Gerald Schank, director, director of photography, Cologne

About Gerald Schank

After graduating in social pedagogy, Gerald Schank starts an apprenticeship as camera assistant and sound technician in 1986. His first work as freelance cinematographer was in 1993 a documentary on Brazilian street kids for German Television (WDR). In 1999 he founded film production company fresh.frames in Cologne. The years to come took him to more than 50 countries for cinematographic work on films, such as the short film "Snipers Alley" (2001), or an anti-war drama, the cinema feature film "Mörderischer Frieden - Lethal Peace" (2007), filmed in Sarajevo (BiH).
The short film "Cut” (2014) received a recognition for best cinematography. And his documentary film debut "One World - The Ocean of Presence" (2019) won numerous awards at various international film festivals.

Known for

One World - The Ocean of Presence
2017-2019
Director, director of photography, executive producer
Cut (Wettbewerbsbeitrag Bloody Cuts)
2013
Director of photography
© movienet

Mörderischer Frieden
2006
Director of photography
©Grete Häusler GmbH

Das Phänomen Bruno Gröning
2003
Director of photography
Snipers Alley
2001
Director of photography

Movies as director

Year	Title	Genre	Director	Producer	Comment
2023	Mathmoms - where children come to learn South Africa (Cape Town)	Short Documentary	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	South Africa (Cape Town)
2023	German Doctors e.V. - Philipp Danne besucht German Doctors Projekte in Kenia Kenya (Nairobi / Athi River / Korogocho)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Kenya (Nairobi / Athi River / Korogocho)
2023	German Doctors e.V. - Hilfe für Menschen in Indiens Sunderbarns India (Kolkata / Sunderbarns)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	India (Kolkata / Sunderbarns)
2022	Mediserv Bank - Krankenstation Kilifi (Kenya) Kenya (Kilifi / Mombasa)	Corporate Series	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Kenya (Kilifi / Mombasa)
2022	OYW - One Young World Summit 2022 Postproduction	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Postproduction
2021	German Doctors e.V. - Wir sind da India (Kolkata), Philippines (Mindoro), Kenya (Nairobi), Bangladesh (Chittagong)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	India (Kolkata), Philippines (Mindoro), Kenya (Nairobi), Bangladesh (Chittagong)
2021	Fiaker Schorsch - The Coachman at Edens Door Austria	Trailer	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Austria
2021	Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung - Das Waldpiraten Camp	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]
2020	German Doctors - Serabu. Africa Sierra Leone (Serabu)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Sierra Leone (Serabu)
2020	Christ - Roadshow Recap Film (intern)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom, United States	Documentary	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom, United States
2016	German Doctors - Mit Hanno Friedrich in Indien India (Kolkata)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	India (Kolkata)
2014	YOLO - Mein Job Executive Producer	Report, RTL [de]	Gerald Schank	AZ Media TV GmbH [de]	Executive Producer
2008	Sparkasse Koblenz - Girokonto Executive Producer	Commercial	Gerald Schank	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Executive Producer
2007	Sparkasse Koblenz - Immobilie Executive Producer	Commercial	Gerald Schank	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Executive Producer
2005	Sparkasse Koblenz - Bank fürs Leben Executive Producer	Commercial	Gerald Schank	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Executive Producer

