Some of Australian drama’s recent triumphs were used to examine the relationship between development processes and international success at Series Mania Melbourne on Thursday.
Clickbait and Fires co-creator Tony Ayres, ABC head of scripted production Sally Riley, Matchbox Pictures scripted development director Debbie Lee, and Fires co-creator Belinda Chayko joined journalist Sandy George for a discussion about how ideas are shaped from the writers’ room to production.
Fires, the ABC anthology series about the Black Summer bushfires, served as a key point of reference throughout the conversation, partly due to its relatively quick journey from the first writers’ room in March 2020 through to production in Melbourne and regional Victoria earlier this year.
Chayko said the “incredibly fast” development period required the full attention of people that knew what they were doing.
“In order to fit into that timeframe, we had to be really smart about how we did it,...
Clickbait and Fires co-creator Tony Ayres, ABC head of scripted production Sally Riley, Matchbox Pictures scripted development director Debbie Lee, and Fires co-creator Belinda Chayko joined journalist Sandy George for a discussion about how ideas are shaped from the writers’ room to production.
Fires, the ABC anthology series about the Black Summer bushfires, served as a key point of reference throughout the conversation, partly due to its relatively quick journey from the first writers’ room in March 2020 through to production in Melbourne and regional Victoria earlier this year.
Chayko said the “incredibly fast” development period required the full attention of people that knew what they were doing.
“In order to fit into that timeframe, we had to be really smart about how we did it,...
- 10/15/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Six-part anthology series Fires, about the experiences of everyday people at the frontline of the 2019-2020 bushfires, will premiere on Sunday, 26 September, 8.40pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Filmed in Melbourne and regional Victoria earlier this year, the Tony Ayres Productions drama goes behind the images and the headlines to touch on the stories of people directly affected by the fires.
The series begins in Queensland in September 2019, at the start of the fire season, and continues as the fires make their deadly march south, burning out of control through Nsw and Victoria until February 2020. Each episode is set in a different location as the fires spread and build to a terrifying onslaught across the country through Christmas and New Year.
As the fires grow in intensity and ferocity and threaten different communities, new characters appear, whose stories reflect the breadth of experience during Australia’s black summer.
Bringing...
Filmed in Melbourne and regional Victoria earlier this year, the Tony Ayres Productions drama goes behind the images and the headlines to touch on the stories of people directly affected by the fires.
The series begins in Queensland in September 2019, at the start of the fire season, and continues as the fires make their deadly march south, burning out of control through Nsw and Victoria until February 2020. Each episode is set in a different location as the fires spread and build to a terrifying onslaught across the country through Christmas and New Year.
As the fires grow in intensity and ferocity and threaten different communities, new characters appear, whose stories reflect the breadth of experience during Australia’s black summer.
Bringing...
- 8/30/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Leading producers Tony Ayres and Belinda Chayko have assembled an extraordinary Australian cast for Fires, a drama series that presents personal tales from the front lines of the country’s recent catastrophic fire season.
The series, which is now shooting in Victoria state is produced by NBCUniversal -backed Tony Ayres Productions and Matchbox Pictures. Australian Broadcasting Corporation is on board as local broadcaster. International rights are handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
The project is helmed by three leading film directors: Michael Rymer, Ana Kokkinos and Kim Mordaunt.
The ensemble cast includes: Eliza Scanlen, Sam Worthington, Richard Roxburgh, Sullivan Stapleton, Miranda Otto (“Homeland”), Hunter Page-Lochard, Anna Torv, Kate Box, Helana Sawires, Daniel Henshall and Noni Hazlehurst.
They are joined by newcomers Ameshol Ajang, Stacy Clausen and Nyawuda Chuol.
Fires” is structured as an anthology that weaves character studies inspired by true stories into a narrative about the Australian bushfires of 2019-...
The series, which is now shooting in Victoria state is produced by NBCUniversal -backed Tony Ayres Productions and Matchbox Pictures. Australian Broadcasting Corporation is on board as local broadcaster. International rights are handled by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.
The project is helmed by three leading film directors: Michael Rymer, Ana Kokkinos and Kim Mordaunt.
The ensemble cast includes: Eliza Scanlen, Sam Worthington, Richard Roxburgh, Sullivan Stapleton, Miranda Otto (“Homeland”), Hunter Page-Lochard, Anna Torv, Kate Box, Helana Sawires, Daniel Henshall and Noni Hazlehurst.
They are joined by newcomers Ameshol Ajang, Stacy Clausen and Nyawuda Chuol.
Fires” is structured as an anthology that weaves character studies inspired by true stories into a narrative about the Australian bushfires of 2019-...
- 4/9/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The ABC and Tony Ayres Productions’ (Tap) anthology drama Fires is underway in Victoria, with a stellar cast that boasts Eliza Scanlen, Sam Worthington, Richard Roxburgh, Sullivan Stapleton, Miranda Otto, Hunter Page-Lochard, Anna Torv, Kate Box, Helana Sawires, Daniel Henshall, and Noni Hazlehurst.
Joining the ensemble are also newcomers Ameshol Ajang, Stacy Clausen and Nyawuda Chuol.
Fires, co-created by Tony Ayres and Belinda Chayko, is inspired by accounts from people who survived the catastrophic fire season of late 2019 and early 2020.
Each episode is based around a different community, drawn from reports of ordinary people and the impossible choices they were forced to make.
Chayko, who is the showrunner and lead writer, said: “So many people were affected by the fires of 2019/2020 and we wanted to honour their experiences and the losses they suffered – to ensure that their stories were not forgotten. Fires is a series about ordinary people, caught in the unimaginable,...
Joining the ensemble are also newcomers Ameshol Ajang, Stacy Clausen and Nyawuda Chuol.
