Vale Rick Schweikert – helped elevate Australia’s post-production standards and nurture a generation of practitioners

The industry will be saddened to hear of the passing of Rick Schweikert, a driving force in the Australian post-production industry. Schweikert was best known for steering post house Frame, Set & Match (FSM) from its early days to become one of the country’s most respected creative studios.

Schweikert co-founded FSM in 1984 with Steve Dunn, who would later go on to launch VANDAL. Together, they helped establish a culture of craft, technical ambition and creative excellence that became synonymous with the FSM name.

Schweikert led FSM from its inception until the business was sold in 2016, building a team that at its peak included around 65 creatives and production staff, and expanding the company’s capabilities across colour, VFX, design and finishing. FSM’s growth under his leadership was visible not only in scale but in output. The company expanded its 3D and VFX teams, delivered high-profile projects across automotive, broadcast and brand work, and earned recognition throughout the Australian post-production community.

A hands-on and highly versatile leader, Schweikert balanced creative oversight with financial, operational, marketing, HR and technical responsibilities. His influence shaped FSM’s evolution into a flexible, full-service post partner for agencies, production companies and broadcasters. He was also deeply involved in the industry more broadly — speaking on the future of post production, supporting professional bodies and mentoring emerging talent.

After more than three decades at the helm, Schweikert announced his departure from FSM in 2016 following the company’s sale, closing a significant chapter in which he helped elevate Australia’s post-production standards and nurture a generation of practitioners.

Steve Dunn posted this tribute on Facebook:

It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that my long time business partner Rick Schweikert passed away yesterday.
The fight against cancer has been over a year now and lately a very tough one.
A great man and business partner for over 32 years. The pic (below) from a long time ago at the start of our journey.
The legacy of FSM will be hard to beat.
My thoughts go out to Louise, Casey, Olivia and all his family.