Harrison Thane

Experience

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  VICE Media, Inc.

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  Freelance Photographer
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  Fm Model Agency Ltd

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  Photo Editor
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  Maccoll Photography

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  First Assistant

  Andrew Maccoll is one of Australia’s most talented fashion and advertising photographers. His passion for his work with light and capturing true beauty in people guided him towards high end advertising, portraiture, landscape and fashion photography. Andrew has been graced with some amazing opportunities during his career including shooting Robert De Niro, Bill Clinton, music superstar P!NK and many more celebrities. His accolades include twice being internationally acclaimed as one of the worlds top ten photographers in his field by the Hasselblad Masters in Berlin. Andrew also has had multiple portraits acquired by the National Portrait Gallery; and was named as one of the top ten photographers in Australia for both the Advertising and Fashion industries by both Capture & Creative magazines. Show less

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  Nike

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  PHOTOGRAPHER (GIRL EFFECT RWANDA)

  Registered with the Nike Foundation as a photographer for the ‘Girl Effect’ Project. Harrison has recently completed an assignment in Rwanda where he was head photographer on the Ni Nyampinga initiative. His duties heavily revolved around education by teaching the girls photographic skills and post-production techniques. His instrumental and innovative work on that assignment led the agency to reproduce his photographs on billboards and buses to promote the girls’ magazine and radio show.

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  Girl Hub

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2013

  Photographer
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  Ace Hotel / Atelier Ace

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2013

  Lighting Designer
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  Zinester

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2017

  Creative Director

  Helping youth and marginalised groups to think critically about what is important to them and provide them with the confidence and the skills to capture their narrative visually in the ‘zine’ format.Zinester Specializes in giving a voice to marginalized and hard to reach groups of people through a co-creative process that involves training participants to create their own Zines (DIY Magazines).Combining citizen journalism with participant lead research methodologies (and a dash of agitprop wizardry Zinester is on a mission to use the co-creative process to unlock insights into the lives of those it works with. Show less

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  Ocreativ

  Mar 2014 - Sept 2015

  Photo Retouch Team Manager & Visual Technician

  Retouch Team Manager

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  Save the Children International

  Jan 2016 - May 2018

  Film Director

  Youth in Action is a six-year youth livelihood program implemented by Save the Children in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. The goal of Youth in Action is to improve the socio-economic status of approximately 40,000 rural out-of-school young people, both girls and boys, in Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malawi and Uganda.Save the Children commissioned Harrison to document the work of youth in action across the 5 countries through video and photography.

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  Girl MOVE Academy

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2017

  Creative Director

  HT Communications and Veronica Torres Consulting have spent the past 18 months developing and testing immersive cross platform role playing games to help young people thrive in high risk environments. The team now wish to extend its central hypothesis: that if young people are allowed to take risks and practice life skills in a virtual environment they will be better able to cope and draw down the right skill when they are confronted with equivalent challenging scenarios in their daily lives. Show less

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  Shell Foundation

  Jan 2017 - Apr 2019

  Shell Foundation is a UK charity supporting energy and mobility solutions in low-income areas around the world. To deliver impact They apply business thinking to tough problems in challenging geographiesThrough 2017/2018 Harrison was assigned across Asia and Africa capturing the inspiring success stories as a result of the Shell Foundations work. Shell Foundation is a UK charity supporting energy and mobility solutions in low-income areas around the world. To deliver impact we apply business thinking to tough problems in challenging geographiesThrough 2017/2018 Harrison was assigned across Asia and Africa capturing the inspiring success stories as a result of the Shell Foundations and their partner's work.

  • Film Director

    Jan 2017 - Apr 2019

  • Film Director

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2018
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  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

  Apr 2017 - Apr 2018

  Film Director

  The documentary was directed by Harrison Thane for a DFID program called SPARK (Support and Protection for Affected Refugees in Kenya) which seeks to integrate refugees into Kenyan society through skills training. The goal of the documentary was to show how these different cultures – refugees and Kenyans – can both benefit from their unique ingenuity and creativity.Harrison and the production team spent 4 months researching and filming the stories with the different communities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, to capture the true power and potential of the people living both in and around the camp. The refugee production team was able to compellingly push back against stereotypes that create obstacles in the search for solutions.Funded by the Department For International Development (DFID).Due for release early 2019 Show less