Fires, co-created by Tony Ayres and Belinda Chayko, is inspired by accounts from people who survived the catastrophic fire season of late 2019 and early 2020.
Each episode is based around a different community, drawn from reports of ordinary people and the impossible choices they were forced to make.
Chayko, who is the showrunner and lead writer, said: “So many people were affected by the fires of 2019/2020 and we wanted to honour their experiences and the losses they suffered – to ensure that their stories were not forgotten. Fires is a series about ordinary people, caught in the unimaginable,...
- 4/9/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Australian drama series Fires has put together its cast.
The series, created by Stateless creator Tony Ayres and Belinda Chayko, has put together an ensemble cast featuring Eliza Scanlen (Sharp Objects), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Richard Roxburgh (The Crown), Sullivan Stapleton (Blindspot), Miranda Otto (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Hunter Page-Lochard (Harrow), Anna Torv (Mindhunter), Kate Box (Stateless), Helana Sawires (Stateless), Daniel Henshall (Defending Jacob) and Noni Hazlehurst (A Place to Call Home).
They are joined by newcomers Ameshol Ajang, Stacy Clausen and Nyawuda Chuol.
The six-part series, which is inspired by extraordinary accounts from people who survived the catastrophic fire season in Australia of late 2019 and early 2020, will air on ABC in Australia and NBCUniversal Global Distribution is handling international sales.
It is produced by NBCU-backed Tony Ayres Productions and written by showrunner Chayko, Jacquelin Perske, Mirrah Foulkes, Steven McGregor and Anya Beyersdorf.
Executive Producers include Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm and Liz Watts.
The series, created by Stateless creator Tony Ayres and Belinda Chayko, has put together an ensemble cast featuring Eliza Scanlen (Sharp Objects), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Richard Roxburgh (The Crown), Sullivan Stapleton (Blindspot), Miranda Otto (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Hunter Page-Lochard (Harrow), Anna Torv (Mindhunter), Kate Box (Stateless), Helana Sawires (Stateless), Daniel Henshall (Defending Jacob) and Noni Hazlehurst (A Place to Call Home).
They are joined by newcomers Ameshol Ajang, Stacy Clausen and Nyawuda Chuol.
The six-part series, which is inspired by extraordinary accounts from people who survived the catastrophic fire season in Australia of late 2019 and early 2020, will air on ABC in Australia and NBCUniversal Global Distribution is handling international sales.
It is produced by NBCU-backed Tony Ayres Productions and written by showrunner Chayko, Jacquelin Perske, Mirrah Foulkes, Steven McGregor and Anya Beyersdorf.
Executive Producers include Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm and Liz Watts.
- 4/9/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Two feature films, three TV dramas, one children’s series, and one online project will share in $5.9 million of production funding from Screen Australia.
The projects include feature How To Please A Woman about a woman’s choice to take her all-male housecleaning business to a more intimate level; the previously announced ABC anthology drama series Fires, set during last summer’s devastating bushfires; Stan feature Gold, and a comedy about a single woman and her database of potential sexual partners in Spreadsheet for Viacom CBS.
Screen Australia’s head of content Sally Caplan said it was a testament to the resilience of the screen industry to have so many projects move into production during such a challenging period.
“It’s fantastic to kick off 2021 with such a great sample of the premium dramas that have been greenlit across the country,” she said.
“We’re so pleased to have supported...
The projects include feature How To Please A Woman about a woman’s choice to take her all-male housecleaning business to a more intimate level; the previously announced ABC anthology drama series Fires, set during last summer’s devastating bushfires; Stan feature Gold, and a comedy about a single woman and her database of potential sexual partners in Spreadsheet for Viacom CBS.
Screen Australia’s head of content Sally Caplan said it was a testament to the resilience of the screen industry to have so many projects move into production during such a challenging period.
“It’s fantastic to kick off 2021 with such a great sample of the premium dramas that have been greenlit across the country,” she said.
“We’re so pleased to have supported...
- 2/3/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
So hefty is the ABC’s slate in 2021, director entertainment and specialist Michael Carrington is confident audiences won’t even realise that many of the broadcaster’s productions faced shutdowns and delays during the pandemic.
As announced at the ABC’s upfronts this afternoon, the line-up for the new year includes new dramas Fires and The Newsreader, new comedies Fisk and Preppers, as well as the return of Total Control, Frayed, Jack Irish, Harrow and Superwog.
2021 will also see the premiere of Jungle Entertainment’s mental health drama Wakefield, with all eps planned to drop on ABC iview.
Also on the line-up is Closer Productions’ chef comedy Aftertaste, starring Erik Thomson, Natalie Abbott and Rachel Griffiths, and feature anthology Here Out West, penned by a group of emerging writers from Western Sydney.
“Seven or eight months ago we were in full production and overnight we stopped production all around Australia,...
As announced at the ABC’s upfronts this afternoon, the line-up for the new year includes new dramas Fires and The Newsreader, new comedies Fisk and Preppers, as well as the return of Total Control, Frayed, Jack Irish, Harrow and Superwog.
2021 will also see the premiere of Jungle Entertainment’s mental health drama Wakefield, with all eps planned to drop on ABC iview.
Also on the line-up is Closer Productions’ chef comedy Aftertaste, starring Erik Thomson, Natalie Abbott and Rachel Griffiths, and feature anthology Here Out West, penned by a group of emerging writers from Western Sydney.
“Seven or eight months ago we were in full production and overnight we stopped production all around Australia,...
- 11/25/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Netflix has swooped on Princess Pictures’ Wrong Kind of Black in a global deal.
The four-part, short-form series, nominated for an International Emmy Award, is based on life and stories of DJ and model turned activist Boori Monty Pryor.
