About Joe

Natural History documentaries are my passion, particularly those relating to oceanography, marine life or otherwise featuring underwater footage.

I have four years of experience working full-time as an Underwater Cameraman (Videographer) in Southeast Asia, during which I logged hundreds of hours filming underwater. You can read how I ended up in SE Asia here.

Since then I attended a one year diploma course during which I acquired various skills relating to the film/tv industry. I'm currently based in Auckland, New Zealand, and for the last two years have been working mainly as a Lighting/Grip Assistant in the local film/television industry, mostly on television commercials.

Occasionally I get the opportunity to be in key roles such as gaffer, grip, camera operator or sound recordist on productions which have a small budget and therefor use less-experienced crew. I have provided a list of these jobs below.

I used to keep a log of all my work experience, but it proved too work-intensive to keep this site updated. Instead, I now provide various references, a list of referees and links to local production companies I have worked for. Find these below and on the links page.

When I'm not working in film/tv, I try and fill in the gaps as a web designer (I have a BA degree in Multimedia Arts) - unfortunately it is rare to find time to finish my own projects. You can visit my web design site at shiftcontrol.co.nz.

If you would like more information, or would like my CV/Resume, please contact me directly. Thanks for visiting!

Key Roles

• Gaffer/Grip - The Checks "Terribly Easy" (Music Video)
  Production Company: Trophy Wife | Producer: Gayle Hogan
  DOP: Justin Hawkes | Director: Ian Hart
• Gaffer/Grip - Top Twins "Untouchable Girls" (Feature Documentary)
  Production Company: Diva Films | Producer: Arani Cuthbert
  DOP: Leon Narby | Director: Leanne Pooley
• Gaffer/Grip The Jacquie Brown Diaries (TV Series)
  Production Company: Young, Brown and Gifted | Producer: Hayley Cunningham
  DOP: Lance Wordsworth | Director: Gerard Johnstone
• Gaffer/Grip - Annabel Fay (Music Clip)
  Production Company: Bunker Media | Producer: Luke Sharpe
  DOP: Crighton Bone | Director: Luke Sharpe
• Gaffer/Grip - Surf City (Music Clip)
  Production Company: Radar Films | Producer: Sean Wallace
  Director: Dave
• Grip - Our Secret (Short Film)
  Producer: Robin Murphy
  DOP: Andrew McGeorge | Director: Nick Riini
• Grip - The Mint Chicks "Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!" (Music Video)
  Production Company: Robbers' Dog Films | Producer: Hayley Cunningham
  DOP: Callan Green | Director: Sam Peacocke
• Underwater Camera - Studio 2 "Shark Attack!" (TV Childrens Series)
  Production Company: TVNZ | Director: Eammon Miller
• Underwater Camera - Spiegel TV (TV Documentary Series)
  Production Company: Spiegel TV | Director: Alexandra Schmidt

Some Favorite Productions

These are links to some of my favorite productions I worked on - well, the one's which are online anyways. They are all flash-sites so you'll need to click through to find the video.

• Music Video - The Mint Chicks "Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!" (Grip)
  Robber's Dog Films / Directors / Sam Peacocke
• TVC - Toyota "Lost Keys" (LX/Grip Assist)
  Robber's Dog Films / Directors / Adam Stevens
• TVC - Edge "Closer Shave" (LX Assist)
  Film Constrction / Our Directors / Steve Saussey
• TVC - Woolworths Foodtown (LX/Grip Assist)
  Exposure / TVC History
• Feature Film - "A Song Of Good" (LX/Grip Assist)
  A Song of Good / Trailer
• Short Film - "Finders Keepers" (LX/Grip Assist)
  The Sweet Shop / Melanie Bridge
• Music Video - SJD "I Wrote This Song For You" (Grip Assist)
  SJD / Video
• Music Video - Scribe "Say It Again" (LX/Grip Assist)
  Zoom Slide Media / Project History

References

I've been lucky enough to work with many brilliant people from all around the world. Some of them have been kind enough to send me a message or reference letter. These are excerpts only - I can provide the full reference letters and contact details if required.

• Ginny Loane - Director of Photography
  

  "It has been an amicable experience working with Joe, and I would gladly refer him as an industrious and determined Lighting Technician who would be a valuable contribution to any film crew."

• Mark Foster - Producer, Robbers' Dog Films
  

  "Robbers' Dog Films has been extremely happy with the standard of work provided by Joe Olkkonen as a lighting/grip assistant."

• Dayle Farnsworth - Producer, Production Plus
  

  "Without hesitation I would refer Joe as a multi-talented individual who has the experience to work in a professional environment in a professional manner."

• Bernadette Soares - Brand Manager, Radiessence
  

  "We hope to continue working with Joe over the coming years as his skills and abilities are very much required for the jobs that need to be undertaken in the company. I have no doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him."

• Alexandra Schmidt - Documentary Director, Spiegel TV
  

  "Our 'Diving Reporter' who normally does the underwater pictures was really enthusiastic about your master from the Whaleshark and all the other wonderful things you made. Thank you very much for everything!"

• Gabrielle Banister - Manager, Calypso Diving
  

  "We have been extremely satisfied with Joe's attitude towards his work. Important to his profession, Joe is very self-motivated and eager to please."

Referees

This is a list of selected industry professionals I have worked with. I can provide contact details for these referees if required.

• Paul Stevenson - Gaffer/Grip
• Graeme Spence - Gaffer
• Armie Armstrong - DOP
• Ado Greshoff - Gaffer/Grip
• Sigmund Spath - DOP
• Dean Maxsted - Grip
• Roland Carati - DOP
• Greg Nalder - Gaffer