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Tamara Benitez | |
|---|---|
 Tamara Benitez by Martin Rey Aviles | |
| Born | (1983-10-14)October 14, 1983 (age 42) San Juan,Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Cinematographer, Producer, Surfer |
| Known for | Underwater Cinematography |
Tamara Benitez (alsoMara Benitez) (born 14 October 1983) is a FilipinaCinematographer and camera operator, based inMetro Manila,Philippines. Known primarily for her underwater videography, Benitez has worked extensively for theABS-CBN Corporation and under its production companiesStar Cinema andVIVA Films, and has worked with such directors asLav Diaz,Wenn Deramas,Sig Sanchez,Paolo Herras, andMartin Aviles. She has also worked with CinematographerArvin Viola on numerous occasions. Benitez is one of few female Cinematographers working in the cinema of the Philippines. In 2006 she was Director of Photography for the featured picturesHeremias andLambanog, and in 2011 shot footage for the TV seriesSurvivor India and served as Director of Photography for the TV seriesWhere's Tony.
Tamara Isabel Escudero Benitez was born on 14 October 1983 in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines.She is the daughter of a well-known Underwater Cinematographer.[1]She is of mixed Spanish and Filipino heritage; her father is Filipino and her mothermestiza. She studied Cinematography at theMowelfund Film Institute in 2003, where she was taught how to use a film camera byLarry Manda.[2] In 2004, Benitez gained her first experience in filming as an assistant on the set of Laurenti Dyogi's romantic dramaNow That I have You. Later that year she shot footage forJeffrey Jeturian's major hitMinsan Pa (2004), as well as having a minor role as an American backpacker in it.[3] A reviewer ofMinsan Pa in theManila Bulletin talked of "beautiful cinematography that makes much of Cebu's beautiful tourist spots (such as its famous dive sites in Moalboal)."[4] Liz Braun of theToronto Sun also praised the cinematography in Minsan Pa.[5]
She made the 161 minute filmAng Anak ni Brocka in 2005 as aBerlinale Talent Campus project. It explores the life of Filipino directorLino Brocka.[6] In 2006, Benitez was a cinematographer on the epic nine-hour 2006 filmHeremias. DiscussingHeremias, a reviewer was impressed by the work of Tamara Benitez, calling her "so young and so talented".[7] later that year she was director of photographyLambanog,[8][9] which featuredLuis Alandy,John Lapus andC.J. Mercado. Benitez collaborated with directorPaolo Herras, a third prize winner of Star Cinema's first scriptwriting contest, in shootingLambanog, his first full-length digital film. TheManila Bulletin described the film as "a potent mix of innovative storytelling, anguished acting, and the supreme promise that films can go heretofore uncharted directions."[10] She was also a camera operator for theStar Cinema andViva Films vehicleWag Kang Lilington, a horror movie starringAnne Curtis andKristine Hermosa, in which she supported cinematographersChristopher Manjares andLyle Sacris.
In 2007, Benitez served as a Second Unit Cinematographer/2nd Camera Operator onWenn Deramas's comedy picturePasukob, featuringAi-Ai Delas Alas. TheManila Bulletin praised the makers of the film, saying "Indeed, "Pasukob," showing on Nov. 28, is a gathering of winners and is guaranteed to translate to success via the excellent production."[11] In 2008, she again worked as a camera operator for a Deramas and Alas romantic comedy movieIkaw pa rin: Bongga ka boy!. She shot footage inVista Valley,Marikina and in Manila. In 2009, Benitez was camera operator forTed Manotoc's film69 1/2, a film billed as "The Making of the Most Artistic Filipino Pornographic Film Ever Made".[12] She also served as a Second Unit Cinematographer onMel Chionglo'sBente, supporting cinematographerArvin Viola.
In 2010, Benitez was 2nd Camera Operator for Arvin Viola again onGil Portes'sTwo Funerals, described by theManila Bulletin as the "quintessential Filipino black comedy, a quirky road movie combining melodrama with satire."[13] Footage for the film was shot inAntipolo,Rizal and the film scooped numerous awards, including the Balanghai Trophy for Best Cinematography - Directors Showcase at theCinemalaya Independent Film Festival.[13] In 2011, Benitez was employed as an underwater camera assistant in the shooting ofSurvivor India and also served as Director of Photography for Season 1 of the TV series,Where's Tony.
At present, Benitez is working as aproducer under herbrandByTheSea, creating surf films for popularsurfing brandRoxy Philippines, among others.
