Tomas Lutuli Brickhill

Education

Tomas Lutuli Brickhill attended Prince Edward School in Harare for his O and A Level studies from 1991 to 1996. He later enrolled at Surrey Insitute of Art and Design where he attained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Cinematography and Film/Video Production from 1999 to 2001.

Career

Tomas Lutuli Brickhill wrote and directed a movie, Cook Off, that was produced in 2017 in over a month, that has proven to be a game changer after having premiered at various international festivals and recently, being given a slot on Internet entertainment service, Netflix.^[2] “Cook Off started to form from combining the talents of dozens of Zimbabweans both in front and behind the camera – many of whom had met on the real-life version of the popular show, Battle of the Chefs, which is featured in the film,” said Brickhill.

He said the film was shot at a variety of locations across Harare that include Gava’s Restaurant, Chez Zandi’s, Organikks, Emmanuels at the Bronte, Pariah State, Londoners Sports Bar and Old Hararians Sports Club, places which the world is going to appreciate through the movie.

He is a filmmaker with broadcast credits in directing, cinematography, camera, sound, lighting and editing. He is the director of the hit Zimbabwean TV show 'Battle of the Chefs'. In the UK he taught film courses for Raindance Film Festival, BBC and VMI. Back at home he taught film at Global Academy in Zimbabwe where he was head of the film department for 2 years, he taught a short film course at the University of Zimbabwe, and he has also taught filmmaking workshops in Swaziland. He was the managing director of Zimbabwe's no. 1 live music venue: the legendary Book Cafe. Prior to which he managed Mannenberg Jazz club. As a musician he sings and plays guitar in a mbira-punk band called chikwata.263. He was formerly a member of Luck St Blues & Dhindindi bands.

Experience

Director Cook Off - The Movie

• Jul 2017 – Present (2 years 11 months)

Harare, Zimbabwe Tomas is the Writer/Director of the original Zimbabwean feature film - Cook Off

Battle Of The Chefs Africa Battle Of The Chefs Africa

• 4 years 5 months

TV Director

• Jan 2017 – Present (3 years 5 months)

Harare Director of the 13 episodes in season 3. This included blocking the action and directing the 5 cameras, coordinating jib abd tracking shots during challenges, briefing contestants and judges, storyboarding scenes, directing presenter links, voice overs & interviews,

Director Of Photography

• Jan 2016 – Dec 2016 (1 year)

Harare Director of photography for all 13 episodes of season 2. This included; lighting plan for entire studio set, working within budget, positioning 5 cameras, shooting challenges, interviews and set pieces, collection and return of all camera and lighting equipment, rigging and de-rigging, directing backstory interviews of contestants and judges.

Content producer/dv director freelance

• Nov 2007 – Present (12 years 7 months)

As a multi-skilled creative I have shot adverts, news pieces, corporate events, festivals, advertising activations, theatrical performances, live music, music videos, documentaries and short films. I have worked as a cinematographer, cameraman, camera assistant, sound recordist, boom operator, gaffer, lighting assistant, video engineer, vision mixer, editor, producer, production assistant, first assistant director, and director.

Producer/Director Top Face

• Jan 2014 – Sep 2014 (9 months)

Harare Produced and directed music videos, corporate videos and short films. This included originating ideas, pitching, budgets, storyboards, editing, line producing and directing shoots.

Owner Paw Paw Jam Productions

• 2006 – 2013 (7 years)

Paw Paw Jam specialised in African music events and filming in UK hosting 10 Paw Paw Jam nights and shooting live videos from Zimfest, Yinka Oyewole, Mashasha & Sam, Dhindindi, Get Up - Stand Up Festival, Afrolution Hip-Hop festival, Bushfire festival (Swaziland), Producing DVD's for Sabatta & Sauti za Busara festival (Tanzania), Producing music videos for DKR and Sabatta, and also producing online content for Run-Riot.com and a feature trailer for 7 Days In Africa Productions.

Venue Manager Mannenberg

• Nov 2010 – Dec 2011 (1 year 2 months)

Harare Venue Manager at Mannenberg Jazz club. This included booking bands and shows, ordering stock and stock takes, cash up, setting menu, managing bar, waiting, cleaning and security staff, and coordinating marketing for all shows.

Technical Assistant BBC

• 2008 – 2010 (2 years)

Audio/Video technician. checking, testing and minor repairs for camera, sound, lighting and grip equipment for in-house equipment hire DV Solutions. Other duties included Sub-hiring equipment from other hire facilities, trouble shooting technical problems, camera tutorials for staff, recommendations for specialist shoots, and purchasing spares for repair.

Kit room Monkey/video technician/sound Recordist VMI

• Apr 2003 – Aug 2006 (3 years 5 months)

Testing and setting up camera, lighting, sound and grip equipment on broadcast Sony, Panasonic, and Canon cameras: Digibeta, DV, HDCam, SX, HDV. 24hr on call technical support. Sound recording for various broadcast productions including BBC Eastenders revealed documentary series, Stepping Up documentary series(Channel 5 UK), Love Child feature documentary for Testimony films.

Awards

• Cook Off won Best Film and Best Actress at the 2019 NAMA Awards and Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF) in 2018.

Groups

• The Film Industry Network
• Co-Producers
• Film & TV Tech Professionals
• Zimfest - Celebrating Zimbabwe
• Film Financing Group
• Harare Professional Network

References