Traucki developed an early interest in film and photography during his twenties, which led him to pursue a career in the film industry.[5][better source needed]
Before becoming a feature filmmaker, Traucki was involved in a project of the reimagining of the 1950s radio play Rocky Star into a television series.[6] Alongside Stephen Harrop and Steve Fearnley, Traucki edited 12 hours of radio play audio into 20 five-minute episodes. The series featured actors such as Kerry Fox lip-syncing to pre-recorded audio.[6] Following this, Traucki worked at the Australian Film Commission (now Screen Australia), where he reviewed and assessed scripts.
Traucki's career as a filmmaker began with his debut feature film, Black Water (2007), which he wrote, directed, and co-produced.[7][8] Following the success of Black Water, Traucki continued to explore survival thrillers with The Reef (2010), a film he also wrote, directed, and co-produced.[9][10] In 2012, Traucki wrote, directed, and co-produced The Jungle.[11]
Traucki returned to the Black Water franchise with Black Water Abyss (2019), a spiritual sequel that he directed.[12][13] The film centers on a group of friends exploring an underground river system, where they become trapped and pursued by unseen threats. Later in 2022, he produced the Reef Stalked, a sequel to The Reef that blends survival horror with themes of trauma and domestic violence.[14] Traucki's films create suspenseful and terrifying atmospheres, often utilizing natural settings and minimal dialogue to heighten the horror experience.[15] His work delves into themes of survival, isolation, and the dangers posed by the natural world.[15]
