Resume 2009

LOUISE DAVIDSON
ludavidson@gmail.com
www.louisedavidson.blogspot.com
Canadian cell: 1-647-502-3985
AVAILABLE FOR WORK ANYTIME


ACADEMIC RECORD
TERTIARY
University of Otago, Dunedin, 2003-2007
PGDip Natural History Filmmaking and Communication, 2007, Distinction.
BA, Majoring in Design Studies, minor in Film and Media Studies, 2007
BSc, Majoring in Ecology, 2006
SECONDARY
Wellington Girls’ College ‘99-’02; Singapore’s Tanglin Trust School ‘96-‘99
PRIMARY
Singapore’s Tanglin School ‘95-’96; Eastern Hutt Primary School ‘90-‘95


JOB HISTORY

Film and Design Work

– Red Sky Film and Television Ltd.: Art Dept. & Wardrobe – Feb-Mar 2009, Contract
Responsibilities: production skills, props and wardrobe design.

– Independent Graphic Designer: 2006-2009, Contract
Clients: ASM (logo design), Softshoe (Poster Design)

– Red Sky Film and Television Ltd.: Assistant Director, Edit Assistant, Production Manager, Art Dept. – Jan-Sep 2008, Contract
Responsibilities: Helping to make two docu-drama series for TVNZ, various
filmmaking and production skills, Graphic design.

– Independent filming projects: 2007-2008, Contract
Clients: Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai project, Mary McFarlane, Video NZ Ltd.
Festival of Colour, Wanaka

– Natural History New Zealand Ltd.: Tape-logger – 2007, Contract
Responsibilities: Interview transcribing, Shot identifying and timecode logging.

– Flicks In The Shadows: Film Festival Coordinator – Sep-Oct 2007
Responsibilities: Advertising for entries, setting up free screening in an alleyway.

– Travelwise, Charming Bed and Breakfast guide – Apr-Sep 2007
Responsibilities: Graphic designer, publicist, data entry, customer service.

Environmental Work

– Calgary Zoo: Field Technician, Grasslands National Park, Canada – Jun-Sep 2009, Contract (in association with Parks Canada)
Responsibilities: Working with Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Trapping, Animal handling, Pit tagging, data collection and entry, GPS, Vegetation surveys.

– Long-tailed bat research (New Zealand’s Department of Conservation): Field Researcher – Nov-Dec 2006, 2007, Contract
Responsibilities: Radio tracking, Harp trapping, Animal handling, Orienteering, Data collection and entry.

– A.R.G.O.S (Otago University & C.S.A.F.E.): Field Researcher – Nov 2005-Mar 2006, Contract/Bursary
Responsibilities: Use of scientific research methods, Orienteering,
Flora & fauna identification and surveys, Data collection and entry, Report writing.

– Native Landscape Restoration: Tree Planter – Oct 2005, 2006, Volunteer
Responsibilities: Transportation, planting and care of native species in a remote valley.

– Dept. of Marine Conservation: Office assistant – Holidays 2003 & 2004, Temp
Responsibilities: Kit preparation, Training Assistant, Data entry, Office Assistance.

Hospitality/Customer Service Work

– Zero Degrees Microbrewery, Bristol: Barmaid/waitress – Oct-Dec 2008, Temp
Responsibilities: Customer service, bar skills, cleaning

– AHM catering, Bristol: Catering Assistant – Oct-Nov 2008, Temp
Responsibilities: Customer service, food prep, cleaning (at Frenchay Hospital)

– Lemongrass Café, Eastbourne: General helper – February 2007, Temp.
Responsibilities: Till work, Customer service, Food prep., Cleaning

– Bayleys Real Estate, Lower Hutt & Eastbourne: Office Assistant – Jan 2005, Dec 2004, Temp.
Responsibilities: Running reception, Writing contracts, Various tasks

Other Jobs:
– Harvest Café, Dunedin 2006;
– Wait Staff, Kingsgate Catering, Dunedin 2005-2007;
– Vineyard maintenance, Queenstown 2003;
– Dunedin 24-Hour Book Sale, 2004;
– Market Researcher, Reeds Research, 2003;
– Office Assistant, Leaders Real Estate, Eastbourne, 2003 & 1999;
– Stock and Store Assistant, Farmers Queensgate, 2001-2003;
– Store Attendant, Pizza Hut Petone, 2002;
– Check-out Operator, Pak’n’Save Petone, 2001;
– Language tutor, Actress, German Educational Video, 2000


ACHIEVEMENTS (since 2005)
Six film festivals world-wide for our Post-Graduate film, ‘A Moment of Clarity…’ (including American Conservation Film Festival 2008 and WildScreen 2008).
Teaching filmmaking in Ladakh’s SECMOL campus in 2009.
Band-member of SoftShoe, popular in Auckland & Dunedin, began 2005.
Royal Society of New Zealand’s Big Science Experience Filmmaking Mentor, 2007.
48HOUR Furious Filmmaking Competition, 2006 & 2008.
Otago Wildlife Photography Competition 2005 nomination.
Own scientific study of New Zealand mud snails, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, 2005.

FREQUENTLY USED APPLICATIONS
Final Cut Pro (and several associated programmes), Adobe Creative Suite (several), Microsoft Office

PERSONAL INTERESTS
Art; sketching, painting, sculpture, photography and film
Music; percussion, Indie, live, Indonesian Gamelan, digital composing.
Sports; snowboarding, trekking, orienteering, running, swimming, netball.
Dance; hip-hop and contemporary jazz.

AT THE MOMENT…
I recently worked in Grasslands Nation Park, Saskatchewan, Canada as a field research technician collecting data on Prairie Dogs for the Calgary Zoo. I have a Work Visa, Canadian bank account and a SIN number. I also have a U.K. Work Visa. At this stage I hope to continue to find environmental/design/film work in Canada for as long as possible as my Visa is easily extended. I also have a clean International Drivers’ License and a lot of experience driving 4-wheel-drives, small trucks, small boats and scooters.

Although a lot of my job history may not seem directly relevant to an ideal job, it has taught me valuable skills which can easily cross-credit into other positions, such as management skills, self-motivation, attention to detail, ability to work well with others and most importantly fast and effective problem-solving skills.

My latest work experience is in the film industry as my passion for the environment and science communication is my reason for becoming a Natural History Filmmaker. I recently spent three months in India where I volunteered at a Campus in Ladakh teaching basic documentary filmmaking. I wish to spend the next few years working on environmental and wildlife, film and design projects and continue to exercise and expand my knowledge and experience. I also hope my skills and experience gained in New Zealand can be of some use in whatever work I am offered.


REFEREES:
Natasha Lloyd: Supervisor for Prairie Dog research project, Calgary Zoo, Canada.
Mark Haggerty: Ecological Field-Research Manager for A.R.G.O.S., NZ.
Bryan Bruce: Managing Director of Red Sky Film & TV Ltd., NZ.
Tom Ralls: Bar Manager of Zero Degrees, Bristol, U.K.
Lloyd Davis: Head of Science Communication Studies at Otago University, NZ.

I can provide written references from previous employers.