Thomas Janze

My journey into visual storytelling and music began at age 14 when I purchased my first photo camera plus a light meter and established a black and white photography lab in my parents’ home. Growing up in a musical household—my father was a composer and conductor—I also learned acoustic guitar.

After completing military service, I was accepted into film academy, but first undertook a mandatory two-year traineeship at DEFA animation studio.

Following university, I founded my own film production company Totho.

1996 I was selected as one of 12 participants in the first European Steadicam masterclass, taught by the system’s inventor, Garrett Brown.

I subsequently worked as a freelance Director of Photography for several German television agencies while simultaneously directing my first TV show for MTV, later also music videos and advertising videos for Universal Music. For many years, I directed and produced concerts for the Volkswagen Sound Foundation alongside other clients.

In 2010, I founded BLACKCAM to bring my concept to life—developing professional small camera dollies specifically designed for live concert recordings in order to be capable of capturing dynamic shots around concert stages without disrupting the crucial interaction between musicians and their audiences.

As a multi-camera live director, I specialize in directing concerts and other cultural events. My portfolio encompasses collaborations with major brands and cultural institutions including ARTE Concert, Jazzfest Berlin, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Elbphilharmonie, and the Greentech Festival.

I have directed significant cultural celebrations such as Bauhaus100, Menuhin100, Sound of Peace, and Peace x Peace Festivals, as well as events for international clients such as Chinese automaker NIO.

My documentary work has produced several theatrical releases that have gained international recognition:

• “The Red Elvis” (2007) explores the fascinating life of American singer and actor Dean Reed, who spent his final years in East Germany until his death in 1986. The film premiered at the prestigious Berlinale Film Festival.
• “Science of Horror” (2008) presents the first comprehensive analysis of women’s roles in horror cinema, examining their evolution from victims to protagonists and contributing important scholarship to film studies.
• “Queercore: How To Punk A Revolution” (2017) documents the history and cultural impact of the influential Queercore movement, featuring renowned artists such as Peaches and Gossip.

Already in 2002, I started a documentary about a German animation filmmaker whom I accompanied in his work for 23 years. This new documentary film is called “Mensch Puppe”. I am currently working on another movie project under my direction.