Professional Drone Operators

Christiaan Cloete     cloete@flyingfishproductions.ca

UAV Pilot / Camera Operator / Crane Technician

Christiaan was born in South Africa. At age of 19 he left his home country to explore the world. Because of is love for nature and adventure he pursued a career as a diving instructor and underwater camera operator in Israel, Egypt, and Mexico.                                                               Christiaan also had a love for technology and decided to return home to continue an education in IT, subsequently working in the UK for 2 years. Serendipitously landing in Canada Christiaan decided to strengthen his skills and joined the Toronto Film School where he graduated with honors. He then went on to complete a commercial diving program and started working as an underwater camera operator for feature Documentaries.

Expanding his technical abilities and camera skills he saw an opportunity to provide a unique perspective with emerging aerial technologies in cinematography.  In 2011, Christiaan started Flyingfish Productions to combine the specialized knowledge and passion necessary to operate in the air, on land and underwater. Christiaan was invited by the CBC and Global news to discuss UAV/Drone Safety.                                                 He was the first to create an educational Drone Program for an Ontario College, and continues to promote UAV safety to other educational facilities.

Because of his expertise in operating UAV’s, Christiaan was the first member to be accepted by local film union IATSE 667 as a UAV Pilot. Christiaan is also an IATSE 667 Crane technician and operator and works part time with Filmotechnic “The Russian Arm” operating their Academy awarded gyro-stabilized camera crane.

Since the start of Christiaan’s film career he has worked on feature films and feature documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic, History, BBC America, GlobalTV, Oasis and more.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3270378/

Qualifications:

ATSE667 Union Member - UAV Pilot, Crane Technician and Stabelized Remote Head Tech                                                                                               Toronto Film School - Film Production (Diploma)                                                                                                                                                                 CTI - Computer programming (Diploma)                                                                                                                                                                           Delphi Occupation Diver – Seneca (Diver Certification Board of Canada)                                                                                                                     IANTD - Extended Range Trimix Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver (100m)                                                                                                                         TDI - Full Cave CC Diver PADI/CMASS - OWSI InstructorVHF Marine Radio Operator

Christiaan speaks fluent English, Afrikaans and conversational Dutch, Spanish and Hebrew.

JOHN HOLOSKO

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY / REMOTE HEAD OPERATOR

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, John enrolled at Humber College’s cinematography program. It was here that John pursued the knowledge and passion of film, so much so that by the second year John was working as a DP on third year projects and teaching first-year photography.  By the summer, John was working at a commercial company as PM and Camera Assistant. Shortly after John took the Canadian Society’s Cinematography’s Assistant course; years later John would run the course in Toronto and was responsible for taking students to all film related businesses facilities. John became active in many organizations including Kodak where today he is still asked to test new film stocks before they are released.

After 7 years as a Camera Assistant, John felt ready to become a Director of Photography. The first Rock video he shot won him first place at the Canadian Society of Cinematography awards. John began shooting TV series, rock videos, commercials and features and always manages to stay on the cutting edge of all technologies and equipment, designing and implementing motion picture equipment as well. John has amassed many awards both national and international and is highly respected in that regard. He enjoys all project regardless of the challenge and has a strong command of electronic and film cameras. He has established himself as a top aerial cinematographer working for the likes of Vilmos Zigmond a.s.c. and Bob Richardson.

Certifications:
IATSE667 member

ROBIN SHEWCHUK

GROUND SUPERVISOR 

Robin was born and raised in Thunder Bay Ontario.  He worked among other places at a sawmill for twenty years. During those years he became heavily involved in the Health and Safety of his co-workers. After the mill shut down seven years ago, he relocated to Toronto.  His life changed dramatically when he became involved in film and television.  Since then he has worked in locations on and off set on major feature shots in the GTA.  He has been managing safety and security on many productions, from RED to Robocop and everything in between.  He also works with television and commercial productions.  His on set experience, in conjunction with his health and safety background, make him an ideal Ground Supervisor.  

Certifications:
IATSE 667&873 Member