Originally commissioned by the ABC, the show, narrated by Pryor, takes audiences from “the cops and the crocs of 1960s Palm Island to blood-spattered dance floors in 1970s Melbourne nightclubs”.
Clarence Ryan plays Monty, a Birra Gubba and Kunggandji man from Townsville working as a DJ in Melbourne, while his brother Paul is played by Aaron McGrath. Lucy Flanagan and Tom E. Lewis star as their parents and Jacek Komen also appears a Russian gangster.
Pryor wrote the scripts with Nick Musgrove, with Catriona McKenzie directing and Andrea Denholm, Kelly West and Melanie Brunt producing.
Initially titled Maybe Today, the series was first funded via Screen Australia and the ABC’s Long Story Short initiative.
The four-part, short-form series, nominated for an International Emmy Award, is based on life and stories of DJ and model turned activist Boori Monty Pryor.
Originally commissioned by the ABC, the show, narrated by Pryor, takes audiences from “the cops and the crocs of 1960s Palm Island to blood-spattered dance floors in 1970s Melbourne nightclubs”.
Clarence Ryan plays Monty, a Birra Gubba and Kunggandji man from Townsville working as a DJ in Melbourne, while his brother Paul is played by Aaron McGrath. Lucy Flanagan and Tom E. Lewis star as their parents and Jacek Komen also appears a Russian gangster.
Pryor wrote the scripts with Nick Musgrove, with Catriona McKenzie directing and Andrea Denholm, Kelly West and Melanie Brunt producing.
Initially titled Maybe Today, the series was first funded via Screen Australia and the ABC’s Long Story Short initiative.
- 11/12/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
David Hanna.
David Hanna has been appointed as the president of Film Victoria for a term of two years, succeeding Ian Robertson.
Also joining the board is business and communications strategist and former director of the Melbourne Film Office, Louisa Coppel, while co-founder of Melbourne digital games studio League of Geeks, Blake Mizzi, has been re-appointed for another term.
Hanna has chaired Dockland Studios Melbourne since 2016, playing a pivotal role in building the case for the studio’s $46 million sixth soundstage, due to begin construction later this year.
The executive has also been a long-standing committee member of Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund (Piaf), and is a member of course advisory for Vca’s School of Film and Television.
Currently he is director of business strategy at Monash University, and prior to this worked across both Victorian and Commonwealth governments.
In a statement, Hanna said: “This is a...
David Hanna has been appointed as the president of Film Victoria for a term of two years, succeeding Ian Robertson.
Also joining the board is business and communications strategist and former director of the Melbourne Film Office, Louisa Coppel, while co-founder of Melbourne digital games studio League of Geeks, Blake Mizzi, has been re-appointed for another term.
Hanna has chaired Dockland Studios Melbourne since 2016, playing a pivotal role in building the case for the studio’s $46 million sixth soundstage, due to begin construction later this year.
The executive has also been a long-standing committee member of Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund (Piaf), and is a member of course advisory for Vca’s School of Film and Television.
Currently he is director of business strategy at Monash University, and prior to this worked across both Victorian and Commonwealth governments.
In a statement, Hanna said: “This is a...
- 9/10/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Tony Ayres.
The impact of the devastating bushfires of last summer will be explored in six-part drama The Fires, currently in development at the ABC.
The Tony Ayres Productions (Tap) series is planned as a serialised anthology, inspired by the stories of the people who survived the catastrophe and continue to endure its aftermath.
Each episode will be based around character studies of ordinary people caught in the unimaginable and the impossible choices they were forced to make. These will include volunteer firefighters; families who lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones; people who had to make agonising decisions about whether to stay or flee; and others who found themselves responsible for the lives of friends and strangers.
Working with Ayres in the creative team is Tap head of development Andrea Denholm and Liz Watts. The writing team is led by Belinda Chayko, working with Jacquelin Perske, Mirrah Foulkes, Steven McGregor and Anya Beyersdorf.
The impact of the devastating bushfires of last summer will be explored in six-part drama The Fires, currently in development at the ABC.
The Tony Ayres Productions (Tap) series is planned as a serialised anthology, inspired by the stories of the people who survived the catastrophe and continue to endure its aftermath.
Each episode will be based around character studies of ordinary people caught in the unimaginable and the impossible choices they were forced to make. These will include volunteer firefighters; families who lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones; people who had to make agonising decisions about whether to stay or flee; and others who found themselves responsible for the lives of friends and strangers.
Working with Ayres in the creative team is Tap head of development Andrea Denholm and Liz Watts. The writing team is led by Belinda Chayko, working with Jacquelin Perske, Mirrah Foulkes, Steven McGregor and Anya Beyersdorf.
- 8/13/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Tony Ayres Productions (Tap) is developing The Fires, a six-part anthology series drawing on the experiences of those directly affected by the Australian megafires of last summer.
The company, which has an exclusive deal with NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, has ABC already on board with the series in Australia.
The creative team includes Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm and Liz Watts. The writing team, led by International Emmy Award-winning showrunner/writer Belinda Chayko includes Jacquelin Perske (The Cry), Mirrah Foulkes (Judy and Punch), Steven McGregor (Mystery Road) and Anya Beyersdorf.
The Fires is a serialized anthology inspired by the stories of the people who survived last summer’s catastrophic fire season and continue to endure the aftermath. Each episode is based around character studies...
The company, which has an exclusive deal with NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group, has ABC already on board with the series in Australia.
The creative team includes Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm and Liz Watts. The writing team, led by International Emmy Award-winning showrunner/writer Belinda Chayko includes Jacquelin Perske (The Cry), Mirrah Foulkes (Judy and Punch), Steven McGregor (Mystery Road) and Anya Beyersdorf.
