Putting the Spotlight team under the spotlight
Hello.
We are Spotlight Productions. A team of experienced film makers ready to create the best possible result for your business.
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John Leonard
Managing Director
Founder and Managing Director, John has over 15 years corporate management experience and a passion for video production and story telling. With these two essential ingredients, he has created a corporate video production company that has a core strength of understanding the needs of business and translating these needs to successful video production outcomes. He studied Film and Television at the VCA and also has a BSc Hons degree in Real Estate Management.
Favourite Movie
Biggest Little Farm - Documentary
Favourite Drink
any aged shiraz from the Barossa Valley!
Favourite Meal
a light salad followed by aged wagyu steak!
Favourite Saying
"KBO" - Winston Churchill
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Martyn Taylor
Cinematographer
Over the past 20 years, Martyn has developed a well-rounded skill set as a Cinematographer and Camera Operator. From feature films, reality TV and documentaries to advertising, corporate videos and events, he has a flexible and efficient approach whether working as part of a larger crew or a crew of one.
“I see my role as equal parts creative and technical, with each informing and influencing the other, in order to articulate the story in the most creative and entertaining way.”
Favourite Movie
too hard to choose just one, would you accept top 5 personal favourites? Casino, 25th Hour, Jackie Brown, Broadway Danny Rose, Suture
Favourite Drink
Mojito
Favourite Meal
My girlfriend’s spinach and feta salad
Favourite Saying
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" Seneca
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Tristan Baker
Producer
Tristan has been working in video and film production for over 15 years, and in that time has developed and honed skills in editing, directing, sound and cinematography.
With a strong background in the arts and Honours in a Bachelor of Arts, Tristan brings a fresh and vibrant energy to all the projects he is involved in, constantly striving to bring out the best in the content and team, while utilising cutting edge equipment to best capture the clients vision. Working exclusively in the field of cinematography for the last 5 years, Tristan approaches each project with enthusiasm and energy that aims to not only meet but also exceed expectation.
Favourite Movie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind
Favourite Drink
Chocolate Milkshake
Favourite Meal
Pizza
Favourite Saying
That was great, let's do one more take!
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Matthew Canham
Motion Graphics Designer
Matt’s a Motion Graphics Designer. After Effects is his core skill, with some favourite ingredients such as the Trapcode suite – especially Particular & Form, also in the mix is Rowbytes’s Plexus as well as some Element 3D. Matt also likes to dabble in Photoshop, Illustrator & Cinema 4D. He also enjoys a cheeky beer after work everyday of the week. Having a dreamy imagination and an obsessive attention to detail – he loves to get his hands dirty on a creative project.
Favourite Movie
Lord of the Rings – the trilogy
Favourite Drink
CC and dry
Favourite Meal
An Aussie Parma
Favourite Saying
"Yaaaas"
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Phil Ore
Creative Consultant
Phil is a strategist with expertise in brand, marketing, and customer experience. He has over 15 years corporate and branding experience. Phil has been fortunate to have a wide range of roles working for, and alongside, some of the world’s largest corporations and brands in over 25 countries. He has worked with major corporations including Optus, Vodafone, ANZ, Australia Post, NBN Co, Danone, Coles, Bunnings and City of Melbourne. Phil’s expertise covers Strategic Thinking, Customer Experience, Brand, Inbound Marketing, Sales, Technology and Product Development. He is working at Spotlight Productions in concept development and ideation, storyboarding and creative direction.
Favourite Movie
YES man
Favourite Drink
Vanilla Shake from Soda Rock Cafe
Favourite Meal
Eye Fillet Steak and Garlic Mash
Favourite Saying
All storms pass
I have had the great fortune of working with John on a number of Video productions. John is diligent, professional and a delight to work with. He is able to make the person in front of the camera feel relaxed and captures them at their best. He has a great eye for detail and layout and creates visually attractive pieces. John represents great value and a brilliant opportunity to put your business in the spotlight using Video to share your story with the world. I cannot commend him highly enough.
David Markus, Combo
I love working with John because he understands the needs of B2B marketing. Now that videos are such an important part of the B2B mix and an essential component of content marketing and branding, it has been great to find someone who meets not only meets our needs for developing persuasive videos, but is also highly professional in dealing with our clients. Well prepared, well equipped and always ready with suggestions for improving the end result!
Caroline Leslie, Green Hat Agency
I have used John on several occasions now for video producing and editing for our corporate clients. He has shown great people skills, camera skills and has been innovative with the techniques he could offer the company. I highly recommend John and his company for any video productions.
Arnaud Astruc, HealthWallace
We’ve hired John for a number of productions over the past three years and we’ve always found the process simple, straightforward and practical. His straight shooting no nonsense approach mens we have a great understanding of how to get our ideas to the final product. From assisting us with scripts, strong direction to delivering a beautiful end product, John and the team at spotlight deliver. Thanks again for all your work and going above and beyond our expectations.
Mike Stasiuk, Entrepreneur
I have used John for several show videos in 2013, and will continue to do so. We have had great feedback from both visitors and exhibitors on the quality of the videos, and I am very impressed with the turnaround time and professionalism John shows.
Sally Cutler, Informa exhibitions
John worked as the video producer for CIPSA for several years whilst I was MD. He was diligent, fastidious and great value for money. More importantly, he always produced the result. John is a talented editor and understands how to achieve commercial objectives through creativity.
Jonathan Dutton, CIPS Australasia
Diligent, hard-working and always able to produce the desired result, John is a talented professional who understands how to maximise the power of video in order to achieve commercial objectives. I highly recommend him, and his extended team, to anyone wanting to build videos that hit the mark every time.
Andrew Swan, Math marketing
John is not just a video producer in a technical sense. He takes the time to immerse himself in the contextual aesthetics, so that he is then in a well-qualified position to present – through his lens and moderated by his heart – the narrative, both technically and emotionally. He is an artistic director. One who possesses excellent audio visual technical skills. He is an accomplished communicator, very personable, and absolutely punctilious in his approach to his work.
Christos Iliopoulos, Freedom Housing Pty Ltd / Philosophical Therapist
We keep throwing vague and challenging briefs at John and he keeps coming back with amazing work. His ability to grasp what we are trying to achieve and to deliver to it is the reason we love working with him. Thanks John!
Garreth Chandler, Partner at Twist of Lime/ Owner Evolve Research
I have to thank John for understanding the magic of this art-form, for his passion to getting it just right and most importantly thank him for understanding my audience, my target market. John, his team and his methods are set up intuitively for client success. I felt completely comfortable throughout the whole process. This made the project easy to produce and most importantly also carry a phenomenal investment rate of return. Thank you John!