaysian Vibes
The day got exciting before I even got in. Not only did I get the DLR just in time, it was easy to tell that they’d redecorated; I really liked it. Felt very modern, digital and the all electric power it had packed the torque more than usual too; resulting in people realising why they hold onto handrails. While the rest of the journey was standard, although they finally fixed the lift at West Ham for the DLR platform (so another bonus there), it was an extraordinary morning in the office.
PREP was the order of the day. With all test rooms being used, I ended up (unofficially) managing my first client in their own testroom (TR4) for the whole day while helping the other techs with moving equipment elsewhere. And I have to say I actually really enjoyed all of it. While I can be insecure about my strength and stamina, I loved the feeling of thinking outside of the box and trying to provide great customer service. Moreover it helped that that client was super chill and happy to chat. It was helped by how helpful everyone else was with me while I tracked items down; so I really felt like an employee with meaningful responsibilities. After doing some bits and bobs I had lunch. Having a bigger salad bowl than I thought, I took stock of the morning I had.
Coming back from Lunch, it was much more smooth sailing. I stayed attentive to TR4, paired up some rods and did some checking in. At which point we talked about music and admired Guys fashion choices. After putting an ARRI FF Unit in TR4, and assisting Roland in range testing another, I picked up the last bits in TR4 and prepped another job. Something I went through confidently and took me up to the end of the shift.
After the personal disruption of the last two months, I am getting that confidence back that I’ve been building. Is that because I’m not thinking of my body as much? Maybe, but my head and clarity of thought felt so much sharper. Here’s to more!
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
Day 19 (25/9)
The One where there was a Four week late birthday card, no skipping leg day and XTREME job preps.
I was due a week like this, where it felt like a good brain exercise and all-rounder sort of day. Being back on steroids this week has meant more life adjustment than normal. Getting over that though, I just thought “well it couldn’t get any worse, so let’s make it better”
After coming in, and picking up my four week old birthday card, I spent the morning servicing a set of tall and short Ronford Baker legs, followed up with a Tripod head as well; something I haven’t touched in a while. In that process Roland made a lovely cuppa to go with my tub of mini mints which helped push me through to lunch. I then topped off the first half of the day by testing out some cables.
For lunch I picked up on my self critique of last week, and had a chicken chipotle salad, with Peppers, Veggies and greens. And enjoyed more of one of the most frank audiobooks I’ve ever listened to; The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Very blunt and on the nose but admittedly has some great ideas.
After lunch, I managed to get a check in all to myself; with some help when I needed it (cheers Kieran and Ivan). I was really proud of how far I got with it too, preparing everything for the test, bar lenses and filters, and it meant I got to do some learning with the A35 XTREME as well. I’ve rarely had my own check ins to do all to myself, but the situation with who was in and who wasn’t made it perfect.
So to be able to have checked in that much gear in an afternoon made me feel I could leave work happy! It helped that it just felt so nice to feel comfortable, assured and trusted by those around me; whereas normally I can view myself as a distraction and obstacle. Here’s hoping for more good days like this to come
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
I’m not one to be political or critical on this platform, but this Press Conference from Trump and Kennedy was absolutely sickening. Pure misinformation dressed up as a concerning issue, without addressing the wider context.
I don’t want to focus on what he said though, because I’d rather applaud the quickness and quality of response from the @nationalautisticsociety to debunk the horrible and frankly impeachment worthy pseudo science claims this administration of (apparently) the Greatest Country in the World has declared.
A Joke of a presidency, a joke of an administration and a pathetic excuse of a man is Donald Trump and Robert F Kennedy. I call on organisations like @filmtvcharity the @britishfilminstitute and @uk_screenskills to make sure autistic workers in the screen industries are protected from this absurdist “research” and these illogical “facts”.
Being autistic is not a disease, it’s a different way of life. For myself I see it as a superpower, and while this doesn’t change anything about my point of view of it as a condition, I’m aware not many others are so assured of their perspective on autism and neurodiversity. To those people I say I am here for you, and please don’t let this voodoo hypocrisy change how you think about yourself; they’re afraid of what your capable of, don’t be afraid to show it loud and proud!
#autism #neurodiversity #misinformation #camera #cameratrainee #autisticcameratrainee #treatment #NHS #mentalhealth
Day 18
The One where there was a Train Delay, Portugese/Turkish/Bulgarian Delights and another new LEGO Model.
After missing last Thursday (the 11th) due to the TFL Strikes, Southeastern wanted to have some fun too…by delaying trains by 40 minutes on the Canterbury West-Ramsgate+Margate because of a broken down train. So not the best start to the day, getting in an hour later than I liked.
Getting past that Ivan quickly came in after me, after spending two weeks in Portugal, and gave me some gifts from his holiday for my birthday; a box of Portugese/Turkish/Bulgarian Delights and lovely decorative magnet. Lifted my day a bit I won’t lie.
Finally getting myself on the tech floor, I got stuck straight in with looking at an ARRI wireless follow focus before moving more onto what I know; an LMB86 Matte Box. During which we had our work chats, and I got outraged that John and Zeze hadn’t seen Star Wars, and so I had to explain a bit more about my in-progress LEGO model than I hoped for 🤣. Anyway it was a busy morning, I did some checking in, some cable testing and a monitor check before heading off on my lunch break…
I think I need to find healthier lunch options though as I had another afternoon slump. Working through it (very slowly) by servicing a set of legs before getting back to doing a lot of checking in, finishing with a monitor stand. Easily the busiest I’ve seen it be, but I didn’t feel deterred. Even though I’m still not at my best physically, I didn’t feel out of place.