The Fires is a serialized anthology inspired by the stories of the people who survived last summer’s catastrophic fire season and continue to endure the aftermath. Each episode is based around character studies...
- 8/13/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Oliver-Taylor and Liz Grainger.
Fremantle Asia Pacific CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor and accountant/consultant Liz Grainger have joined the Film Victoria board, succeeding Debra Allanson and John Rundell whose terms ended last month.
They join other members Andrea Denholm, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Kelly Lefever, Lyn Maddock, Greg McLean, Blake Mizzi and Leonie Morgan, and board president Ian Robertson.
At Fremantle, Oliver-Taylor leads development and production in all genres across Australia, New Zealand, India and Indonesia. He sits on the Fremantle Global board as well as on the Bboard of Easy Tiger Productions, the drama arm of Fremantle. He is also the former MD of Matchbox Pictures and head of business and head of production at the ABC, and has held directorships at Screenrights and Screen Producers Australia.
A chartered accountant by profession, Liz Grainger provides independent consultancy services to public and not-for-profit organisations in the areas of strategy, governance, and financial management.
Fremantle Asia Pacific CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor and accountant/consultant Liz Grainger have joined the Film Victoria board, succeeding Debra Allanson and John Rundell whose terms ended last month.
They join other members Andrea Denholm, Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Kelly Lefever, Lyn Maddock, Greg McLean, Blake Mizzi and Leonie Morgan, and board president Ian Robertson.
At Fremantle, Oliver-Taylor leads development and production in all genres across Australia, New Zealand, India and Indonesia. He sits on the Fremantle Global board as well as on the Bboard of Easy Tiger Productions, the drama arm of Fremantle. He is also the former MD of Matchbox Pictures and head of business and head of production at the ABC, and has held directorships at Screenrights and Screen Producers Australia.
A chartered accountant by profession, Liz Grainger provides independent consultancy services to public and not-for-profit organisations in the areas of strategy, governance, and financial management.
- 9/22/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Wrong Kind of Black’.
Matchbox Pictures’ Safe Harbour, Princess Pictures’ Wrong Kind of Black and Synchronicity Films/December Media’s The Cry have received nominations for International Emmy Awards.
Safe Harbour, produced by Matchbox Pictures, has been nominated in the Best TV Movie/Mini-Series category. Broadcast on Sbs, the asylum seeker drama series was directed by Glendyn Ivin and showrun by writer and producer Belinda Chayko, also featuring writers Phil Enchelmaier and Matt Cameron. It was produced by Stephen Corvini and includes executive producers Sue Masters, Debbie Lee and Chayko.
The ABC iview-commissioned Wrong Kind of Black, from Princess Pictures, has been nominated for best Short Form Series. Based on the life and stories of Indigenous writer, poet and educator Boori Monty Pryor, the four-part series was directed by Catriona McKenzie, written by Pryor and produced by Kelly West and Melanie Brunt. Princess Pictures’ Emma Fitzsimons and Andrea Denholm were executive producers.
Matchbox Pictures’ Safe Harbour, Princess Pictures’ Wrong Kind of Black and Synchronicity Films/December Media’s The Cry have received nominations for International Emmy Awards.
Safe Harbour, produced by Matchbox Pictures, has been nominated in the Best TV Movie/Mini-Series category. Broadcast on Sbs, the asylum seeker drama series was directed by Glendyn Ivin and showrun by writer and producer Belinda Chayko, also featuring writers Phil Enchelmaier and Matt Cameron. It was produced by Stephen Corvini and includes executive producers Sue Masters, Debbie Lee and Chayko.
The ABC iview-commissioned Wrong Kind of Black, from Princess Pictures, has been nominated for best Short Form Series. Based on the life and stories of Indigenous writer, poet and educator Boori Monty Pryor, the four-part series was directed by Catriona McKenzie, written by Pryor and produced by Kelly West and Melanie Brunt. Princess Pictures’ Emma Fitzsimons and Andrea Denholm were executive producers.
- 9/19/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Christian White.
Tony Ayres and Christian White are co-creating Clickbait, an eight-episode thriller for Netflix, the streaming giant’s first original series to be produced in Melbourne.
Tony Ayres Productions (Tap), Matchbox Pictures and the UK’s Heyday Television will produce the series scripted by White with funding from the Federal Government’s Location Incentive program and Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund.
American Brad Anderson, whose credits include the USA Network’s The Sinner, ABC’s Forever and the movies The Machinist and Beirut, will direct the first two episodes.
Due to shoot in November at Docklands Studios, the production will bring in more than $36 million of international investment, employ about 540 cast, crew and extras and use the services of 290 local businesses, according to Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts.
That implies a production budget of around $5 million an hour. The cast is expected...
Tony Ayres and Christian White are co-creating Clickbait, an eight-episode thriller for Netflix, the streaming giant’s first original series to be produced in Melbourne.
Tony Ayres Productions (Tap), Matchbox Pictures and the UK’s Heyday Television will produce the series scripted by White with funding from the Federal Government’s Location Incentive program and Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund.
American Brad Anderson, whose credits include the USA Network’s The Sinner, ABC’s Forever and the movies The Machinist and Beirut, will direct the first two episodes.
Due to shoot in November at Docklands Studios, the production will bring in more than $36 million of international investment, employ about 540 cast, crew and extras and use the services of 290 local businesses, according to Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts.
That implies a production budget of around $5 million an hour. The cast is expected...
- 8/25/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Tony Ayres and Andrea Denholm.
Friends for years, Tony Ayres and Andrea Denholm had long wanted to work together but did not have the opportunity – until now.
Denholm is joining Tony Ayres Productions (Tap) next week as head of development after finishing up tomorrow as a producer/partner at Princess Pictures.
