'Cracks' (Best Short Film)
A post-apocalyptic short JLM Studios wrote, shot and finished in Adelaide, screened at 90+ festivals and recognised at the Septimius Awards.
Short Film & Documentary · Adelaide
Film that earnsits place on screen
Your story deserves a filmmaker who has already carried one to the world stage. JLM Studios is led by Jason Mildwaters, an Adelaide documentary filmmaker and Director of Photography whose narrative work has been recognised across international film festivals. You bring the story. We shoot it with the craft and calm that 25+ years behind the lens brings.
4.9Google ratingAdelaide · since 2008
An award record you can point to
Best Director of Photography for the feature documentary 'I Am Markita', and Best Short Film for 'Cracks', judged against films from around the world.
A Director of Photography
Not a camera operator. Every choice of lens, light, movement and grade is made in service of the story you are telling.
Festival-standard craft
'Cracks' screened at 90+ film festivals worldwide. Shot and coloured in-house on cinema glass by the same DOP who would be on your project.
You deal with Jason
Jason directs the photography personally, bringing in a trusted crew for larger shoots. Not a production desk.
Get a fast quote
Tell us what you are making, roughly when you need it, and what you are working with. Jason will come back with ideas and clear pricing.
International festival nominations
Festivals screened ('Cracks')
Behind the lens
Showreel
The work: trailers and films
The fastest way to judge a filmmaker is to watch the work. Tap any still to play.
What you get
The awarded work
A body of narrative and documentary work that festival juries have judged against the best in the world and singled out.
'I Am Markita' (feature doc)
A feature-length documentary and musical that earned Jason the Best Director of Photography award, made with Gee You! Films.
Feature-film eye
The patience to follow a real story wherever it goes, and the discipline to hold a deliberate look across a full feature.
22+ festival nominations
Across the studio's narrative and documentary work, judged at international film festivals.
Trailers & films in-house
Composition, colour and pacing carry from a genre short to a live concert to a music video, because the same DOP shoots all of it.
Fixed-price, free quotes
You know where you stand before a camera is switched on, with after-hours availability for the right project.
In their words
Trusted across South Australia
“Jason has been my go-to videographer since 2016, and for good reason. From the music video for Two Young Hearts through to countless live shows, touring productions and promotional projects, his work has consistently been world-class. His creativity, attention to detail and ability to capture the energy and emotion of every project are second to none.”
“On all projects he has exceeded my expectations. The video has been a hit, gaining national exposure, and our work has travelled Australia wide. His turnaround is lightning fast. Creative, funny and highly professional. He is my go-to man for all future projects.”
“We found JLM Studios when we needed a professional promo video on a tight schedule and budget. After working with him once, Jason has been our only go-to for all our professional videos. Quick response, punctual, creative vision, and his rates are extremely generous for the production you receive.”
Questions
Good to know
Still unsure? Send your details and ask anything, or call 0424 965 133.
What has JLM Studios won for its documentary and short film work?
Jason Mildwaters was named Best Director of Photography for the feature documentary 'I Am Markita', and JLM Studios' short film 'Cracks' won Best Short Film. Across its narrative and documentary work, the studio has earned 22+ nominations at international film festivals. Those awards were judged against films from around the world, which is why they are worth putting in front of anyone deciding on a filmmaker.
Who will actually direct the photography on my film?
Jason Mildwaters, personally. He is the Director of Photography behind 'Cracks' and the Best DOP award-winner on 'I Am Markita', and he is the person behind the camera on JLM Studios' narrative and documentary work. For larger shoots he brings in a trusted crew, but you deal directly with Jason, not a production desk. That is 25+ years of experience on your project rather than on a brochure.
Do you make full-length feature documentaries or only short films?
Both. 'Cracks' is an award-winning short film that screened at 90+ festivals, and 'I Am Markita' is a feature-length documentary and musical that earned Jason the Best DOP award, made in collaboration with Gee You! Films. Whether your story needs the tight punch of a short or the runtime and depth of a feature, JLM Studios has delivered and been awarded at both lengths.
Are you an Adelaide documentary filmmaker, and do you travel?
Yes. JLM Studios is based in Adelaide and films across metro Adelaide and all South Australian suburbs within around 100km of the CBD. For the right project we travel Australia-wide, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. If your shoot is beyond the metro area or interstate, get in touch and we will sort the logistics.
How do I start a documentary or short film project with JLM Studios?
Send an enquiry through the form on this page with a few details about what you are making, your timing and your budget, or call the studio directly. Jason will come back with ideas and clear pricing. Free quotes, after-hours availability and fixed-price guarantees mean you know exactly where you stand before filming begins.
Planning your short film and documentary?
Read the short film & documentary guide
The complete guide to cinematography in Adelaide: what a cinematographer does, film and documentary craft, real costs and how to hire an award-winning DOP. By JLM Studios.
Read the full guideStart today
Ready to make your film?
You have the story. We have the award-winning craft to shoot it. Tell us what you are making and roughly when you need it, and Jason will come back with ideas and clear pricing.