Sam Downs

After graduating with a Communications (Media) degree from the University of Canberra, Sam accepted a role as copywriter at Snowy Mountains 2XL.  Sam wasn’t the first choice for this job, but was told the other candidate wouldn’t accept the salary being offered.  Sam gladly accepted and spent the next 12 months living off canned goods and writing ads for a variety Snowy Mountains business institutions – Thredbo & Perisher resorts, High Country Outfitters and the Monaro Nappy Service… “happy to get your crappy nappies”.   

Sam pursued radio copywriting in the UK working for a radio agency called London Creative and setting up the creative department (just him) at Wave FM in Southampton. 

On returning to Australia, Sam freelanced writing radio ads for various networks before accepting a full time job as a promo producer with Fox Kids.  Working with pictures was a novel experience and Sam enjoyed learning editing on both linear and non linear systems and embraced new editing software like Avid and Final Cut Pro and later Premier Pro. 

Sam then gladly accepted a position in “Area 51” which was the internal creative department at Foxtel and loved working on the bigger platform campaigns which often involved budgets for shooting… on film! 

Looking to further his production experience, Sam started working with Crackerjack Productions as a writer and director of TV shows and commercials.  It was here Sam discovered the value of good crew.  Working with talented freelance production and post production crew made Sam’s work look much better so Sam determined that from then on, he would use other people to make himself look good. 

Sam took this new found ethos to subsequent roles as Senior Producer at The History Channel, CI, Foxtel Box Office and then Creative Services Manager at SBS.  The charter of SBS demanded Sam “make use of Australia’s diverse creative resources” and Sam relished this challenge, contracting other great people to make amazing work that he could put his name to.

In 2010, Sam launched RMK Crew – Australa’s first, full-service crewing agency and it was almost like an invisible hand had guided Sam to this point.  Throughout his career he had worked across various roles both as a freelancer and a client who was booking freelancers.  Sam had developed detailed knowledge of production and post production roles and better yet had discovered a network of incredible freelance professionals around the country. 

Sam is still surrounding himself with great people who make him look good… but he is more than happy to share.