Anxiety is the most common group of mental disorders experienced by Australians aged 16 to 85, according to the latest ABS figures.i Could psychedelic assisted therapy hold the answer to our mental illness epidemic? This is the question explored in Psychedelics: Stepping into the Unknown – the thrilling final instalment in the third season of Australia Uncovered.

As the head of Australia’s first clinical psychedelic laboratory, Dr Paul Liknaitzky is fast emerging as a leader in this ground-breaking area of research. In a world first, Dr Liknaitzky and his team at Monash University trial the use of psilocybin (the active ingredient found in ‘magic mushrooms’) in psychedelic assisted therapy to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). For two years, Psychedelics: Stepping into the Unknown is granted exclusive access to what unfolds.

We meet the participants before their treatment begins and witness their daily struggles living with anxiety. We follow them through treatment, including extraordinary psychedelic dosing sessions, and intense and intimate therapy. Their experiences are raw, courageous, and life changing.

After two eventful years, the trial concludes, and the brave participants reflect on the impact it has had on their lives. For Dr Liknaitzky, the Monash team and the many Australians seeking relief from their mental health struggles, the future of psychedelic therapy is only just beginning.

I was lucky to spend some time with Robbie Maddison early in 2016, a few months after he'd completed the game changing video "Pipe-Dream."  Robbie was taking some time out between shoots for a new Vin Diesel movie, and graciously took us into his home to share his everyday life.

Two of the key clients I've worked for as part of my role with Hotglue is Holden Special Vehicles, and the closely linked Holden Racing team.  Both clients require a range of video content - from fast produced social media edits to longer more detailed productions including the full creation of TV shows from the concept through to delivery.  Here's a small sample of the work from the last 2 years.  

During Easter in 2014 I was lucky enough to spend a few days at the Rip Curl pro with Joel Parkinson, filming a piece for the car company HSV.  The shoot was jammed in the middle of competition which was a big challenge, but Joel was kind enough to allow us a great insight into a life it's easy to envy.  This is the first in a series of 4 to come between 2014-2015.

The first campaign I did for the TAC was around motorcycle safety working with the agency Isobar.  We selected two everyday stories to illuminate a variety of safety messages, and capture a diverse range of online audiences.  

After getting to know the Nike team on the 2015 Tech Pack campaign, I was engaged by the sportswear division to put together a range of photoshoots for Air Max day 2016.  My job was to fulfil  the role of an agency in concepting, preparing and producing the shoots in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sydney.   I decided to engage the talented Andrew Diprose to shoot the content, and we travelled through the east coast to cover two executions.  Firstly the traditional Air Max shoe hold shot featuring AFL stars Gary Ablett and Patrick Dangerfield, NRL star Michel Jennings, and ultra marathon runner Bec Wilcock.  Secondly to an extended photo series and written article featuring Bec Wilcock for the digital magazine Limit'd created by Hype DC.

In the field of branded content, Redbull has to be one of the most exciting brands to work for -  their commitment to making extreme sports videos has grown a content empire which is fast overtaking their original energy drink product.  In early 2013 I presented concepts for two rider profiles to the Redbull team with the agency Hotglue, and luckily we got the all clear to put them into production later in the year. This is the first video, with two time Snowboard Cross World Champion Alex Pullin.

In 2017 TAC wanted to create a handful of content stories to launch at the Cadel Evans Road race.  Matt Keenan and Peta Mullens came on board to offer their experience and enthusiasm, as well as some detailed safety tips for a variety of riding situations.   

In the field of branded content, Redbull has to be one of the most exciting brands to work for -  their commitment to making extreme sports videos has grown a content empire which is fast overtaking their original energy drink product.  In early 2013 I presented concepts for two rider profiles to the Redbull team with the agency Hotglue, and luckily we got the all clear to put them into production later in the year. This is the second video with the 19 year old snowboarder Scotty James, who's set for a big few years after stepping up onto the professional circuit.  

The second campaign I did for the TAC was designed to launch at the 2016 MotoGP in Philip Island.  We spent time with a handful of motogp legends to discuss their careers, their passion, and of course a few safety tips allow the way.  

I was thrilled to get the call from my good friend director Naina Sen to shoot this SBS Food series in Darwin in 2019. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Darwin’s vibrant food community each day, particularly the main man Jimmy Shu, the gentle, humble and (and hilarious) host with the most. Premieres on SBS Food at 8:30pm Thursday, April 23rd 2020

The culture of tribal fighting has long been present in the Papua New Guinea highlands, a bizarre obsession in an area of such beautiful landscapes and equally beautiful people. A simplistic mentality for revenge often drags out conflict for years and generations, as the logic of peace is overlooked in favour of instability.

After spending almost a month in the Northern Territory travelling with a friend, we found the conditions for indigenous communities particularly hard to comprehend, and even harder to justify. Homes have been displaced, a sense of purpose lost, and a culture that has been strong for over 40,000 years suddenly looks beyond repair, after just a few centuries of western influence.

Rabaul was once the most beautiful town in all of PNG. Settled around the profitable Simpson harbour, the town enjoyed all the relaxed qualities of PNG island life, with a stable economical base from harbour trade. 

After working with the Sideshow Alley crew for the last few years led by my good friends Ty Johnson & Dave Budge, an opportunity came up to film an episode while Mumford & Sons were touring Australia.  It had to be rapidly pulled together in a day and the weather didn't do us any favours, but we were wrapped to get an episode away with one the world's biggest bands at the time.  For more Sideshow episodes check out the website at www.sideshowalley.tv

Early in 2016 I got a call from an old friend Dan Holland who was working as the Bendigo Bank Creative Hub manager and had written a TV script with a rapidly approaching deadline. It was the first time I’d worked on a script pre-written by an internal creative division, which turned out to be a hugely positive experience. It ensured everyone was on the same page from day one, and I was free to put all my attention on the storytelling and visuals - the first task being to concept up a handful of "regret" scenarios.  

After a great experience working on the ‘No Regrets’ Bendigo Bank campaign, it was time for a different approach in 2017.  This time we wanted to really show the broader point of difference of Bendigo Bank, in particular the enormous contributions that go towards projects around each bank.  So we called on the beneficiaries to come forward with a bit of a surprise for customers.  Yes it was terrifying to shoot. 

After spending almost a month in the Northern Territory travelling with a friend, we found the conditions for indigenous communities particularly hard to comprehend, and even harder to justify. Homes have been displaced, a sense of purpose lost, and a culture that has been strong for over 40,000 years suddenly looks beyond repair, after just a few centuries of western influence.

I’m freelance creative working out of Melbourne. I feed off a balance of commercial work and development / social justice projects, with a goal to use my trade to push brave positive ideas across any medium. I've spent most of my recent years working as a creative director / film-maker / creative producer. Anything from coming up with large scale film ideas for Red Bull, to travelling solo with a camera kit. I've worked on documentaries, ad campaigns, online videos, projection installations, print design and motion graphics. I also made a wooden bookshelf the other week and it's mostly straight, but given how long it took I’d suggest only getting in touch if you need the other things.