Team work, media & film production
Welcome!
My name is Maggie Olkuska. I was born in Krakow, Poland, in 1991, and I have been based in Copenhagen, Denmark, since 2008. I started working with film and media in 2010. Throughout the years I have continued to develop my talents and skills both locally and internationally.
One of my strengths is blending creativity and visual skills with technical know-how to bring ideas to life. From an idea, a vision, a script - through the research, pre-production, and production stages, to the final product release. I strive to make high-quality films that touch our hearts, make us think and feel, while also emphasizing teamwork and collaboration with the entire crew.
Below you can find some of my projects and case studies.
Enjoy!
Show Reel
filmed, colour graded and edited by me, showcasing my narrative, documentary, tv work from 2015-2019, filmed across Europe and Asia
Cinematography
As a cinematographer, I have worked on hundreds of productions, bringing ideas to life through moving visuals. Through my camera work and deliberate choices in lighting, I develop a visual story from start to finish. I pre-visualize the entire project concept, leading a team of creative and technical crew members in bringing the story to life. Teamwork and collaboration are key to me, as well as maintaining a good working atmosphere throughout the entire production process.
Good Things Await
A story of a biodynamic and organic farmer in Denmark.
Danish Documentary, 2014
Take my Hand
Comedy / Drama, cinema film, Denmark 2022
A Colombian Family
Documentary, filmed in Cuba and Colombia, Premiered in 2020
Krag og Virkner
TV Series for the Danish National TV DR1, Denmark, 2021
Creative Project Leader
From an idea, a vision, a script, through the research, pre-production, and production, to the final product release. Throughout the years, I have developed a set of skills on both smaller and larger productions. I can film and produce content myself for online platforms, and I can collaborate and set up a team of creatives to convey a story. My main set of skills includes:
TEAMWORK & PRODUCTION PROCESS
- Teamwork
- Collaboration with creative and technical departments
- Organising the production plan of a project
- Pre-visualising a project by creating mood boards and technical project solutions and descriptions
- Scheduling a filming plan for teams
- Logistics and planning a travel plan for a team
- Budgeting a project idea within a set time frame and for different sizes of teams
- Teaching film, cinematography and organising inspiring film workshops since 2020
TECHNICAL / CONTENT CREATION
- Cinematography & filming
- Film Editing, sound editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut, iMovie, Instagram Reels)
- A deep passion and understanding of working with light, colours, emotions, human psychology and cameras
- Storytelling through visual media
- High sensitivity to visuals, film rhythm, and frame composition
- Color correction (Adobe/ Da Vinci)
- Photography
- Back up, converting, Storage, post-production, and transfer of files
- Film technology, and film equipment
- Photoshop, Canva, Adobe Express, Keynote
- Social media content creation
I have been involved in a range of projects, including social media film content, stories told in a short screening time, as well as local and international documentaries, TV programs, TV series, short films, art installations and feature films distributed in cinemas.
Case Studies
"Krag & Virkner" DR 1 TV Series
4 x 60min
Cinematographer and visual and technical concept development of documentary-drama tv series
My role on this project was to create a visual style and a cinematic movement in color and light that combined the dramatic parts set back in the 1940s to 1970s with the current day interviews. This style was developed with the director, Thure Lindhardt, technical director Mathias Broe, our creative team, technical team, and our colorist, Norman Nisbet. We collaborated from the early research and camera tests in pre-production to shaping light atmospheres on set, and to the final stages of colour correction in post-production.
I collaborated on choosing the locations and arranging the shooting schedule according to our desired look and sun positions for the best visual result.
The first episode premiered in May 2022 and was the most-watched program in Denmark on live television during that month. Produced by Monday Productions for DR1.
Take a look at my moodboards, project development and the samples the from final product.
STA TRAVEL, "Visit Philippines" Online promotional travel film, 2014
2 x 3min
STA Travel Agency, based in the UK, sent 4 filmmakers to the Philippines in 2015. The goal was to create a "personal" promotional video, with a "video blog" look, aimed at promoting tourism for young adults. My topic was 'social tourism,' which involved visiting non-profit organizations and farms during my holidays. I drafted the idea, created mood boards, and planned my entire trip and filming schedule remotely. I collaborated with local travelers and Gawad Kalinga, a non-governmental organization building communities and housing for those in need in the Philippines.
