Biography
Robert began his career in the 1990’s shooting music videos, short films and TV documentaries. His documentaries WILDNESS (2003) and THE DIPLOMAT (2000) both winning the prestigious Australian Film Institute award for best documentary. Robert’s short films DELIVERY DAY (2001), FLOWERGIRL (1999) and CONFESSIONS OF A HEAD HUNTER (2000) were all nominated or won AFI Best Short film awards.
Robert shot his first feature film, David Caesar's MULLET in 2001. MULLET won an ACS gold award. He is known nationally and internationally for his highly regarded and distinctive work on Cate Shortland's SOMERSAULT (2004) staring Abbie Cornish and Sam Worthington and Daniel Nettheim's haunting and beautiful thriller THE HUNTER (2011) staring Willem Dafoe.
Robert won his first Australian Film Institute (AFI) award for best cinematography with SOMERSAULT in 2004. In 2006 he was again nominated for an AFI Award for Paul Goldman's SUBURBAN MAYHEM (2006) and went on to win his second AFI award with Peter Duncan's UNFINISHED SKY in 2007. In 2012 Robert won a third AACTA award for best cinematography in a feature film for THE HUNTER.
Robert has photographed hundreds of Television commercials for production companies and directors from all over the world. With clients that include Chrysler, Lexus, Toyota, VW and Nike. His TV commercials have racked up an impressive list of international awards and nominations.
More recently Robert has photographed the prestigious Apple TV shows SHANTARAM (2023) staring Charlie Hunnam and the American civil war epic MANHUNT (2024). Robert has just completed work on the Peacock / NBCU TV murder mystery series APPLES NEVER FALL (2024) staring Annette Benning and Sam Neil.
CREDITS
APPLES NEVER FALL
TV Drama Series 7x50min 2024
Peacock / NBCUniversal / Heyday TV
Creator: Melanie Marnich
Director: Chris Sweeney
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Silver Award
MANHUNT
TV Drama Series 7x55min 2023
Apple TV / Lionsgate
Creator: Monica Beletsky
Director: Carl Franklin
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award
SHANTARAM
TV Drama Series 12x55min 2022
Apple TV / Paramount Television / Anonymous Content
Creator: Steve Lightfoot
Director: Iain MacDonald
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award
EMERGENCE
TV Drama Series 13x42min 2019
ABC Studios
Creator: Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters
Director: Paul McGuigan
THE HYPNOTIST'S LOVE STORY
TV Drama pilot 2019
ABC Network/ Mandeville Television
EP: Laurie Zaks, Katie Wech
Director: Francesca Gregorini
THE FIX
TV Drama Series 10x42min 2018
ABC Studios/Mandeville Films
Creator: Marcia Clark, Elizabeth Craft
Director: Michael Kattleman
TIDELANDS
TV Drama Series 8x55min 2018
Netflix/Hoodlum
EP: Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield, Leigh McGarth
TOM CLANCY'S JACK RYAN (Additional Photography)
TV Drama Series 8x60min 2018
Amazon Studios/Paramount Television
EP: Graham Roland, Carlton Cuse, Lindsey Springer, Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, Andrew Form, John Krasinski, Daniel Sackheim
director: Brian Kirk
HARROW
TV Drama Series 10x52min 2018
ABC Studios International/ABC Australia/Hoodlum
Producer: Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield, Leigh McGarth, Keli Lee
director: Kate Dennis
RED BLOODED
TV Drama Pilot 42min 2017
ABC Network / ABC Studios
EP: Marc Cherry, Reba McEntire, Mindy Schultheis, Sabrina Wind
Director: Michael Offer
THE LEFTOVERS (Season 3)
TV Drama Series 8x55min 2016
HBO / Warner Brothers
Creator: Damon Lindelof, Tom Perrotta
Director: Mimi Leder
FEAR THE WALKING DEAD (Season 2)
TV Drama Series 15 x 42min 2016
Creator: Dave Erickson
EP: David Alpert, Gale Anne Hurd, Robert Kirkman
Director: Andrew Bernstein
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award
SECRETS AND LIES (Season 2)
TV Drama Series 10 x 42min 2016
ABC Network/ABC Studios
Creator:, Barbie Kligman
EP: Tracey Robertson, Aaron Kaplan
Director: Adam Arkin
SECRETS AND LIES (Season 1)
TV Drama Series 10 x 42min 2015
ABC Network/ABC Studios