Ayres tells If: “I was looking for a head of development and asked Andrea for her advice. Her advice was ‘hire me,’ which was music to my ears. She is great with talent and is one of the most impressive creative producers in the country. We have similar views on the shows we want to make.”
After a happy 10 years at Princess Pictures with the company’s founder Laura Waters, Denholm was up for a new challenge. “Tony is a superstar and a beautiful human being,” she says.
“The content he creates and champions reflects his brilliant imagination, curiosity,...
Friends for years, Tony Ayres and Andrea Denholm had long wanted to work together but did not have the opportunity – until now.
Denholm is joining Tony Ayres Productions (Tap) next week as head of development after finishing up tomorrow as a producer/partner at Princess Pictures.
Ayres tells If: “I was looking for a head of development and asked Andrea for her advice. Her advice was ‘hire me,’ which was music to my ears. She is great with talent and is one of the most impressive creative producers in the country. We have similar views on the shows we want to make.”
After a happy 10 years at Princess Pictures with the company’s founder Laura Waters, Denholm was up for a new challenge. “Tony is a superstar and a beautiful human being,” she says.
“The content he creates and champions reflects his brilliant imagination, curiosity,...
- 8/21/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Andrea Denholm.
The restructure of Princess Pictures is nearing completion with the pending departures of producer/partner Andrea Denholm and MD Jenni Tosi.
Denholm finishes up this Friday after 10 years with the production company founded by Laura Waters in 2003.
Tosi, the former Film Victoria CEO who joined a year ago, will depart in mid-November after handing the reins to commercial director and partner Emma Fitzsimons.
These moves follow the exit earlier this year of producer/partner Paul Walton after seven years with Princess Pictures.
The final elements of the revamp are expected to entail an injection of fresh blood. Waters tells If: “These changes have happened organically. I’m quite buoyant about the future: there are exciting things ahead.”
Waters flagged a review of the company’s structure and business strategy and the decision to consolidate rather than expand a few months ago when she told If: “It’s made...
The restructure of Princess Pictures is nearing completion with the pending departures of producer/partner Andrea Denholm and MD Jenni Tosi.
Denholm finishes up this Friday after 10 years with the production company founded by Laura Waters in 2003.
Tosi, the former Film Victoria CEO who joined a year ago, will depart in mid-November after handing the reins to commercial director and partner Emma Fitzsimons.
These moves follow the exit earlier this year of producer/partner Paul Walton after seven years with Princess Pictures.
The final elements of the revamp are expected to entail an injection of fresh blood. Waters tells If: “These changes have happened organically. I’m quite buoyant about the future: there are exciting things ahead.”
Waters flagged a review of the company’s structure and business strategy and the decision to consolidate rather than expand a few months ago when she told If: “It’s made...
- 8/18/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘How to Stay Married.’
Princess Pictures founder/producer Laura Waters and MD Jenni Tosi have repositioned the production company.
Facing two choices – continue to expand or to consolidate – they chose the latter. “Reviewing our structure and business strategy has been such a healthy process,” Waters, who founded the company in 2003, tells If. “It’s made us go back to our roots and our original purpose. I am feeling re-energised about the company.
“We are passionate and hands-on about unique projects and finding new ways of working with international and local partners.”
The company’s slate includes the second season of Network 10’s How to Stay Married, a co-production with Pablo Pictures, which is in the final stages of financing. Created by Peter Helliar, the first series followed Helliar and Lisa McCune as Greg and Em Butler, who had been married for 14 years and whose lives take unexpected turns after...
Princess Pictures founder/producer Laura Waters and MD Jenni Tosi have repositioned the production company.
Facing two choices – continue to expand or to consolidate – they chose the latter. “Reviewing our structure and business strategy has been such a healthy process,” Waters, who founded the company in 2003, tells If. “It’s made us go back to our roots and our original purpose. I am feeling re-energised about the company.
“We are passionate and hands-on about unique projects and finding new ways of working with international and local partners.”
The company’s slate includes the second season of Network 10’s How to Stay Married, a co-production with Pablo Pictures, which is in the final stages of financing. Created by Peter Helliar, the first series followed Helliar and Lisa McCune as Greg and Em Butler, who had been married for 14 years and whose lives take unexpected turns after...
- 6/12/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Wrong Kind of Black’.
Two Australian short-form series have won Rockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival in Canada.
Princess Pictures’ Wrong Kind of Black won the Web Fiction Award for the portrayal of the life of Indigenous DJ Boori Monty Pryor, , while The Twist, an animated factual series produced by Broken Yellow, won the Animation Award for its innovative take on intriguing Australian true crime stories.
Both series were commissioned by the ABC.
ABC head of drama, comedy & Indigenous Sally Riley said: “The ABC is thrilled to win two Rockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival, demonstrating how outstanding Australian content connects with people here and overseas.
“Congratulations to our teams and partners, Princess Pictures and Broken Yellow, for bringing Wrong Kind of Black and The Twist to life for digital audiences, leading the charge for the ABC’s original and diverse content across multiple platforms.”
Princess...
Two Australian short-form series have won Rockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival in Canada.
Princess Pictures’ Wrong Kind of Black won the Web Fiction Award for the portrayal of the life of Indigenous DJ Boori Monty Pryor, , while The Twist, an animated factual series produced by Broken Yellow, won the Animation Award for its innovative take on intriguing Australian true crime stories.
Both series were commissioned by the ABC.
ABC head of drama, comedy & Indigenous Sally Riley said: “The ABC is thrilled to win two Rockie Awards at the Banff World Media Festival, demonstrating how outstanding Australian content connects with people here and overseas.
