Lesley Manuel

LESLEY MANUEL

GAFFER

International experience across feature films, television series, second units, rigging and premium commercials.

PROFILE

Lesley Manuel has developed a notably versatile lighting career across gaffing, rigging and second-unit work. His credits range from leading the lighting team on Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, The Dark Tower and Good Omens to specialist assignments on The Gunman, The Red Tent and Raised by Wolves Season 2.

That breadth allows Lesley to move comfortably between large international features, episodic television and fast-paced commercial sets. He brings a practical understanding of complex lighting and rigging requirements, supported by long-standing relationships with experienced Directors and Directors of Photography.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gaffer credits include Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, The Dark Tower, Good Omens, Around the World in 80 Days and Warrior.
  • Second-unit work includes Raised by Wolves Season 2, Resident Evil Season 2 and Escape Room 2.
  • Rigging Gaffer credits include The Gunman and The Red Tent.
  • Commercial experience includes Mercedes-Benz, KFC, Lidl, WhatsApp, Amazon, Checkers, Emirates and Booking.com.
  • South African; English-speaking; Code 14 driver’s licence with PDP.

SELECTED DIRECTORS

Long Form

Zenn van ZylRea RangakaSamuel WinemanDanishka EsterhazyJem GarrardJohn Patton FordCharles BeesonSteve BarronKatherine BarrellMelanie ScrofanoDustin Nguyen

Commercials

Dugan GundelfingerMack ShepardNatalie RaePanteraGreg RomRune MiltonChale DarwinJohn MacDonald

SELECTED DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Long Form

Michael SeresinRasmus VidebaekGavin FinneyRogier StoffersFlavio LabianoTrevor BrownMichael SnymanGeorge AmosTrevor CalverleyMichael SwanJames AddeyMarc Spicer

Commercials

Todd BanhazlOliver MillarKatelin ArizmendiChayse IrvinTiyani NyembeShaun HarleyKabeer ShaikZenn van ZylMichael Cleary

SELECTED PRODUCERS & PRODUCTION LEADS

Long Form

Maricia PeterseAndrea PienaarDarren CameronAngela PhillipsAdam FriedlanderCheryl EatockJayson de RosnerLeigh ClarkeSamantha PutterDonovan Roberts-BaxterTina Oswald

Commercials

Cindy RodkinTess TambourlasVanessa AlsopBjorn Kruger-LevyJuli LotterTarryn Greybe-DunnCharlotte HuisamenNatalie JacobsonSavanna BoltmanJessica van Zyl

SELECTED STUDIOS, BROADCASTERS & PLATFORMS

Warner Bros.BBCABC StudiosCinemaxHBOSony Pictures TelevisionUniversal 1440 EntertainmentColumbia PicturesStudioCanalNetflix

SELECTED COMMERCIAL CLIENTS

LidlWhatsAppMercedes-BenzKFCAmazonCheckersCastle LiteBooking.comEmiratesBudweiserNescafeOral-BLotto

SELECTED GAFFING & LIGHTING EXPERIENCE

Freshmen – Season 1

First Years

Gaffer

Hag

Blue Ice Africa

Gaffer

Huntington

Blue Ice Africa

Gaffer

Warrior – Season 3

Moonlighting Films | Cinemax / HBO

Gaffer – fight unit

Raised by Wolves – Season 2

Film Afrika | HBO Max

Gaffer – second unit

Resident Evil – Season 2

Moonlighting Films

Gaffer – second unit

Around the World in 80 Days

Film Afrika

Gaffer

Escape Room 2

Moonlighting Films | Columbia Pictures

Gaffer – second unit

Good Omens

Out of Africa Entertainment | BBC

Gaffer

Our Girl – Season 3

Out of Africa Entertainment | BBC

Gaffer

The Dark Tower

Moonlighting Films | Columbia Pictures

Gaffer

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

Moonlighting Films | Warner Bros.

Gaffer

Of Kings and Prophets

Moonlighting Films | ABC Studios

Gaffer

The Gunman

Moonlighting Films | StudioCanal

Rigging Gaffer

The Red Tent

Kasbah Films | Sony Pictures Television

Rigging Gaffer

Call the Midwife Christmas Special

Out of Africa Entertainment | BBC

Gaffer

Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell

Moonlighting Films | Universal 1440 Entertainment

Gaffer