Movies as director of photography

Year	Title	Genre	Director	Producer	Comment
2023	Mathmoms - where children come to learn South Africa (Cape Town)	Short Documentary	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	South Africa (Cape Town)
2023	German Doctors e.V. - Philipp Danne besucht German Doctors Projekte in Kenia Kenya (Nairobi / Athi River / Korogocho)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Kenya (Nairobi / Athi River / Korogocho)
2023	German Doctors e.V. - Hilfe für Menschen in Indiens Sunderbarns India (Kolkata / Sunderbarns)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	India (Kolkata / Sunderbarns)
2022	Mediserv Bank - Krankenstation Kilifi (Kenya) Kenya (Kilifi / Mombasa)	Corporate Series	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Kenya (Kilifi / Mombasa)
2022	Die Sendung mit der Maus Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV	TV Magazine, ARD [de]	Birgit Quastenberg	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV
2021	German Doctors e.V. - Wir sind da India (Kolkata), Philippines (Mindoro), Kenya (Nairobi), Bangladesh (Chittagong)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	India (Kolkata), Philippines (Mindoro), Kenya (Nairobi), Bangladesh (Chittagong)
2021	Fiaker Schorsch - The Coachman at Edens Door Austria	Trailer	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Austria
2021	Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung - Das Waldpiraten Camp	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]
2021	Die Sendung mit der Maus Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV	TV Magazine, ARD [de]	Birgit Quastenberg	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV
2020	German Doctors - Serabu. Africa Sierra Leone (Serabu)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Sierra Leone (Serabu)
2020	Christ - Roadshow Recap Film (intern)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom, United States	Documentary	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Portugal, Romania, United Kingdom, United States
2018	Die Sendung mit der Maus Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV	TV Magazine, ARD [de]	Katja Engelhardt	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV
2018	Aktenzeichen XY - Gelöst! Spezial "Gelöst"	TV Magazine, ZDF [de]	Rudolf Schweiger	Securitel GmbH [de]	Spezial "Gelöst"
2017	Die Sendung mit der Maus Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV	TV Magazine, ARD [de]	Multiple	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Director Christoph Biemann - Delta TV
2016	ProSieben - Match Factor ARRI Amira	Opener	Kerstin Kalenberg	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	ARRI Amira
2016	German Doctors - Mit Hanno Friedrich in Indien India (Kolkata)	Corporate Film	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	India (Kolkata)
2015	Das große Schlüpfen Sri Lanka - Austria	TV-Event, ZDF [de]	Mark Achterberg	Wellenreiter TV [de]	Sri Lanka - Austria
2015	JAM! - Junge Aktion Mensch Studio production	Web Magazine	Simone Höft	Tvision GmbH [de]	Studio production
2015	SMS Love Shorty - Für immer Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini	Self Made Shorty	Hanno Friedrich	Zenon Produktion [de]	Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini
2015	Die Sendung mit der Maus Folgen mit Christoph Biemann	TV Magazine, ARD [de]	Multiple	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Folgen mit Christoph Biemann
