Today we have the second half of the podcast with Melbourne-based cinematographer Tavis Pinnington. In this part of the episode we talk about Westgate, the process, scheduling, and film festivals of the film, as well as Tavis’ other narrative works that he has completed recently. We delve into the importance of creating genuine ongoing relationships with other filmmakers, advice for cinematographers, and much more. 

Scheduling of Westgate 

• Opportunities films can lead to
• Screening your films in cinema
• Being perceived in the industry
• Goal setting 
• Growing with films 
• Life experience turning into your art
• Vulnerability in films 
• The worth of films - and how people perceive your work
• Letterboxd reviews and peer feedback 
• Shooting ‘Boys Club’
• Visual style and colour choices
• How different films can open up to different experiences
• Shooting with an intimacy coordinator 
• Danaë’s producing style- how generosity and kindness creates the best sets
• La Petite Mort
• Ongoing working relationships and the benefits
• American Society of Cinematographers Mentorship

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Today we’re joined by Melbourne-based cinematographer Tavis Pinnington. For part one of the chat with Tavis, we discuss film school, the transition from sound department to cinematographer. We touch on first paid jobs, and the reality of making a living as a cinematographer. We look at pitching, commercials, spec ads, and all the creative documentation, specifically delving into his recent campaign work for Up There Store x Adidas, particularly talking about references and treatments, lighting, shooting, you name it. More on Tavis’ narrative work will be coming in the next episode! 

• ​Film school at Swinburne 
• ​Sound department to cinematographer 
• ​First paid job 
• ​The reality of making a living from being a cinematographer
• ​Pitching - knowing your worth 
• ​Commercials 
• ​Spec ads 
• ​Working with brands 
• ​Levelling up- international jobs, worldviews and experiences 
• ​Adidas Online Advertisement 
• ​References and treatments
• ​Shooting naturally
• ​Colour Grade for Adidas 
• ​Creating in Melbourne
• ​The future of creatives in Melbourne
• ​Camera Assisting
• ​Anuk - First Feature Film
• ​First film in MIFF

Mentioned:

Cinematographer Rina Yang

Adidas

Wilhelm Philipp

Crayon

Westgate 

Caleb Ribates

Follow the podcast on instagram: ⁠⁠@teatimefilmpodcast⁠⁠

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Follow Tavis on instagram: ⁠@tpdop

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• How living in isolated societies made film seem like an unattainable dream

• The importance of film school in Melbourne/Australia vs America 

• The importance of doing volunteer work and upskilling before doing HOD roles

• Transition into making his first feature film

• Budgets for independent features 

• Using the volume screen 

• Car scenes in films 

• Immense pre-production planning 

• Proud Wing - Starting a production company, supporting first-time directors

• Festival strategy- is it even a thing? 

• Writing plans and creating deadlines

• Casting process 

• How important Instagram is for actors 

• Madman Distribution - how it came to be 

• MIFF Premiere Fund 

• Period Films - making films set in the 1990s 

• VFX for period pieces 

• Budget towards locations 

• Good vs bad characters

• Australian Cultural Fund - Crowdfunding

• Rehearsals 

• “If something goes wrong, then it’s supposed to happen.” - Greta Gerwig's advice that changed both of our perspectives

• The Happy Place & Cerulean Blue anecdote - working through when things go wrong

• Advice for up and coming filmmakers

  
  

  Westgate still has select screenings and Q&As- keep an eye on Adrian's instagram for more info!

  Cerulean Blue is available to watch on Stan!

