ABOUT
We are optikal bloc, an award-winning video projects company transforming stages, spaces and socials through live performance video design and video marketing campaigns.
Based in Meanjin (Brisbane) and regularly working throughout Australia, optikal bloc has amassed an extensive portfolio in its thirteen-year history and along the way collaborated with an exceptional assortment of creative individuals, companies and festivals, including (but very much not limited to): Brisbane Festival, shake & stir theatre co, Renée Mulder, Queensland Theatre, Guy Webster, The Good Room, Leah Shelton and Polytoxic, and Sydney Theatre Company.
optikal bloc and our Creative Director Craig Wilkinson have been recognised with awards and accolades for live performance video designs on Boy Swallows Universe (APDG Award and Matilda Award), Avoidable Perils (APDG Award and Matilda Award), First Casualty (APDG Award), A Christmas Carol (Matilda Award), Terror Australis (John Chatway Innovation Award, Adelaide Fringe) as well as receiving the Gold Matilda Award ─ Body of Work in 2014. In 2022, Craig was recognised by the Australian Production Design Guild (APDG) as an accredited member acknowledging over ten years of industry contribution and creative and technical innovation, and was a proud recipient of a BCC Lord Mayor’s Creative Fellowship.
optikal bloc acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First People of Australia and recognises their continuing connection to country, water and culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we are based, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
SELECTED CREDITS
AWARDS
2024
Australian Production Design Guild Technical Direction Company Video Design for a Live Performance Nomination | FRANKENSTEIN
2023
Australian Production Design Guild Technical Direction Company Video Design for a Live Performance Award | FIRST CASUALTY
Australian Production Design Guild Technical Direction Company Video Design for a Live Performance Nomination | THE MYSTERY OF THE VALKYRIE
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Video Design | FRANKENSTEIN
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Video Design | THE WIZARD OF OZ IN CONCERT
2022
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Video Design | FIRST CASUALTY
2021
Australian Production Design Guild Technical Direction Company Video Design for a Live Performance Award | BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE
Matilda Award for Best Video Design | BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Video Design | FOURTHCOMING
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Video Design | AVOIDABLE PERILS
2020
Australian Production Design Guild Technical Direction Company Video Design for a Live Performance Award | AVOIDABLE PERILS
2019
Australian Production Design Guild Nomination for Video Design / Visual Effects for Live Performance or Screen | ROALD DAHL'S FANTASTIC MR FOX
Matilda Award for Best Video Design (with Jon Weber, Illustrations) | ROALD DAHL'S FANTASTIC MR FOX
2018
Matilda Award for Best Video Design | A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Video Design | I'VE BEEN MEANING TO ASK YOU
Del Arte Chart Favourite Lighting / Video Design (with Jason Glenwright) | A CHRISTMAS CAROL
2017
Darwin Fringe Festival Golden Croc | TERROR AUSTRALIS
2016
Matilda Award Nomination for Best AV Design | TERROR AUSTRALIS
Del Arte Chart Favourite Lighting / Video Design (with Matt Marshall) – GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT
Adelaide Fringe John Chataway Innovation Award | TERROR AUSTRALIS
2014
Gold Matilda Award | optikal bloc for projection and video design work on PALE BLUE DOT, THE MOUNTAINTOP, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, GASP! and 1984
Matilda Award Best Technical Design | PALE BLUE DOT
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Technical Design | THE MOUNTAINTOP
Del Arte Chart Favourite Lighting / Video Design (with Jason Glenwright) | PALE BLUE DOT
2012
Matilda Award Nomination for Best Design | 1984
REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
"A compelling feast for the senses"
THE COURIER-MAIL on BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE
"Then there are the TVs – a great wall of black glass, masterfully programmed by media producers optikal bloc to drive the story in innovative, unexpected ways."
THE COURIER-MAIL on 1984
"One of the most visually impressive pieces of theatre I have ever seen."
STAGE WHISPERS on ROALD DAHL'S FANTASTIC MR FOX
"More than anything, however, it serves to showcase the work of optikal bloc, whose projections combine with the staging and soundscape to produce a hyper-reality highlight."
BLUE CURTAIN BRISBANE on PALE BLUE DOT
"Craig Wilkinson’s video design fills every corner of the stage, providing emotional heft"
THE AUSTRALIAN on BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE
"A masterpiece of combining live performance with animation
THE COURIER-MAIL on ROALD DAHL'S FANTASTIC MR FOX"
"Lighting designer Ben Hughes has collaborated with media designers optikal bloc to create something truly transformative, even dreamlike."
ARTSHUB on THE MOUNTAINTOP
"Video projection enhances the detailed set and creates some amazing sequences."
ADELAIDE THEATRE GUIDE ON GREEN DAY'S AMERICAN IDIOT
"The use of digital theatre backdrops and holographic projections was breathtaking"
SCENESTR on A CHRISTMAS CAROL