In my 20 years employed in the Television Industry I have gained extensive experience, both in Australia and abroad, in News, Current Affairs, Lifestyle, Observational Documentary, Live and Reality. I started my career at the Seven Network as a camera assistant in 1995 and soon became a News Cameraman. I left the Seven Network in 2001 to work abroad as a freelance Cameraman in the United Kingdom. I returned to Australia in 2002, where I worked as a freelance Cameraman, prior to taking up a Full-time position with Seven News in 2003. In 2005 I moved to the position of Senior Cameraman with Channel Seven's Today Tonight. In 2010 I left the Seven Network and started my own Production Company 521 Productions.

During my time with Seven News I have been responsible for the filming, and editing, of some of the Seven Network's most significant news stories of their time. These stories include, but are not limited to: both Sydney and Athens Olympic Games, the London bombings, the trial of Schapelle Corby, the earthquake on Nias Island, and the HMAS Kanimbla helicopter crash, just to name a few.

In 2005, When I commenced with Today Tonight, I was shooting 3 - 8 minute daily Current Affairs Stories around Australia. I also shot some International stories, such as, following the Australian iron ore from the Pilbara, to Hyundai, in South Korea; BMW’s driverless car, in Germany; and a touching story of Australian woman, Geraldine Cox, who opened an orphanage in Cambodia.

While Freelancing in the Sydney market I've worked on many programs, including the OB DOC, 'RBT'. Which has just completed it’s sixth series and about to start series 7. I have been the DOP for Series 5, 6 and 7 as well as working on every series since it’s inception. I have also worked on a number of reality programs, including ‘Please Marry my Boy’ ‘The Voice‘ and ‘MKR’.

In 2011 I shot the on board camera’ s on the Supermaxi Investec Loyal for the Offical Rolex Sydney to Hobart documentary. After the wild ride to Hobart we were lucky enough to win Line Honours over Wild Oats XI.

Between 2013 and 2014 I was contracted to Australia's number one Current Affairs program, Sunday Night. During this time I travelled the world, shooting long format Current Affairs, ranging from 15 minute to 1 hour stories. I've followed the plight of the Giant Panda in China, Orang-utans in the jungles of Borneo with Dr Birute Mary Galdikas and Dr Charlie Teo and told the story of Mathew Ames, a remarkable man who battled on after the loss of all his limbs.

In 2014 I was asked to join the Sunrise Weather Team. I have been travelling the country, shooting the weather segment, live each morning, as well as shooting and editing feature stories for the program.

In 2015 I was asked by Sunday Night to come back for an 18 week contract that finishes at the end of November 2015. In this short time I've shot stories on the Legendary band Creedence Clearwater Revival in the US, the first interview from Australian musician turned politician Peter Garrett and a story on Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne.

Since 1997 I have been recognised for my work as a Cameraman, by the Australian Cinematographers Society, having received both State and National awards. The pinnacle of these awards is a Golden Tripod, which I received in 2004, for my work filming the Southern Sydney bushfires. More recently in 2014 I received a NSW Gold award in the Current Affaires category for my work on a "Drought" story for Sunday Night.

Presently I am working as a freelance cameraman in Sydney under my company name 521 Productions Pty Ltd. My recent credits have included;

- ‘RBT’ (Channel 9), Sunday Night, Seven News, Seven News Features, Today Tonight, Sunrise, The Morning Show, The Daily Edition, Sydney Weekender (Channel 7), V8 Supercars Opener to Bathurst 2014, 50 years of Bathurst Legends, The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Documentary 2011 (IMG), Summernats Documentary (7 Mate/Speed Fox), Muscle Car Masters (7 Mate), Legends of Motor Sports (7 Mate), Insight (SBS), The Voice (9)MKR(7) Wag Nation (Fox), Please Marry My Boy (7), The 7PM Project (Channel 10). Plus multiple programs on the BBC, ITV, LWT, Gillette World Sport (UK) NFL (US) and TV3 New Zealand. I have also been DOP on a number of projects, including season 5 and 6 of RBT and a story for SBS Insight Program “Young Mob”, which won a Walkley award for “Best Interview”.

My company owns a Sony F5 Camera 4K Ultra High Definition Camera, Sony XDCAM F800 High Definition Camera, Canon c300 35mm Digital High Definition Camera, a Sony x70 4K Camera, a long and Wide angle Broadcast Lenses, A full set of Full Frame and 35mm Lenses, Canon 17-120 cinema zoom Lens, 14mm, 50mm and 135mm prime Lenses. Daylight and Tungsten Lights including LED HMI, Dolly, Slider, Mini Jib and other camera gear all packed up into a 6 seat iLoad van. I am also prepared to shoot any format that the job requires. Please see the Gear List page for all the equipment.

 

EDUCATION

• 1993 Higher School Certificate
  1995 Video Production Stage 1 and 2, Metro Television
  1996 Introduction to shooting on Film, Butch Calderwood ACS, Ted Raymond ACS

EMPLOYMENT

1995-2001 Lighting Camera/Editing Operator, Seven Network

• During this period I covered major News events from Ski resort landslides to Airline crashes. I have worked in Current Affairs, Sports programs and a Travel program called Sydney Weekender. I have also worked on many live programs shooting single camera or major multi Camera OB's. I covered the Sydney Olympic Games, and pre Olympics, and was responsible for shooting a daily hour-long programme following the Olympic Torch relay called "Follow the Flame."

2001 Freelance Lighting Cameraman, in the UK

• In 2001 I moved to the UK to work as a freelance Cameraman in London. I worked on programs produced by the BBC, ITV, LWT, Gillette World Sport, and many other production companies. For the BBC I worked on the UK's top investigation program called "Watchdog" and another program on BBC2 called "Ever Wondered".

2002 Freelance Lighting Cameraman, in Australia

• In 2002 I worked as a Freelance cameraman back in Australia. I Shot a UK series called Australia Uncovered, and worked for the Seven Network on a number of programs.

2003-2010 Senior Lighting Cameraman, Seven Network

• In 2003 I took up full-time employment with the Seven Network, shooting and Editing News. In mid 2005 I took up the position of Senior Cameraman at Today Tonight. Whilst in News I covered every major story from the Athens Olympic Games, the London bombings, the trial of Schapelle Corby, the earthquake on Nias Island, and the HMAS Kanimbla helicopter crash. At Today Tonight I have been shooting longer format and Current Affairs stories.

2010-Present Freelance Cameraman, 521 Productions

• Since leaving Today Tonight in December 2010 I have worked on the Screentime production ‘RBT’ (Channel 9), Sunday Night, Seven News, Today Tonight, Sunrise, Sydney Weekender (Channel 7), V8 Supercars Opener to Bathurst 2014, 50 years of Bathurst Legends, The Rolex Sydney to Hobart Documentary (IMG), Summernats Documentary (7 Mate/Speed Fox), Muscle Car Masters (7 Mate), Legends of Motor Sports (7 Mate), The Voice (9)MKR(7) Wag Nation (Fox), Please Marry My Boy (7), The 7PM Project (Channel 10). Plus multiple programs on the BBC, ITV, LWT, Gillette World Sport (UK) NFL (US) and TV3 New Zealand.

REFERENCES

• Jason Wotherspoon Rockpool Pictures 0418307777
  Lindi Houlihan Production Manager 0408 292 771

• Jimmy Hamilton Senior Editor 0439406016

• Tim Noonan Video Journalist Seven Network

• James Petch Sound Recordist 0412 318 944