13 Morphett Street Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Poster for LAUNCH LAB: Cinematography & The Camera Department with Bryan Mason & Bonnie Paku

LAUNCH LAB: Cinematography & The Camera Department with Bryan Mason & Bonnie Paku

Coming on May 3

Run Time: 420 min.

 

Previously to be run by Maxx Corkindale who unfortunately can no longer make it.
We are thrilled to introduce award-winning Cinematographer, Bryan Mason, to the lab instead!

Ever wondered what goes into capturing those stunning cinematic visuals? Join our immersive Launch Lab and demystify the world of cinematography and the camera department. 

What You’ll Discover: 

  • The Anatomy of a Camera Team: We’ll break down the roles and responsibilities within a camera department, from the Camera Assistant to the Director of Photography (DOP). 
  • Team Dynamics & Collaboration: Learn how to foster a seamless and efficient working environment within a camera crew, ensuring smooth and successful shoots. 
  • Gear Demystified: From the type of camera to lights and lenses to dollies and gimbals, we’ll navigate the complex world of camera equipment and how to choose the right gear.  
  • The DOP-Director Relationship: Discover the art of fostering a creative collaboration between the DOP and the Director. 
  • Career Pathways: Chart your course from DIT to DOP. 
  • Practical Scene Breakdown: We’ll dissect scenes, analysing shot composition, lighting techniques, and camera movement.

 

This Launch Lab will be facilitated by founding member of Closer Productions and multi-skilled award-winning editor and cinematographer Bryan Mason and award-winning early-career Māori Cinematographer Bonnie Paku.

Most recently, Bryan was cinematographer and editor for the 4x BAFTA nominated film Good Luck To You, Leo Grande directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Emma Thompson.

In 2015, he shot, edited and produced the Sundance and Berlin award winning 52 Tuesdays for which he won the Screen Editors of Australia award. He was cinematographer and editor on both Irish comedy Animals and Iranian/Australian drama My Tehran for Sale.

His feature documentary credits include Australian Documentary Prize winner Life in Movement (director/editor/cinematographer) and Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure, for which he won an Australian Academy Award for editing. He edited feature documentaries Sam Klemke’s Time Machine, Embrace, Mother With A Gun and the acclaimed In My Blood It Runs. Recently he edited the short documentary The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone, which released worldwide on Netflix and was nominated for a Peabody Award in 2023.

Bryan’s television credits include the SBS 4×1 hour series The Hunting (editor), the ABC iView series F*!#ing Adelaide (cinematographer/editor/producer) and the AACTA nominated ABC comedy series Aftertaste S1 (editor) and Aftertaste S2 (cinematographer/editor).

Bryan will be joined by Bonnie Paku, an early-career Māori Cinematographer who was awarded the Emerging Cinematographer Award from the Australian Cinematography Society for her developing body of work. Bonnie has worked her way up through the Camera Department on films such as The Stranger, I Am Mother, The Survival of Kindness and Bring Her Back, as well as the ABC’s Eat The Invaders. Bonnie’s recent projects include a Screen Australia funded streaming series created by Nelya Valamanesh, Rules to being a Fuckgurl, Melanie Easton’s’ Dragon’s Breath, and Stephanie Jaclyn’s Mating Call. 

Whether you are a budding cinematographer, an emerging director or interested in a crew role in the camera department, this Launch Lab is not to be missed! 

See Full Program here.

Date: Saturday 3 May 2025
Time: Doors 9.30am | Lab 10.00am – 4.00pm | Networking 4.00pm – 5.00pm
Venue: The Mercury  

Cost: $75 or FREE FOR MERCURY SUBSCRIBERS 

Tickets strictly limited and bookings essential. 

Supported by the South Australian Film Corporation 

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