hear our story,
meet the team.
Formerly known as Samurai AV, Ascent Media is a film and photography company with over two decades of experience in the industry.
We work in all areas of production, managing projects from concept to delivery and have the knowledge and experience to oversee every detail to ensure quality results every time.
We are licensed and qualified to shoot from the sky and underwater. Our Remote Operators Certificate allows us to fly drones up to 25kgs and we are qualified Scuba Divers holding PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Underwater Photography certificates.
Based in Melbourne, we have an experienced team of photographers, videographers, post-production editors and sound recordists, and a full workshop of equipment to get the job done.
our story
Samurai AV was born in 2004. It started as a little side business servicing DJ equipment in Sam’s garage while he was doing his Electronics apprenticeship. Over time, it moved out of the garage and has since occupied the back of a shop, a shipping container, a massive warehouse, a home office and workshop and now an old Milk Bar converted into a beautiful work space and studio.
Over the years, we’ve done everything from event production (lighting, sound, staging, seating, marquees) to live band recording; zombie hire (that would take a whole other website to explain); running a venue with a theatre, cinema and bar; location sound recording; testing and tagging; voice over recording; video production and photography.
In 2021, during Melbourne’s sixth lockdown, we had a lot of time to ponder and decided it was time for Samurai AV to become Ascent Media. Why? Because we are centred around all things video and photography and always focused on the way up.
meet the team
Sam O’Reilly
Director
Sam is a passionate Director, Cinematographer, Photographer, Drone Pilot, Scuba Diver, Sound Recordist and Actor.
He first started in film and tv as a boom swinger on Rove McManus’s show, The Loft Live, in the late 90s. His love for the industry and the ocean really took off when he was working on a documentary on the Sea Shepherd in the waters around Antarctica, capturing content while having flash bang grenades thrown at him during a ship on ship battle with the Japanese Whalers.
Sam is a thrill-seeker and keen adventurer. In his spare time, he can be found getting out in nature hiking, scuba diving or kayaking with his wife and son.
Michael Nguyen
Technical Manager
Michael is a hands-on creator with a passion for technology and the art of making. From a young age, Michael was the kid who took everything apart just to see how it worked, a curiosity that blossomed into a career. With a solid foundation in the music industry and a degree in Sound Production from RMIT, he honed his skills amidst the vibrant scene of London as a theatre technician.
Today, Michael brings his technical expertise and innovative spirit to the dynamic world of film and TV at Ascent Media.
When the lights of the set go down, you’ll find him in his garage, tinkering with the engine of his car or fine-tuning his bicycle, always driven by the joy of fixing and improving. Michael’s journey is a testament to where dedication and a love for one’s craft can lead.
Aaron Carroll
Producer
Aaron is a seasoned Producer, Editor, and Director with a deep enthusiasm for storytelling and visual collaboration.
With 17 years of experience in the industry, he began his love of production at university, working on the Channel 31 series Darren & Brose where he learnt more than he did in the classes he was supposed to be attending.
Since then he’s had a diverse career working for some of Melbourne’s top agencies and production companies as well as making his own films which have screened internationally, winning multiple awards. Most notably, winning the first Sony Film festival in 2021 with his film While the Cat’s Away…
Aaron’s passion for filmmaking is matched only by his love for film culture; he often finds himself spending more time curating what to watch than actually watching anything.
When he’s not working on his next project, Aaron enjoys baking a mean banana bread loaf, pickling just about anything, and perfecting his nachos. He once embarrassed himself in front of an Academy Award-winning editor and even made Lady Gaga cry.
Samuel Galloway
Cinematographer, Director and Creative
Additionally, Samuel has self produced two feature films and over a dozen shorts as a writer/director. These films have gone on to screen at Oscar qualifying festivals like Raindance, Austin, and Show me Shorts. Additionally Samuel has collaborated with high end creative clients as a DOP and editor for brands like Dulux, ANZ, Bupa, Target, Bosch, and Coles.
This is the part of the bio where non film related content should go, but when he’s not working on content for clients he’s just making more videos with his kids or buddies, or by even by himself.
Justin Carrig
Cinematographer
Morgan Baker
Videographer
Morgan Baker is a Melbourne-based creative, starting his career in front of the camera as an actor over twenty years ago.
From an early age however, he always found himself more interested in what was going on behind the lens; the collaborative process and interplay of departments in getting creative works made. His many years of experience on set have given him a shorthand understanding of production on a large scale.
After obtaining a scholarship to JMC Academy and completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Television Production back in 2019, he’s since spent his time in a variety of roles. From Directing shorts, camera operating, lighting, art department, ADing, production, editing, Morgan has “All-Rounder” energy.
He also completed a Director’s Attachment on Neighbours in 2019, going through the pre-production process, Directing a couple of scenes, and spending a week in the post-production suite.
Morgan’s videography has ranged everything from narrative, live events, theatre performances, multi-cam studio productions, weddings, funerals, construction, real estate, regional football and netball broadcasting, livestreams. You name it, he’s probably shot it.
When Morgan isn’t shooting, he’s spit-balling script ideas with collaborators, cooking chicken and leek pie (it’s a Baker thing) or just watching movies from the comfort of his Garfield themed reclining chair (it’s a real chair – ask him about it).
Dan Murphy
I have worked as a video producer in education, government, television and as a freelancer for almost two decades.
In the education sector, I worked for RMIT University for five years, producing a variety of content for their central marketing and communications team.
As a freelancer, I have produced content for several other universities, including Deakin, Swinburne, Adelaide and Melbourne.
In television, I have worked as a director, producer, editor and camera operator for multiple productions, with programs I worked on airing on ABC, SBS, Ten and Foxtel.
In government, I worked as a video producer at the Bureau of Meteorology for two years, producing videos that communicated complex scientific ideas to a broad audience. I also helped build their in-house production capabilities, by designing updated studio facilities and training operational staff to become video presenters.
As a freelancer, I regularly produce content for local, state and federal government departments, and for the last three years I have been the technical producer and director for the live streaming component of the Australian of the Year awards, streaming to YouTube and ABC iView.
I am married, have two lovely kids, and a dog and a cat. I like riding bikes and travelling.
Who we work with
Ascent Media takes to underwater work like a shark to surfers. Their gear works extremely well and comes with all the bells and whistles you need for a navy seal operation. The ability to communicate from above to below surface adds extra control and reduces time splashing around in the shallow end.
Cesar Salmeron - Director
Considerate, constructive and responsive from start to finish. The team at Ascent Media instinctively understood the message I was hoping to convey, used their top-quality equipment and skills to quickly deliver a beautiful punchy video. I highly recommend Ascent Media for all your production needs - prepare to be impressed.
Katherine Copsey - The Greens
We have engaged Ascent Media to work on a number of projects for AusNet Services. This included; drone photography and videography, film editing, professional portrait photography, and much more. Without exception I have found all facets of their service to be of the absolute highest quality.
Rob Asselman - Ausnet
