From housing commission kid to showbiz technology star
Blackmagic Design’s equipment has been used on 20 of the 30 highest-grossing movies ever. Its founder, Grant Petty, is now ready for his close-up. From the upcoming Rich List issue, out on May 28.
Grant Petty, founder of Melbourne company Blackmagic Design. Kristoffer Paulsen
If the story of Blackmagic Design was made into a film, it might start with an overhead shot of a boy running across the quadrangle of his country high school.
The year is 1984. The school is Shepparton South Technical in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley and the boy with puffing cheeks is 16-year-old Grant Petty, a kid from the housing commission area on Shepparton’s outskirts.
Michael BaileyArts & Culture editorMichael Bailey writes on arts and culture, and edits Weekend Fin. He is a former editor of the Financial Review Rich List. He is based in Sydney. Connect with Michael on Twitter. Email Michael at m.bailey@nine.com.au
