Danny Williams
Experienced Gaffer (with truck).
Agent: Filmcrews +64 9 632 1032, mail@filmcrews.co.nz
I have been involved in the Film Industry for over 28 years. Many of New Zealand’s top Directors, Producers and DOP’s, consider me to be the one of countries most experienced and qualified gaffer/lighting directors. I now find myself sought after for high profile international commercial assignments, long may it continue. For the right work I will travel and work anywhere within NZ and internationally. I feel my specific skills are an ability to read and act on any situation to produce the look the DOP has asked for with minimum fuss. I believe my communication skills are excellent.
Work Philosophy:
I like to put the work in up front so the cinematographer and Director can focus on shooting with absolute confidence and that the lighting is being actioned to the look and feel that has been discussed.
Brief History and Highlights Drama Productions:
2011 ‘Cardinal’ dvd game cinema release. Dir Lee Tamahori, DP Ian Paul.
2008 ‘The Lovely Bones’ Gaffer VFX/Heaven Unit shooting Queenstown and Miramar Studios 5 weeks. DP Andrew Lesnie, Director Peter Jackson.
2007/08 ‘Laundry Warrior’ as Lighting Director. DP Woo-Hyung Kim Dir Sngmoo Lee. Large studio shoot, co-ordinating and lighting for both units.
2006/07 ‘The Waterhorse ‘ 2nd unit. Dir/DP John Maffaffie. At times run as a parallel main unit. Large night shoots, soft sun, lighting strikes etc. 10 weeks.
2005 summer, finishing of ‘KK’ 2nd Unit. Commissioning lighting package required for King Kong miniatures unit.
2004 August start ‘King Kong’ 2nd unit 18 weeks total production.
2003 ‘ Master and Commander‘ six week miniatures with Weta workshop for the Peter Wier Film. Large blue screen and key lighting set-up, shot at 96-120 fps. Dir, Brian Van’t Hul. dp Richard Bluck .Designer Richard Taylor .
2001, planning, design and supply of equipment for Lord of the Rings ‘Faghorn Forest Sets’-6 month contract.
2000, Supply of all lighting equipment for Sony Pictures ‘Vertical Limit’. Including design and installation of a Power-lock studio Distribution system, a first for NZ at that stage.
Lighting Philosophy:
Looking for simple strong systems. Also prioritising of options with an emphasis on providing flexibility.
I have been involved in the production of over 300 TVC’s including several stints overseas. My work recently includes:
2010 ‘Axe Hair’ tvc Cherokee Films Tim Godsall dir , Simon Duggan dp
2010 ‘Old spice’ tvc Cherokee Films Tim Godsall dir, Simon Duggan dp
2010 Revolver ‘Heineken’ Steve Rogers dir Geoffery simpson dp
2010 Radical media‘Hyundai’ Christopher Riggert dir Sebastian Pfaffenbichle dp
2010 Cherokee “Magners” Ivan Zacharias dir Jan Velicky dp
2010 ‘Muller’ MJZ prod Rocky Morton dir Ben Davis dp
2010 two birds prod Tony Redman dir Conrad slack dp
2009 Cherokee Ray Dillman dir Thomas Oleirsson dp
2009 Robbers Dog/Aero Films Director/Dp Ken Arlidge
2009 ‘Gilidden’ Rocky Morton dir Pieter Vermeer dp
2009 ‘Jameson’ Noam Murro dir Simon Duggan dp
2008 Continued work on commercials, hiatus taken in last half of year.
2007 Shoot NZ ‘Budweiser’ TVC dp Bob Richardson
2007 Shoot NZ ‘Budweiser 2 ‘ TVC dp James Cowley dir Chris Woods
2007 Ninetendo TVC dp Rolf Kestermann dir Jessie Dylan
2007 Rexona TVC’s dp Christopher Soos dir Matthijs van Heijningen
2006 ‘BNZ ‘ campaign dp Gary Wapshott dir Josh Frizell
2006 Cherokee Films dp Frederick Elmes dir Virginia Lee Green Dot Films
2006 Prodigy Films ‘Vivendi TVC dp Glynn Speeckaert dir Xavier Mairesse
2005 Lion Witch and the Wardrobe Pick up’s Dir Andrew Adamson dp Don McApline
2005 VW international tvc dp Andrew Lesnie dir Caroline Cunningham
2005 Nutragrain tvc dp Andrew Lesnie dir Lance Kellerher 8 commercials
2005 ‘Cheetos’ TVC 9 day shoot North American market dp Ron Fortunato
2004 Sept ‘Air NZ’ tvc Russel Boyd dp James Holt dir
2004 Sept Pick-ups ‘The Great White’ Peter James dp Mark Mylod dir
2004 ‘King Kong ‘ 19 weeks dir Randy Cook dp Richard Bluck+
2003 ‘Saab’ Aero Sport campaign dir Mehdi Norowzian dp Zubin Mistry
2003 Toyota Prado tvc Cranbrook dir Roger Tompkins dp Keith Wagstaff
2003 Milka tvc dp Brian Dapp
2003 ‘Fa Spec ‘ Silverscreen dir Terrance Stevens-Prior dp Paul Herley
2002 Andrew Lesnie dp ‘Australian Milk tvc ‘
2002 Eight Com, Sal Taltino dp Mazda dir Lance Kellerher
2002 Cherokee Films, Michael Wood dp Jonathan Darby dir
2002 Toyota Lexus Spain Campaign, dir/dp Peter Smillie
2002 Alliance Trust Film Deluxe, dir Brent Harris, dp Jo Molitoris
2002 Air New Zealand Auckland Film Co dir Tony Williams dp Nick Mayo
2002 Scott tissues Cherokee dir David Jellison dp Mauro Fiore
CV