TAMSYN VAN GELDEREN 2015
• Freelance Specialist Wildlife Researcher/Fact Checker/Copy Editor & Proofreader/Writer •
• Cell/WhatsApp: +27 (0)74 101 5388 • Email: nysmatic@gmail.com • Skype: Nysmaticus  Johannesburg South Africa
• Single • Dual SA/UK passport holder • Clean Driving license • NAUI Advanced Diver • BSc (Hons) AM Greenwich
University 
I have an enquiring mind that I refined as a journalist and honed whilst travelling the world. I fulfilled a lifelong dream
to study animal science; and combined excellent writing skills with my animal obsession by writing and researching
wildlife documentaries. I enjoy language, so as an editor, my attention to detail is as intense and precise as I can make
it. I learn as much from tightening the prose as I do from my research. I get a real kick from every story I work on. No
matter what I do, I truly enjoy the challenges they bring.
Please view my show reel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQg6aBNbgrw
WORK & CREDITS
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Research/Writer: Away2Xplore: Currently researching and writing articles for company websites
Content Director: Big Brother Mzansi 2: Double Trouble (Endemol/Africa Magic/MNet 2015)
o
Directed multicam & audio coverage of 28 housemates & edited/produced daily highlight episodes (28
mins) for season (91 days on a 24/7 rotation with CD team)
Content Director: Big Brother Africa: The Chase 8 & Big Brother Africa: Hot Shots 9 (Endemol/Africa Magic/MNet
2013/2014)
o
As above
Selections Team: Big Brother Africa 9 (2014) & Big Brother Mzansi 2 (2015) – Uganda/Ethiopia/Kenya/Tanzania/Cape
Town – interviewing candidates for The Big Brother House in each country/city
Senior Fact & Archive Footage Researcher: Deadly Predator Challenge: Killer IQ: Lion vs. Hyena
(Kingdom Films, Smithsonian Networks with Animal Planet International & Terra Mater Factual Studios 2014)
o
Sourced archive stock footage research for 3 episode documentary on Lions and Hyenas:
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Fact checked and annotated scripts and inserts for Rough Cut on Episode 1
Senior Researcher: x 3 Episodes The Ultimate Nile (Terra Mater/Cosmos Factory (Austria) & Nat. Geog. (US)) (2014)
o
Researched/fine tuned final script annotations for narration record for US version
Wildlife Documentary Research & Writing:
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3D Safari (Aquavision/Discovery/ 3Net)
o
o
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Script writer: 5 eps: • Gannets • Penguins • Okavango • uShaka Aquarium • Seals •
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Senior Factual researcher Series
Mother Warthog (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int)
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Wrote & researched initial proposal, 5-Act and promo script
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Senior Factual and Archive Footage researcher final production
Predator Battleground (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int) (Only 1 credit permitted)
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Assistant Producer final production (Credited)
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Co-wrote & researched initial proposal & 5-Act
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Senior Factual & Archive Footage researcher final production
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Obsessively Creative Productions (Research)
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Active Blue Productions (Research)
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Natural History Media (Research)
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Aquavision TV Productions (Research, writing Proposals & Scripts)
Senior Researcher: ‘Check Point’ Current Affairs News Program eNCA (e News Channel Africa 2014)
Questions Producer: ‘The Money Drop: Nigeria’ & ‘The Million Rand Money Drop: South Africa’ (Endemol/Africa
Magic/MNet 2013)
o
Produced questions for show
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Created template for future shows when show concluded
Copy Editor & Fact Checker
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Gerald Hinde Wildlife Photographer & Author (2012/2013)
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Albert Roura Author & President of UETA (Union of European Trappers Associations) (2013)
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René Wegkamp CEO Away2Xplore (Current)
Head of Research & member of Development Team
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Aquavision TV Productions cc (2007 –2012)
Journalist/Photographer
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The Citizen (1984 – 1986)
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The Springs & Brakpan Advertiser (1983 – 1984)
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:__________________________________________________________________________
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Researching & writing webpage articles Away2Xplore Current
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Content Director Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble 2 (Endemol SA/Mzansi Magic/MNet)
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Content Director Big Brother Africa: Hot Shots 9 (Endemol SA/Africa Magic/MNet)
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Content Director Big Brother Africa: The Chase 8 (Endemol SA/Africa Magic/MNet)
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Selections Team Big Brother Africa: Hot Shots 9 and Big Brother Mzansi 2 (Endemol SA/Africa
Magic/Mzansi Magic/MNet)
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Wildlife Factual & Archive Footage Researcher Deadly Predator Challenge (Kingdom Films, Animal
Planet & Smithsonian)
o
Senior Factual Researcher x 3 Episodes The Ultimate Nile (Terra Mater/Cosmos Factory (Austria) &
Nat. Geog. (US))
o
Senior Factual Researcher/Fact Checker/Scriptwriter ENCA Check Point – current affairs (eTV SA)
o
Questions Producer The Money Drop Nigeria/The Million Rand Money Drop South Africa (Endemol
SA/Africa Magic/MNet)
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Copy Editor/Fact checker Gerald Hinde, Wildlife Photographer/Author: Living The Dream and
Botswana: Sea of Sand; Land of Water
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Factual/Archive Footage Researcher & Writer/Scriptwriter general
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Practical & Scientific field research (BSc (Hons 1st class) Animal Management Greenwich Uni)
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Investigative journalist & news photographer: The Citizen/The Springs & Brakpan Advertiser
SKILLS_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Computer literate & proficient in most Microsoft Word packages
Advanced Diver NAUI
2010
Basic car maintenance (UNISA)
1986
Language skills: Competence: 1 excellent - 5 ++ VERY basic)
Language
Reading
Speaking
Written
English
1
1
1
Afrikaans
2
2
3
French
5++
5++
5++
EDUCATION
BSc (Hons First Class) Animal Management

