As the driving force behind Post Lab IO, Darius is collaborative partner with a knack for blending technical wizardry with creativity. His work on Late Night With The Devil is a testament to this approach, where tight budgets and tighter timelines were deftly managed to deliver a film that delighted both audiences and critics world-wide.

Back in 2016, with $20,000 to his name, Darius faced a choice: create a web series inspired by High Maintenance and Broad City or start a post house. Opting to build his post-production empire first (the web series could wait), Post Lab IO was born in the spare bedroom of his Brunswick share-house. Initially envisioned as a technical service provider for mastering, conversions, and DCPs, it quickly evolved into the go-to post house for independent Aussie productions.

Nearly a decade on, Post Lab IO has delivered over 30 feature films, many of which have premiered at top-tier festivals like SXSW, Tribeca, Venice, MIFF, SFF, and Berlin. Darius has personally post-produced a significant number of these projects, consistently going the extra mile to ensure every film is a triumph. His solutions-driven mindset and commitment to the craft are matched only by his determination to serve the filmmakers' vision.

‍Background & Experience

Darius began his career at 16 with community broadcasting through the Student Youth Network. Despite the tension it caused with his high school teachers due to truancy, the experience was invaluable and led to a full-time job as a Motion Graphics Designer. While working as a Motion Graphics Designer, Darius was also attending VCA Foundations night school, further honing his creative and technical skills. On the nights he wasn’t at VCA, he was editing, grading, and creating VFX for short films, gaining hands-on experience and building his reputation in the industry.

In 2015, Darius transitioned to freelancing, becoming the go-to guy for tight deadlines, loose briefs, and projects that needed someone who could deliver on point and in record time. Known for his ability to take a brief and turn around an edit with precision and speed, he built strong relationships in Melbourne’s advertising scene. Adding to his reputation for reliability, Darius rode a motorcycle, allowing him to be anywhere, anytime, fast. This multifaceted experience laid the foundation for Post Lab IO.

Eyesight and Extra Curricular Activities

In 2019, Darius was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a genetic disease that causes the cells in the retina to take an early retirement. This led him to transition from on-the-tools roles to steering the ship. He still has enough vision for emails, spreadsheets, and sending calendar invites, but his facial recognition is shot. So, if you see him and he doesn’t recognise you, it’s not a diss! Just tap him on the shoulder and say your name!

Beyond work, Darius is committed to giving back. He volunteers his time to shape industry strategy and policy and, until recently, was one of the driving forces behind The ReelGood Film Festival, a short film festival in Melbourne that spotlighted rising Australian talent. You can find Darius on industry dance floors wearing tropical attire and sometimes even behind the decks.

Side Projects

• Producer — The ReelGood Film Festival.
• 1/2 of bedroom DJ duo Hotline DJs.
• Executive Producer on Jude Perl's SugarHope Records.

Appearances

• 2023: Speaker at the Women in Film and Television’s Lifecycle of Film event
• 2022: Speaker for Drama Victoria’s Drama Matters campaign
• 2021: Speaker on Adobe’s annual ANZ Roundtable event
• 2021: Speaker on Digistor’s Adobe Premiere Pro Productions And Lucidlink Cloud NAS webinar
• 2019: Host of the Post-production management roundtable at Screen Forever
• 2019: Presented Productivity Hacks for Freelancers and Producers (Talk) at St Kilda Film Festival

Awards & Nominations

• Your Call Is Important To Us, Editor — Winner Best Editing, Canberra Short Film Festival(2019)
• Your Call Is Important To Us, Editor — Nominated Best Editing, St Kilda Film Festival (2019)
• The Flower Girl, Editor — Nominated Best Editing, St Kilda Film Festival (2017)
• Pint, Producer — Best Short Film, Melbourne Underground Film Festival (2014)
• Pint, Producer — Best Short Film, Los Angeles New Wave International Film Festival (2014)