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ChrisTerpstra

  • Cinematographer
PROFILE_Chris Terpstra

Chris Terpstra has spent more than 35 years behind the camera, as a cameraman and cinematographer. He got his start in the late 80s on TVNZ shows such as Kaleidoscope, Fair Go and Spot On. Terpstra also worked on psychic-crime-investigation series Sensing Murder and architecture series Grand Designs New Zealand. He has many documentary credits, including feature documentary Anchor Me: The Don McGlashan Story (2025) on the life of iconic Kiwi musician Don McGlashan. Terpstra has also shot numerous behind-the-scenes films for blockbusters, including The Lord of the Rings and Avatar.

Screenography

NZSO Storytime
2021 Camera Operator Series
The Eruption: Stories of Survival
2020 Additional Camera Operator Television

“He is excellent at capturing the essence of a director’s vision in an artistic and economical fashion. Productions comment that his easy going personality and sensitivity are an asset to any project.”

Rocket Rentals on Terpstra's approach to cinematography, Rocket Rentals Facebook page, 24 January 2012