Creator: Barbie Kligman
EP Tracey Robertson, Aaron Kaplan
Director: Tim Busfield
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award
SECRETS & LIES
TV Drama 6 x 45min 2013
Network 10 / Hoodlum Entertainment
producer: Tracey Robertson, Leigh McGrath
director: Kate Dennis, Peter Salmon
IMMUNITY (Segment)
THE TURNING
Feature Film (15 x 10min Short Films) 2013
Arenamedia
Producer: Robert Connolly
Director :Yaron Lifschitz
THE STRANGE CALLS
TV Drama 6 x 26min 2012
Hoodlum Entertainment
Producer: Tracey Robertson, Leigh McGrath
director: Daley Pearson
LABYRINTH
TV Drama 2 x 100min 2012
Scott Free (UK) Tandem Productions (Germany)
EP: Ridley Scott Tony Scott Ian Hallkin Liza Marshall
Producer: Moritz Polter Chris Hall
director: Christopher Smith
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award
THE HUNTER
Feature Film 100min 2011
Porchlight Films
Producer: Vincent Sheehan
Director: Daniel Nettheim
AACTA Award Best Cinematography
FCCA Award Best Cinematography
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award
RAKE
TV Drama 8 x 60min 2010
Essential Viewing
Producers: Ian Collie, Peter Duncan & Richard Roxburgh
Directors: Peter Duncan, Rachael Ward
Australian Cinematography Society (QLD) Silver Award (2011)
A HEART BEAT AWAY
Feature Film 90min 2010
Pictures in Paradise
Producers: Chris Brown, Chris Fitchett
Director: Gale Edwards
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Silver Award
TRIANGLE
Feature Film 100min 2008
Dan Films, Pictures in Paradise
Producer Julie Baines, Jason Newmark, Chris Brown
Director Christopher Smith
UNFINISHED SKY
Feature Film 100min 2006
New Holland Pictures
Producer: Cathy Overett, Anton Smit
Executive Producer: Mark Overett, San Fu Maitha
Director: Peter Duncan
AFI Award for Best Cinematography
Nominated FCCA for Best Cinematography
Nominated IF Award for Best Cinematography
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Silver Award
SUBURBAN MAYHEM
Feature film 90min 2005
Producer: Leah Churchill-Brown
Director: Paul Goldman
Executive Producer: Jan Chapman
Official Selection 'Un Certain Regard' Cannes 2006
Official Selection Toronto Film Festival 2006
Australian Cinematographers Society Awards (QLD) Silver Award
Nominated AFI Award Best Cinematography
THE SILENCE
TV Drama 2 x 60min 2005
Telefeature 100min
Jan Chapman Films
Producer: Jan Chapman
Director: Cate Shortland
Australian Cinematograhers Society Awards (QLD) Highly Commended 2006
Official Selection Toronto Film Festival 2006
Nominated AFI Best TV Drama 2006
OPAL DREAM
Feature Film 100min 2004
Acadamy Films UK, Sherman Pictures
Producer: Lizzy Gower, Emile Sherman
Executive Producer: Angus Finney
Director: Peter Cattaneo
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Silver Award 2006
Offical Selection Berlin International Film Fest 2006
SOMERSAULT
Feature Film 110min 2003
Red Carpet Productions
Producer: Anthony Anderson
Executive Producer: Jan Chapman
Director: Cate Shortland
Official Selection 'Un Certain Regard' Cannes 2004
Australian Film Institute Award Best Cinematography 2004
FCCA Award Best Cinematography 2004
IF Awards Best Cinematography 2004
Australian Cinematographers Society (QLD) Gold Award 2004
Australian Cinematographers Society Award of Distinction 2005
FAT COW MOTEL
TV Drama 13x26min 2002
Hoodlum Entertainment
Producers: Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield
Series Producer: Megan McMurchy
Director: Daniel Nettheim, Robert Klenner
Australian Cinematographers Society Awards (QLD) Highly Commended
WALKING ON WATER
Feature Film 90min 2001
Porchlight Films
Producer: Liz Watts
Director: Tony Ayres
Winner Five AFI Awards 2002
Offical Selection Berlin International Film Fest 2002
MULLET
Feature Film 90min 2000
Porchlight Films
Producer: Vincent Sheehan
Director: David Caesar
Nominated for 5 AFI Awards 2001
Australian Cinematographers Society (NSW) Gold Award
DELIVERY DAY
Short Feature 40min 2000
Porchlight Films
Producer: Liz Watts
Director: Jane Manning
Nominated Best Short Film AFI Awards 2001
CONFESSIONS OF A HEADHUNTER
Short Feature 40min 1999