  
  

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  Other media mentioned:

  The Belie - Sarah Nicolazzo (Proud Wing's New Short Film)

  The Happy Place - Tea Van de Burgt & Harrison Rook

  The Eulogy  - Natalie Cicciarelli

  The Florida Project - Sean Baker

Today we are joined by the talent of short film, Once Ethereal- Director, Writer, Editor and lead actor Matthew Higgs, and co-star and former Neighbours actor, Majella Davis. Throughout this episode, we touch on Once Ethereal, how it came to be- all the way up until its festival run. But we also talk about non-linear pathways into acting and directing, we focus a lot on acting training, studios, and courses, and their benefits. We delve into Majella’s time on Neighbours, and how she got the big role, and we discuss Matt’s previous films and acting experience, including some projects that we’ve collaborated on together over the years.

• Non-linear pathways into acting and directing- rejections & no film school  

• How working with non-actors can help your directing 

• Acting training: What to take and what to leave 

• Brave studios & other acting courses in Melbourne 

• Networks made through short courses

• Control vs collaboration as a director

• How Majella got her start on Neighbours- filming 427 episodes 

• The making of Once Ethereal

• How to make your own work as an actor

• Directing actors as an actor- benefits and challenges

• The benefits of meticulous pre-production

• Rehearsals for short films 

• Anecdotes from Once Ethereal 

• Filming in Australian weather conditions

• Matt’s Festival strategy for Once Ethereal

• Majella on Neighbours vs Short Films and her processes

• Jobs in between the dream roles 

• Matt’s new short film ‘Model’

• Advice for actors 

• Self tape advice for actors - the real truth to self-taping

  
  

  Link to watch Once Ethereal on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ojc3e9ueY

  Matt's Instagram: @_matthiggs

  Majella's Instagram: @majella.davis

  
  

  Mentioned:

  Link to watch For The Dear Leader on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9UMioorNsc 

  Cinematographer & Fullisick Co-Founder Darcy Michell 

Today we’re joined by Melbourne-based writer, director and producer Gabriel Carrubba, who discusses his debut feature film Sunflower, that was officially selected for MIFF, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cinefest, and also had a buyers screening at Cannes.

Gabriel talks about his transition from acting to directing, the many industry jobs he’s worked between projects, and the writing, casting, budget and challenges behind Sunflower. We also cover the film’s festival journey, producing Zane Borg’s upcoming feature River, Screen Australia development funding, and much more.

Note: This episode was recorded in July 2025, and dates mentioned may be outdated. All future episodes were recorded in 2026.

Key Topics:

• ​Transition from acting to directing
• ​Working as a lecturer
• ​Short films before making a feature
• ​Jobs after directing Sunflower - Time Addicts, Late Night with the Devil
• ​Writing Sunflower
• ​Casting Sunflower - how the leads landed their roles
• ​Budget for Sunflower - making a feature film under $20k
• ​Sunflower festival strategy - the reality of getting into Australian film festivals 
• ​Going to Cannes - buyers screening experience
• ​Producing Zane Borg’s River
• ​Screen Australia development funding

Sunflower is available to watch on SBS on Demand (in Australia):

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Follow Gabriel on instagram: @gabrielcarrubba_

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Today we are joined by writer, director, producer and stuntman Will Jones, who recently created the pilot episode of his web series “Queer Custodians”. Within the podcast, we talk about Will’s career in stunts, including his experiences with Margot Robbie and Liam Neeson, and being Master Chief in the trailer of Halo. We talk about his experience doing film studies on exchange with the New Columbo Grant. We also discuss film school, stunt license and training, as well as his progression into establishing himself as a writer director. Then we touch on Queer Custodians, the development and casting of the webseries, as well as the importance of Queer representation in film and television.

Key Topics:

• ​Early Career in Stunts
• ​Stunt license and training
• ​Australian Stunt career highlights
• ​New-Colombo Plan with a filmmaking focus
• ​Film School - Honours at Deakin University
• ​Progression from stunts into writing and directing
• ​Queer Custodians - Superhero webseries
• ​Development and Casting the webseries
• ​Queer representation in film and television

Follow the podcast on instagram: @teatimefilmpodcast

Follow me on instagram: @teavandeburgt

Follow Will on instagram: @thereisonlyonewill

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