ABOUT
With an infectious spirit, Thomas is known for his positive, team-oriented energy on set.
While he strives to portray the essence of storytelling, his compassionate nature brings a unifying experience to both talent and crew.
An award winning cinematographer with five Emmy nominations to date, his passion for story telling started as a child with both parents working in the South African film industry.
Thomas approaches his craft with both his experience in different working environments, and the skillset he has gained on numerous documentaries, commercials, series and features.
A well traversed-globetrotter, he has captured the world: From the depths of the Amazon RainForest, Tea plantations in Kenya, Kalahari deserts, Gold mines in Tanzania, Tuk Tuks in Cambodia, Spinning rubber on the streets of Soweto, Fiji islands or Qatar skyscrapers - to portraying the delicate interior of the characters whom drive the narrative.
Thomas’ determined and willing personality, propels him to capture lifechanging moments through cinematography.
SELECTED projects
2021
D.O.P - Documentary Insert - Carling Black Label Champions (Egg Films/ Black Label)
D.O.P - Documentary Feature - "Who killed Senzo" (Ten10 Films/ Netflix)
D.O.P - Proof of Concept for Feature Film - "Nefarious Creatures" (Diprente Media/ NFVF)
D.O.P - Documentary Series - "Hothouse Earth" (Bilderfest/ German TV)
D.O.P - Lifestyle series - "Young, Famous and African S1" (Urban Brew Studios/ Netflix)
D.O.P - Documentary Series - "African Voices" (CNN)
2020
D.O.P - TVC x 2 - “Airtel Zambia” (K-Roc Pictures/ Ogilvy Africa)
D.O.P - Documentary TVC x 4 (Egg Films/ Carling Black Label)
D.O.P - TVC - “Nike - Birthplace of Dreams : Caster Semenya” (Arcade Content/ Futura JHB/ Nike Worldwide)
D.O.P - Documentary Feature - "Earth Focus - South Africa" (Thompson Reuters Foundation UK)
D.O.P - Wildlife Series - "Africa Wild Vet" (Ahoy Films, in selling process with Discovery Channel Canada)
D.O.P - TVC - "Facebook Workplace" (Across the Pond London/ Big Banana Films)
D.O.P - Documentary Short - "Malaria No More - Pass the Parcel" (Left Hand Films)
D.O.P - Documentary Short x 9 - "Carte Blanche" (Combined Artistic Productions)
D.O.P - Wildlife Series - "Working on the Wild Side" (Channel 4 UK/ Big Banana Films)
2019
D.O.P - Documentary Feature - “Georgette” (Trifilm USA/ Big Banana Films/ Rwanda)
D.O.P - Documentary Insert- “The Lion King - Lebo M Sountrack Release” (Universal Music/ Lefthand Films)
D.O.P - Documentary TVC - “Microsoft - Phulukisa Health Solutions” (Trifilm USA/ Big Banana Films)
Camera Operator - Commercial x 3 - “Outsurance Switch and Save” (Let it Rain Films)
D.O.P - Reality - “Two Weddings and a Superstar SA - Pilot” (Okuhle Media)
Camera Operator - Reality - “American Survivor S40 : Fiji - Winners at War" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
D.O.P - Documentary Short x 7 - "Carte Blanche" (Combined Artistic Productions)
D.O.P - Reality - “The Bachelor SA - Season 1” (Metro Goldwyn Mayer/ M-Net)
D.O.P - Documentary TVC - “Lipton - Woman Tea Farmers of Kenya” (Long Story Short Media Washington D.C)
D.O.P - Documentary Feature Film- “People vs. The People” (Arcade Content/ MTV Worldwide)
Camera Operator - Reality - “Finding the One” (M-Net/ Rapid Blue SA)
D.O.P - Reality - “My Vreemde Vriende” (Whippet Films)
2018
D.O.P - Reality - "The Bachelor South Africa, Season 1" (MNet)
D.O.P - 1 x 9 min Documentary Short - "CNN - African Voices : Loyiso Madinga" (CNN Africa)
D.O.P - 3 x Documentary Short - EGPAF, WE, Lipton (Long Story Short Media, U.S.A)
Camera Operator - Reality - American Survivor S37 : Fiji - "David vs. Goliath" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
Camera Operator - Reality - American Survivor S38 : Fiji - "The Edge of Extinction" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
D.O.P - Documetary Short - "The Lion Whisperer - Kevin Richardson"
D.O.P - 58min Shortfilm - "S(HE)" (The First Order)
Camera Operator - TVC x 9 - "Outsurance : Switch and Save" (Letitrain Films)
