Can you provide an overview of your career journey so far?
I left school and thought I wanted to be a sports commentator and studied journalism at uni. After landing a job as a statistician for Radio 2GB's rugby league coverage, and working as a producer in news and current affairs with the likes of Alan Jones, and Ben Fordham... (working 7 days!) I decided to leave and explore my passion for creating my own shows. I'm super passionate about health and fitness, so I created a fitness show on Channel Ten that I hosted called "Fit'n'Flexed"...aimed at educating Australians on nutrition and exercise for their best shape. Part of the show involved interviewing athletes, and I attracted luminaries like NRL player Anthony Minichiello, and Boxer Anthony Mundine. But it was one guy I met who was paddling from QLD to Bondi beach with his hands, to heal himself of his child abuse trauma, that set my soul on fire. I became more interested in my role behind the camera, and telling stories, instead of in front of it. After the show aired, he called me and said he'd love me to direct a feature documentary about him. I'd never directed anything before. But I told him I'd give it a go! With 99% passion and 1% skill...I took to telling his story. And we got lucky! The documentary was acquired by National Geographic and aired in 43 countries around the world. I knew that directing films was where I had to go. And honestly, I always wanted to be an actor, after being pushed to do so by Anne Price in Junior school (casting me as Puck) and later being mentored by Mike O'brien in high school. This was where I probably always wanted to go, but I spent a long time running away from it, because it's scary! There are no guarantees...I still act in shows here and there, but after taking the plunge with directing to inevitably cast myself in my own films... I've learned directing is where my deepest passion is! We also broke down some films in English with Sandra Alderson, a great English teacher, and I remember everything.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a film director?
So, it was when I stood behind the camera making the documentary about the paddleboarder. it was one day, on a jetty in Glenelg, Adelaide, and I felt the whole universe suddenly move...I realised I had found my passion, and I would do this no matter what. When that happens to you, chase it to the end of the earth.
What do you consider to be your most notable professional achievement so far, and why?
Honestly? The relationships I've fostered. Professional relationships. Sure, two of my short films have been accepted into Oscar-qualifying festivals, and that's all nice for your bio...but really, it comes down to loving the people you work with and working to reach your infinite artistic apex together.
What are you currently working on?
My first feature film...using real people as actors, inspired by Italian neorealism cinema (1943 and 1950) and writing and developing other films, even writing my first novel (to turn into a film). I've also started a marketing agency, aimed at using the most bold and brave cut-through words possible...to help brands be heard in a chat GPT dominated world. This helps me fund my films and keeps the dream alive! But I LOVE it too - I also direct videos for these brands, so it's great fun! Creativity, I find, starves all the demons. I can't live without it, so why not help brands with it, and get paid for it?!
What advice can you give to our Hills Originals?
Forget being "smart." It's overrated. Be dumb. Be as dumb as you can -- that is to say -- be smart enough to come up with a big idea, and dumb enough to think you can do it. Because ultimately, that's where winning is done. The world is full of people loaded with potential who don't take the plunge. Take the plunge as early as you can...and keep going until you get there. And you'll die along the way. Many times. The skeletons will visit you. They do us all. But just keep rebirthing yourself...believing in yourself because you're a skeleton a lot longer than not.
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