SELECTED FILM CREDITS:

In Production:

Snakes in the City 10

DOP. 6 x 50min film showcasing some of India’s and South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Mysore, India, and Durban, South Africa, we follow 2 snake handlers, catching and removing deadly snakes from homes and public areas. Filmed in 2023 for Nat Geo International

Don’t Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight (Feature film):

2nd unit / B Roll filming the memoir of the life of Alexandra Fuller and her family in Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe). Produced and directed by Embeth Davidtz.

Completed Productions:

Snakes in the City 9

DOP. 6 x 50min film showcasing some of India’s and South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Mysore, India, and Durban, South Africa, we follow 2 snake handlers, catching and removing deadly snakes from homes and public areas. Filmed in 2022 for Nat Geo International

The Greatest Show on Earth

DOP. A film following experts and scientists given explanations and showing details of why and how various wildlife and environmental displays occur. BBC Studio.

Supernatural Planet

DOP. Our planet has a few characters who have evolved to form unique and special talents. We follow and explore these abilities to reveal an amazing world. Disney+ and Nat Geo 2021

Shadow Cats

DOP. The smaller cat specialist that roam our savannas have their talents and beauty. We examine their traits and amazing abilities. Nat Geo 2021

Snakes in the City 8

DOP. 6 x 50min film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers, catching and removing deadly snakes from homes and public areas. Filmed in 2021 for Nat Geo international.

Never Alone -Land of secret Alliances

DOP. Filming Meerkats as their collaboration plays a major role in their evolution, and survival. ZED- France Télévisions

Animal Democracy

DOP. Feature in a series filming Meerkats of the Kalahari and their collective decision making and group dynamics. Arte 2021.

Meet the Meerkats

DOP/ Field Producer. We follow families of meerkats as they learn and explore their new home in the Kalahari desert. Filmed as a reality show for Discovery +. 2021

Snake City 7

Field Producer/ DOP. 6 x 50 film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers, catching and removing deadly snakes from homes and public areas. Filmed in 2020 for Nat Geo Wild.

World’s Deadliest Snakes

Field Director/DOP 3 x 50 series showing an in depth look into the world’s deadliest snakes, their strength and what makes them trump all the others. From strength, venom and pure aggressive speed this 3 part series reveals it all. 2020 for Nat Geo.

Animal Social Networks 

DOP. Following specific animal groups and delving into their specific networks and communication within the group. A Rotating Planet film for Channel 5. 2019/2020

Snake City 6

DOP. 6 x 50 film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes.
Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers, catching and removing deadly snakes from homes and public areas. 2018/2019. Nat Geo Wild Series

Amazing Animal Friends

DOP Series for Sky Nature. A heart-warming, fun and fascinating series showcasing the most incredible stories of unusual animal friendships from around the world. From an orphaned rhino calf and her sheep companion in South Africa, to a French duck who’s obsessed with a dog and an elephant in Zimbabwe who thinks she’s a buffalo, we explore the cutest, funniest and most surprising animal odd couples. 2019.

Leopard Huntress 

DOP. 1 x 50 4k Film Shot in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. Following a female leopard’s life in the bush and the difficulties she has to over come. 2017 Blue chip. Nat Geo Wild & Smithsonian.

Cave Crocs of Gabon
DOP. 1 x 50 4k Filming Dwalf Crocodiles in Gabon living in bat caves, we follow French expert cave explorer Olivier Tests and Crocodile scientist Matt Shirley as they discovering and explore the caves and the crocs living there. Smithsonian and National Geographic. 2017

Big Animal Surgery

DOP. BBC Science documentary filming Lions with Dr. Craig Packer and Gorillas with Dr. Gladys Kalma. 2018 Broadcast on BBC 2.

Snake City 5:
DOP. 6 x 50 film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes.
Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers, catching and removing deadly snakes from homes and public areas. 2017/2018.
Nat Geo Wild Series

Follow the guns, Save a species (Carte Blanch Expose weapons trafficking)
DOP. Filming Kathi Lynn Austin on her international investigation and weapon trafficking syndicates involved in the rhino poaching in Southern Africa. From the Czech Republic to Mozambique we track down and reveal the corrupt and sinister under world of the poaching epidemic. 2016 - 2017 Docu-Feature.

Snake City 4: DOP/Camera.  8 x 50 film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers catching and removing snakes from homes and public areas. 2016/2017. Nat Geo Wild Series

Aging in the Wild: DOP/Camera. 1 x 50 4K delivery. Blue chip. Aging in the Wild is a five-part series that takes a never-before seen look at the golden years in the animal kingdom. Each episode focuses on the story of a different animal and the challenges they face as they age. Broadcaster: Arte Geie, TV5 Quebec Canada

Snake City 3: DOP.  6 x 50 film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers catching and removing snakes from homes and public areas. 2016. Nat Geo Wild Series

From Cubs To Kings: DOP.  1 x 50. Filmed over two years, we follow the story of two rescued lion cubs from Spain as they embark on a new life in South Africa with predator expert Kevin Richardson. 2015/2016. Terra Mater and DNI (Discovery Networks International)

Crazy Monster Gulpers: DOP.  1 x 50 film showcasing some of the worlds strangest and unique animals that swallow their food whole. We look to the skies, seas, and land to present weird and wonderful animals that prefer to swallow their food whole. Using sets as well as natural settings to capture these specialized animal in their environments. 2016. Smithsonian Channel.

