Narrative Biography

 www.timothysyrota.com

Timothy Syrota is a documentary director, photographer and writer. maela2 His first work as a director was in 1996 and his early work consisted of filming and directing corporate and educational videos. Since 2004 Timothy has worked producing documentaries in association with, or on behalf, of a number of international organizations working with Burmese refugees on the Thai-Burma border. These have included ZOA Refugee Care (Holland), Handicap International (France) and ADRA Thailand. Burmese Dreaming is Timothy’s first feature length freelance documentary production.

Timothy’s photographic work has been exhibited internationally including exhibitions opened by Nobel Peace Laureate, Jose Ramos Horta, former Australian Governor General, Sir Ninian Stephen, and former Australian Ambassador to Burma, Professor Garry Woodard. Timothy’s photography from the Thailand-Burma border won a Foreign Correspondent’s Club (Thailand) award for feature photojournalism in 2008 and was awarded commendations at the Prix 3 French International Photojournalism Awards (2009) in both the sports and feature photojournalism categories.

Timothy is the author of ‘Welcome to Burma and Enjoy the Totalitarian Experience’ published in 2001 (Orchid Press).

Timothy lived on the Thailand-Burma border from 2004-2008 and returned in 2009 to facilitate his work concerning Burma and Burmese migrants and refugees.

Timothy studied law at the University of Melbourne, acting at the American Conservatory Theatre (San Francsisco), was the vice president of the International Society for Human Rights from 2001-2004 and, as an adjunct to his professional career, is currently the coordinator of the Burma Border Children’s Art Project (www.bbc-art.org).
 

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Extended Biography

 
Educationbhamo-field-team_webbedr

  • Scotch College, Melbourne, Australia
  • University of Melbourne, Faculty of Law
  • American Conservatory Theatre (San Francisco), Acting

Writing

  • Author, Welcome to Burma and Enjoy the Totalitarian Experience, (Orchid Press, 2001)
  • Media consultant and photojournalist, International Rescue Committee, Thailand, SHIELD project evaluation 2010.

Photography Awards

  • Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand, 2008 International Photojournalism Awards 2008, feature photojournalism category, Burmese Migrant Children Series.
  • Commendation, 2009 Prix 3 French International Photography Awards, feature photojournalism category, Burmese Migrant Children Series.
  • Commendation, 2009 Prix 3 French International Photography Awards, sports photojournalism category, Bare-knuckle on the Border Series.

Photography Contracts

Timothy has undertaken photography contracts on behalf of or intaking-photos association with:

  • International Rescue Committee
  • World Education (Thailand)
  • Save the Children (Thailand)
  • ZOA Refugee Care
  • Handicap International
  • Amnesty International
  • APHEDA
  • the World Wild Life Fund
  • the International Women’s Development Agency
  • the International Society for Human Rights.

Photography Exhibitions

  • April 2009, Love Burma Love Freedom, Gallery 45 Downstairs, Australia.
  • Nov. 2008, Burmese Dreaming, Auction Rooms, Australia.

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  • Oct. 2008, Coming to Thailand, an Insight into the Lives of Burmese Migrant Children on the Thailand-Burma Border, Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand.
  • June. 2008, Burma’s Refugees, Pierian Centre, United Kingdom.
  • Aug. 2006, Bordering on Insanity, FAD Gallery, Australia.
  • Feb. 2006, Bare-knuckle on the Border, Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Thailand. Follow up exhibitions at Eat Me (Thailand, Feb. 2007), FAD Gallery (Sept. 2007).
  • March 2004, Adios Amigos, FAD Gallery.
  • July 2003, Simply Burma, an Insight into Life in a Difficult Country, Counihan Gallery, Melbourne, Australia. Follow up exhibition at the Australian Catholic University (March 2004).
  • June 2003, Perspectives on Peace and Reconciliation, Asialink, Sydney Myer Asia Centre, Australia.
  • May 2003, Burma: On the Road to Where? Yasuko Hiraoka Gallery, Australia.
  • Dec. 2002, Faces of Hope, Amnesty International, Sydney, Australia.

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  • Nov. 2002, Asian Perspectives, Fire Station Gallery, Australia.
  • Nov. 2001, Buddhist Perspectives, Jamchen Centre, Australia.
  • Nov. 2001, Welcome to Burma, exhibition and book launch, FAD Gallery.

Aid and Humanitarian Workmountains

  • Vice President International Society for Human Rights, 2001-04.
  • Editor human rights publication, Charter, 2001-04.
  • Founder and co-ordinator Groove Nights for Human Rights.
  • Founder and co-ordinator, Migrant Children’s Art Project, Thailand-Burma border.
  • Curator and co-ordinator, Migrant Children’s Art Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Co-ordinator, Cocktails for Kids, a series of 4 fund raising parties, Thai-Burma border.
  • Teaching: video production, Burma Issues, Thai-Burma border. Advanced writing workshop, English Immersion Program, Umpiem Mai Refugee Camp, Thai-Burma border. Art exhibition workshop, Borderline Gallery, Thai-Burma border.
  • Public speaking and lectures at the Australian Institute of International Affairs (Sydney and Melbourne), the International Peace and Reconciliation Conference (University of Melbourne), Asialink (University of Melbourne), the International Women’s Development Agency (Australia), Rotary Club (Australia), Moreland City Council, Darebin City Council, assorted tertiary and secondary institutions.

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Filmography

 
Documentary Work

  • Current Production: Myths, Fables and the Traditions of Karenmaela3 State, feature documentary, development funding Ruben Foundation.
  • Current Production: A State of Education, documentary in association with the Australian Catholic University.
  • 2001-09 Burmese Dreaming, director, director of photography, editor, and script writer. Feature documentary, 48 minutes.
  • 2007-08 Learning the Hard Way, director, director of photography, editor, and script writer. 32 minutes, produced in association with ZOA Refugee Care, Thailand.
  • 2006-07 Good Morning Mae La, director, director of photography, and editor. 64 minutes, produced in association with Handicap International, Thailand.

Corporate and Educational Videos

All productions have been directed, filmed, edited and scripted by Timothy Syrota.thaipress Timothy’s first production was in 1996 and clients have included:

  • Toyota Australia
  • Victorian Geography Teachers Association
  • Victorian Institute of Architects
  • University of Melbourne, Information Technology Services
  • University of Melbourne, Department of Chemical Engineering
  • Underbelly School of Dance
  • New Floor Designs
  • Mallesons Stephen Jacques Solicitors