2014	YOLO - Mein Job Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini	Report, RTL [de]	Multiple	AZ Media TV GmbH [de]	Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini
2014	JAM! - Junge Aktion Mensch Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini	Web Magazine	Multiple	Tvision GmbH [de]	Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini
2014	Verband berufstätiger Mütter - Equal Pension Day Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini	Corporate Film	Anja Friehoff	Cornelia Spachtholz Produktion	Canon 5D Mark III - AJA KiPro Mini
2013	ARD / WDR Marketing - Quarks & Co. Wissen zum Mitnehmen ARRI Alexa	Commercial	Kerstin Kalenberg	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	ARRI Alexa
2013	Cut (Wettbewerbsbeitrag Bloody Cuts) Sony PMW-F55 4K	Short Film	Peter Lemper	Peter Lemper Produktion	Sony PMW-F55 4K
2013	Miau! Was mit Katzen Szenische Einspieler	TV-Show, [Einsfestival] [de]	Peter Lemper	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Szenische Einspieler
2012	ARD / WDR Marketing - Digitalradio. Der unsichtbare Freund ARRI Alexa	Commercial	Katja Engelhardt	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	ARRI Alexa
2012	Sauti Kuu Foundation - Starke Stimmen Kenya (Nairobi), Sony PMW-F3	Corporate Film	Katja Engelhardt	Tvision GmbH [de]	Kenya (Nairobi), Sony PMW-F3
2012	Planet Wissen - 5 Dinge zum Fürchten Einspieler	TV Magazine	Birgit Quastenberg	Electric Boogie GmbH	Einspieler
2012	Du bist kein Werwolf - Über Leben in der Pubertät Einspieler Wolfmann	TV Magazine, WDR [de]	Katja Engelhardt	Tvision GmbH [de]	Einspieler Wolfmann
2011	Biotherm - Live. Energy & Health Camp (6 Webfilme) Germany, Austria	Corporate Film	Francis Meyer-Postelt	Mediarevolte, Francis Meyer-Postelt	Germany, Austria
2010	Ralphs Happen Canon D70	TV Magazine, ARD [de]	Ralph Caspers	Electric Boogie GmbH	Canon D70
2010	Die Pferdefreunde HDCAM	Report, WDR [de]	Susanne Müller	Tvision GmbH [de]	HDCAM
2010	Das Hochzeitsschiff Germany, Italy, France (HDCAM)	TV-Show, ARD [de], HR [de]	Kerstin M. Kahlenberg	UFA Show & Factual GmbH	Germany, Italy, France (HDCAM)
2009	Haydn Reloaded HDCAM Studioproduktion	Documentary, 3sat	Theo Roos	act Videoproduktion GmbH [de]	HDCAM Studioproduktion
2009	Yes We Can Dance Studio Clips	TV-Show, SAT.1	Mark Achterberg	UFA Show & Factual GmbH	Studio Clips
2009	Douglas Online TV (Werbemagazin) Lighting director Studio/DoP	Web Magazine	Agnes Dohmen	preTV Ltd. - Agnes Dohmen	Lighting director Studio/DoP
2008	Douglas Online TV (Werbemagazin) Lighting director Studio/DoP	Web Magazine	Agnes Dohmen	preTV Ltd. - Agnes Dohmen	Lighting director Studio/DoP
2007	Douglas Online TV (Werbemagazin) Lighting director Studio/DoP	Web Magazine	Agnes Dohmen	preTV Ltd. - Agnes Dohmen	Lighting director Studio/DoP
2006	Mörderischer Frieden Bosnia and Herzegovina (S-35 mm)	Feature Film, BR [de]	Rudolf Schweiger	BlueScreen Film GmbH [de]	Bosnia and Herzegovina (S-35 mm)
2005	Douglas - Image 2005 Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain (Camera and Realisation)	Corporate Film	Christian Schröder	Select Gesellschaft für Corporate Communication mbH [de]	Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain (Camera and Realisation)
2005	Aktion Mensch - re:spect Jugendmesse Digital Betacam	Corporate Film	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Digital Betacam
2005	Juvena - Imagevideo / POS Packshot	Corporate Film	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Packshot
2004	Die militärhistorischen Museen der Bundeswehr Digital Betacam	Documentary	Rudolf Schweiger	Kaleidoskop Film & Fernsehproduktion [de]	Digital Betacam