Crazy Monster Bugs: DOP.  1 x 50 film showcasing some of the worlds strangest and unique bugs. Take an up-close look at these strange beasts as we scour the planet's forests, deserts, and swamps to reveal a tiny sand monster that turns its victims into soup, a beetle that shoots molten hot liquid, a massive wasp that kills about 40 people a year, and more. Using sets as well as natural settings to capture these specialized animal in their environments. 2015. Smithsonian Channel

Cobra Mafia: DOP. 1 x 50 We follow all the snakes of the cobra family and watch them hunt and survive. 2015 Nat Geo Wild

Snakes City 2: DOP.  3 x 50 film showcasing some of South Africa’s deadliest snakes. Shot in the city of Durban, we follow 2 snake handlers catching and removing snakes from homes and public areas. 2015. Nat Geo Wild

Hunting the Hammerhead: DOP. 1 x 50 Follow shark experts as they dive into dangerous waters and use a series of modern experiments. Then join conservation biologist Dr. Craig O'Connell to go beneath the skin of this giant in a unique dissection of this mysterious creature. 2015. Smithsonian Channel

iCrocodile: DOP & Jib Operator. 1 x 50 Journey inside this incredible hunter as we conduct a unique dissection to investigate its ancient anatomy. By breaking down its structure, our experts in crocodile behavior reveal the secrets behind this amazing African assassin. 2015. Smithsonian Channel.

Crazy Monster Frogs: DOP.  1 x 50 Join us as we explore this family of freaks and their weird and wonderful abilities, from bone claws to glass skin to lethal poisons. You'll see the invisible, hairy, and disfigured creatures of the amphibian world. Using sets as well as natural settings to capture these specialized animal in their environments.  2014. Smithsonian Channel.

Killer IQ: DOP. 2 x 50 A Film for DNI (Discovery Networks International) and Terra Mater. A series of remarkable experiments designed to measure both species' social intelligence. Observe the different ways lions and hyenas approach and solve problems, and how they rely on cooperation to succeed and survive in their natural environment. We also filmed in the wild to capture these animals in their natural environments and get specific behaviors.

Life Force 2: DOP. Series shot on the Sony F55, based in Uganda and Congo. This is the second Life force series done by NHNZ, showing how all facets of our natural world has adapted to suit its ever changing environment. Shooting high speed as well as Photographic motion time-lapse shots of the scenery and animals. 2013/2014. NHNZ

Natural world Meerkats: ‘Secrets of an animal superstar’.

Camera operator. A BBC Two special where David Attenborough tells the full story of the study - from its pioneering days when it was a challenge to even get close to a meerkat, to the very latest revelations about these animals and their complex lives.

Great White Code Red: DOP. 1 x 50 Shark specialist Dr. Geremy Cliff and sensory biologist Dr. Craig O'Connell have joined forces to unlock the hunting secrets of the ocean's perfect predator, the great white shark, dissecting the giant to reveal the six incredible senses that drive this powerful creature to the ultimate attack. Smithsonian Channel and Nat Geo.

Lions on the move: DOP. 2 x 50 Series based in Gauteng, South Africa. We follow the moving of an entire Predator Sanctuary to a new facility and home. 2012/2013. Terra Mater Factual Studios

 Death Beach: DOP. Smithsonian. 1 x 50 Gruesome shark attacks have claimed six lives in five years. Something has triggered bizarrely aggressive behavior in these predators, and biologist Matt Dicken is on a quest to find out why at 2nd beach, Port st Johns, South Africa. 2012. Smithsonian Channel

Ragged Tooth: DOP. 1 x 50 following the journey of a Ragged Tooth Shark. South Africa 2011. Eden TV and Smithsonian

Coelacanth; Dinofish: DOP. National Geographic 1 x 50 following a team of scientists as they try to find the coelacanth. Sodwana Bay, South Africa 2011. Nat Geo Wild

White Lion (Feature film): 2nd unit – specific to Wildlife Camera operator. Feature about a man and a white lion, as they embark on a journey of survival. 

Tornado and the Kalahari Horse Whisperer (Feature film): 2nd Camera unit. A horse Whisperer in the Kalahari rescues a troubled boy and Horse and leads them down a path of redemption. 2010.

