Curriculum Vitae
Mark Laurence Sherman
Gaffer / Videographer
Click here to download this CV
Profile
I am a top class Gaffer and lighting expert in the film/stills industry… Having worked in the industry for the past 17 years, I bring a truck load of experience and professional work ethic to any set that I am working on……
Lighting is the most important part of any picture,,and without it we would all be left in the dark……
Experience
Having started in the industry in 1993 in Johannesburg, South Africa as a Production Assistant, I learnt my way around a film set and spent the next three years figuring out which department would suit me best. On my off days i would go into work with my dad, Bernard Sherman who had a small company, dealing with the manufacturing of smoke detectors and battery charger’s, I was involved with the wiring and building of these products, Which became the fuel for my interest in electricity and lights….So after my stint as a production assistant I made my move into the lighting department, working as a spark for most of the gaffers in SA….
I became a best boy after 3 years of learning the ins and outs of the lighting department, which put me on a lighting path with ( in most peoples eyes in SA, the best gaffer in the southern hemisphere) Bruce Thomas. He took me under his wing and molded me into one of the best, best boys in SA… I worked in his stable for 6 years working on hundreds of TVC’s and a hand full of features. Learning the art of light……
Then one day I got a call from a Dubai based company, FILMQUIP MEDIA , who were looking for a full time Gaffer to head up their lighting department .This was my chance to make the transition from best boy to Gaffer. Needless to say I took the job and have been working in Dubai and the Middle East for the past 5 years and have been the gaffer on hundreds of TVC`s and 2 international feature films and the first ever local feature in Dubai.
In short my experience on a film set is vast and I like to get stuck in and help my co workers to complete the project and have no problem picking up a broom and helping any department to get the job done…….
I have also taken a new found interest in the whole process of film making and have started to learn how to edit and have done a few projects as a lighting camera man, as I see it as my next step in this process we call film making………
I Have Seen The Light………..
Education
I finished high school at Hyde Park High in Johannesburg South Africa….
And attended a small fine arts school before discovering the film industry….
SKILLS
Like I mentioned above, i have had vast training and experience in the lighting department, but I do take a huge interest in camera and gripping and have no problem getting my hands dirty. Rigging and power management on site are two very important parts of being at the top of your game and i am well trained and manage these two departments very well……
I know my way around both the camera department and grips department …
And most importantly I get on well with my peers and production staff….. as people skills are one of the most important parts of our industry…..
Other skills that i have picked up since coming to Dubai:
- Welding
- Rigging
- Photographic stills assistant
- Advanced Diving
- Underwater Lighting
- Off Road Dune driving
- Cherry picker license
- Trolley and Shelf construction
- Camera man
- Video Editing using Final Cut Pro
- Photo editing using Photoshop CS4
2003
| Company |
Production |
Designation |
Where |
| Fresh Eye |
Cadbury’s |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Velocity |
M Tel |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tilt Productions |
Domestos |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fusion |
ABSA |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Film Fetish |
First National Bank |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Picture Tree |
Acres of Love |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Velocity Films |
Savannah |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fire Fly Productions |
Corporate |
Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Sunsilk 1 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Frieze Films |
Hunts |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fresh Eye |
Monster |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Velocity Films |
Simon Malls |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Terraplane |
Chicken Licken |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Philo Films |
Platinum |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Fresh Eye Films |
Kellogs |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Navigator |
Fortis Bank |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Chaos |
Vodacom |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Velocity Films |
Amstel |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fresh Eye |
Frutillo |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Monkey Films |
B.A. |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
2004
| Company |
Production |
Designation |
Where |
| Navigator |
KPN |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Terraplane |
Pills |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Velocity |
Jeyes |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Freshwater |
Appletizer |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Peter Gird Productions |
Vodaworld |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
SA Breweries |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Frieze Films |
Twist |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Viking |
Licor Del Polo |
Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Velocity |
Vita Force |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Terraplane |
MG5 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Lux |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Terraplane |
Panasonic |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Steers |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Jet |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Tenacity |
Always |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Jet 2 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Moonlighting |
Victoria Falls |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Amstel |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Lux 2 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Jet 3 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Chaos |
DSTV |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Miros Productions |
Danissimo |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Peep Show |
Bon Aqua |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Threshold Collective |
Chilli |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Terraplane |
CMT |
Gaffer |
Mauritius |
| Deveraux Harris |
Post Bank |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fresh Eye |
Go Banking |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Plank |
Doom |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Big Picture Co. |
Honda |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| The Front Films |
Jet 4 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Sunsilk 2 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Faith Creations |
MTN |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Faith Creations |
Wenemangi |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fresh Eye |
Peugeot |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Amex |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
ABSA |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Jardine |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| DC Studios |
Jet – Back to school |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Picture Tree |
CNA |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| McKenzie Rudolph |
Donor Card |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa -CPT |
| Filmworks |
Gulf Air |
Best Boy Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Plank |
Standard Bank |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
2005
| Company |
Production |
Designation |
Where |
| Tenacity |
KFC |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Slyver Films |
Coca Cola Light |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Apericube |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Frieze Films |
Shield |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Sunsilk 3 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Alight Productions |
AA |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Coca Cola |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Jet 5 |
Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Terraplane |
Edgars |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Parmelat |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Frieze Films |
Cell C |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| One Step Beyond |
News |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Lays |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fresh Eye |
SAA |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| The Front Films |
Steers 2 |
Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Front Films |
Jet 6 |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
Enterprise |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fresh Eye |
Pick ‘n’ Pay |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Farm Films |
Coca Cola |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Gatehouse |
Jack Links |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Miros Productions |
ABSA Business |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Plank |
Toyota |
Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| The Picture Tree |
Allan Gray |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Tenacity |
ABSA Brand |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fusion |
Danissimo |
Best Boy Gaffer |
Mauritius |
| Tenacity |
Total |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Fusion |
FHM |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Metal Fish Films |
Coco Pops |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Enigma Pictures |
Save Angel Hope |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Terraplae |
A Mild |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Frieze Films |
KFC |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| The Picture Tree |
Steers |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Moonlighting |
Guinness |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Ukhozi Productions |
Yoguetta |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Sylver |
E Bucks |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Egg Films |
T Mobile |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – CPT |
| Animation Art |
ADTV |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Animation Art |
School |
Best Boy Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Animation Art |
World Cup |
Gaffer |
South Africa – JHB |
| Boomtown |
Mobile |
Gaffer |
South Africa -CPT |
| Boomtown |
Dairy Drink |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Dolce Vita |
Nescafe |
Best Boy Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Dubai TV |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Emaar |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Nomadsland |
Dubai Holdings |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Boomtown |
Etisalat |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Boomtown |
Drink |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Pepsi |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Photin |
|
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Silk Epil |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Tropicana |
Best Boy Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Valkieser |
Clean &Clear |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Boomtown |
7 Up |
Best Boy Gaffer |
Dubai |
2006
| Company |
Production |
Designation |
Where |
| Caviar |
MBK |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
DSS |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Emaar |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| The Talkies |
Lays |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Petromin |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
RSA |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
STC |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| The Talkies |
Arabsat |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Trailblazer |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| VIP |
Panadol |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| VIP |
Ferrari |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| VIP |
Panadol 2 |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
STC |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Cinnequip |
Chevrolet |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Sama TV |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Amazing Race |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Central |
Doosan |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Emirates |
Bareface |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Shell |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Raccord Films |
Nostalgia |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Rahbani Productions |
Vanity Fair |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Iraq Peace 7 |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
HSBC |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
DU |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Lumina |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Legacy |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Epica |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Sensi/Galaxy |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Boomtown |
Etisalat |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Central |
DAFRA |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Lumina SS |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Central |
On Flame |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Central |
SEC |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Doritos |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Cinnequip |
Maggi |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Dubai TV |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
2007
| Company |
Production |
Designation |
Where |
| Filmworks |
Yaris |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Bareface Productions |
BMW |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| The Talkies |
KFC |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Nivea |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Boomtown |
India Gate |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Ford Teaser |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Aspire |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Phoenix Films |
Phoenix |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Phoenix Films |
Coffee Mate |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Rani |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
QFC |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Aspire |
Gaffer |
Dubai, Qatar |
| Filmworks |
Texas |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Pro Action |
Mobily |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Pro Action |
Pizza Hut |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| The Talkies |
Head & Shoulders |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Pro Action |
Mercury |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Diet Pepsi |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Filmworks |
Sama |
Gaffer |
Dubai, Oman |
| Filmworks |
Milk |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
| Big Kahuna |
Ice Cream |
Gaffer |
Dubai |
Features
1993
| Paramount |
The Ghost and The Darkness |
Office |
1994
| The Village Roadshow |
Tarzan and Jane |
Spark |
1998
| Peakviewing |
Beings |
Spark |
| Peakviewing |
The Last Leprechaun |
Spark |
| Peakviewing |
Meeksville Ghost |
Spark |
| Peakviewing |
Merlin |
Spark |
| Peakviewing |
Berserkers |
Bestboy Gaffer |
2003
| Moonlighting SA |
An African Story |
Spark |
| Moonlighting SA |
Beyond Borders |
Spark |
| Curious Pictures |
The Journey |
Gaffer |
2004
| Movieworld |
Tsotsi |
Bestboy Gaffer |
| Moonlighting SA |
The Interpreter |
Bestboy Gaffer |
| Lions Gate Films |
Hotel Rwanda |
Bestboy Gaffer |
2005
| Filmworks |
The Kingdom |
Gaffer |
2009
| Filmworks |
The City of Life |
Gaffer |
| Lions Gate Films |
BFF Dubai Paris Hilton TV Show |
Gaffer |
2010
| Universal Pictures |
Mission Impossible 4 |
Bestboy |
I have worked with the following production companies in Dubai:
- Boomtown Productions
- Downtown Productions
- Filmworks
- Dejavu
- Atlas Films
- Sentral films
- In-House Productions
- RSA Productions
- Village Roadshow Productions
- Lionsgate Films
- VIP Films
- Eye Squad Films
BACK STAGE Shoots And Videos……..
- Harpers bazaar Dubai
- Esquire mag Dubai
- The new Ferrari ff Filmworks Dubai
- Cosmopolitan mag Dubai
- Creem mag NY in Paris
- L’officiel mag Paris
- A Decent Idea Mag Paris/Dubai
- Indulge Mag Paris/Dubai
- GANGST*R a portrait book shot by Candy Kennedy
