Biography
Peter M. Morley was born in Perth, Western Australia on the 18th August, 1953. At the age of 16 he left school and began his professional working life as an Assistant Stills Photographer - where he learned the important fundamentals of light physics, lens optics and the chemical process of silver halide image making.
Moving to the National Capital, Canberra when he was 17, Peter started a career in television - initially as a Stills Photographer - before moving into Cinematography. At age 23, Peter became Chief Cinematographer for the Political News Bureau of the National Nine Network - where he filmed news and current affairs stories, often on international trips with the Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser.
In 1977, Peter moved to Hollywood - studying Cinema Arts with UCLA, the AFI and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also freelanced as a cinematographer for Australia's ABC television music show Countdown. On returning to Sydney, Australia in 1979, Peter freelanced and understudied with many fine Australian cinematographers as Camera Assistant, Focus Puller and Camera Operator on TV commercials and feature length motion pictures. He also completed a Diploma of Cinematography and Direction from the School of Visual Art in Sydney and Certificate in Feature Film Lighting from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, in Sydney. In the mid 1980s, Peter began directing the photography on 35mm commercials, both in Australia and internationally.
In 1991 Peter shot his first tele-movie, "As Happy As Larry" (1990), as Director of Photography, and continued to lens award-winning TVC's, documentaries, music videos and corporate video programs. In the late 1990s, Peter also produced and directed 'The making of.' programs on feature films and mini-series in production at the Warner Roadshow MovieWorld film studios on Queensland's Gold Coast, for major US studios and TV networks - Universal, ABC, UPN, Paramount/Viacom - as well as segments for programs ET and Access Hollywood. Peter was DP on the tele-movies "Academy" (1995), "Looking Up From Above" (1999), and "Searching For Mr Right.Com" (2001), as well as many short films, including "The Decisive Moment" (2000) and "Una Passione Adatta" (2001), on which Peter also served as co-writer and co-producer. On "Una Passione Adatta" Peter also composed the film score.
Peter is a dual citizen of Australia and Ireland - and a citizen of the European Union. He is currently retired as a Cinematographer.
Qualifications: Graduate Diploma of Film and Television Music Queensland Conservatorium of Music / Griffith University, Queensland - 2001. Certificate in Lighting for Feature Film & Drama Australian Film, Television & Radio School (AFTRS), Sydney - 1985. Diploma in Cinematography & Direction School of Visual Art, Sydney - 1980. UCLA Cinema Studies - Hollywood AFI Greystone Mansion, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles - 1977-1978.
AWARDS Peter has shot the following award-winning programs: TV Week LOGIE Award - Of Course I Love Jim Cairns (Doco) Nine Network - 1975 TV Week LOGIE Award -Simon Townsend's WonderWorld (Series Program) - 1980 AFI / DENDY Film Award, "As Happy As Larry" (1990)_(Tele-Movie) - ABC & SBS-TV - 1990 GOLDEN GATE Film Award (San Francisco) "As Happy As Larry" (Tele-Movie)
* 1990 BG: CLIO Advertising Award (New York) - Philishave TVC - 1986
ITVA MOBIE Award - Westpac News Magazine - 1986 ITVA MOBIE Award - Westpac Marketing - 1984 ITVA MOBIE Award - Tubemaker's - 1985 ITVA MOBIE Award - Get Wet - RSLA - 1985 ACS Cinematography Award - Bioluminescent Waves - 1995 QUILL Gold Coast Media Award - Bioluminescent Waves - 1995
Former Member: MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS ACS - Australian Cinematographer's Society Full Member since 1972 AFI - Australian Film Institute (Fully Accredited Voting Member)
