KIYO was born and raised in Japan. After graduating from Nihon University with a degree in Cinematography, he began building his career as a camera assistant in Vancouver, Canada. For the past fourteen years he has worked as a freelance cinematographer for major commercials TOYOTA, LEXUS, HONDA, NISSAN, SUBARU, Panasonic, SONY, Canon, Adidas Reebok, NIKE, P&G PANTENE, Maxfactor SK-2, Coca-Cola ,music videos and documentaries in Tokyo, Japan. He has established himself in the industry by shooting over 600 commercials and music videos. He relocated to NYC in 2013. His recent works include feature films ” The Garden Left Behind” (Won Audience award at SXSW in 2019, IFP in 2017), “Fair market Value”  and a Netflix original series “Erased” 12 episodes (Available on Netflix Worldwide). 

In addition, He owns Alexa XT and Alexa mini  Camera Packages with Zeiss CP-2 Lenses, Slider, Gimbal equipment, Jib crane and light equipment.

 Ken Kelsch Resume

Born and raised in New York City, Gary’s vivid cinematic sensibility earned him scholarships to the finest film schools in the United States. He would eventually earn his Masters Degree in Fine Arts and Film Studies from the prestigious, School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Gary’s commercial work has taken him all over the world; from Asia to South Africa, and from Europe to South America. His award-winning photography for Gatorade, Nike, Citibank, Budweiser, Coors and many others, has earned him respect and kudos within the industry, as well as significant, critical acclaim.

In 2004, Gary was selected to be the Director of Photography for Barack Obama’s United States Senate campaign. Gary photographed the entire successful 2008 Presidential campaign and continues his work with the Obama media team.

As a child growing up near San Francisco, I used to act in commercials. On-set, if my mother couldn’t find me, she knew I’d be near the camera, watching the crew at work. I made films of my own as well, starting with an animated cutout version of Jaws.

After receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English literature at UC Santa Barbara, I moved to New York, where I wrote fiction and worked at Details magazine. But it was only after taking a class in cinematography at NYU that I rediscovered my earlier and greater love of film. I started reading books on lighting, studied it in paintings at the Met, bought the best video camera I could afford and began shooting. Ten years later I left publishing and became a cinematographer full-time.

Early in my career, I wished I’d gone to film school instead of studying English. But after working closely with directors, I realized how much my literature background has enabled me to help turn a director’s ideas into images and to help articulate her vision. And that collaboration is what I enjoy most of all.

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Todd Hickey, East Coast born and raised, reveals his unique perspective of life to people through his lens. After earning a degree in Radio-Television-Film from Temple University in Philadelphia, he moved to Los Angeles with a backpack, enthusiasm, some raw talent, but no contacts. Calling on what some would call resilience, and what others call destiny, one week later Todd met Director Spike Jonze. Impressed with his short films, Jonze hired Todd as his Assistant. It was in the shadows, watching and learning that he developed the foundation become a skilled and resourceful storyteller.

Todd has considerable experience as a Director of Photography. He recently finished shooting his fourth narrative feature, and also third Documentary feature, “Sonny Boy”, directed by Soleil Moon-Frye. A road trip film with her father, who is suffering from AlzheimerԳ, and was a civil rights activist and legendary acting coach. In October, ѓonny BoyѠwon Best Documentary at the San Diego Film Festival.

Todd recently finished a promotional tour for his feature length documentary directing debut ѓtreet LegendsѬ which explores the art and experiences of the underground Hip Hop group, Living Legends. Todd was also cinematographer, co-producer and creative consultant for the multiple award winning documentary цreestyle, The Art of RhymeѠwhich being distributed by Palm Pictures.

He is also celebrated music video director/cameraman, his work has appeared on MTV, MTV2, MTV Europe, VH1, Much Music, and Fuse. Todd has also written and directed several short films. Todd is also one of the founders and organizers of the Hip Hop Film Festival, which has held events in over fifty cities worldwide over the last 3 years. Currently, Todd is developing a couple documentary projects, scripts that he has written and a book of his photography.

Simon Hawken Resume

Following a chance meeting and a recommendation by Billy Williams BSC ASC, Simon Hawken began his career as a runner for London equipment rental company, Fox Television owned and run by award winning Documentary Cameraman Barry Fox.

Simon quickly progressed to assisting for Documentary and News crews. After shooting with both film and video cameras on his days off, Simon secured a big break filming youth and music TV spots for the BBC O1 for London, and the newly formed MTV Europe channel.

Simon then worked extensively across TV shows, Film projects and Documentaries, both in the UK and around the world. This included an assignment in Romania for ABC news during the Ceausescu revolution, as well as many documentary projects for the BBC’s prestigious Modern Times and CH4’s Cutting Edge series.

