Director/Writer/Co-editor
Ex-photojournalist Mandy Lake came home to roost (roast?) in the glorious world of filmmaking in 2004 when she co-established Flickchicks film production house with producer Margie Brown.
Since then, Mandy has directed, written and edited dozens of documentary-style films for government and corporate clients including, Sudden Impact and Second Chance for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Walk in My Shoes (a federally-funded doco about bullying which is now touring Australian schools), Through Our Eyes (for Guide Dogs Queensland), and an Australian Story-style series of docos for the Queensland Government about the impacts of workplace injuries.
Outside of the government/corporate realm, Mandy has directed several short films including the documentary A Fowl Fairytale which proved to be popular on the festival circuit and was a finalist in the documentary and comedy categories at the Heart of Gold International Film Festival.
Producer
Following illustrious careers as a Zambesi river guide, moth breeder and journalist (she also authored the well-received Careers That Started in Science book), Margie Brown turned to producing in 2004 after co- hatching film production house Flickchicks with director Mandy Lake.
She has since produced dozens of documentary-style films for government and corporate clients across Australia, as well as festival favourite A Fowl Fairytale, a short documentary which was a finalist in the documentary and comedy categories at the Heart of Gold International Film Festival and invited to screen at various festivals across the country.
Director of Photography
David Russell is an award-winning lighting camera operator with more than 25 years experience in the industry, shooting features, documentaries, TVCs and corporates.
He graduated from the Queensland College of Art as Student of the Year in 1984 and has since received 14 A.C.S. awards including the Gold Award 2005 for TVC production and the Silver Award 2008 for TV promos.
He began his career in Victoria at what is now WIN TV, as a camera operator, editor and lighting specialist on television commercials, current affair shows and kids' morning programs. Not afraid to get in front of the camera, he occasionally appeared as Skelator from Masters of the Universe: "Those were the days in regional TV where you'd jump off camera, put on a costume, perform and then get back on camera!"
Never one to sit around or miss an opportunity, David began shooting documentaries on his weekends and considered these the "fun projects" to do after hours. In 1997, David picked up his sticks and launched his freelance-camera-operator business, Light Force Productions, across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
A highlight of his career has been his position as camera supervisor/camera operator from 2001 – 2008 on Network Ten's Big Brother. He was in charge of camera coverage and managing all camera crews within this role. David also worked on the reality series I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and was DOP on the feature film Shadows of the Past.