The Lion Ranger: DOP. National Geographic 3 x 50 Series following predator specialist Kevin Richardson. Shot in South Africa and Botswana 2010. Nat Geo

Cameramen Who Dared: DOP. National Geographic Series showcasing cameramen and the lengths they go to in order to capture groundbreaking footage from around the world 2009/ 2010. Nat Geo

Catching Giants: DOP. National Geographic, presenter led 1 x 50 focusing on the largest bull shark ever caught in Brede River in South Africa 2009. 

Mother Warthog: DOP. 1 x 50 Blue chip following a family of warthogs and their day to day trials set in the Savuti Channel, Botswana. 2008. Nat Geo.

Predator Battleground: DOP. Blue Chip. 1 x 50 Botswana's Savuti Channel is a hunting ground for Africa's fiercest predators: lions, hyenas, wild dogs, and jackals. We focus on predator interactions in Botswana. 2008. Nat Geo Wild.

Secret Creature of Jao: DOP. Blue Chip 1 x 50 This magical series takes place deep in the heart of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. Isolated by water, a collection of secretive and mysterious creatures are imprisoned on the paradise island of Jao. 2008. Discover channel.

Safari Live: Camera/DOP. A week long, twice daily, live broadcast from Singita Game Reserve, Kruger National Park to 165 counties from SA for National Geographic. 2008.

White Lions of Timbavati: Camera/DOP. 1 x 50 for National Geographic about the reintroduction of White lions into the Timbavati Region, South Africa 2008. 

Perfect Predator: Topside and Underwater Camera operator. 1 x 50 about various predator’s hunting strategies and how they have uniquely adapted to survive   2007

Caught in the Act: Camera/DOP. Series for National Geographic showcasing unique animal behavior caught on film by amateurs and professionals alike from various locations around the world.2006/7

Hippo Hell: DOP. 1 Hour Blue Chip about the hippos in Laungwa Rivers in Zambia and their struggle for survival caused by both the changing seasons as well as disease.

Lions of the Crocodile River: DOP. 1 Hour Blue chip for Discovery.  A wildlife documentary on a pride of lions in the Luangwa Valley – Zambia 2006/7

Fossil Hunter Palau: Camera. 1 Hour Special for National Geographic. This documentary followed Dr Lee Berger on his hunt to discover human fossils found in Palau, Phillipines 2006/7

Big Game Diaries: DOP. Series based in Mala Mala in South Africa showcasing the various big game in the area and their interactions with one another 2006/ 7

Dive to Tiger Central: Camera Topside & underwater/DOP. 1 x 50 for National Geographic.  This was a documentary on Mark Addison’s quest to discover and dispel the negative reputation of Tiger Sharks being ruthless man eaters 2006/7

Africa's Mega Transect: Camera. 1 x 50  Special for National Geographic following Mike Fay and Peter Ragg as they flew across Africa reporting on their findings of environmental human impact 2005

Outsiders: Camera/DOP. 1 Hour Special focusing on unique gene traits that certain animals have that separate them from the same species. 2005

Deadly Summer: DOP. Blue Chip. 1 Hour Special filmed in Zambia showing the impact of seasonal changes on the animal species living in Luangwa 2005

Africa’s Super 7: DOP. Blue Chip 1 x 50 for Animal Planet – This documentary was shot in Mala Mala Game Reserve and focused on the big five plus cheetah and hyena Animal Planet 2005 

SKILLS

Experienced in using all broadcast cameras, Riaan has also developed and built a number of unique filming devices and den cams, as well as extensive use with jibs, dollies and remote operated cameras. Because of the time he has managed to spend in the wild he has a great knowledge of the animals and their behavior giving him the skill to follow, find and create great filming opportunities.  He is also an expert underwater cameraman, as well as bush mechanic when it comes to mending temperamental filming vehicles! An expert in filming throughout Africa with all species and environments. 

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 

2009 – Present day: Freelance, DOP, Cameraman, Director, Field Producer.

2003- 2009 : Cameraman, DOP, Field Director

2000- 2003 : Camera assistant , Soundman, and Lighting. Aqua Vision TV Productions, 

South Africa 

1999 – 2000: Camera Assistant, Eschol Productions, South Africa

1999 : Capstan Productions, South Africa, oversaw post and pre production. 

REFERENCES

Ms Virginia Quinn, Kingdom Films (+44) 7966273440 virginiaquinn@hotmail.com

Mr. Kevin Richardson (+27) 837070649 pantheraleo@me.com

Mr. Ben Hewett, Earth Touch (+27) 737159332 ben@benchmarkfilm.com

Mr. Peter Lamberti, Aqua Vision TV  (+27) 112750900; (+27)825531996 peter@lmmedia.co.za

Mr. Graeme Duane, Earth Touch. (+27) 828296236 gduane@earthtouchsa.com

Ms. Martha Holmes, Plimsoll Productions (+44) 7968191773 martha.holmes@plimsollproductions.com