Jean Counet
Owner
TAM Films
Amsterdam, Netherlands
I'm an Amsterdam based cinematographer for documentaries and feature films, and documentary street photographer. As cinematographer I'm convinced a filmic illusion is stronger than an illustration or registration from a action or reality. I like to loosen up on a feature film set, opening up to what directors, actors and situations give, and by carefully choosing a focus and point of view on a documentary film as a dance between internal perception of the director and the external reality. I love to integrate as much as possible within a place and subject in a documentary situation, predicting together with the director what will happen. Less is more, I rather prefer to isolate in my images than trying to capture everything and coming home with nothing. I'm looking for authenticity in every moment I capture, both in my work as documentary cinematographer as in the feature films I'm working on. In photography I like the freedom to be able to tell a story in a split second. In an independent frame which doesn't need any introduction or dramatic structure on beforehand of afterwards. It also always me to operate in a one man band crew, which is a nice change from the teamwork I'm usually used too. I have worldwide experience in filming, from Seattle, to Taipei, and from Papua New Guinnea via Spitsbergen to Congo. I feel the need to watch and interpret the world visually. In place, time and tempo in motion pictures, and by capturing an essence of a moment, a meeting or a place by photography.
2001 - Best film, Courtisane, Ghent 2001, 2002 - Best Film, Courtisane, Ghent 2002, 2002 - Price of Jury CANAL+ Europa 2002, 2003 - NPS Best Dutch Short 2003, 2004 - Best Film, CUT!Festival Antwerp 2004, 2005 - VAF WILDCARD Brussels 2005, 2005 - SCAM Audience Award Brussels 2005, 2007 - Holland You Doc Award, 2015 - Special Mention, Family Film Project Porto 2015, 2015 - Grand Prix Sarmat Film Festival Russia 2015, 2015 - Best Doc, Hong Kong Film Festival 2015, 2015 - Best Dutch Documentary IDFA 2015, 2015 - AWFJ EDA Award IDFA 2015
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