D.O.P - Documentary Short - "Carte Blanche : Hugh Masakela" (Digital Union/ Combined Artistic Productions)
D.O.P - Documentary/ Lifestyle - "Daar's n plek met Coenie" (Endgame Media)
2017
D.O.P - Documentary Series - "Daily Planet" (Discovery Channel Canada)
D.O.P - Documentary Feature - "People vs. Patriarchy" (MTV/ Arcade Content)
Camera Operator - Reality - "The Hangman" (Blink Productions/Cell C)
D.O.P - Reality - "My Vreemde Vriende" (Afrokaans/ VIA)
Camera Operator - Reality - American Survivor S36 : Fiji - "Ghost Island" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
Camera Operator - Reality - American Survivor S35 : Fiji - "Heroes, Healers, Hustlers" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
D.O.P - TVC - "Computicket" (Mickey Hollywood Productions)
D.O.P - Reality - "The Wedding Bashers" (MNET/ Sic Entertainment)
D.O.P - TVC - "Consol Glass" (Wildlife Films/ Dereck and Beverly Joubert)
D.O.P - Documentary Short x 7 - "Yara Shujaa West Africa" (Thomas Pretorius Productions)
D.O.P - Documentary Short x 5 - "Carte Blanche" (Combined Artistic Productions)
Timelapse Camera Operator - TVC - "Jägermeister" (Bang! Bang! Films)
2016
D.O.P - Documentary Short - "33 Lions - Discovery Channel Canada" (Daily Planet)
D.O.P - TVC - "Movie Magic Action Channel" - DSTV (Clearwater Productions)
Camera Operator - 3 x Documentary Short - "Public Healthcare - Ghana PHCPI" (Long Story Short Media - Washington D.C)
D.O.P - Lifestyle/Promo x 3 -"MTV & Samsung #Thisisme" (Digital Union)
D.O.P - TVC - Supersport - "SA vs. NZ" (C-Squared)
D.O.P - TVC - Tiger Wheel & Tyre (C-Squared)
Camera Operator - TVC x 4 - "Outsurance 40 Ways" (Let It Rain Films)
Camera Operator - Reality - "The Great South African Bakeoff S2" (BBC)
D.O.P – Documentary Short - "Yara Africa - Tanzania" (Thomas Pretorius Productions)
D.O.P – Documentary Short- "Yara Africa - Kenya" (Thomas Pretorius Productions)
D.O.P – Documentary Short- "Yara Africa - Ghana" (Mark van Wijk Productions)
Camera Operator - Reality - "The Voice - South Africa" (AMPN)
Camera Operator - Reality - American Survivor S33 : Fiji - "Millenials vs. Genx" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
Camera Operator - Reality - American Survivor S34 : Fiji - "Game Changers" (Metro Goldwyn Mayer)
D.O.P - TVC - Supersport - "Superugby 2016 Opening" (C-Squared)
D.O.P - Reality - "Zavion Season 2" (Afrokaans Film and Television)
D.O.P - Multiple x Documentary - "Carte Blanche" (Combined Artistic Productions)
2015
Camera Operator - Primetime Planet Production "Co Zodiak Media Broadcaster" (Travel Channel USA)
D.O.P - TVC x 2 - Supersport (C-Squared)
D.O.P - Reality - "Zavion Season 1" (Afrokaans Film and Television)
Camera Operator – Reality – American Survivor S32 Cambodia - "Koah Rong” (Mark Burnett Productions)
Camera Operator – Reality – American Survivor S31 Cambodia – "Second Chance" (Mark Burnett Productions)
D.O.P - Reality Travel Show - "Kry jou Daar" (Kyknet/Pollen TV)
Camera Operator - Reality - "Brat Camp" (Blue Circle, Holland)
D.O.P - TVC - "Feel Every Moment" (DSTV/ Bon Appetit Films)
Camera Opertor - TVC x 2 - Nedbank (Let it rain films)
2014
D.O.P - Reality Travel Show - "Kry jou daar" (Kyknet/ Pollen TV)
Camera Operator – Reality – “American Survivor Nicaragua – Season 30” (Mark Burnett Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary Feature Film – “Joost : Glory Game” – USA League (Blink Productions)
Camera Operator - Title Sequence - “Big Brother Africa - Finale” (Endemol SA)
Camera Operator - Sport Lifestyle Insert - “Pint Sized Pro” (Golf Digest USA)
D.O.P - Pilot : Sport Lifestyle Show “Not another Golf Show” (Spaghetti Films)
D.O.P - Pilot : Food/Lifestyle Show “Stingy Gourmet” (Spaghetti Films)
Camera Operator – Renovation Reality Series – “Sinawe 72” (Graywhite Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary/Lifestyle Series – “South African Tourism - 20 Experiences in 10 Days” (Rapid Blue)
Camera Operator – Reality Series – “Tropika Season 6 – Mauritius” (Quizzical Pictures)
2013
Camera Operator – Reality – “Survivor SA - "Champions", Malaysia” (Endemol)
