Michael ZidelMichael Zidel’s love affair with celluloid and movie making began at an early age and was cemented when at the age of 13 he was hired as a runner on the set of a BBC Documentary in Israel. Throughout his school career he managed the technical backstage department at his school. In 1987 Michael began his formal training in the movie industry at the Pretoria Film School. A year later he was introduced into the practical operations of the mainstream film industry. Mike developed his skills in 16mm film by working for American TV channels and the UK’s Channel 4. National Geographic contracted Mike for their month long Voyage series in the Okavango, Botswana. That was just the beginning...In 1989 Michael established Crystal Productions, contracting his expertise in sound, 16mm film, video and post production for commercials, inserts, corporate training and information videos in addition to drama series’ both locally and abroad. In 1992 Michael moved to Namibia where as director/producer he established a magazine TV series called Welcome to Namibia which soon became viewers’ choice for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. In addition to producing, directing, shooting and editing this series, he was responsible for training the local Namibian technicians. In 1993 Michael returned to South Africa contracted to the MHI Group (Mnet Holdings International) as a producer for Videonet – an internal weekly live business program broadcast across the entire African continent. In 1995 Michael was given the opportunity and honour to work as principal cameraman on Survivors of the Shoah foundation - a multi media global project founded and chaired by Steven Spielberg. The aim of which was to develop the largest global digital online multi-media archive of holocaust survivor testimonies ever created. Michael’s involvement in the project lasted four years and he received outstanding acknowledgement of his work from both Mr. Spielberg and his production office. In 2001 Michael co-produced “Tolerance” (aired on Carte Blanche) which was awarded 2nd place in the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards. He continues working on his own productions for corporate projects, commercials, journalistic reviews, news highlights, actuality programs and wildlife documentaries. In 2004 Michael began The Blue Bicycle Company which specializes in dynamic marketing to SME and corporate clients. You are invited to browse through the attached “Brag Pack” for further portfolio information.Producer, Director and Cameraman:-M*Net Television Corporate M TEL Cellular Corporate Orbicom Corporate Multichoice Corporate Gold Reef City Casino Corporate Gold Reef City Casino License bid video Virgin Cola Colours Launch Video Foundation for Tolerance Education Education Welcome to Namibia Magazine travel programme Videonet Business news programmeFront Row Entertainment Flying Circus Music VideoServices Seta Educational training Videos Director of Photography:-Survivors of the Shoah foundation Global multi mediaBBC Dinosaur Detectives 13 part children series BBC News cameraman Gulf War BBC behind scenes Walking with Beasts National Geographic Okavango Delta Yokohama Tyres Commercial Celtron Commercial Netcare 911 Commercial & Corporate Camel Rave Commercial Coca Cola Soccer World Cup Promo DSTV Promo Abercrombie & Kent Wildlife & Corporate MTN Cellular Corporate Sportron Corporate Video Laxness Corporate Video PPC Cement Corporate Video Nedbank Corporate Video Tenke Fungurume DRC Copper Corporate VideoCoca-Cola 175 years Corporate VideoBilliton Corporate Hagenu Corporate Cosmetics IBM Italy Promo BMW Corporate South African Airways Corporate Work ARC Agriculture Corporation Dunhill Show Jumping – Inanda Corporate Promo Gauteng Regional Government Internal Corporate WDR Germany Actuality Carte Blanche M* Net Actuality (Numerous Assignments) Lebone SABC Inserts (numerous Assignments) Options Funky Actuality In Touch Technology Series 50/50 Wildlife Toni Nguxi Music Video M’ coy Music Video S‘ Bu Music Video Camara Music Video