2004	BHW Bausparkasse - Image '04 16 mm	Corporate Film	Kerstin M. Kahlenberg	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	16 mm
2003	Garnier - 100% Packshots	Commercial	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Packshots
2003	Die Weiße Rose Digital Betacam	Documentary	Rudolf Schweiger	Kaleidoskop Film & Fernsehproduktion [de]	Digital Betacam
2003	Das Phänomen Bruno Gröning Germany, Austria, Poland, France (S-16 mm Colour B/W)	Documentary	Rolf Engler	Grete Häusler Film GmbH [de]	Germany, Austria, Poland, France (S-16 mm Colour B/W)
2002	Rene Lezard Packshot	Corporate Film	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Packshot
2002	Escada - Ibiza Hippie Packshots	Corporate Film	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	Packshots
2002	respect Kampagne- Aktion Mensch	Documentary Series	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]
2001	911 Germany, Austria	Documentary Series, RTL [de]	Multiple	Endemol Shine Group Germany [de]	Germany, Austria
2001	Charles Heidsieck - Image France	Corporate Film	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	France
2001	Snipers Alley 35 mm (1,85)	Short Film	Rudolf Schweiger	Kaleidoskop Film & Fernsehproduktion [de]	35 mm (1,85)
2000	911 Auftragsproduktion für Endemol	Documentary Series, RTL [de]	Multiple	Endemol Shine Group Germany [de]	Auftragsproduktion für Endemol
1999	911 Germany, Austria	Documentary Series, RTL [de]	Multiple	Endemol Shine Group Germany [de]	Germany, Austria
1998	911 Germany, Austria, Dominican Republic	Documentary Series, RTL [de]	Multiple	Endemol Shine Group Germany [de]	Germany, Austria, Dominican Republic
1998	Alarm für Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei 16 mm 2nd Unit	TV Series, RTL [de]	Multiple	Action Concept GmbH	16 mm 2nd Unit
1997	911 Germany, Austria	Documentary Series, RTL [de]	Multiple	Endemol Shine Group Germany [de]	Germany, Austria
1996	Die GlücksSpirale Cyprus, France	TV-Show, SAT.1	Friedrich Schaller	Endemol Shine Group Germany [de]	Cyprus, France
1995	Zuflucht im Zirkus Betacam SP	Documentary, WDR [de]	Micha Terjung	Cologne-Sitcom Produktionsges. mbH & Co.KG [de]	Betacam SP
1995	Wie Bitte?! Studio Clip	TV-Show	Thomas Klees	EndemolShine Nederland [nl]	Studio Clip
1994	Rudis Urlaubsshow Spain (Mallorca)	TV-Show, RTL [de]	Thomas Klees	EndemolShine Nederland [nl]	Spain (Mallorca)
1994	Erlebnisreisen - Unbekanntes Ecuador Ecuador	Documentary (Series), WDR [de]	Mathias P. Laermanns	Intevi Video Unit	Ecuador
1994	Erlebnisreisen - Costa Rica. Ein Land unter Naturschutz Costa Rica	Documentary (Series), WDR [de]	Mathias P. Laermanns	Intevi Video Unit	Costa Rica
1994	D´r Zoch kütt - Wie entsteht der Rosenmontagszug	Documentary, WDR [de]	Micha Terjung	Cologne-Sitcom Produktionsges. mbH & Co.KG [de]
1994	Wie Bitte?! Einspielfilme	TV-Show	Thomas Klees	EndemolShine Nederland [nl]	Einspielfilme
1994	Giftzähne und Goldherzen - Geschichten aus der Nachbarschaft Betacam SP	TV Series, WDR [de]	Manfred Bölk	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Betacam SP
1993	Das Dorf der glücklichen Kinder Brasil (Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo)	Documentary, WDR [de]	Petra Bodenbach	Team Work Filmproduktion GmbH	Brasil (Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo)
1993	Giftzähne und Goldherzen - Geschichten aus der Nachbarschaft Betacam SP	TV Series, WDR [de]	Manfred Bölk	WDR - Westdeutscher Rundfunk [de]	Betacam SP
1993	Wie Bitte?! Studio Clip	TV-Show	Thomas Klees	EndemolShine Nederland [nl]	Studio Clip