Camera Operator – Reality Series “Clash of the Choirs” (Endemol SA)
Camera Operator – Documentary/ Lifestyle Series – “South African Tourism - Australia” (Rapid Blue)
Camera Operator – Documentary/ Lifestyle Series – “South African Tourism - France” (Rapid Blue)
Camera Operator - Commercials - Sars "Touching Lives Campaign"(Backyard Productions)
Camera Operator - Reality - SA's Got Talent (Rapid Blue)
Camera Operator - Commercial - "Eskom" (Time Frame Productions)
Camera Operator - Documentary Drama Series - "The Centrum Guardian Project" (Time Frame Productions)
D.O.P – Documentary Lifestyle Series – “Kasi My Kasi” (Red Pepper Productions)
D.O.P – Documentary Lifestyle Series - “S’Movana” (Lucky Bean Media)
Camera Operator – Reality – “So You Think You Can Dance” (Rapid Blue)
Camera Operator – Reality Series – “Sinawe 72” (Graywhite Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary Feature Film – “Joost : The Film” – UK + SA(Blink Productions)
Camera Operator – Various News Channels – Nelson Mandela (NBC, CBS, BET)
2012
Camera Operator – Reality Series - “Jack up your Shack” (Let it Rain Films)
D.O.P – Reality Documentary Series - “Forgive and Forget” (Endemol SA)
Camera Operator – Commercial – “SARS – Touching Lives” (Backyard Productions)
Camera Operator – Reality Documentary Series – “Dangerous Flights 2” (Discovery Channel)
Camera Operator – Reality Dance Series – “Jika ma Jika” (Stimuli)
Camera Operator - Reality T.V Series - “Tropika Island of Treasure Season 5 – Jamaica” (Timeframe Productions)
Camera Operator - Documentary Feature Film – “The First Graduating Class – Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls” (OWN Channel)
Camera Operator – Documentary Series – “South African Tourism” (Rapid Blue)
Camera Operator - Documentary Series - “Centrum Guardian Project” (Timeframe Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary Series - “Carte Blanche” (Backyard Productions)
D.O.P – Promo’s and Interviews – “EFC Africa” (Finepoint Productions)
D.O.P – Music Video – “Terri G” (Gross Pictures)
Reality A.C/ B-Roll Camera Operator - “American Survivor Philippines” Season 25 (Mark Burnett Productions)
2011
Camera Operator – Commercial – “Checkers” (Timeframe Productions)
D.O.P – Promo’s and Interviews – “EFC Africa” (Finepoint Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary Series - “Centrum Guardian Project” (Timeframe Productions)
Reality A.C/ B-Roll Camera Operator - “American Survivor – Samoa” Season 24 (Mark Burnett Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary Series – “South African Tourism” (Rapid Blue)
D.O.P - Music Video – “Zari” (Fiendish Productions)
D.O.P - Corporate – “Simmonds” (Finepoint Productions)
Camera Operator – Documentary Feature Film – “Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls” (Lookalike)
Reality Camera Operator - “Fortuinsoekers” - Kyknet (M-Net)
2010
Camera Operator – Documentary Series - “Centrum Guardian Project” (Time Frame Productions)
Camera Operator – Promo’s and Interviews – “EFC Africa” (Fine Point Productions)
Reality A.C/ B-Roll Camera Operator - “American Survivor Nicaragua” Season 21 (Mark Burnett Productions)
Reality A.C/ B-Roll Camera Operator - “American Survivor Nicaragua” Season 22 (Mark Burnett Productions)
Focus Puller/ B-Camera Operator – Feature film –“Getroud met Rugby” (Bottom Line Entertainment”
Focus Puller – Commercial – “PSL SuperSport” (Time Frame Productions)
Focus Puller – Commercial - “Mitsubishi Pajero Sport” (Let It Rain Films)
Camera Operator – Corporate – “Vodacom” (Spaghetti Media)
Focus puller – Commercial – “Nando’s” (Spaghetti Media)
Camera Operator – Insert – “World Health Organisation” (Rock Hopper TV)
Focus Puller – Promo – “World Cup Opening Promo” ESPN (Let it Rain Films)
Camera Operator – Corporate – “Standard Bank” (Phenomena Productions)
Camera Operator – Carporate – “Inseta” (Fuel Media)
Camera Operator – Promo – “New Year’s Eve Countdown” (SABC)
2009
Challenge Camera Operator – “Survivor SA – Mozambique” (Endemol)
Reality Camera Operator – Game Show Series – “Blastoball” (Greywhite Productions)