“Congratulations to our teams and partners, Princess Pictures and Broken Yellow, for bringing Wrong Kind of Black and The Twist to life for digital audiences, leading the charge for the ABC’s original and diverse content across multiple platforms.”
Princess...
- 6/12/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘How to Stay Married’
Los Angeles-based Dynamic Television has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Princess Pictures and Pablo Pictures’ comedy How to Stay Married.
Based on an episode of It’s a Date, the eight-part show created and written by Peter Helliar follows Helliar and Lisa McCune as Greg and Em Butler, who have been married for 14 years.
Things have become a bit stale and when Em takes on a new job and Greg loses his, they get more change than they bargained for. An unexpected house guest and meddlesome neighbors add chaos to the challenge of holding the marriage together. The cast includes Darren Gilshenan, Phil Lloyd and Nikki Britton.
Natalie Bailey was the lead director on the show produced by Jess Leslie, with Andrea Denholm and Emma Fitzsimons as the EPs. The series premieres on Network Ten next month.
Dynamic TV will launch sales at the Mipcom market in Cannes next week.
Los Angeles-based Dynamic Television has acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Princess Pictures and Pablo Pictures’ comedy How to Stay Married.
Based on an episode of It’s a Date, the eight-part show created and written by Peter Helliar follows Helliar and Lisa McCune as Greg and Em Butler, who have been married for 14 years.
Things have become a bit stale and when Em takes on a new job and Greg loses his, they get more change than they bargained for. An unexpected house guest and meddlesome neighbors add chaos to the challenge of holding the marriage together. The cast includes Darren Gilshenan, Phil Lloyd and Nikki Britton.
Natalie Bailey was the lead director on the show produced by Jess Leslie, with Andrea Denholm and Emma Fitzsimons as the EPs. The series premieres on Network Ten next month.
Dynamic TV will launch sales at the Mipcom market in Cannes next week.
- 10/10/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia.s multi-platform drama program has the scope to invest up to $500,000 in a low budget feature- yet not one feature producer has applied.
The fund, which has $4.2 million to invest this financial year, is willing to support feature-length projects from applicants who have a significant social media audience.
That.s defined as a channel with more than 100,000 subscribers or followers, or a video with more than 1 million views and at least 25,000 subscribers.
The creative team must include a producer and director with at least one credit on a comparable project which has been publicly released.
Screen Australia.s report entitled Issues in Feature Film Distribution unveiled last Thursday noted, .To date, Screen Australia has received no applications for low-budget feature films through this program..
Investment manager Mike Cowap tells If he believes he has not been flooded with applications because the guidelines were clarified, specifically to include low-budget features,...
The fund, which has $4.2 million to invest this financial year, is willing to support feature-length projects from applicants who have a significant social media audience.
That.s defined as a channel with more than 100,000 subscribers or followers, or a video with more than 1 million views and at least 25,000 subscribers.
The creative team must include a producer and director with at least one credit on a comparable project which has been publicly released.
Screen Australia.s report entitled Issues in Feature Film Distribution unveiled last Thursday noted, .To date, Screen Australia has received no applications for low-budget feature films through this program..
Investment manager Mike Cowap tells If he believes he has not been flooded with applications because the guidelines were clarified, specifically to include low-budget features,...
- 8/3/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe-Directed Movie Up for Australian Film Award; Crowe Shortlisted Only in Acting Category
Director Russell Crowe Movie up for Best Film: Australian Academy Awards 2015 nominations (photo: Actor-director Russell Crowe in 'The Water Diviner') Aacta Awards: Feature Film Categories Best Film The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson and Bill Curbishley Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum Best Director The Babadook Jennifer Kent Charlie's Country Rolf de Heer Predestination Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Rover David Michôd Best Actress Kate Box The Little Death Essie Davis The Babadook Sarah Snook Predestination Mia Wasikowska Tracks Best Actor Russell Crowe The Water Diviner David Gulpilil Charlie's Country Damon Herriman The Little Death Guy Pearce The Rover Best Supporting Actor Patrick Brammall The Little Death Yilmaz Erdogan...
- 12/3/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Hit musical drama The Sapphires has scored 12 nominations at the 2012 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) Awards including in the coveted best feature film category.
The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.
Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main Aacta ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.
Not Suitable for Children...
The Sapphires, which follows four indigenous singers during the Vietnam war, has grossed more than $14 million in Australia to become the biggest local film of the year.
Three other films will be also be vying for the best feature film award: Burning Man (10 nominations in total), Lore (eight nominations in total) and Wish You Were Here (eight nominations in total) at the main Aacta ceremony, which will be held on January 30, 2013, at The Star Event Centre. Last year's event was held at the iconic Sydney Opera House.
P.J. Hogan's Mental also scored eight nominations including Best Lead Actress (Toni Collette), Best Supporting Actor (Liev Schreiber) Best Young Actor (Lily Sullivan) and Best Supporting Actress for Rebecca Gibney and Deborah Mailman.
Not Suitable for Children...
- 12/3/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
The Sapphires has led the Academy of Australian Cinema and Television Arts Awards nominations being nominated in 12 categories.
Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.
The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and best adapted screenplay as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.
Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthre Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.
Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.
Awards will be handed out over two events, with an awards luncheon, focused on craft categories on Monday January 28 and the main event on January 30. Both events will be held at the Star Event Centre, the first public events for the venue.
The Sapphires, distributed by Hopscotch/eOne has been nominated for Best Film, Best Direction and best adapted screenplay as well as Best Lead Actor and Actress for Chris O’Dowd and Deborah Mailman, and Best Supporting Actress for Jessica Mauboy.
Burning Man was not far behind on 10 nominations including best film and best direction as well as best lead actor for Matthre Goode and Best Supporting Actress for Essie Davis.