Maybe it just felt harder because I missed a week, or maybe it’s because my nerve pains have still been playing up. Not every step on the mountain is even, but it is worth it.
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
Needed to have a big Birthday present didn’t I?
Sorry I’ve been a bit vacant, the tube strikes last week meant I couldn’t go to @onestopfilms for work (so couldn’t do my regular post, I was planning on doing a fun one but I felt like I did it a bit too late). Plus I’ve had some nerve pains, so life had to step in the way a bit.
Anyway, presenting my next bit of Lego therapy. Something to accompany my Tie Interceptor (although I’m not convinced they’ll get along, they’ll just have to learn to be friends 😬). Also shows how excited I am for Starfighters coming soon 😍.
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
Day 17
The One where I come into @onestopfilms the day after my Birthday. So after having a lovely and relaxing day on Wednesday I came in on Thursday ready to take on the day.
I started out differently, by checking in and testing a set of tall and short legs from Romford and Baker; with one part of the tall legs having 🦅 💩 (I think) on the strap that connects the legs to the spreaders…🤢.
Moving swiftly on, after cleaning it off I moved onto a BNC Drum and a Handlebar set. With the BNC Drum still being stickered up like it was on set I decided to take them off first; and then I accidentally took off a BNC connector. That was my task after lunch sorted haha. I quickly moved onto the handlebars which were fine, and had a nice chicken salad for lunch (no evidence was taken).
After lunch I tried to exercise my BMC making skills that I learned during my work experience days, and opened a share bag of Haribos to share with the other technicians. Suddenly no techs were around, and I get called by Nick to come into the break room. Where they all surprised me with a Victoria Sponge cake and card (again no evidence was taken, but it was nice to live in that moment). I’ve never had a work office birthday, so it was a surreal and pleasant surprise.
Back to trying to do this BNC drum, with my slice of cake and sweets in hand, I was in good spirits. But had to give it up. I remembered all the right things but fustratingly I wasn’t being precise enough. So after helping with other orders, I shadowed Roland while he fixed the BNC drum with ease.
Thankful for that I’ve learned a few tips for how to repair BNCs more effectively, and next week (or next time depending on the tube strikes), I know what I’m practicing first. A rough day but nothing was going to keep my spirits down.
(Also cheers to @nathanjnuttall for the photo of my trying to dribble a bin over to my desk for the BNC repairing 🤣
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
Day 16
Another ok day at OneStopFilms, and probably my last work day there as a 27 year old ☠️
(My Birthday is next Wednesday, I’m not being sacked. Let’s get into it 😅)
Firstly it was nice to see East London getting into St Paddy’s day spirit. An admirable effort to copy Chicagos green river even if they didn’t mean it haha. Five minutes later I was working on my first Mattebox of the day. A fairly easy one to start with this LMB25.
After doing some bits and bobs I moved onto a LMB 4x5 kit…that the crew had decided should work a different way; by unscrewing the shade and sticking Velcro strips onto the box frame and the shade instead. In reality it’s not reinventing the wheel, and it’s a clever and quick way to make adjustments on set (because the 4x5 mb has individual side flags to control flares and light, whereas the LMB25 has just a top flag as standard), but it was a bit of a pain to reassemble when it came back…because the Velcro strips left a lot of residue to clean up. Which just makes the job messy. After putting it back together, and checking it all over, I went for my lunch break, where it was clear the Studio was buzzing with activity.
After a Jacket Potato, and a nap, I scanned in the LMB 4X5 first thing. After getting another cuppa, Ivan refreshed me on the ARRI Hi-5 follow focus system and I tested some BNC Drums, Mains Drums and monitor stands to finish off the day. Not a very productive afternoon as the Radiotherapy side effects creeped in again.
In balance, it was just one of those days. I just felt very meh going through it, there’s always next time 🕰️.
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
Day 15
Had a much better day this week, personally, at OneStopFilms. Started off the day by checking over an ARRI LMB86 Mattebox with a coffee, before making my secret recipe brew of tea around 11am. Something which won Kieran over (and he’s a coffee drinker) so I’m officially a ☕️ 🧙; if that doesn’t get me trainee jobs I don’t know what will 😂. After that I got onto inspecting a set of tall and short legs from Ronford Baker, thanks Ivan for the photos, before going onto my lunch break.
After lunch, I told of my secret tea recipe, and helped Roland prep a film job for an SR3 where I learnt about ground glass and coaxial magazines compared to non-coaxial; haven’t learnt to load a coaxial magazine yet but my first impression of it makes me think it’s a bit more fiddly aha. Then Kieran revealed his low budget solution to do better photography for new equipment, (if this post gets 20 Likes I’ll share what it is), and I inspected another Mattebox from a lens test. To top off the day I named my water bottle (with some left over tape from a check-in job, ad now it somehow feels complete haha) and shadowed Ivan while he was inspecting some lenses.
‘Till next time, see you next week!
#camera #cameratrainee #camerarental #film #filmmaking #cinema #cameradepartment #onestopfilms
