Hey, nice to meet you.
I’m Samuel, I started shooting videos in 2004 and since then I’ve been lucky enough to write and direct features, shoot high end commercials as a cinematographer, and edit content for brands like ANZ, Dulux, Bupa, Save the Children, and Movember. I now work directly with agencies and brands to get their content created from beginning to the final product, and also freelance for production companies when they need a gap filled in their production pipeline.
Case Study - ECGme
Your Pocket Sized Peace of Mind
BioSignals was introducing a new product to market and needed to inform consumers about the capability of their pocket sized ECG, but they wanted something more aspirational than an explainer video. So they came directly to me for end to end creative and production.
Together we developed two stories for distinct consumer types, an active retiree, and a busy young professional. The video content was about how the product can help you to live life to the fullest while being heart health conscious. As this was the audiences first introduction to the product, we made sure to showcase functionality, but prioritized emotional impact.
I took the project from the creative ideation, then also shot the video and stills, and personally edited the final content for delivery. Helping ECGme secure distribution at chemist warehouse.
Case Study - Brew Moon
Raised in Amberley
Brew Moon is a challenger beer brand from Canterbury New Zealand, they needed to take ownership of their region and mark their point of difference from the competition. They came directly to me for end to end production of content to help achieve these goals.
While cinema advertising can be expensive, it was a great way to reach the extremely targeted audience we were aiming for. So we prioritized our budget spend there, and needed a creative execution that was affordable, yet evocative.
Using my home studio I shot the full lineup of beers they had on offer with a mix of slow motion and macro photography, with a textural focus on the pour, foam, and condensation. It’s a classic approach to filming beer brands, and worked well in combination of the local messaging.
Brew Moon recently expanded their operations in Canterbury.
Case Study - Fulton Hogan
Don’t Ghost Your Mates
This project came to me as an opportunity to help the production company Monster and Bear pitch for an animated series of safety videos, the challenge was striking the right tone of voice. The client had struggled with engagement in the past, so my job was to create scripts and characters that were similar to South Park.
As writer-director I partnered with creative director Sarah Hickey and animator Sam Huff to create a highly challenging content series that had to balance some very dark humour and complex safety messaging.
Case Study - SBS
Accidentally Vegan
Director-Producer Jess Pearce reached out to me to act as Director of Photography and editor for the pilot of Accidentally Vegan, a cooking show hosted by Melbourne author Nadia Fragnito.
The three of us formed the core creative team, and my task was to design a visual language inspired by the Italian style of cooking that Nadia grew up with, which was a core thematic component to the show.
The directors brief from Jess was to allow space for organic moments, but to find and enhance moments of beauty where possible. As with Italian food, it was all about simplicity and great raw ingredients. I chose to shoot handheld with vintage nikkor lenses to emphasis the rustic nature of the content. Then in the edit we didn’t shy away from imperfections, which further highlighted the raw approach to production.
Case Study - Bupa
Behind Them All the Way
Ascent Media engaged me to partner with the team at creative Agency Hardhat for a branded documentary series that championed the real life journeys of three paralympians on the lead up to the Paris 2024 games.
As a Director of Photography-Editor working with the creative client, rather than a traditional director, it was my job to bridge the gap between ideas and execution. The team was small but being an interstate project it needed to be, and we made the most of the agility is gave us to great affect.