Tony Gardiner ACS
El Segundo,CA
Summary
Accomplished Director and Cinematographer with a proven track record at Fremantle Media, adept at managing multiple productions simultaneously and leading cross-functional teams. Skilled in utilizing modern camera systems and Adobe Creative Suite, I excel in transforming creative concepts into compelling visual narratives, significantly enhancing production value. Renowned for excellent camera operating and innovative lighting techniques, my work elevates brand visibility and storytelling impact.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Director / Producer
One Nine Media
07.2021 - Current
- Directed "Wildcard - One Last Shot" documentary about the Bathurst 1000 for v8 Supercars / Fox Sports Australia.
- Produced wrote and Directed multiple cross media campaigns for variety of automotive and sports brands including, Mazda Australia, BMW, Porsche Motorsport, and Nulon Oils and additives
- Social media management for professional motorsport teams
- Edited and graded jobs for online distribution using Davinci resolve and Adobe Premier suite
- Selected favorable filming locations and attained required permits to support shoot schedule
- Create Pitch decks and story boards
- Reviewed scripts to determine most appropriate methods to use for directing both actors and crew members
- Developed project budgets and managed production costs
Director of Photography / Director "Heat" Drama
Fremantle Media
10.2022 - 12.2022
- Director of Photography on 4 x 1 hour mini series "Heat" starring Danny Dyer for channel 5 in UK / Channel 10 Australia
- Planned and implemented interior and exterior location lighting plans
- Planned and implemented studio lighting plan and deigns
- Planned and implemented with gripping team complex camera moves involving steadicam, ronin stabilized heads, dolly and track and crane setups
- Director for a portion of the series
- "A" camera operator (Sony Venice)
- Drone Operator (DJI Mavic 3 cine)
Director of Photography
Fremantle Media
08.2022 - 10.2022
- Director of photography for fremantle / ABC tv series "The PMs daughter
- Worked with Lighting team (Gaffer) to plan and implement exterior and interior lighting plans
- Worked with grip department to plan and implement complex camera moves using cranes, dollys and steadicam
- "A" camera operator (Sony Venice)
- Drone Operator (DJI mavic 3 cine)
Master Class Teacher
American Arts, Film And Television Academy
10.2023 - Current
- Taught masterclass sessions at AAFTA, for the conservatory program for young actors on a freelance basis
- Topics included acting for camera, blocking techniques, creating your own content
- Developed students'' critical thinking skills by incorporating hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving exercises.
Creative Director
Fremantle Media
07.2020 - 07.2021
- Creative Director on television drama "Neighbours" I oversaw the modernization of the show. Working with the producing, art, camera departments to add production value and bring a higher end look to the show
- This included completely overhauling the lighting design of the drama
- Working with the camera and gripping teams to create more interesting camera movement using sliders and the DJI ronin stabilizing system
- Working with the VFX post production team to create realistic "sim-trav" for car scenes (green screen and LED walls)
Director
Fremantle Media
08.2019 - 07.2020
- Director on over 50 episodes of television show "Neighbours"
- Oversaw all phases of production for Neighbours, from pre- to post-production.
- Worked with writing team to finalise scripts and ready them for shooting
- Rehearse with and prepare actors for episodes
- Work with the camera department to deliver high end fast turnaround images
- Worked with art department to co ordinate all props and sets and location for shooting
- Worked with make-up / Wardrobe departments to finalise the looks of all the characters
Director
Channel Seven
03.2018 - 08.2019
- Director on over 100 episodes of the television show "Home And Away"
- Oversaw all phases of production for Neighbours, from pre- to post-production.
- Worked with writing team to finalise scripts and ready them for shooting
- Rehearse with and prepare the actors for the episodes
- Work with the camera department to deliver high end fast turnaround images
- Worked with art department to co ordinate all props and sets and location for shooting
- Worked with make-up / Wardrobe departments to finalise the looks of all the characters
Cinematographer
Channel Seven
08.2012 - 03.2018
- Analyzed screenplay, characters and story structure to decide on visual approach with directors and producers.
- Remained up-to-date on current trends and new technology to acquire better images.
- Checked lighting and composition of each scene and made adjustments to meet needs.
- Performed research on available locations, sun position, props and weather conditions at prospective film sites.
- Collaborated with director to plan and implement desired production look, on both location and studio environments
- Maintained schedules, managed deadlines
Executive Producer
Shoot To Kill
02.2010 - 02.2012
- Took client briefs for TVC productions
- Planned and budgeted TVC productions
- Oversaw production from concept to completion and delivery
- Handled multiple large clients including The National Party state campaign
Cinematographer
Engine
03.2007 - 02.2010
- In house cinematographer for engine
- Specializing in VFX shoots including green screen and stop motion
- Worked with every major camera platform Arri, Sony, Red, Panasonic and Canon
- Worked closely with in house post production team to achieve the best results.
- Oversaw purchasing of new lighting and camera equipment
Assitant Editor / Editor
Engine
03.2002 - 02.2007
- Assistant to offline editors, prepare projects for edit on AVID and final cut pro platforms
- Editor on Final cut pro for small TVC shoots
- Ingest footage to AVID and Final Cut pro
- Assistant to online artist in flame suites
Camera Prep Technition
Panavision Australia
01.2000 - 02.2001
- Prepare panavision and Arri camera kit and lenses for TVC, feature film and Television productions
Education
High School Diploma -
Bradfield College Of TAFE
North Sydney1999
Skills
- Extensive knowledge of all modern camera systems (Red, Arri, Sony, Panasonic, Canon)
- Licensed Drone operator (can operate all DJI drones Inspire, Mavic)
- Professional gimbal operator (all DJI ronin and Movi systems)
- Directing Actors / Talent
- Steadicam operator
- Experienced Stills Photographer
- Strong Ability to manage multiple productions at once
- Cast and Crew Supervision
- Budgeting
- Script writing, review and revision
- Story Pitching
- Lighting scenes
- Adobe Creative Suite (Premiere Pro, Lightroom, After Effects)
- Pre-Production Planning
- Social media management
Accomplishments
- I was granted accreditation from the Australian society of Cinematographers the highest honor that can be bestowed on a cinematographer by the society
- Nominated for Australian Directors Guild Award for Australian network drama "Neighbours"
- I won best the cinematography award at Tropfest for my work on the film "The Maestro"
- Won Multiple awards for my work on commercials and drama at the Australian Cinematographers Society awards
- Granted Alien of Extraordinary green card (EB-1a) visa (I have permanent residence status in the USA)
Timeline
Master Class Teacher
American Arts, Film And Television Academy
10.2023 - Current
Director of Photography / Director "Heat" Drama
Fremantle Media
10.2022 - 12.2022
Director of Photography
Fremantle Media
08.2022 - 10.2022
Director / Producer
One Nine Media
07.2021 - Current
Creative Director
Fremantle Media
07.2020 - 07.2021
Director
Fremantle Media
08.2019 - 07.2020
Director
Channel Seven
03.2018 - 08.2019
Cinematographer
Channel Seven
08.2012 - 03.2018
Executive Producer
Shoot To Kill
02.2010 - 02.2012
Cinematographer
Engine
03.2007 - 02.2010
Assitant Editor / Editor
Engine
03.2002 - 02.2007
Camera Prep Technition
Panavision Australia
01.2000 - 02.2001
High School Diploma -
Bradfield College Of TAFE
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