Eighth Image Design Workshop Camera – Stage – Light

Eighth Image Design Workshop Camera – Stage – Light

Sophie Maintigneux, Therese Andersson, Maike Maier, Verena Schulte

Workshop discussions about image design have been held against the backdrop of the Dortmund|Cologne International Women’s Film Festival since 2005. And it soon became apparent that an in-depth talk with experienced directors of photography is especially well suited to convey special knowledge, tips and tricks as regards the everyday practice of image design. Th e workshop discussions have thus become one of the Women’s Film Festival trademarks – a point of attraction for many cinematographers.

Since 2009, cinematographer Sophie Maintigneux has been chairing the four-hour-long workshop discussion with her colleagues. Th is year, the series will be augmented by the important jobs of gaff er and dolly operator. After all, the planning and implementation of camera movements and lighting design are key factors in the composition of the camera image. In 2014, then, two light technicians and a camera rig operator will fi nd themselves under the spotlight of interest. Th erese Andersson, Maike Maier and Verena Schulte will be talking about their careers and sharing their experiences in the fi eld of light setting and camera rigs.

moderated by Sophie Maintigneux

Portrait of Jury member Sophie Maintigneux

Sophie Maintigneux

Sophie Maintigneux was born in France in 1961. After several years as a camera assistant, she began working as a cinematographer in 1984. She has since shot more than 70 feature-length documentaries and cinema films. She has taught at various art and film schools since 1990. Since 2021, she has been a professor teaching on the Cinematography degree programme at Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf.


Films by Sophie Maintigneux (Cinematography, Selection)
Trans – I got Life 2021 | Mario 2018 | draußen 2018 | Das Zimmermädchen Lynn 2014 | Fräulein Stinnes fährt um die Welt 2009 | Alter und Schönheit 2009 | Die dünnen Mädchen 2008 | Hannah 2007 | Heidi M. 2001 | L’amour, l’argent, l’amour 1997

Therese Andersson

Therese Andersson was born 1968 in Stockholm. In 1990, after training as a mechanical engineer, she moved to Munich. In 1996, she took her first steps in the film industry and, although it was then that she made her debut as lighting technician on Living Dead, it was the job of assistant director and her desire »to organize things« in film that eventually prompted her to work with light. In 1998, this was followed by her first short film as gaffer – not to mention numerous commercials and corporate image films. Since then, she has made a living from TV series, TV dramas, movies and documentaries. Also, since 2013, Ms Andersson has lectured in lighting technology and design at the Konrad Wolf Academy of Film & Television in Potsdam-Babelsberg and at the University of Television & Film in Munich.


Films by Therese Andersson (Selection)
Zappelphilipp 2012 | Schandmal – Der Tote im Berg 2010 | Eichmanns Ende 2009 | Ayla 2008 | Das Geheimnis im Wald 2007 | Touch the Sound 2004 | Living Dead 1996

Maike Maier

Maike Maier was born 1971 in Wuppertal and raised in Cologne. After high-school graduation, she jobbed at PilleFilme and then worked as a production driver for Filip Hering (Die Schamlosen, Der Bewegte Mann, Voll Normaaal). From 1994 to 1996, she gained experience in other fields of production as a lighting intern, production assistant and stand-by for light and rigging. From 1995, she was a camera rig assistant – for Jürgen Steil and Harald Scheidt, among others. Since 1998, Ms Maier has been a full-time dolly operator and has worked on occasion with directors of photography such as Judith Kaufmann, Rainer Klaus Mann, Bernhard Keller and Sophie Maintigneux.


Films by Maike Maier (Selection)
Die Schwarzen Brüder 2014 | Die Fremde 2010 | Unter Dir die Stadt 2010 | Hannah 2005 | Gegen die Wand 2003

Verena Schulte

Verena Schulte was born 1979 in Arnsberg. Following a work placement on the set for Achim Bornhak’s film School’s Out, she moved to Hamburg with the idea of working – via the Texterschmiede, a copywriting school – as a screenwriter
one day. From 2000 to 2003 she studied linguistics, art history and philosophy in Cologne and Bochum. Her work as a projectionist in a cinema finally brought her to her current profession. Since 2013, Ms Schulte has been chief lighting
technician or gaffer, having worked on a variety of projects, including: cinema-, TV- and student films, commercials, documentaries, performances, shows, series, music videos and more. In 2013, she worked as gaffer on the feature films Das Zimmermädchen Lynn (AT, DOP: Sophie Maintigneux; dir. Ingo Haeb) and Von glücklichen Schafen (AT, DOP: Stefan Linn; dir. Kadir Sözen).


Films by Verena Schulte (Selection)
Die Erfindung der Liebe 2014 | Only Lovers Left Alive 2013 | Rush-Alles für den Sieg 2013 | Pommes essen 2012 | Antichrist 2009