Hadlow College/Greenwich University UK
Graduated 2006
Natal Technikon Durban South Africa
Graduated 1984
N Dip Journ

REFERENCES_______________________________________________________________________________________
REFERENCES CONTACT DETAILS AVAILABLE ON APPLICATION
FILM & PROJECT TITLES (2007 to current):_______________________________________________________________
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Away2Xplore website articles & engineering proposal: Current
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Big Brother Mzansi Season 2: Double Trouble (Endemol SA/MNet/Mzansi Magic)
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Big Brother Africa Season 9: Hot Shots (Africa Magic/Endemol SA/MNet)
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Big Brother Africa Season 8: The Chase (Africa Magic/Endemol SA/MNet)

Deadly Predator Challenge (Kingdom Films/Animal Planet/Smithsonian)
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The Ultimate Nile (Terra Mater/Cosmos Factory for National Geographic Wild Ch Int & US)
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Check Point eNCA Current Affairs (eTV)
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The Money Drop Nigeria (Endemol SA/Africa Magic/MNet)
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The Million Rand Money Drop: SA (Endemol SA/Africa Magic/MNet)
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Rhino Wars (Aquavision/Animal Planet)
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Caught in the Act Series 1-4 (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Cameramen Who Dare Ep 1-3 (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Africa’s Deadliest Ep 1-3 (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Shark Attack Experiment! Live (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Mega Moves: Giraffe & Elephant (BBC Channel 4/Co-pro Windfall/Aquavision)
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3D Safari (Aquavision/Discovery/ 3Net)
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Leopard Queen (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Crocodile Ganglands (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Mother Warthog (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int)
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Predator Battleground (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int)
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Catching Giants (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Swamp Lions (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int & US)
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Caught on Safari: Live (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int)
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Dive Africa reversioned Dive the World (Aquavision/SA Direct)
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Trek Africa reversioned Getaway Explorers (Aquavision/SA Direct)
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Lost Tribe of Palau (Aquavision/National Geographic Ch Int)
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Promos various – Scripts/archive footage/factual research
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Proposals various
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Articles various