Semler gained his training as a camera operator at a local TV station in his native Australia. Within months, he had begun to work as a cameraman, shooting news stories for the station, which, in turn, led to a nine-year stint at Film Australia. Not only did Semler work as a documentary filmmaker but he also shot anthropological films for educational and research purposes.Semler shot his first film, Chris Noonan's "Stepping Out" (1980). He garnered attention in his homeland for his stunning work on "Hoodwink" (1981), which imbued the beauty of the Outback with symbolism. International
Began career as camera operator at a TV station before becoming a TV news cameraman
Worked as documentary cameraman with Film Australia for nine years (shot 23 films; eight of which won major awards) and shot anthropological films designed for education and research
1976
First credit as director of photography on a fiction film, "Let the Balloon Go", shot for public TV
1981
First theatrical feature, "Hoodwink"
1981
First collaboration with George Miller, "The Road Warrior"