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  Swatch Group

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2019

  Artist in Residence

  In 2019 Harrison completed an Artist Residency at the prestigious SWATCH Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai

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  Wildlife Conservation Society

  Mar 2020 - Jan 2021

  Documentary Filmmaker

  I worked with WCS and Vulcan .Inc on the great elephant census capturing and documenting their projects in Gabon.The greatest challenge to both forest elephants and savannah elephants today is illegal killing to feed the ivory trade. Between 2010 and 2012 alone, some 100,000 were poached across the continent. In some parts of Africa, habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation are also threats, as is human­-elephant conflict.

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  Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

  Jan 2021 - Jan 2023

  Film Director & Editor

  A Community Under Fire tells the story of a community radio station in a small town in regional Australia leading the community’s fight against encircling bushfires in 2019/20. The film uses the locals’ stories to show a community coming together to recover from this devastating event. The film premiered on 4 November 2020 with members of the Braidwood community attending. To date, the film has been submitted to festivals and competitions in 55 countries and has been screened internationally in the USA, Japan, Singapore, Germany, Greece, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Romania. Show less

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  Medical Aid Films

  Jan 2021 - May 2022

  Film Producer / Director Editor

  I have been working as a freelance filmmaker providing social and brand communications to an array of Medical Aid Film's clients.

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  The Iris Project

  Aug 2022 - Sept 2023

  Director / Editor

  In partnership with MAKER.CHANGE studio my role at The Iris Project has been deeply involved in bringing to life stories that highlight the intersection of youth empowerment, environmental conservation, and community-driven solutions to climate challenges. The Iris Project is an innovative platform that supports young environmental leaders through grant funding, mentorship, and capacity building. It's about enabling these changemakers to implement locally-led, nature-based solutions to the pressing issues our planet faces​​.Over the past two years, my work as a film producer, director, and DOP has taken me on a global journey, capturing the essence of these initiatives across diverse cultural and natural landscapes. From the spiritual ambiance of Bali to the rugged beauty of Nepal, from the vibrant communities in Kenya to the serene settings in Malawi, each location offered unique stories of resilience, innovation, and hope. My role involved not just filming but also immersing myself in these communities, understanding their challenges and triumphs, and conveying their stories through the powerful medium of film.This experience has been incredibly enriching, allowing me to witness firsthand the impact of The Iris Project's mission and the tangible change driven by young leaders around the world. It's been a privilege to use my skills to amplify these important narratives, contributing to a broader understanding and appreciation of the critical work being done in the realm of environmental conservation and youth empowerment. Show less

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  USAID

  Aug 2022 - Aug 2023

  Film Director

  In the span of 2022 to 2023, I had the privilege of contributing to the USAID's visionary initiative, "Africa Verified," a program designed to bolster sustainable development and conservation efforts across the continent. Within this enriching framework, I led the film production of two significant projects that stand as testaments to the synergy between renewable energy, environmental conservation, and community empowerment.The first project was centered around the Kipteo Wind Farm, an emblem of renewable energy's potential in Africa. This venture wasn't just about harnessing the wind; it was a narrative of collaboration, where technology met traditional knowledge, and sustainability goals aligned with local prosperity. Our storytelling aimed to encapsulate the essence of this joint venture, weaving a tale of innovation, resilience, and the transformative power of green energy.Parallel to this, we ventured into the heart of the Maasai Mara, engaging with the Nobosho Conservancy in a unique partnership fostered by USAID. This project was more than a conservation effort; it was a dialogue between cultures, an exploration of coexistence between the Maasai community's ancestral lands and the imperatives of ecological preservation. Through our lenses, we captured the intricate dance of life in the Mara, highlighting the conservancy's role in sustaining both biodiversity and cultural heritage.Throughout these endeavors, our team crafted a mosaic of multimedia assets for USAID, each piece echoing the overarching themes of harmony, sustainability, and innovation. These narratives were not just stories; they were visual odes to the spirit of Africa and its path towards a sustainable future, underpinned by the pillars of community, conservation, and clean energy. Show less

