A. J. Carter

A. J. Carter (born 21 September 1980 as Adrian John Carter) is an Australian film director, screenwriter and producer. In his recent emerging career as a film director, his debut narrative short film Ronan's Escape awarded him and his production company a total of 13 international film award nominations and 10 award wins including several 'Best Film and "Best Director" awards.[1][2][3][4] He is also the founder of the Smooth Motion Media Group, formerly known as Smooth Motion Films. Smooth Motion Media Group is based in Los Angeles, California, with two production company subsidiaries Dark Arts Entertainment (Motion Picture Film & Scripted Television production), and Primordial Entertainment (Reality, Science & Documentary Television).

A. J. Carter
Red Carpet - A. J. Carter Director. Celebrate Sundance Institute 2013
Born
Adrian John Carter

(1980-09-21) 21 September 1980
Perth, Western Australia
NationalityAustralian
EducationGuildford Grammar School
OccupationFilm director, screenwriter, cinematographer, producer

Career

Carter's debut narrative film, Ronan's Escape premiered at Hoyts Cinemas (Southlands, Western Australia). The highly controversial[5][6] 16 minute film written and directed by A. J. portrays the tale of a 14-year-old boy who is bullied at school and whom decides to finally make his escape. It was produced by Academy Award Nominee Martin Mhando. The film instantly achieved critical acclaim with Ronan's Escape screening at 17 international festivals around the world earning the film & A.J. a total of 13 award nominations and 10 wins.[7] Awards include Best Short Film at the prestigious 16th Annual Sedona International Film Festival, Director's Choice Awards, judged & presented to Carter by filmmaker Michael Moore,[8] Best International Film at the 6th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival in Hollywood,[4] and the World Cinema / Van Gogh award for Best Director at the 8th Amsterdam International Film Festival.[9] The continued success of Ronan's Escape has seen it shared more than 54 Million times over Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.[10][11] Hollywood stars such an Ashton Kutcher also shared the film via Facebook & Twitter to millions of fans,[12] as well as footage from the film being used in the music video for U.S pop star Demi Lovato's smash hit 'Believe in Me',[13] contributed to the film forming its own presence in pop culture among teens associated with its primary theme of School Bullying.

Prop 23 commercial: A.J. was contracted to direct a commercial for James Cameron starring James himself, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.[14] The commercial was in the form of a political message surrounding the Proposition 23 ballot in California which altered clean air laws governing oil companies. The commercial contained trademark styles used by Carter seen in previous political commercials he had directed and was delivered in a simple, unique style with humorous elements, not typically seen in such genre commercials. The 70 second spot received over 90,000 YouTube hits[15] and went on to form one of the most successful advertising campaigns ever orchestrated by the marketing company responsible.[14][16]

In December 2016, Carter completed filming back in his home town Perth, Western Australia, as 2nd Unit Director for multiple features including John V. Soto's crime thriller "The Reckoning", starring Jonathan LaPaglia and Luke Hemsworth, and Sci-Fi thriller "The Gateway" starring Jacqueline McKenzie.

In 2018 A.J's screenplay 6 Miles made the final shortlist for the Warner Bros. Pictures / The Black List / Veerhuis Pictures screenwriting competition.[17]

Filmography
Previous and current film & television attachments
Title Year Role Format Studio / Network Status
The Ark NEW creator, writer Feature Dark Arts Script
6 Miles 2019 writer, director Feature Dark Arts Development
Black Dragon NEW writer, director Feature AEI/Dark Arts Script
The Gateway 2017 2nd Unit Director Feature Filmscope Entertainment Released
The Ministry NEW writer Scripted Television Series Dark Arts Script
VeronicA NEW writer Feature Dark Arts Script
Vernal Assassins NEW writer Feature Dark Arts Script
Money Shot NEW executive producer, director Scripted Television Series Dark Arts Script
Confessions of a Hollywood Scoundrel NEW executive producer, writer Scripted Television Series Dark Arts Development
The Last Pub in Australia NEW writer, director Feature Filmscope Entertainment Script
Prisoner Zero 2019 writer, director Feature Dark Arts Development
Farm Raised 2015 executive producer, writer, director, dp Reality TV Series INSP Network / Primordial Entertainment Series 1
Gator King 2015 executive producer, writer, director Reality TV Series History Channel / 495 / Primordial Entertainment Completed
The Reckoning 2014 2nd Unit Director Feature Filmscope Entertainment Released
Fire City 2012 director Short OK By Me Productions Completed
Exotic Engagement 2011 writer, producer, cinematographer, director Short Smooth Motion Completed
Ronan's Escape 2010 writer, producer, director Short Smooth Motion Released

Awards and nominations
Attributed Awards in Film
Film Year Festival Award Nomination Result
Ronan's Escape 2010 6th Annual HollyShorts International Film Festival Best International Film WON
2010 17th Annual Sedona International Film Festival Best Short Film WON
2011 Amsterdam International Film Festival Best Director (Van Gogh World Directing Award) WON
2011 Shorts Film Festival Best upcoming Screenwriter WON
2011 Peace on Earth Film Festival Best Short Narrative Film WON
2011 Australian Cinematographers Society Awards Best Cinematography- Short Fictional Drama (David LeMay) WON
2011 Los Angeles International Film Festival Best Production Design (Kate Separovich) WON
2011 Los Angeles International Film Festival Best Film Honorable Mention WON
2011 Peace on Earth Film Festival Best Short Film - Student Choice award WON
2012 Focus Film Festival Best Film - Best of Festival award WON

References
  1. Ronan's Escape news feed
  2. "Amsterdam Film Festival Winner's List". Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. "Sedona Film Festival Winner's List". Archived from the original on 22 October 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  4. "2010 HollyShorts Winners List". Archived from the original on 9 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  5. "Film & Television Institute news article". Archived from the original on 21 August 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  6. IMDb Website listing
  7. Ronan's Escape latest news & awards
  8. "Sedona International Film Festival article". Archived from the original on 22 October 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  9. Amsterdam Film Festival
  10. https://www.facebook.com/SoFloVideo/videos/1218968148144437/
  11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XLcfdkkHQE
  12. https://twitter.com/aplusk/status/664457736352980993
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz12ctve2sc
  14. 'Shooting with Cameron & Schwarzenegger' article
  15. No on Prop 23 Youtube site
  16. "'Winning the Clean Energy and Climate trifect in California'". Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  17. https://www.if.com.au/the-aussie-list-the-10-best-screenplays-from-warner-bros-the-black-list-and-veerhuis-pictures-scriptwriting-initiative/
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