Meet Morgan Hunwicks, the new Senior Lighting Manager at Disney Lighting Australia. With an impressive career spanning over two decades in the film industry, Morgan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role. Having joined Disney Lighting in November 2022, Morgan is poised to lead the team in providing exceptional lighting equipment and services to productions across Australia and beyond.

Disney Lighting boasts an extensive inventory of over 90,000 pieces, offering a comprehensive range of lighting equipment and truck packages to cater to diverse production types. Get to know more about Morgan and Disney Lighting Australia’s offerings in this bright Q&A.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came into your position as Senior Manager, Lighting at Disney Studios Australia?

I started my career in film in 1998 in Toronto, Canada. My first job was sweeping the floors and breaking up old sets and disposing of them. I then moved on to various production roles over the next nine years before relocating to Australia. While I was settling into life in a new country, I freelanced until I joined the team at Fox Studios Australia in 2009.  I spent nearly 6 years at Fox, first as the Production Coordinator and then later as Production Manager. In 2015, I relocated to China where I was part of a team that built a new film studio from the ground up. I returned to Australia in 2017, working in some freelance film roles before finally accepting the job at Disney Lighting (formerly Fox Lighting).  

As a new team member at Disney Lighting, what are some of the key things you’re looking forward to in your new role?

I am a hands-on, tactile person, so I am looking forward to getting my hands on the equipment and learning how things go together. I have spent a lot of time on set and in production, but not a lot of time with the technical departments. There is a lot for me to learn, but I’m looking forward to bringing my knowledge and skillset to the team to help drive the business forward! 

What do you enjoy most about working in the lighting equipment industry, and what keeps you passionate about your work?

I enjoy the new challenges that we face each day.  Every production has a different set of requirements, and it is up to us to fulfil their needs. I am also looking forward to seeing the end product.  Disney Lighting has supplied to a number of productions since I started and I am very much looking forward to seeing the results on the screen. But what I really enjoy is the fast-paced, ever-changing working environment, that keeps me motivated.

What do you think sets Disney Lighting apart from other lighting equipment suppliers in the industry?

“First and foremost is the team, between the two branches (Sydney and the Gold Coast), there is a combined total of almost 130 years of experience! It’s hard to think of a scenario we collectively haven’t tackled before.
Second to the team is the equipment, Disney Lighting offers a wide array of products ranging from old-style tungsten lights to HMIs to newer LED technology such as ARRI Skypanels, Titan tubes, and Cream Source Vortex 8s.”

We provide all of the distribution boards and cabling required to power these lights. Disney Lighting also does all repairs in-house resulting in quick repair turnarounds that keep our gear working with little to no downtime.

Can Disney Lighting provide customised lighting solutions for specific client needs?

Absolutely. Everything from a small TVC and events, all the way up to a tentpole feature, we’ve got you covered.  

How does Disney Lighting stay up to date with the latest lighting technology and trends? 

It’s a combination of things, we will often have suppliers come into the warehouse to demo new gear for the team. This is important because it allows us to see the light working and the team can test out the functionality. In addition to that, we are always doing research about new and upcoming products in the market.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work, and how do you balance your personal and professional life?

As parents of two, my wife and I are pretty busy ferrying the boys to and from their various activities. I enjoy cooking and we are a family of ‘foodies’ so I get to experiment with many different flavours. I also like to listen to and play music, so when I get some spare time, I am usually tinkering away on my guitar or listening to music. To keep fit, I play in an ice hockey league on the weekends which is a lot of fun. 

What are some of your favourite places to travel to and why?

My favourite place to travel to now is back home to Toronto. It is always great to catch up with family and friends. We recently returned from a trip to Seoul which is an amazing city. So many great neighbourhoods to explore and amazing food to eat! Montreal and London would also rank high on my list of places to return to.

Can you tell us about a person who has inspired you in your work and how they have influenced you?

I have been lucky to work with so many great people over the years, so it is hard to single out one person. When I first started in production, I worked with a Coordinator named Amanda Coles, she took me under her wing and taught me everything about how the production office worked. Over the next few years, we worked together on a number of TV series and feature films, and she made sure on each one, I was given a new task to help grow my skillset. Here in Australia, both Nancy Romano and Sam Pantos were incredibly helpful to me. 

First Sam hired me in 2009 to work with him as the Production Coordinator of Fox Studios. Sam helped me understand the business side of the studio. Nancy was always very supportive, providing me with opportunities to expand my skills, which has helped advance my career here in Australia and in China.

Can you talk a bit about how clients can get in touch with Disney Lighting and what they can expect when working with your team?

“When you are working with the Disney Lighting team, you are working with the best. We’re conveniently located on the Lot in Sydney at Disney Studios Australia and at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.”

You can expect quality customer service and competitive rates.  

Reach out to Disney Lighting Australia:
Client Contact, Helen Baruch: [email protected] 
Senior Lighting Manager, Morgan Hunwicks: [email protected]