Allan Collins

Director of Photography

Recent Work

Mad Bastards, Dhakiyarr vs. The King, Beneath Clouds

Allan Collins is a cinematographer; an artist who describes himself as “always learning and always checking whether that was the right way to do it”. The questions of life constantly roam free in his mind: “how does the universe work?” and “why does the sun reflect off the moon?”. It’s these existential, visually vast thoughts that become part of his artistry. Ausfilm had the opportunity to chat with Allan about life as a First Nations Director of Photography hailing from Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

WHAT INDIGENOUS NATION DO YOU COME FROM?

On my mother’s side, that’s Wulli Wulli, from Queensland. On my father’s side, that’s Arrernte, from Alice Springs.

WHAT MAKES WORKING IN AUSTRALIA UNIQUE?

We’ve got the type of locations that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. What’s special about is Australia itself… it’s our land.

If you want a city location, you’ve got your cities. If you want remote locations, you’ve got so many different places. We’ve got the snowy mountains; we’ve got temperate rainforests; we’ve got the jungles; we’ve got the deserts. We’ve got every type of location you could want.  We’ve got people here in the camera department and the grips and electric, first assistance, second assistance, costume and design, sound design, everything. There’s all your equipment. Everything that you need can be sourced in Australia.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO WORK AS A CINEMATOGRAPHER?

It wasn’t something I knew at the beginning that that’s what I wanted to do, that’s for sure. I just really enjoyed making images and learning about technology and about light. This has been right from doing photography in high school. I also did one-year full time at AFTRS and I learned a lot but often I would be in the darkroom until the school shut at midnight just trying different things. Like what if I warm the water up by a couple of degrees, what happens to the film then? or what if I put more of this chemical in?

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FIRST NATIONS & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER FILM?

Beneath Clouds. That was the first feature that I ever shot!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BEACH IN AUSTRALIA?

There are just so many good beaches. The one I’ve most visited regularly recently has been Goolwa Beach, which is just South of Adelaide, when I was living in South Australia. But now that I’m back in the NT, my favourite beach is Casuarina Beach in Darwin.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE CAFE OR RESTAURANT IN AUSTRALIA?

The Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin. It’s a really great atmosphere. There are plenty of different kinds of food options from all over the world. There are always people performing; it’s just a great vibe.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO IN AUSTRALIA?

Fishing or going for a walk. Oh, and watching sport. I like watching footy, like Aussie Rules.

DESCRIBE WORKING WITH AUSTRALIAN CREWS IN FIVE WORDS.

Well, Australian crews are awesome… They just know how to work hard and they’re reliable and talented. How do I answer that? Fun, hardworking, talented, reliable and creative.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN SLANG WORD?

Probably “gammon”, like when you’re joking about something – “you must be gammon!” It seems people often think it’s an Indigenous word, but I don’t think it is. But we all use it. I think it is actually to do with the rump of a pig. So, in other words, someone used to say “pig’s ass”. Maybe it’s generational, you don’t hear it as much anymore.


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