I’m James - an Emerging Producer and Production Assistant based in Naarm, Melbourne.
Hey, I'm James! I'm an Emerging Producer and Production Assistant with a diverse background in everything from long-form and short-form content to commercials and animation. I bring professionalism and positivity to every project, staying calm under pressure while staying focused on problem-solving and getting things done.
I’ve been working in the Film and TV industry since 2021, and in that time I’ve worked on a huge range of productions across different genres and mediums, from Stop-Motion Animation to Reality TV. Check out some of the projects I’ve worked on below!
Memoir of a Snail (2024)
Feature Film
Role: Production Assistant
Dir. Adam Elliot
About:
Memoir of a Snail is a stop-motion animated film from Oscar-winning director Adam Elliot. As the Production Assistant, I worked closely with the production manager and director to schedule animators, and with the Art Department Coordinator to manage the cataloguing and storage of the film’s 5,000+ props, sets & characters. My role also extended to other key duties, such as studio management, overseeing COVID safety measures and organising weekly studio tours.
Teach The Future (2024)
TVC
Role: Production Assistant
Dir. Lizzy Bailey
Production Company: Poppet
About:
Make in collaboration with the Department of Education Victoria, the Teach the Future campaign aims to encourage more people to consider teaching as a rewarding career that makes a difference. As Poppet’s full-time production assistant, I worked through all stages of production - from casting and location scouting in pre, to invoicing and budget reconciliation in post.
Maggi - Taste The Difference (2024)
TVC
Role: Production Assistant
Dir. Pete Moore
Production Company: Poppet
About:
I worked as a production assistant on a campaign for Maggi–from the initial pitch through to final budget reconciliation. I worked closely with the producer to help source and manage key aspects of the production, including scouting and securing interstate locations, coordinating casting, and overseeing crew logistics. I was also responsible for assisting with the budget, ensuring all aspects of the production stayed within financial constraints.
Slater & Gordon - Where to From Here? (2023)
TVC
Role: Production Assistant
Dir. Jonathan Nyquist
Production Company: Poppet
About:
’Where to From Here?’ highlights the huge effect workplace injuries can have on our lives, and what workers can do in response. As a production with a lot of high-risk stunts and only two days of shooting, we took every precaution to make sure our cast and crew were safe in our workplace.
Deflated Dreams (2022)
Animated Short
Role: Producer
Written by Matilda Berger
Dir. Hyelee Cho
About:
Deflated Dreams was supported by the Victorian College of Arts (VCA) and Epic Games as part of the 2022 Unreal Engine Short Film Challenge. The animation team, composed entirely of students, were given two weeks of training in Unreal Engine 5, and a further six weeks to create the film. The project was also made in collaboration with musicians from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. As Producer, I oversaw all aspects of production, including managing our budget and schedule, and negotiating contracts with external contributors.
About Me
I began working in Film & TV in 2021 as a Production Runner for Matchbox Pictures on Season 5 of The Real Housewives of Melbourne.
After wrapping up the season unscathed from the drama, I completed a Master of Producing at The University of Melbourne (VCA) in 2022, while also working as a studio manager at Hitmaker Studios. During my degree, I produced two student films and was the production manager on another.
Immediately after graduating, I began working as the Production Assistant on Adam Elliot’s stop-motion feature film Memoir of a Snail. Production wrapped in 2023, and the film has since gone on to premiere internationally, winning multiple awards at festivals, including ‘Best Feature Film’ at both the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival.
In 2024, I worked as the full-time Production Assistant for Poppet, a production company founded and run by industry legend Nat Taylor. During my time at Poppet, we produced over 20 successful campaigns, putting positivity and wellbeing at the centre of our production ethos.