Discovery "Outback Truckers"

In late 2019, Matthew Gormly traded the Swedish winter for three months in the searing heat of the Australian Outback, joining Series 8 of Discovery’s hugely popular “Outback Truckers” series.

Featured clips:

1. “Exploded Tires Stop Driver Getting Home For Xmas…” w/ Slick

2. “Truckers Move 100-Year-Old House Over 1000 Kilometres!”

3. “Trucker Nearly Runs Over Cow” includes the last 2/3 segments.

As Director/A-cameraman for Prospero Productions, Matt lead a three-man crew that included a highly-skilled 2nd cameraman/drone pilot and chase vehicle driver.

Read the testimonial from PM Shelley Robertson here!

Getting a stoic truckie to speak is hard at the best of times, but add a camera and the rigours of TV, and you have a task at hand. We piggy-backed onto real jobs with real road regulations, and real timelines in play. And the action genuinely unfolds when you least expect it.

Crafting stories on the run, seizing the jeopardy moments as they arise, or investing in long-term story threads are constantly top of mind. Capturing the epic landscape & journey photographically is a rapid undertaking - all whilst managing the safety & well-being of the crew.

The greatest challenge is in establishing & maintaining an instant rapport with the truckie - for days or even weeks on end. Enduring 14-hour days behind the wheel, oft in blistering heat, whilst rattling around a baking hot cab. And when things are going pear-shaped for the talent, asking the probing questions is not for the faint of heart! And there were hairy moments on the road.

Core to the show’s success is the crew & chase vehicle. You’re on the road with a cameraman, a driver, and a Landcruiser who are constantly leap-frogging up the road, capturing the story elements as called. The days get long and punishing. From immense heat & dry, to swag camping roadside overnight. During my tenure, I was paired with ace cameramen/drone operators Riaan Laubscher & Sieh Mchawala, and top chase drivers Trev Morris & Steve Ochtman.

Behind the success is the amazing production office, run by PM Shelley Robertson, who with PC Sophia Vertannes burnt the midnight oil to get us a room at day’s end (and so much more). Expert guidance by Series Producer Alan Hall, and Story Producer David Karsten - to name a few. Produced by Prospero Productions.

A most satisfying & memorable chapter in my career.