Three more films, Lore, Mental and Wish You Were Here received eight nominations while Not Suitable For Children received four.
- 12/3/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has committed more than $450,000 in development funding across 19 feature films.
Of the 19 projects, six are new to Screen Australia.s developmental slate, while the other 13 will continue to receive support.
The new projects include the drama script Clive, about a privileged man whose life is transformed after a serious accident, and Em, a comedic take on Jane Austen.s classic Emma.
Clive comes from writer/director Natasha Pincus, producer Bridget Ikin and executive producer John Maynard.
Em will be set in 1950s rural Australia and comes from writer Matthew Dabner, director Kate Riedl and producers Karen Radzyner and Anna Vincent.
Psychological thriller Lonely Girl will also receive developmental support. Written by Lynne Vincent McCarthy and produced by Samantha Jennings, the project was also supported through Screen Australia.s Springboard Program.
The crime drama My Country, written by Sam Meikle and Serhat Caradee and produced by Matthew Dabner, will also receive funding.
Of the 19 projects, six are new to Screen Australia.s developmental slate, while the other 13 will continue to receive support.
The new projects include the drama script Clive, about a privileged man whose life is transformed after a serious accident, and Em, a comedic take on Jane Austen.s classic Emma.
Clive comes from writer/director Natasha Pincus, producer Bridget Ikin and executive producer John Maynard.
Em will be set in 1950s rural Australia and comes from writer Matthew Dabner, director Kate Riedl and producers Karen Radzyner and Anna Vincent.
Psychological thriller Lonely Girl will also receive developmental support. Written by Lynne Vincent McCarthy and produced by Samantha Jennings, the project was also supported through Screen Australia.s Springboard Program.
The crime drama My Country, written by Sam Meikle and Serhat Caradee and produced by Matthew Dabner, will also receive funding.
- 11/19/2012
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Over $450 000 in funding will be spread across 19 feature films following an announcement from Screen Australia today.
Of the 19 projects, six are new to Screen Australia.s developmental slate, while the other 13 will continue to receive support.
The new projects include the drama script Clive, about a privileged man whose life is transformed after a serious accident, and Em, a comedic take on Jane Austen.s classic Emma.
Clive comes from writer/director Natasha Pincus, producer Bridget Ikin and executive producer John Maynard.
Em will be set in 1950s rural Australia and comes from writer Matthew Dabner, director Kate Riedl and producers Karen Radzyner and Anna Vincent.
.Pyschological thriller Lonely Girl will also receive developmental support. Written by Lynne Vincent McCarthy and produced by Samantha Jennings, the project was also supported through Screen Australia.s Springboard Program.
The crime drama My Country, written by Sam Meikle and Serhat Caradee and produced by Matthew Dabner,...
Of the 19 projects, six are new to Screen Australia.s developmental slate, while the other 13 will continue to receive support.
The new projects include the drama script Clive, about a privileged man whose life is transformed after a serious accident, and Em, a comedic take on Jane Austen.s classic Emma.
Clive comes from writer/director Natasha Pincus, producer Bridget Ikin and executive producer John Maynard.
Em will be set in 1950s rural Australia and comes from writer Matthew Dabner, director Kate Riedl and producers Karen Radzyner and Anna Vincent.
.Pyschological thriller Lonely Girl will also receive developmental support. Written by Lynne Vincent McCarthy and produced by Samantha Jennings, the project was also supported through Screen Australia.s Springboard Program.
The crime drama My Country, written by Sam Meikle and Serhat Caradee and produced by Matthew Dabner,...
- 11/19/2012
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Brendan Cowell
Writer and actor Brendan Cowell will make his feature film directorial debut with the adaptation of his play Ruben Guthrie - the story of a wild-boy agency creative who burns himself out.
Cowell’s project is among 19 films to receive a cut of the $450,000 development support from Screen Australia.
Cowell has teamed up with Yael Bergman, producer of I Love You Too, which starred Cowell, and executive producers Laura Waters and Andrea Denholm.
The film’s synopsis reads: “By day, 29-year-old Ruben Guthrie is the wunderkind creative at one of Sydney’s hottest boutique ad agencies; by night, he is one of Sydney’s most notorious party boys until he jumps off a hotel roof into a wading pool and nearly kills himself. Over the next 12 months, Ruben tries to build a life around AA, cups of tea, inner growth and sex with a reformed addict. His friends,...
Writer and actor Brendan Cowell will make his feature film directorial debut with the adaptation of his play Ruben Guthrie - the story of a wild-boy agency creative who burns himself out.
Cowell’s project is among 19 films to receive a cut of the $450,000 development support from Screen Australia.
Cowell has teamed up with Yael Bergman, producer of I Love You Too, which starred Cowell, and executive producers Laura Waters and Andrea Denholm.
The film’s synopsis reads: “By day, 29-year-old Ruben Guthrie is the wunderkind creative at one of Sydney’s hottest boutique ad agencies; by night, he is one of Sydney’s most notorious party boys until he jumps off a hotel roof into a wading pool and nearly kills himself. Over the next 12 months, Ruben tries to build a life around AA, cups of tea, inner growth and sex with a reformed addict. His friends,...
- 11/19/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested $9 in 15 projects, including a film adaptation of the TV comedy hit Kath and Kim, entitled The Kath and Kim Filum – produced by Rick McKenna, Jane Turner and Gina Riley, and directed by Ted Emery.
In the film, Kath and Kim will head overseas “on a whirlwind tour of love, lust and revolution”.
The investment round supports a production slate worth almost $29m. It also includes the feature The Last Great Apes, The 20-Something Survival Guide, and a theatrical doco for IMAX, as well as 10 documentaries.
