SimonRiera
- Cinematographer
Simon Riera (pronounced Re-air-ah) fell in love with filmmaking while studying geology at Otago University. Since then his work as a cinematographer has included five features — spanning everything from Hopeless to Housebound — award-winning work on TV thriller The Cult, and an array of noteworthy short films.
Screenography
Biography
Born in Manchester the same year the Beatles were awarded the MBE, Simon Riera emigrated to New Zealand with his family when he was roughly ten.
While studying geology at Otago University he worked as an extra on car chase movie Shaker Run (1985). Riera was hooked. With his graduation papers and 87 application letters behind him, he finally got a job sweeping floors at an Auckland film studio. Once inside the door, he wrangled his way into becoming a video cameraman.
Awards
2014 Rialto Channel NZ Film Awards (The Moas)
Nominated for Best Cinematography: for Housebound
2010 Qantas Film and Television Awards
Best Cinematography - Drama/Comedy Programme: for The Cult
“Lighting is a response to emotion, to the tension created by a space and the people within that space. Its purpose is to re-present the intent of the script in a way that is both honest and new. ”