The Shadowcatchers

The ACS book committee has worked closely on The Shadowcatchers through every aspect of the book’s development, writing, picture selection and production, bringing a wealth of lived experience and knowledge to the project. The members of this committee include:

The Author, Martha Ansara

Martha Ansara was admitted as a full member of the Australian Cinematographer's Society (ACS) in 1980, one of the first women in Australia to work as a cinematographer. She later became a documentary film director and producer, now operating as Ballad Films. She has an M.A. in Applied History (University of Technology, Sydney) and has written historical and critical articles for screen journals, newspapers and other publications. As a professional oral historian, she has contributed nearly 100 oral histories and interviews to the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and was the founding convenor of the Film & Broadcast Industries Oral History Group, closely associated with the NFSA. She has worked as a project assessor for the Australian Film Commission and other screen organizations, as a film-valuer and as a lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney, the Australian Film Television & Radio School and elsewhere. She is a founding member of a number of cultural organisations.

Calvin Gardiner ACS, Chairperson

Multi-award winning cinematographer Calvin Gardiner still finds time to shoot TVCs and dramatized documentaries while managing his own Sydney-based production company, Engine. From a young age, Calvin worked in post-production and cinematography and, with his father, operated a successful film laboratory during the 1980s. The Gardiner family has worked in the Australian film industry for three generations.

Geri Gardiner

Geri Gardiner is an events and marketing co-ordinator and president of the Manly Art Gallery & Museum Society. Geri Joined the ACS Book Committee in its last year to assist with picture sourcing and marketing.

John Hosking ACS

John Hosking was a leading documentary cinematographer with the Commonwealth Film Unit (later Film Australia). On leaving that organization in 1988, he worked freelance and taught at a number of tertiary institutions, including the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. John’s technical expertise, as well as his knowledge of the industry and his advice on content, has been a significant contribution to the book.

Ron Johanson ACS

By 1970, at the age of 21, Ron Johanson ACS had risen through the ranks at Crawford Productions, Senior Films and the Film House in Melbourne to the position of Lighting Cameraman. In 1980, he established The Roly Poly Picture Company in Queensland, shooting and directing TVCs in Australia and overseas, along with local television series, documentaries and feature films. Ron has received numerous awards for his work in Australia and internationally. He has served as an officer of the ACS for many years, and is currently National President and a Life Member of the Society

Mylene Ludgate

Based in South Australia, Mylene Ludgate works as a freelance sound recordist on assignments in Australia and internationally. She and her husband Malcolm Ludgate ACS operate Sea Films Pty Ltd which provides the industry with a range of services. As Federal Treasurer of the ACS, Mylene oversees the financial affairs of the ACS Book Committee.

Ted Rayment ACS

Ted Rayment ACS started his career with the Australian Broadcasting Commission in Sydney in 1962, shooting news, documentaries and drama, including assignments in some of the most remote and inhospitable locations on earth. Ted has been an industry advisor, tutor, and selector for the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. An ACS committee member for over twenty years, he served as NSW Branch President from 1998 to 2003 and the Society’s Federal President from 2003 to 2008.

Heidi Tobin

Heidi Tobin’s involvement with the ACS book committee stems from her work with Miller Camera Support and on the production side of the ACS magazine Australian Cinematographer. Heidi has served as a committee member of Women in Film & Television for a number of years and is a senior advisor to the ACS National Executive.

David Wakeley ACS

David Wakeley has worked with directors from around the world on television commercials, live action for CGI & Visual Effects, documentary, action & animal cinematography – for which he has won numerous awards. He has been an active member of the ACS for many years, and is currently the Secretary of the NSW Branch of the Society as well as National Secretary. His expertise on both old and contemporary technologies has been of particular value within the book committee.

Ron Windon ACS

From 1954 to 1972, Ron Windon ACS was variously an electrician, cinematographer, stills photographer and director with Cinesound, Movetone and Eric Porters Studio. He then formed his own production company and produced about 2500 commercials in Australia, Europe and Asia, most of which he photographed as well as directed. His numerous awards for both his commercials and his cinematography include the first Australian commercial to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at New York's prestigious CLIO Awards. Over the years, Ron has been an officer of the ACS at both state and federal levels, and is presently the official ACS historian. Ron's family has worked in the Australian film industry for three generations.