In the belly of The Cyclops

Having shot thousands of kilometres of film, Ogden’s his first love remains analogue, but he was also an early adaptor to high-end digital technology and the rapidly changing digital tools available to create beautiful pictures. He is not restrained when choosing the appropriate medium for a project.

Ogden’s background as a photo-journalist was early schooling in how to tell a story effectively. He built this experience with an English degree majoring in film history and theory. With 30 years in the industry, Ogden has been fortunate to develop his personal style based on elements from each genre. "Documentaries showed me how to work with available light and how to light naturalistically. It also taught me how real people behave in a variety of situations. Drama provided an opportunity on how to develop the story succinctly using lighting appropriate to the mood, and camera moves to best reveal the emotions behind the story. MTV taught innovation, and along with commercials, showed the value of arresting and memorable imagery. Commercials also taught the most effective communication of a message in a short time, and an awareness for the creative opportunities offered in post-production."

The 21st century audience has been completely swamped with imagery. A director or DOP can never become blasé about technique and technical developments, but "the never ending search for the next new thing should not get in the way of a story well told."

STYLES + GENRE'S

Experienced in comedy, rom-com, action + suspense; car and motorbike; hair and make-up; food and beverage; kids & animals; stop motion & motion control; underwater photography.

TVC'S

Clients include Mercedes, Peugot, Citroen, Toyota, Mitsubishi, GMH, Daewoo, Hyundai, Ford, Coca Cola, McDonalds, KFC, EPA, Telstra, Optus, Korea Telecom, Hewlett Packard, Westpac, ANZ, Asahi, CUB, Lion Nathan and Unilever.

DRAMA

High Rollers (2018) DOP for rom-com feature film for the Chinese market. Due to be released in 2019.

House of Sticks (2011) written, directed and shot by John Ogden.
House of Sticks premiered at Academy Accredited short film competition Flickerfest in January 2012. Since then it has appeared in several festivals including a screening at Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the 2012 Hollyshorts Film Festival.

Night Train (2006) D.O.P. Short film. Director: James Rabbitts

Bad Boy Bubby (1993) Directed by Rolf de Heer. Invited DOP 

Mission Impossible (1988 - 89) DOP 2nd unit special effects: miniatures, glass mattes, stunts, pyrotechnics, aerials, motion control and multi-camera drama

As Time Goes By (1987) DOP Feature length science fiction comedy with Max Gillies, Bruno Lawrence and Ray Barrett. Director: Barry Peak. Producer: Chris Keily

DOCUMENTARY

A wide variety of documentary experience in diverse locations including Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, The Himalayas, Greece, Turkey, London, New York, Indonesia, Hawaii and the Northern Territory.

Most recent documentary Sea of Darkness (2009) directed by Michael Oblowitz. This gritty, underground view of surfing in the 1970s took out the New York Surf film Festival and was winner of best documentary at X-Dance, as part of the Sundance Film Festival.

MUSIC VIDEO

DOP on over 50 music videos including Prince, INXS with Michael Hutchence, Tina Arena, The Church, John Farnham, Kate Ceberano, Jenny Morris, Jimmy Barnes and Split Enz.

UNDERWATER

Certified Open Water Diver (PADI); NSW Boat Driver's Licence, Bronze Medallion (Swimming and Lifesaving); experience in underwater photography with documentaries, drama and commercials, surfing, sailing and windsurfing water camera experience in Australia, Hawaii and Indonesia.

OTHER WORK

OGDEN’S visual skills are not limited to cinematography. He is a well known photographer and has dabbled in painting. Although his 2007 portrait of Madam Lash dipped out on the Archibalds, it did win the Refusé exhibition that year. His stills work has been published and exhibited around the world and in 2008 he was honoured with a major show at the Kluge-Ruhe gallery in Virginia, USA. John Ogden has written and published several award-winning books, including fiction and non-fiction.