COMPANY DIRECTOR – GARY DOUST

Gary began his career in the film and television industry working as assistant editor on the popular TV show BEYOND 2000, before moving on cut his teeth directing conference launch videos for really cool products such as Rectinol and Zithromax (for chlamydia).

In 1999, Gary directed PARKING PATROL OFFICER 808; a short documentary that revealed the conflict between a Sydney parking cop and illegally parked motorists.

In early 2002, Gary directed the TROPFEST finalist, MURBAH SWAMP BEER; another short documentary that captured the spirit of one small Australian town when a truckload of beer crashed into a river, just before Easter time.

Later in 2002 Gary directed his first long form film MAKING VENUS, an observational documentary five years in the making, that follows the epic journey of two young film producers, as they make their first low-budget feature.

Gary recently directed BATTLE OF THE BRAINS, a 4 part observational documentary series for ABC TELEVISION, which followed the highs and lows of 24 of Australia's brainiest Biology Students, as they competed for one of 4 places to represent Australia at the International Science Olympics in Beijing.

In January this year Gary completed GREAT WHITE HUNTERS, a short doco about three fishing buddies who discover Great White sharks living off their local surf beach. The film was a finalist in TROPFEST, winning both the ‘Best Comedy’ and ‘Third Place’ awards.

Gary is currently working on a documentary project EMBEDDED for SBS, and has several documentary projects in development.

Contact Gary: gary@popcorntaxi.com.au

CREATIVE DIRECTOR – CHRIS MURRAY

Formerly the Managing Editor for Australian Playboy; Chris launched and edited the internationally respected movie magazine, Empire, for Emap Australia which went on to win the prestigious MPA Award for Launch of the Year (2002).

During this period, Chris began his own regular slot on Channel 7’s Sunriseas their weekly music/film reporter. Chris’s other media outlets for film and music reporting/reviewing include weekly segments on Austereo’s Triple M network, as well as 5AA in Adelaide. For the past decade, Chris’s work has also been published internationally in Empire, FHM, Smash Hits, Kerrang!, and the music Street Press nationally; as well as editing the Australian Film Institute’s 2003 Yearbook. Chris has since appeared on Showtime, The Movie Network, FOX News USA, Radio National and assorted broadcast media as a film reviewer and commentator.

Chris was a co-producer on the guerrilla feature film Fink! where he met Peter Taylor and recently wrote, developed and co-produced the TV series Erotic Star seen on Foxtel’s Arena channel in March, and aired in the UK in 2006. During this time Chris formed Neon Pictures with producing partner Peter Taylor; and they are currently in development on numerous feature film and TV projects.

Chris also teamed up with animator Dan Creighton and won the NSW FTO Young Filmmakers grant and is currently producing an eclectic animated short entitled Dog.

Contact Chris: chris@popcorntaxi.com.au

GENERAL MANAGER – PETER TAYLOR

Peter is a nationally recognised authority on sales, marketing, distribution and exhibition in Australia and the UK. Peter started his career for Twentieth Century Fox in the UK, eventually being responsible for the development of national sales and marketing campaigns for films such as Braveheart, The Full Monty and the re-release of the Star Wars Trilogy.

In 1998, he moved to Australia and became Head of Local Distribution for Beyond Films, before orchestrating the unique distribution, sales and marketing initiatives for G.O. Films. Working closely with writer/director Nick Giannopoulous on The Wog Boy, Peter’s involvement ensured the film went on to break several Australian box office records.

Peter’s other film distribution campaign contributions in both Australia and the UK include feature films such as The Commitments, Independence Day, Austin Powers, Alien 3, In The Company of Men and Lolita to name a few.

Peter has since set up IndeGo Films; an International Sales Agent based in Sydney. Peter was the Co-Executive Producer on Matthew Newton’s directorial debut Right Here Right Now and is Executive Producer on a short animated film called Dog (in production). He was also the producer on a guerrilla film production called Fink! staring Sam Worthington and Steve Bastoni. This is where he met Chris Murray.

Peter has since produced the UK/Australia TV reality series Erotic Star for Jackal Entertainment alongside Chris Murray where the idea to start Neon Pictures originated; and the duo are currently in development on numerous feature film and TV projects.

Contact Peter: peter@popcorntaxi.com.au

ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT – DIANA SPARKE

After graduating from Bond University with a double degree in Film and IT, Diana was eager to put her producing-focused studies to practice as a production attachment on the Aussie film Under the Radar. Immediately following, she was asked to produce the short film Disturb, part of the QPIX White Heat Initiative. Diana continued to work on several low-budget projects on the Gold Coast in various producing roles until the opportunity arose to work on the feature film Fink! in Sydney as a line producer.

Diana has continued to work with Peter and Chris as a core part of the Neon Pictures team. Most recently, she was the production manager on the TV series Erotic Star.

Contact Diana: diana@popcorntaxi.com.au