Scarlett Pictures
Producer: Kath Shelper
Director: Sally Riley
Winner Best Short Film AFI Awards 2000
FLOWERGIRL
Short Feature 40min 1998
Red Carpet Productions
Producer: Anthony Anderson
Director: Cate Shortland
Nominated Best Short Film AFI Awards 2000
TV Commercials
Directors I have worked with include
Christian Aeby (Radical Media - US) Brian Aldrich (Furlined - US) Darren Ashton (Republic Films) Julius Avery (Exit Films) Steve Ayson (The Sweet Shop) Nick Ball (Finch) Frazer Bailey (Play, Best Picture Show) Josh Baker (Sydney Film Co) Mark Bennett (Plush) Pep Bosch (Prodigy Films) Tim Bullock (Prodigy Films) Jess Bluck (Revolver) Don Cameron (Colider) Rey Carlson (Playbig) Garth Davis (Anonymous - US, Exit Films) Dogboy (The Pound) Brendan Donovan (Prodigy Films) Kim Farrant (Film Constructions) Nic Finlayson (Film Constructions) Guilliaume de Fontenay (La Cavalerie - Canada) Charlie Furgusson (Fabric Films) Tori Garrett (Two Little Indians, Independent Films) Jeff Gaunt (Cutting Edge) Glue Society (Revolver, Radical Media) Brendan Hearne (Radical Media) Steve Hudson (Hungryman - US) Patrick Hughes (Radical Media) Bruce Hurwit (The Feds) Glendyn Ivin (Exit Films) Nick Kelly (Sweet Shop) Sean Kruck (Doll Collective, Rradical Media) Stephen Lance (Taxi Films) Gemma Lee (Taxi Films) Mark Malloy (Exit Films) Keir McFarlane (MEC) Fiona McGee (Goodoil FIlms) Craig MacLean (The Guild), Noah Marshall (The Sweet Shop) Paul Middleditch (Plaza) Kris Moyes (Revolver) Liz Murphy (Dab Hand Media (UK), Taxi Films) Miles Murphy (Goodoil Films) Dael Oates (Prodigy Films) Matt Palmer (Prodigy Film, Film Constructions) Stephen Pearson (Hungry Man - US) Dylan Pharazyn (The Sweet Shop) Frederic Planchon (Irene - France) Tommi Pietilainen (Woodpecker Films - Finland) Tony Rogers (Renegade Films) Lee Rogers (One six six) Tim Royes (Academy Films - UK) Ryan Renshaw (Roly Poly) Chris Riggert (Finch, Radical Media) Angus Sampson (Otto Empire) Ben Saunders (Otto Empire) Ralf Schmerberg (Radical Media - US) Michael Spicca (Goodoil Films) Bruce St Clair (The Sweet Shop) Cate Shortland (Cherub) Michael Spicca (Goodoil Films) John Stanton (Best Picture Show) TWiN (The Sweet Shop - US) Joylon Watkins (Exit Films) Jason Wingrove (Plush)
Campaigns include
Chrysler, Subaru, Hyundai, Nissan, Lexus, Honda, Volkswagen, Holden, Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi
Westpac Bank, Halifax Bank, National Australia Bank, ANZ Bank, Bank of Queensland, Suncorp, Colonial Mutal, Microsoft, Canon, Sony, Olympus, Toshiba, Vodaphone, Optus, Telstra, Virgin Mobile
McDonalds, Kelloggs, Fosters, Tooheys, Bushells, Kraft, Nestle, KFC, Coca-Cola, Twinings Tea, Dairy Farmers, Wrigleys, Ikea, Kmart, Big W, Singapore Navy, Life Lock, Discovery Channel, Kimberley-Clark, Kleenex, Nike
Awards for TVCs include
Gold Award ACS (QLD) Yellow Glen 'Sparkle'
Silver Award ACS (QLD) Chrysler 'Anthem'
The MADC Award for Best Cinematography (Bronze) MIFF Potato Peelers
Silver BAD winner 2009 for Suncorp Protection
Silver AWARD winner 2007 for Australian Childhood Foundation Superhero
Bronze Award ACS (Qld) 2007 for Honda CRV Dress for It
Bronze Award ACS (Qld) 2007 for ARC Future Wallabies
Gold Award ACS (Qld) 2006 for Australian Childhood Foundation Superhero
Silver Award ACS (Qld) 2004 for Sensis Every Number
Highly Commended ACS (Qld) 2004 for Golden Casket Did
Silver Award ACS (Qld) 2003 Conrad Treasury Ladies
Documentary
Over 30 television & cinema documentaries including
WILDNESS
Big and Little Films, Film Australia 55min 2002
Producer: Michael McMahon
Director: Scott Milwood
Winner Best Documentary Film AFI Awards 2003
GULPILIL - ONE RED BLOOD
Jotz Productions 55min 2001
Producer: Tom Zubrycki
Director: Darlene Johnson
STOLEN GENERATIONS
Jotz Productions 55min 2000
Producer: Tom Zubrycki
Director: Darlene Johnson
Nominated Best Documentary Film AFI Awards 2001
THE DIPLOMAT
Documentary Feature 90min 1999
Emerald Films, Film Australia
Producers: Sally Browning, Wilson De Silva
Director: Tom Zubrycki
Winner Best Documentary Film AFI Awards 2001