Cinematographer | Video Designer
I am a cinematographer and video designer based in London, originally from Melbourne, Australia. With over 12 years experience in the film and television industry I have a passion for both narrative and documentary work which has also expanded into working in live performance. I am particularly interested in environmental issues, LBGTIA+ stories and arts and cultural subjects.
I worked for several years as the main cinematographer for Momentary, a production company that works with not-for-profits and social enterprises. Over the years we created many short documentaries working with various organisations on issues such as climate change, homelessness, LGBTIA+, veterans support, youth and health services, the arts, the education sector and government. This work took me around Australia and overseas and honed my skills as a camera person, requiring a lot of care towards our participants who shared their life experiences with us. One of the highlights of my time with Momentary was travelling to Cambodia to document a charity bike ride across the country as well as making a short documentary about the nonprofit organisation Sustainable Cambodia.
As the third team member to join Momentary in 2016 I worked with the creative director Michael and the editor to expand the company. As a team we attended industry events and conferences such as the Fundraising Institute of Australia conferences where I was able to learn more about the sector and all of the brilliant people who work so hard to create change in peoples lives. Michael fostered a culture of sharing ideas and critical feedback on the work we were making and I think it's an essential part of a team improving and strengthening collaboration. Through a program with Centre for Multicultural Youth, Momentary also offered training to refugees who wanted to work in media production and so we would facilitate on the job training through the whole process and they produced and directed a short documentary on a subject of their choice. Please see the contact information provided below for Michael Johnston, the creative director of Momentary who is one of my references.
I am extremely passionate about climate issues and sustainability and have been reading and watching widely on the subject for many years. I am particularly interested in alternative agriculture, degrowth and circular economics. I believe I would be a great addition to the team at Velvet Green both for my experience in social impact video production and my passion for environmental and sustainability subjects.
I have experience in not only shooting but also producing and post production. I am familiar with all major camera brands such as ARRI, RED, Sony, Canon, Black Magic and Panasonic as well as a wide range of audio, lighting and grip equipment. I own a Canon C300 MK III kit. I am proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and Light Room and have a basic understanding of After Effects and Photoshop however I have transitioned to using Da Vinci Resolve as my post production preference. Always eager to up skill and learn, I love collaborating in teams and will always bring a positive attitude to my work and the people around me.
Below are my showreels, my documentary reel features a lot of work made with Momentary. There is also a selection of my work from films, live performance, photography and more as well as my CV and references.
FJALL PROMO
PRODUCER, DIRECTOR, DOP, EDITOR, COLOURIST
VULPES WORKS
The Melbourne design studio Vulpes Works wanted a series of stylish tableaus to market their Fjall juicer. I produced the work for them from conceptualisation to post production including the cinematography, art direction and colour grade.
ONEIRIC
VIDEO DESIGNER
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CIRCUS ARTS
Oneiric was a devised circus show directed by choreographer Edgar Zendejas. Responding to the rehearsals, the evolving musical compositions and stage design, I set about creating a series of projections exploring the journey from a monochromatic waking world into the colourful dream state. Using completely practical in camera effects I experimented with materials such as glass, crystal, mirrors, dichroic, metal, optical glass as well as elements of water, smoke, fire and of course light.
ON / OFF
VIDEO DESIGNER
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CIRCUS ARTS
Having worked already with the ensemble of Oneiric, I was presented with the opportunity to collaborate again to create video design elements for their NICA showcase. Each artist performed a self directed piece and I conceptualised a series of hybrid documentary/fiction interludes that explored the artists identities both on and off the stage. Audio interviews were the basis of the work, with each artist reflecting on their practice, how they relate to the art form of circus and it’s community. I was director, cinematographer, editor and colourist as well as co-designing a layered arrangement of sheer fabric that the work was projected onto.
ON / OFF - INTERLUDE #3
ON / OFF - INTERLUDE #5
THE CAPITOL THEATRE RESTORATION
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
MOMENTARY
I was fortunate to capture the restoration of one of Australias most important cinemas, The Capitol Theatre. Opened in 1924, it is a unmatched piece of art deco architectural history. Designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin who designed the Australian Capital city of Canberra, the ceiling of the theatre is a geometric masterpiece, evoking a crystalline cave. The Capitol is in the heart of Melbourne and was in disrepair when RMIT University embarked on the restoration. This was an immensely special project for me, recording the revival of a piece of cinema history in my home town, interviewing architects, ambassadors of the restoration and the general manager of the building who had looked after it for many years and had watched it decline and then be reborn into it’s next chapter.
SLANT - FEATURE FILM
PHOTO & VIDEO EPK / BTS / POSTER DESIGN
BIMBIM FILMS, AROUND THE MOON PRODUCTIONS, ONE FROM THE HEARTH, EXILE ENTERTAINMENT
I created the EPK and BTS for Slant, an independent feature film made in Melbourne. I also designed the Poster for the film using experimental scanning techniques, layering it all together to create the final design. The film is a dramedy slasher set in the 90s and I wanted to lean into a messy scrap book aesthetic and also convey the unhinged energy of the film.