Camera Operator – Kid’s Show – “Bundu Buddies” (MNet Inhouse Productions)
Focus Puller – Comedy Series – “It’s very Nice” (Localala Productions)
Reality A.C – Reality Show – “Vodacom Thumb Wars” (Time Frame Productions)
Assistant Camera/ Gaffer – Cooking Show – “The Perfect Sishebo Show”(Time Frame Productions)
Assistant Camera/ Audio – Documentary Series – “Carte Blanche” (Backyard Productions)
B-Camera Operator – Inserts – “Vodacom Cup” (Supersport
Reality A.C - “American Survivor – Samoa” Season 19 (Mark Burnett Productions)
Reality A.C - “American Survivor – Samoa” Season 20 (Mark Burnett Productions)
Focus Puller – Inserts – “Total Soccer” (Time Frame)
2008
2’nd Camera Operator, A.C + Gaffer – Soap Series – “Egoli” (FranzmarxFilms)
Assistant Camera/ Gaffer – Corporates – “S.A.P”, “Sun International”, “Transnet” (Spagetthi Media)
Assistant Camera – Reality Dance Series – “Dans Dans Dans” (Graywhite Productions)
2’nd Camera operator – Documentary Series – “Carte Blanche” (Combined Artists)
Assistant Camera/ Gaffer – Cooking Show – “The Perfect Sishebo Show” (Time Frame Productions)
Dolly Camera Operator – Concert – “Africa Day” (SABC)
Assistant Camera - Commercials – “Glomail” (Finepoint Productions)
Focus Puller – Drama Series – “Isidingo” (Endemol Productions)
Grip – Corporate – “Sizwe” (Purple Ohm Productions)
Focus Puller – Commercial – “Supersport” (Mnet Supersport)
Focus Puller – Commercial – “Sunflower Foundation” (Time Frame Productions)
Assistant Camera/ Jib Assistant – Reality Dance Series - “So You Think You Can Dance” (Rapid Blue)
Assitant Camera/ Gaffer – Reality Dance Series – “Strictly Come Dancing” (Rapid Blue)
Assistant Camera/ Audio – Lifestyle Series – “Top Billing” (SABC)
Camera operator – Soap Drama – “Villa Rosa” (Spectro Productions)
Reality A.C – “American Survivor – The Brazilian Highlands” Season 18 (Mark Burnett Productions)
Focus Puller – Drama Series - “Home Affairs” (Penguin Films)
Camera Operator – Inserts – “K.TV” (M-Net)
2007
Dolly Camera Operator –Live Broadcast – “New Years Eve 2007” (SABC)
Camera assistant – Soap Series – “Egoli” (Franz Marx Films)
Camera assistant – Reality Dans Series – “Dans Dans Dans” (Graywhite Productions)
Jib Assistant – Reality Series – “Crazy Games” (Rapid Blue Productions)
Camera assistant – Multicam Concerts (Wide Shot Productions)
Jib assistant - Live Broadcast – “Fifa World Cup Draw” (Mnet)
Grip – Live Broadcast – “46664 Nelson Mandela Concert”
Camera assistant/ gaffer – Corporate (Spaghetti Media)
Awards & Nominations
2021
LA Regional Emmy AWARD Best Documentary, South Africa's Battle between Coal & Climate (Thompson Reuters Foundation)
2020
Primetime Emmy Nomination Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming, US SURVIVOR S40, Winners at War (MGM / CBS)
2017
Primetime Emmy Nomination Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming, US SURVIVOR S34, Game Changers (Mark Burnett Productions / CBS)
2016
Durban International Film Festival Nomination Best Documentary Feature Film, Glory Game: The Joost van der Westhuizen Story (Blink Pictures)
2016
Primetime Emmy Nomination Outstanding Cinematography for Reality Programming, US SURVIVOR S31, Second Chances (Mark Burnett Productions / CBS)
2014
SAFTA Nomination Best Factual, Educational & Entertainment Program, Centrum Guardian Project 2012 (Time Frame Productions)
references
Michael Yelseth (Director/D.O.P)
Cell: +27(0) 83 327 2361
Email: michael@timeframetv.com
Johan Oosthuizen (Director/D.O.P)
Cell: +27(0) 73 229 2430
Email: bigjocam@gmail.com
Lee Doig(Director/DOP)
Cell: +27(0) 83 267 5564
Email: oneidog@iafrica.com
Sam Kelly (Producer - Let it Rain Films)
Cell: +27(0) 82 561 0947
Email: sam@letitrainfilms.com
Ian Miller (Director/D.O.P)
Cell: +27(0) 83 228 2169
Email: cutaway@absamail.co.za
Kelly McClughan (Producer – Discovery Channel)
Cell: 514-638-3664, Skype: kelly.mcclughan
kmcclughan@pixcom.com
Lisa Lax (Producer – Lookalike Productions)
Cell: 917 685 4142
Email: lisa@lookalikeproductions.com
Peter Wery (D.O.P - American Survivor)
Email : peterwery@globo.com