Gi' en is - campaign for Premier Is ice-cream company with TV2, 2014, Denmark
12 videos x app. 3min
In 2014, I was invited to produce 10 short promotional videos for "Premiere Is," an ice cream company, and co-create their summer campaign. The company had developed an app and online competition where Danes could surprise their families and friends by sending them a box of ice cream. We followed the winners with the camera and created 12 fun short videos on the go for social media platforms to inform Danes about the competition and about Premier Is.
For 3 weeks straight, I traveled 2600 km together with a TV host. I scheduled, produced, filmed, and edited all the videos, as well as our entire travel itinerary, including hotels and filming schedule.
The results of the campaign were promising. Statistics showed that the Premiere Is ice creams' recognition in Denmark increased by 44% during the promotion of the campaign. Watch the case study video for more info!
Visual project concept development and film educator
PROJECT MOODBOARDS
I develop concept of film projects which help the entire team to pre-visualise the project through technical tools, keywords and light atmospheres. I include information about feelings, emotions, the way we start the film and the way we finish. See more of my moodborard examples.
TEACHING
Empowering the Filmmakers of Tomorrow
Since 2020, I've been privileged to share my passion for film production and cinematography as a part-time teacher at various film and creative schools across Denmark. It's an honor to ignite creativity and inspire the next generation of storytellers with the techniques that drive my own journey in the world of film.
(Filmhøjskolen Møn, a picture which I took of my students)
Additional info
Global Filming Experience
As a film creator, I have had wonderful opportunities to travel with my set of skills and to work and produce content around the world in a variety of countries, such as:
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Malta, Nepal, Philippines, Colombia, Cuba
Languages (spoken and written)
Polish - mother tongue
English - very good
Danish - very good
German - basic understanding
Project Awards
Rediscovery
Documentary, 72 min, Denmark 2019
WINNER of the Arri Amira Award at Dok.Fest München film festival 2019 for outstanding camerawork.
Jury says: "...The camera lovingly observes how this creates a self-motivating process in which people build, calculate, discuss, fight and manage. With curiosity and passion the camerawoman Maggie Olkuska and the director Phie Ambo convey to us the emergence of a unique micro society.
Through an emotional visual language two perspectives become visible and perceptible for us: the perspective of the children as well as that of nature. We spectators literally feel the sun and the wind on our skin. The images succeed in appealing to all our senses and making nature a pleasure to experience."
"Krag og Virkner - The TV innovation of the year"
Winner of the Danish TV AWARD 2023
TV SERIES, produced by Monday Production for DR1 and DRTV.
The jury says: "The team have succeeded in telling a classic story in a new and original way. It is a well-acted and captivating love story that resonates with us, and we can feel a genuine passion for storytelling. The production value is incredibly high, and the interplay between reenactments, archival footage, and fictional techniques is top-notch. It simply blew us away!"
"Apolonia, Apolonia"
Feature Documentary, 1h 55min, Denmark, Poland, France 2022, a film directed by Lea Glob
The film was officially shortlisted for OSCARS 2024, among 15 other international documentaries, a well as it won many festivals, including the main prize at IDFA in Amsterdam, the world's biggest and most important documentary film festival.
Behind the Scenes
Other passions and interest:
- Meditation, Yoga
- Somatic Body awareness and exercises
- Breathing and breathing techniques
- Knowledge of the human nervous system
- Skiing/Snowboarding
- Organising gatherings, shows, entertaining events for friends and family
Companies and productions I collaborated with:
Danish National TV DR, TV 2 on Tour Denmark • Gi en Is summer campaign for Premier Is • Playground Denmark • Red Bull • Nike Denmark • Fashion Post TV • Kari Traa Sweden • LEGO World • running26.dk • Wulffmorgenthaler • Molo Kids • Munthe plus Simonsen • SkullCandy • freesltyle.ch • TED x Copenhagen • Volcom & The Bonk Shop • Roskilde Festival • Københavns Skiklub • tacky.dk • Fresh Food Festival • UNG2400.dk • Red Cross • AVAVAV • TV BELLA • FreestyleCamps.ch
Contact
Maggie Olkuska
maggie@jibland.com
(+45)255-62-370
You can contact me in the contact form in English, Polish and Danish
Copenhagen, Denmark, Central European Time, GMT+2,