Adrienne Gittus

Camera Operator, Cinematographer, Director, Director of Marketing & Distribution, Director of Photography, Editor, Manager, Photographer (Still), Filmmaker, Underwater Cinematographer, Videographer, Content Creator, Marketing/pr and Drone Operator

Nadi, Fiji

Member Since:
June 2020

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

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About Adrienne

I am a filmmaker and photographer and a jack of all trades. I originally specialized in underwater cinematography and over the last 10 years have expanded to build my own business, Soulwater Productions, creating promotional content both above and below the waves primarily for the dive and tourism industry. I do all my own scriptwriting, shooting (underwater, on land, aerial, 360), editing, colour grading, and most other post-production tasks. As a one-woman band, I also run all the behind-the-scenes aspects of my business from client relations and treatment development, to financial management. It is certainly challenging in this rapidly changing world!

Living in Indonesia for 8 years immersed in the local culture and environment, I speak conversational Indonesian, an essential tool in managing timely and effective projects. With technical diving and JJ-CCR rebreather training, I can film at greater depths, and get closer to hard-to-capture marine life than many other film production companies. Stunning underwater imagery complements superfluous topside and drone footage to create a complete package for each individual customer. Every project is different and demands a personalised and individual concept. Attention to detail has helped me build a reputation for dedication and being one of the best at creating unique and powerful brand imagery.

My work has also been featured in several magazines, and footage used by CNN, ARD, National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, PADI, The Lonely Planet and in a number of special interest television productions.

My biggest claim to fame (and proudest moment) is the creation over 5 years of the highly acclaimed documentary "A Fish Full of Dollars", which has screened and won a number of prestigious awards around the world. With a little help from my friends, I scripted, shot, edited, and promoted this film which aims to build awareness about the tragic shark fishing industry in Indonesia. I learned a HUGE amount making this documentary and now appreciate why the list of credits is so long at the end of commercially produced films. I would love to make another documentary in the future and have several ideas for possible stories.

While the underwater world and ocean conservation remain my first passions, I approach every project with a mind to conservation, whether it be the heroic quest to save sharks and rays or the smallest gesture to reduce, reuse and recycle...

Now located in Fiji, covid19 has put a new perspective on life. I am loving having time to learn and practise a vast range of new skills. The future seems both terrifying and a whole new world with opportunities there for taking. Time to reinvent myself once again...

Unique traits: Pig-headed determination

Gender:
Female

Badges

Photos

Credits

A Fish Full of Dollars (2012 - 2017)
Documentary by Soulwater Productions Director, Producer, Camera, Editor, Research, Scriptwriter Indonesia is the number one shark fishing nation in the world. Sharks are a targeted species at the Tanjung Luar fish market in Lombok, where despite worldwide trends away from shark finning, the trade persists. Worldwide, fishing is pushing many species to the brink of extinction. Fishermen are forced further afield every year to satisfy the hungry demand of the Chinese and world market for shark fin soup. Manta fishing for gill rakers has also been a growing trade in recent years, and despite law changes banning their fishing in Indonesia, some fishermen consider the risks worth taking. This film addresses a global problem at a local level, investigating the impact of the worldwide massacre of sharks and rays on both the environment and the local community in Lombok. How will the depletion of shark and manta species in the Lombok area affect tourism and the lives of local people, who have depended on the fruits of the seas for generations? What will happen when this resource is exhausted completely? The trade of banned species in Indonesia is a complex issue with many financial stakeholders. There is no simple solution to this problem, but shark and manta fishing must stop now if we are to preserve the environment for future generations. We must not let this be our legacy.
Wondernesia (2015)
Documentary by Discovery Channel Underwater Camera Operator Join three of Asia's most prominent social media influencers for a travel odyssey throughout wonderful Indonesia. Hosted by supermodel Nadya Hutagalung, be blown away by the spectacular landscapes, and follow the influencers on their once-in-a-lifetime adventures to discover and unlock the archipelago's countless natural and cultural treasures.

Awards

Best of Show, Docs Without Borders Film Festival
(2017)
Official Selection, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
(2017)
Official Selection, Balinale International Film Festival
(2017)
Official Selection, ADEX Film Festival, Singapore
(2017)
Official Selection, ADEX Film Festival, Shenzhen
(2017)
Best Emerging Filmmaker, Blue Ocean Film Festival
(2016)
Best Nature/Environmental Documentary, Canadian Diversity Film Festival
(2016)
Semi-Finalist, Los Angeles Cinefest
(2016)
Official Selection, Wildlife Conservation Film Festival
(2016)
Official Selection, Ekofilm
(2016)
Official Selection, Ekotopfilm
(2016)
Official Selection, Auckland International Film Festival
(2016)
Official Selection (multiple films), Fremantle Underwater Film Festival
(2016)

Education

University of Otago
(1989-1993)