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  Plus Four Studios

  Aug 2022 - now

  Film Director & DOP

  Currently, I'm engaged with PLUSFOUR Studios, a multidisciplinary production company renowned for its innovative approach and diverse projects. As a Lead Creative Consultant in the Film Department, my role involves a dynamic and ongoing collaboration where creativity and strategic vision converge. Our clientele is as varied as our projects, including prestigious names such as AMAKA, ARISE, the Office of the Ukrainian President, and USAID, among others. This position allows me to blend my passion for storytelling with a commitment to impactful narratives, working closely with teams to bring forth films that not only captivate but also resonate deeply with audiences worldwide. Show less

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  Centre for Information Resilience

  Feb 2023 - Apr 2023

  Director & Editor

  Directed and edited documentaries for the Center for Information Resilience, in collaboration with @maker.change, focusing on the resilience of communities amidst geopolitical conflicts. My work illuminates the human stories of adaptation and recovery, leveraging the power of cinema to evoke empathy and inspire change."Beyond Borders: The Heart of Banská Štiavnica" - Highlighted the community's support for Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia, showcasing solidarity and hope."Recovery through Art" - Captured the therapeutic role of art in aiding Ukrainian refugees in Pomorie, Bulgaria, emphasizing healing and integration.Developed narratives that resonated globally, focusing on resilience and communal support.Ensured authentic portrayal through close collaboration with local communities and subjects.Enhanced visibility for the Center's humanitarian efforts, leading to increased support.Received acclaim for storytelling and editing, contributing to the discourse on conflict and recovery.My documentaries go beyond storytelling, serving as a catalyst for empathy and action. Through this work, we not only document resilience but also inspire a collective movement towards a more empathetic world. Show less

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  BBC Studios

  Sept 2023 - Oct 2023

  Field/Location Film Director East Africa

  In 2023, as a field director for "Echoes of Tomorrow," a BBC production, I had the unique opportunity to blend the art of storytelling with pressing environmental advocacy. Our film, which cast a stark light on the urgent issues of the climate crisis, broke through the traditional confines of cinema to become a central piece at COP28's inaugural Health Day.This project, a collaborative venture with BBC Studios and the Wellcome Trust, offered an immersive experience at the opening ministerial session, where world leaders were confronted with the visceral human and health impacts of climate change. Our narrative, enriched by firsthand accounts and scientific expertise, underscored the urgent need for climate solutions and placed health considerations at the forefront of climate action discussions.The journey of "Echoes of Tomorrow" from concept to the global stage at COP28 exemplifies the transformative potential of film to not only inform but actively engage policymakers in meaningful dialogue. It was a profound honor to steer such a significant endeavor, showcasing the influential role of visual storytelling in catalyzing international policy shifts towards a more sustainable and health-oriented approach to tackling the climate crisis.I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this vision to life. Your tireless efforts have underscored the critical importance of swift, global action towards clean energy adoption and greenhouse gas reduction, pivotal steps in safeguarding our collective future. To learn more about the intersection of climate and health championed by the Wellcome Trust at COP28, I encourage you to visit: https://lnkd.in/etUPniyF. Special acknowledgments to the dedicated team and partners who made this impactful presentation possible. Show less

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  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

  Mar 2024 - Mar 2024

  Director & Editor

  Engaged by Freuds+ to direct and edit compelling content for the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative, endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The campaign highlighted Ukraine's pivotal role in global food security, resonating strongly within Nairobi and garnering attention from President Volodymyr Zelensky.Contributions:Developed and executed a visually engaging narrative, showcasing the humanitarian contributions of Ukraine and their impact in Kenya.Led the creative vision, ensuring the content effectively communicated the campaign's objectives and engaged a wide audience.Oversaw production from conceptualization to final edits, maintaining the project's integrity and message.Achievements:Produced content that was notably shared by President Zelensky, significantly enhancing the campaign's visibility and impact.Elevated public understanding of the "Grain from Ukraine" initiative and its importance in mitigating global food shortages, with a focus on the contributions to Nairobi's communities.Accentuated the collaborative efforts between the Ukrainian government and local charities in Nairobi, emphasizing their joint commitment to community support and education.Skills:Artistic Direction & Visual StorytellingAdvanced Video Editing & ProductionCross-Cultural Narrative DevelopmentImpact:Contributed to a high-profile campaign that underscored the essence of international solidarity, leveraging storytelling to bridge communities and amplify the global conversation on food security. Show less