Simon soon moved into the world of Commercials and Music video’s but continued working for the likes of MTV, VH1 Storytellers, Ch4, and BBC.

Commercials, Films, and TV drama now dominate Simon’s schedule. Clients include Ford, VW, Puma, Adidas, Volvo, Pantene, BBC, CH4, NBC, MTV, Vodafone, O2, Nokia, Canon, Carlsberg, Nintendo, and Capital FM.

Simon has won awards for his work from D&AD, The Creative Circle, and EPICA, and most recently won a USIFVF Gold Craft award and a New York Festivals Cinematography award for his work for Omega Speed Skater for the Winter Olympics in Sochi 2013.

Resume

Rodin Hamidi is an independent Cinematographer and Artist based in New York. Rodin was born in Iran and obtained a B.A in Photography from Azad University of Arts in Tehran as well as a Bachelor of Honors in Film Production from Middlesex University -Dubai. He then came to NYC and received a degree in Advanced Cinematography from the New York Film Academy.

Rodin is very interested in exploring the intersections between storytelling and visual language. He has both a technical and artistic understanding of the moving image and he is passionate about its use as a powerful art form, which involves all levels of collaboration and communication.

He has shot several Short Films that have played in major festivals in the USA. In 2009, he was awarded the grand prize of the international competition “Global Democracy Video Challenge” by Hilary Clinton for his film, The Path, which screened at both the Directors Guild Of America and the United Nations in New York City.

His artwork has been published in several international periodicals, including Next Level Magazine, Canvas Magazine, and a new book by Rose Issa – Iranian Photography Now. He also shot the feature length documentary, “Para-America”, which is in post-production.

Brands David has shot for include Google, McDonald’s, Panasonic, Hewlett-Packard, Nike, J-Crew, Volvo, Hershey’s, Dannon, Johnny Walker, and Sony. David’s commercial “Blind Preview” for Volvo was nominated for the “Spot of the Year” by Shoot Magazine.

Filmmaker and Director Of Photography, Carolyn Constantine ACS began her career in Sydney solidifying her reputation with notable work as DOP on a number of films by emerging Australian directors such as Cate Shortland, Pentuphouse (Kodak and Dendy Award winner) and Somersault (2^nd Unit DOP and director).

In 2017 Carolyn received her accreditation from the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) being only the 11^th woman out of 386 accredited members since 1965.

Carolyn has numerous TV drama operating and DOP credits (Wildside, Young Lions, Headstart, All Saints, Rake, Please like Me, Headland, Janet King, Pulse & Australian Gangster)  and has lensed a number of high profile documentaries including Wide Open Sky which won the audience award for documentary at Sydney Film Festival 2015. The award winning documentary Madhattan is her first long form film as both Director and cinematographer.

Her passion for the arts is reflected in the many films she has produced/directed and shot for Art Gallery of NSW, MCA, SCAF & the Kaldor Public Art Projects; her subjects have included Jeff Koons, Christo, Brian Eno, Wendy Whiteley, The Sydney Moderns, and America Exhibitions.

Carolyn continues to pursue her film making career both here and abroad, determined to push the creative and technical boundaries of her craft as she explores new ways to visually interpret her subjects and their stories.

Piero Basso, A.I.C.

Born and raised in northern Italy, Piero studied Cinema and Art Studies at the University of Turin. There, he analyzed the work of directors such as Truffaut, Kubrick, Lynch, and Wenders, and developed a deep interest in visual storytelling. He was inspired by the images of artists like Boris Kaufman, Sven Nykvist, Robbie Muller and Conrad L. Hall. He graduated with a thesis on the works of David Lynch, knowing that cinematography would be his ultimate pursuit.

 Piero began building a career as a director of photography while also working as a Steadicam operator. He photographed a number of award winning films and documentaries, with some of the most interesting young directors in Italy. He quickly presented himself as a talented and fast director of photography with a strong and mature vision. 

 He shot 10 feature films, five with very low budgets, showing a great capacity for managing the problems of limited equipment and crew while maintaining a distinctive visual character. He has also shot many short films and documentaries. His work has been screened in major international festivals, including Cannes and Locarno, and have been awarded important prizes. He has also received international recognition, including nominations at the European Film Awards and at the David di Donatello, as well as several victories at Festivals around the globe (including Oberhausen, Edinburgh, Turin, and Huesca).

 The main characteristics of Piero’s work are a strong visual personality, connected with a deep understanding of the moviemaking process, and a great capacity of adaptation to work in various and demanding conditions and with different crews. He is able to work on large productions as well as with small crews using only available and practical light.

 Piero believes strongly that the work of the director of photography is to understand the facets of the vision of the director and translate the whole, with special sensitivity to creative integrity, to the silver screen. 

Piero Basso is based in NYC, where he lives with his wife and daughter. He is bilingual and holds permanent residency in the U.S and European Citizenship.