Experience

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  African Arts, Culture, Education & Sports Trust (African ACES)

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Chairman / Managing Trustee - African Arts, Culture, Education & Sports Trust (African ACES)

    • Oct 2012 - Present
    • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

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  Contrast TV Productions

  • Producer / Director / Cameraman

    • Jan 1989 - Present

    Appointed Head of Production and Operations at the Swaziland TV in 1982, Bjorn’s broadcast experience continued with the foreign press during the 1986 uprisings; as a cameraman for BBC covering the “Last white elections” in 1989; followed by the unbanning of the ANC and release of Nelson Mandela for Italy’s RAI 3. Since 2003 contracted on assignements for US Network ABC News, in Africa and Middle East. Bjorn has directed and filmed travel and tourism productions for international clients including the Thomas Cook Group in England, Egypt, the Channel Islands and in Africa. He has filmed in Portugal, Brazil and at home for the local SABC series ‘Top Billing’ and filmed adventure travel for SATOUR Paris. He produced, directed and filmed the 13-part cultural series “Voices of Africa”, screened during prime-time on SABC 1 and on Sky TV, as well as a 26-part documentary series 'Omang?" (Who are you?) filmed in disparate cultural heartlands across SA. His expedition documentary “Otjikoto – Lake of Legend” achieved recognition at the US International Film & Video Festival and at the Festival International du Film Maritime et d’ Exploration in Toulon, France. Filmed pilot series on Shark Hunters for the Discovery Channel, while his services have also been utilised by National Geographic; the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF); the United Nations World Food Program; Conservation International and by the Royal Botanic Gardens - Kew. Bjorn shoots on HD for clients ranging from Sony International and Nordic TV to Fox Searchlight Pictures - filming the behind-the-scenes EPK on the feature film ‘Amelia’ with Hilary Swank and Richard Gere, and has recently returned from Zambia and China documenting learning journeys for the Cargill group. Awards include the US International Film & Video Festival Gold Camera Award; Silver Screen Award; and Certificate of Creative Excellence; the NTVA Overall winner and the Nationale Pers and ZSE Awards for the top training videos in South Africa.

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  Global Images

  • Production Director

    • Jan 1998 - Jan 2001

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  Atkinson Television

  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Head Of Production

    • Aug 1982 - Jan 1989
    • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

    Responsible for client liaison; production budgeting; allocation of crew; producing and directing productions and training of staff. During this time produced numerous programmes for broadcast, corporate communications, advertising agencies and social awareness projects. Elected to the regional committee of the NTVA (Cape) in 1987.Work experience during this time included producing numerous training modules for Shell SA; dramatised corporate productions; international news coverage of the 1986 civil unrest; and sports coverage. Produced the 1986 NTVA Overall National winning entry and the 1989 NTVA national fourth overall achiever.

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  Swaziland Television Broadcasting Corporation

  • Mbabane, Hhohho, Eswatini

  • Head of Production & Station Operations

    • Jun 1981 - Jul 1982
    • Mbabane, Hhohho, Eswatini

    Responsible for producing all local programmes, commercials, sports coverage and live broadcasts as well as general control of transmission and training of production staff. Highlights included producing over 20 hours of live broadcast during King Sobhuza’s Diamond Jubilee; the weekly magazine programme “Swazi View”; and regular music programmes and sports coverage. Left to return to Cape Town after government nationalisation of broadcaster.

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  Independent Film Centre

  • Lone Hill Film Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa

  • Assistant Cameraman / Trainee Producer

    • 1979 - 1981
    • Lone Hill Film Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Gained knowledge of all aspects of film production, including camera, lighting, sound and editing. Worked under Raymond Hancock, Edgar Bold and Lionel Friedberg. Credits include sound assistant on “Conversations in a Mirror” – IFC’s first drama directed by Edgar Bold; camera assistant on “Then Came The English” and “They Came from the East” as well as many corporate productions.Transferred to Independent Film Center’s newly acquired video unit VIDICOM. Trained as cameraman, editor and video producer/director under John Roulet and Russel Seaborne. Graduated to Director/editor in charge of video productions. During this time directed numerous multi-camera video productions for the Anglo American Corporation, including a dramatised English Literacy series filmed underground at Western Deep Levels mine; Bobby Godsell Labour Relations modules; and a documentary on Middelburg Steel & Alloys.