Anifex

03/08/2026

Still shooting the second to last shot of the short film "Charlie." I've taken a coule of pics to put things in some sort of perspective. The first shows the pages of logging that I have left to go. Each page represents four seconds of action.
The second photo shows what I have shot so far. The stack of logging charts was extremely intimidating when I first started this project, but now, finally, the end is in sight!

28/07/2026

Author: Michael Cusack

Well, after a long lay off while we did our Intensive character and set building course for Adelaide University, I am back shooting again. We only have two shots to go and this is the first of them. It will take a while to get though!

It's good to get back in the saddle!

27/07/2026

Author: Michael Cusack.

Note to self.....

Don't leave your phone unattended when doing the "Characters, Scenes and Props" Intensive course at Adelaide University....

23/07/2026

From the Anifex site:

Author: Michael Cusack

Last Friday was the last day of our two week intensive course for Adelaide University. The course covers basic storytelling, character and set design, simple armature construction, character and set builds together with a lighting for film element.
Once again, we had some fantastic work and the students seemed to get a lot out of it and more importantly, enjoyment. I am a great believer in the idea that we learn the most when we are engaged and happy, so we have tried to set the course up that way.

It's also great to take these students out of their comfort zone and get them physically constructing things and getting their hands dirty... and also the realisation that there sometimes isn't a "delete" button to get you out of trouble!
We all had a great time and some of the students were kind enough to give us donuts on the last day to say thank you. Quite a few stated that it was one of the best things that they had done at the uni. which was very humbling and very good of them.
Looking forward to next year!

Below is a photo taken on the last day of the Anifex crew and Van as a special guest. Van used to work with us many years ago and dropped by to see what we were up to.

Back Row from left to right:
Richard Chataway, JoAnne Bouzianis -Sellick, Dazz Partington.
Front Row from left to right:
Van (Andrew Crouch) and Michael Cusack

23/07/2026

Author: Michael Cusack

Last Friday was the last day of our two week intensive course for Adelaide University. The course covers basic storytelling, character and set design, simple armature construction, character and set builds together with a lighting for film element.
Once again, we had some fantastic work and the students seemed to get a lot out of it and more importantly, enjoyment. I am a great believer in the idea that we learn the most when we are engaged and happy, so we have tried to set the course up that way.

It's also great to take these students out of their comfort zone and get them physically constructing things and getting their hands dirty... and also the realisation that there sometimes isn't a "delete" button to get you out of trouble!
We all had a great time and some of the students were kind enough to give us donuts on the last day to say thank you. Quite a few stated that it was one of the best things that they had done at the uni. which was very humbling and very good of them.
Looking forward to next year!

Below is a photo taken on the last day of the Anifex crew and Van as a special guest. Van used to work with us many years ago and dropped by to see what we were up to.

Back Row from left to right:
Richard Chataway, JoAnne Bouzianis -Sellick, Dazz Partington.
Front Row from left to right:
Van (Andrew Crouch) and Michael Cusack

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

Congratulations to Richard Chataway ACS on receiving his ACS Lifetime Achievement Award. As one of Australia's most awarded specialist cinematographers this award is well and truly deserved.
Here are two photos of Richard receiving his Life Membership from Brent Crockett ACS, national president of the ACS, and saying a few words in response.
Congratulations again.

13/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GkZFNY4Kt/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/07/2026

Author: Michael Cusack

Time for a catch up. I am now only two shots away from finishing the principal cinematography on my latest animated short film, "Charlie."
It's stop motion, so it will still be a while before it is completed. Then it's on to the editing and sound and music, so we're a while off yet. It wasn't helped by the fact that we had a couple of camera issues which meant that we couldn't shoot when we wanted to. We were hoping to get the film shot before we started our next intensive Uni. course, but as that happens next week, we will have to shelve that idea and wait until we finish the course. The camera is now behaving itself so we should just be able to start after the course. We have already set the shot, so we should be able to walk in and pretty much start straight away.
This is also the first course we have run since the amalgamation of the two universities (UniSA and The University of Adelaide combined to become Adelaide University.)
We're looking forward to encouraging the students to leave their tablets behind and get their hands dirty with paint and clay! Should be a blast. We have had excellent responses from the courses we ran in the past.

Photos: Pics from previous courses.
Just a quick note: The "woolen" Teddy Bear was made from modelling clay not wool. Amazing stuff.

03/05/2026

Author: Michael Cusack:

Congratulations to Richard Chataway ACS who last night became a Life Member of the Australian Cinematographers Society. Wonderful recognition for all of his outstanding achievements in the film industry. Thoroughly deserved!
On a more personal note, Richard and I have been business partners for around five decades (doesn't sound as bad as fifty years!) and in that time he has produced all of our short films and has been the cinematographer on the majority of them.
His is a remarkable talent and this recognition is so well earned. Richard is currently shooting our latest stop motion short film "Charlie" and is bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to that project.
Congratulations to him again.