ABOUT
Since completing his Masters in Cinematography at the Australian Film Television & Radio School (AFTRS) in Sydney Australia, John has amassed an impressive and diverse range of production credits. He has worked extensively in the US, Europe and Asia, shooting TVCs and drama for domestic and international broadcasters.
John has been a freelance cinematographer since 2000, after five years with the largest Australian owned camera equipment rental company, Lemac. During his time at Lemac Productions, John also shot with many of the world’s leading TV broadcasters, including the BBC, Discovery, HBO and Dutch TV8, John also worked on many national network promos for Australian free to air and cable networks Nine, Seven, Ten and Foxtel.
His first 35mm short film, BIRD IN THE WIRE was nominated for a Palm d’Or and garnered an AFI nomination for Best Cinematography. In the same, year, he also won Best Cinematography at Tropfest for LIKE IT IS, a short lauded for its unique visual style. John was involved with the project from inception, working closely with the director to develop its extraordinary visual approach combining live action, miniatures and highly stylised composited backgrounds, even overseeing the project through post-production.
John has a strong interest and background in VFX and post, and in 2005 he worked on his second Palm d’Or nominated short film CLARA, also sharing a Special Mention for its technical achievement. In his role as VFX supervisor, John oversaw wire and rig removal and composited many of the complex background elements for this multi-award winning stop motion animation.
John’s first feature was the highly successful LAKE MUNGO which embraced unconventional storytelling techniques and has gained worldwide notice for its complex and layered visual approach. Using over 40 different cameras, from 35mm to antiquated movie cameras and mobile phones, John was able to orchestrate a sophisticated conceit creating the illusion of a documentary with years of home movie footage to draw upon. Unusually for a cinematographer, John was also LAKE MUNGO’s post-production supervisor, developing in close collaboration with director Joel Anderson, a series of hands-on and home brew VFX techniques that lent an authenticity that can’t be matched by standard CG and digital post production approaches. LAKE MUNGO’s US release in 2010 will include screenings in 500 cities and Lionsgate have acquired the DVD rights and Paramount Vantage are set to remake Lake Mungo in 2010.
His AFTRS MA graduation film fOUR (Directed by Erin White) received the rare double of both an AFI and IF nomination for Best Film, eventually winning the IF Award.
John recently shot is first US film, The Perfect Host in LA. Starring David Hyde-Pierce, this exciting thriller is based on the dual AFI and IF award winning short The Host. With most of the film set in a single location and playing out in real time, the challenge was to develop a visual approach that was compelling and dynamic building to its spectacular finale within the limiting parameters of a low budget. This film is currently in the final stages of post production.
John’s most recent short, the Screen Australia funded short Celestial Avenue is off to a great start, winning the Grand Prize for best film at the Academy Award accredited Rhode Island film Festival. When he realised the production couldn’t afford anamorphic lenses, John literally built his own anamorphic lens adaptor to meet the director’s desire to shoot using anamorphic optics.
John’s first national TV series as DOP, Lowdown, will be airing on the ABC in 2010 and will be be the first drama production to shoot RED in Australia.
Click here to visit John’s profile on IMDB
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
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(2009) Celestial Avenue – ACS Silver Award2009 | Dir. Colin & Cameron Cairnes | Prod. Scott Alexander | Format. Si2K HD
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(2008) fOUR – SMPTE Collaboration Award2008 | Dir. Erin White | Prod. Zyra McAuliffe | Format. 35mm Anamorphic |
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(2007) MARTI’S PARTY – ACS – Bronze2004 | Dir. Annabelle Murphy | Prod. Cath Murphy | Format. Super 16 |
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(2005) CLARA – VFX2004 | Dir. Van Sowerwine | Prod. Pip Campey Cannes Film Festival nomination Golden Palm for Best Short Film |
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(2004) HANDBALL – Winner Best Cinematography OC Short Film Awards2004 | Dir. Sue Broberg | Format. MiniDV |
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(2001) BIRD IN THE WIRE – AFI Nomination Best Cinematography2001 | Dir. Phillip Donnelon | Format. 35mm Cannes Film Festival nomination Golden Palm for Best Short Film |
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(2001) LIKE IT IS – Best Cinematography Tropfest2001 | Dir. Chris Begley – Tony D’Aquino | Format. Super 16 Tropfest Film Festival Finalist |
(2000) A DEATH IN THE FAMILY (Editor), Dir: Terry Carlyon
Australian Film Institute (AFI) nomination for Best Documentary
Logie Awards Winner Best Documentary
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