Movies in other capacities

Year	Title	Genre	Director	Producer	Comment
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence	Documentary	Gerald Schank	Fresh.Frames, Gerald Schank [de]	executive producer
2013	ARD / WDR Marketing - Quarks & Co. Wissen zum Mitnehmen	Commercial	Kerstin Kalenberg	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	executive producer
2013	Miau! Was mit Katzen	TV-Show, [Einsfestival] [de]	Peter Lemper	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	executive producer
2012	ARD / WDR Marketing - Digitalradio. Der unsichtbare Freund	Commercial	Katja Engelhardt	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	executive producer
2001	Charles Heidsieck - Image	Corporate Film	Claudia Spoden	Fresh Frames Film & TV Produktion GmbH [de]	executive producer
1997	Die Diebin	TV Movie	Michael Karen	Q und Q Medien	2nd unit dop Operator

Film awards

Year	Film	Award	Category
2020	One World - The Ocean of Presence	Esoteric Int. Film Festival [ru]	Best Esoteric Long Documentary	Winner
2020	One World - The Ocean of Presence	Cosmic Cine Film Festival [de]	Best Documentary Feature Film	Nominated
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence	Virgin Spring Cinefest [in]	Gold Award - Best Documentary Film	Winner
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence	DIFF. Druk Int. Film Festival [bt]	Documentary Films Outstanding Achievement Award	Winner
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence	Sydney Indie Film Festival	Feature Film Award	Winner
2019	One World - The Ocean of Presence	Awareness Film Festival [us]	Consciousness Award - Documentary Feature	Winner

Awards

Year	Award
2014	"Who´s There" Bloody Cuts Award (UK) - Best Cinematography

Basic data

Nationality	German
Languages	CroatianEnglishGermanPortuguese
Experience abroad	Australia and Oceania: Australia, New Zealand Central America: Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua Central Europe: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Switzerland North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia North America: Mexico, USA Northern Europe: Denmark, Norway, Sweden East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania Eastern Europe: Russia South Africa: South Africa South America: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka Southern Europe: Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, Vatican City Southeast Asia: Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam Southeastern Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Greece, Kosovo, Rumania West Africa: Ghana, Sierra Leone West Asia: Israel, Palestine, Turkey Western Europe: Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Wales Central Asia: Kazakhstan
Special skills	Action Sequences, Aerial Filming, Tabletop Shooting
Own equipment	Camera Equipment: Canon EOS C200 Cinema Camera 4K RAW (EF-Mount), Canon 24-105 mm 1:4 L IS USM, Canon 70-200 mm 1:2.8 L IS II USM, Canon 100 mm Macro 1:2.8 L IS USM, AJA KiPro Mini Recorder, Sachtler Video 18 Plus Tripod. Canon EOS R5 C Camera 8K RAW (RF-Mount), Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter, smallHD FOCUS 5" Monitor, Chrosziel Cage, Sachtler DV 4 Tripod, DJI RS 2 Pro Gimbal, Accessories Camera Drone: DJI Mavic 3 Classic with Hasselblad Camera 5.1K (4/3 CMOS Sensor), EU C1 Drone Certificate Sound Equipment: Sennheiser MKH 416 P48 Microphone, Sennheiser MKE 440 Stereo Microphone, Tascam CA-XLR2d-C Microphone Adapter, Audio Ltd. Diversity 2020 Wireless Microphone System, VT 506 Lavalier Microphone, vdB 805 Microphone Boom Pole Light- and Grip Equipment: 5 ARRILITE 800 W, 1 Litepanels 1x1 BiColor, ABC Products Dolly "Willy Go", 7,5 m Steal Tracks, 6 Tripods, 1 C-Stand with Extension Arm, Backdrop Support System, Accessories Edit Suite: Final Cut Pro with Apple Mac Pro (2,7GHz, 12-Core Intel Xeon E5) and 2 Apple Thunderbolt 27" Displays, Genelec 8020 CPM Loudspeaker, LaCie 8big Rack Thunderbolt 2 RAID (48 TB) Mobile Edit: Final Cut Pro with Apple MacBook Pro 15" (2,8 GHz Intel Core i7), 1 Apple Thunderbolt 27" Display
Licences	AdA-Schein (nach AEVO) [de], B (car) [eu], EU Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency A1/A3 [eu], Paragliding A-License [de], Paragliding B-License [de]
Education	Kölner Filmhaus e.V., Internship, Cameraassistent, Operator, 2nd unit DoP
Further references	Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) certified training supervisor for audiovisual media designer
Preferred place of work	Series, Documentary, Commercial, Television plays, Feature films
Immediate working area	Cologne
1st residence (federal state or country)	Germany - North Rhine-Westphalia
Accommodation possibilities	Zagreb

Crew United

Gerald Schank

Links

Contact

Photos

Showreel (external)