We intend to tell the story of a secret operation in the Pacific War code named Operation Copper. It was carried out by members of Z Special Unit. It was intended that the 8 volunteers would check out the Japanese defences on an island occupied by the enemy and if possible capture a Japanese officer for interrogation and see if there were guns on an island facing in the direction of the New Guinea mainland. Of the 8 commandos who landed only one escaped. We have a high quality interview with this survivor shot by way of 2 cameras in high definition format.
John Schindler is an Australian Independent Documentary Producer/Director and Narrator with over 30 years experience producing 10 multi national and International award winning titles broadcast world wide over a period of 30 years..
John’s multi award winning documentaries range from one which sold to 35 countries featuring Australia’s unique rainforests, birds and creatures to an inspirational and motivational Hollywood award winner about a blind triathlete.
John left his circle of comfort as a Sydney Surf Lifesaver in 1965 to embark on a working trip which included a baptism of fire for 6 months in the walled city of Berlin.. John learnt to speak German (you learn fast when you have no choice) and can still converse quite well with Germans to this day. On returning to Australia John became a radio announcer and worked his way from a station in the bush to become an on camera newsreader and compere in a major TV station. John then accepted the offer of Executive Producer at a major Brisbane Production House.
John’s first documentary in 1988 was the award winning THE STORY OF THE KRAIT which tells the story of a secret mission and one of the most audacious raids of the Pacific War.
John has great affection for the American men and women who survived as prisoners in the Pacific war and interviewed quite a few of these wonderful veterans.
John’s documentary THE MOTH LOVES DOODIE won BEST DOCUMENTARY at the Angel City Festival in Hollywood and the HUMAN SPIRIT award at the Santa Clarita Fim Festival in Los Angeles in 2000.
John has filmed an aviation documentary with an American crew in Houston and Australia showing the link between Australian aviation pioneer Bert Hinkler and shuttle Commander Dick Scobee .
John’s most recent Pacific War documentary KNOWN UNTO GOD was selected for screening on the HISTORY Channel and at the prestigious GI Film Festival in Washington DC and was screened by John to Australian Ambassador to the USA Joe Hockey plus an audience of around 50 American and Australian Army, Navy and Air Force Officers