Tea Time - Fullisick Filmmaking Podcast

In this episode we are joined by writer and director David Ward, whose feature film Lenore is currently doing its festival rounds. Lenore is a psychological thriller- “When a controversial influencer suddenly disappears, a terminally online sycophant goes hunting for answers, but comes face-to-face with the monstrosity of his own sins.” If you’re listening to this episode before the 15th of May 2026, you can catch Lenore at its Australian premiere, at Fantastic Film Festival, with screenings in Sydney and Melbourne- we touch more on this towards the end of the episode. My favourite parts of this episode was our discussion on private investors, test screenings, and literary genesis of the screenplay- these are topics we haven’t yet spoken about on the podcast before and is so useful for emerging filmmakers.

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

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

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 

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

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