The projects are:
Features
The 20-something Survival Guide
Eddie Wong Films Pty Ltd
Producer Jodi Matterson
Executive Producers Bruna Papandrea, Simon Bosanquet, Mark Huffam
Writer Michael Lucas
Director Peter Templeman
International Sales Marble Hill/Sc Films International
Australian Distributor Icon
Synopsis A freewheeling 20-something guy learns he will be infertile in a month, so he has to find someone to conceive...
In the film, Kath and Kim will head overseas “on a whirlwind tour of love, lust and revolution”.
The investment round supports a production slate worth almost $29m. It also includes the feature The Last Great Apes, The 20-Something Survival Guide, and a theatrical doco for IMAX, as well as 10 documentaries.
The projects are:
Features
The 20-something Survival Guide
Eddie Wong Films Pty Ltd
Producer Jodi Matterson
Executive Producers Bruna Papandrea, Simon Bosanquet, Mark Huffam
Writer Michael Lucas
Director Peter Templeman
International Sales Marble Hill/Sc Films International
Australian Distributor Icon
Synopsis A freewheeling 20-something guy learns he will be infertile in a month, so he has to find someone to conceive...
- 3/8/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Film Victoria has invested $350,000 on a telemovie based on the story of the two miners trapped in the Beaconsfield mine in 2006, produced by Southern Star Entertainment and set to air on Nine.
“Some of Victoria’s finest screen talent will bring this important Australian story to the screen, delivering jobs to Victoria’s screen sector. The Baillieu Government will support local production companies fostering talent and ideas and providing employment for local innovators,” said Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher.
Beaconsfield will be produced by John Edwards and Sarah Shaw, written by Julie McCrossin and directed by Glendyn Ivin.
The latest funding round from Film Victoria sees $2.4m supporting Beaconsfield and five other television/documentary projects:
• The Tale of Devil Island (360o Degree Films, prod. Sally Ingleton, writer/dir Andrew Sully)- wildlife biologist Nick Mooney and his team have hatched an audacious plan to save these...
“Some of Victoria’s finest screen talent will bring this important Australian story to the screen, delivering jobs to Victoria’s screen sector. The Baillieu Government will support local production companies fostering talent and ideas and providing employment for local innovators,” said Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher.
Beaconsfield will be produced by John Edwards and Sarah Shaw, written by Julie McCrossin and directed by Glendyn Ivin.
The latest funding round from Film Victoria sees $2.4m supporting Beaconsfield and five other television/documentary projects:
• The Tale of Devil Island (360o Degree Films, prod. Sally Ingleton, writer/dir Andrew Sully)- wildlife biologist Nick Mooney and his team have hatched an audacious plan to save these...
- 12/22/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Film Victoria has announced a new round of investment funding worth $992,500.
The recipients are the feature Surviving Georgia, Southern Star drama Offspring, a Princess Pictures comedy, two documentaries and an online portal to complement the Sbs doco series Second Australians.
Talking about the significant investment on television, Film Victoria Sandra Sdraulig said the small screen was essential for the state, because of the consistency of expenditure and employment opportunities..
The chosen projects are:
Online
The Multicultural History Portal
The Chocolate Liberation Front; Producers Dan Fill, Frank Verheggen ; Writer Andrew Jacobuwicz.
A series of interactive documentary features that capture the history of immigration to Australia. It will act as a companion piece to Second Australians.
Documentary
The First Interview
Jungle Pictures; Producer Fiona Cochrane; Writer/Director Dennis Tupicoff; Network ABC
A documentary that goes bacck to Paris, 1886, to a conversation between great French scientist Michel-Eugene Chevreul and famous photographer Nadar – the...
The recipients are the feature Surviving Georgia, Southern Star drama Offspring, a Princess Pictures comedy, two documentaries and an online portal to complement the Sbs doco series Second Australians.
Talking about the significant investment on television, Film Victoria Sandra Sdraulig said the small screen was essential for the state, because of the consistency of expenditure and employment opportunities..
The chosen projects are:
Online
The Multicultural History Portal
The Chocolate Liberation Front; Producers Dan Fill, Frank Verheggen ; Writer Andrew Jacobuwicz.
A series of interactive documentary features that capture the history of immigration to Australia. It will act as a companion piece to Second Australians.
Documentary
The First Interview
Jungle Pictures; Producer Fiona Cochrane; Writer/Director Dennis Tupicoff; Network ABC
A documentary that goes bacck to Paris, 1886, to a conversation between great French scientist Michel-Eugene Chevreul and famous photographer Nadar – the...
- 5/20/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
SYDNEY -- Australia's Network Ten has made a major commitment to expanding its local drama slate with two new U.K. co-productions and a new series from Southern Star, two of which it hopes will turn into long-running primetime dramas, the network said Thursday. Mike Bullen -- the U.K. creator-producer of hit series "Cold Feet" -- has, along with producers Andrew Knight and Andrea Denholm, developed a series for Ten and Channel 5 titled "Tripping Over". The six-part pilot, described by Knight as being about "that one time in your life when you cut loose from all you have been, travel and open yourself up to every and all possibilities," will be filmed in London, Thailand, Sydney and Melbourne beginning in early May for delivery to Ten later in the year.
SYDNEY -- Mike Bullen, writer and creator of top U.K. series Cold Feet and Life Begins, is to link up with one of Australia's most successful writer-producers, Andrew Knight, to create a television series with United Kingdom and Australian connections. Bullen, who relocated to Sydney in September 2002, is currently writing a second series of Life Begins for Granada in the United Kingdom. When his contractual obligations with Granada end in September, his newly created production company Pommie Granite Prods. will join with Knight and partner Andrea Denholm's Corner Store Films to develop an as yet untitled series for Network Ten.
- 6/29/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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