S02 E05 - John Platt

Today we warmly welcome John Platt into the pod suite, who made it all the way from Sydney! 

Leaving High School in the late 1970’s John worked as a still photographer’s assistant before discovering the film industry in the early 1980’s. Believing he’d left photography behind, he embraced the world of film and gravitated toward the camera department, becoming a Clapper-loader (2nd AC). In mid 1986 he was given the opportunity to pull focus on his first feature film, 'The Tale of Ruby Rose’. For the following twelve years John worked as a Focus Puller (1st AC). 

With the arrival of his first son in 1989, John rediscovered his love of photography and began what would eventually become a 40-year project. The recording of his crew mates on location. In 2014 after ten years as a Camera Operator, John moved into Unit Still Photography coming full circle and combining his two great passions, Still Photography and recording the crews he works with.

Today we talk with John about his career in moving image, his return to stills photography and his first book ‘Observations On Set 1983-2005’ which is available now and will be followed by volume two, ‘Observations On Set 2005-2024' in late 2025.

• “The key to longevity in the industry is keep relative, keep your work to a high standard and keep connected”

Unit Stills website: https://johnplatt.com.au

Book Website: https://observationsonset.com

Instagram: @johnplattphotos

Thanks as always to our amazing sponsors Nikon Australia, Ted’s Cameras, Collarts and A&L Artistic Framers. We couldn't do this without your support so thank you so much once again.

Profile image by Mike Steel