Choose Love is a rom-com interactive film directed by Stuart McDonald with a screenplay by Josann McGibbon. The Netflix film follows Cami, a young woman who starts to doubt her relationship with her partner Paul when two other men enter her life. Choose Love stars Laura Marano, Avan Jogia, Scott Michael Foster, and Jordi Webber. While Choose Love is an interactive film we are only able to recommend romantic comedies as there are not many rom-com interactive films in existence. So, if you loved Choose Love here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Look Both Ways (Netflix) Credit – Netflix
Synopsis: On the eve of her college graduation, Natalie’s [Lili Reinhart] life diverges into parallel realities: one in which she becomes pregnant and remains in her hometown, and another in which she does not and moves to Los Angeles. In both journeys, Natalie experiences life-changing love, pursues her dream career as an artist,...
Look Both Ways (Netflix) Credit – Netflix
Synopsis: On the eve of her college graduation, Natalie’s [Lili Reinhart] life diverges into parallel realities: one in which she becomes pregnant and remains in her hometown, and another in which she does not and moves to Los Angeles. In both journeys, Natalie experiences life-changing love, pursues her dream career as an artist,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Stuart McDonald deeply admires Netflix’s first interactive movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. He describes the film as a dark journey wherein a viewer’s decisions in a gamer nerd’s life could lead to acid trips, existential torment, suicide, stuffed bunnies, and decapitated heads. But McDonald knows audiences will have a different reaction to the streaming behemoth’s first interactive romantic comedy, which he directed. In Choose Love, audiences wander into the pages of a fan fiction to decide which suitor is best for the film’s career-driven protagonist, Cami...
- 9/1/2023
- by Kalia Richardson
- Rollingstone.com
Viewers can take charge of a new romantic comedy, picking the lead’s moves, but the fun of the idea quickly evaporates
In theory, an interactive romcom in which you choose the suitor, and the confessions or evasions to get to them, sounds like a good idea. Who hasn’t yelled “not him!” or “don’t do that” at the screen when bemoaning a misguided protagonist’s choices? Choose Love, Netflix’s romcom entry into its nascent interactive oeuvre (following the Black Mirror episode Bandersnatch in 2019), at least tries to makes its choices seem organic to a theoretical audience’s different tastes in romantic interests. But as proof of a concept that sounds admittedly like a consultant’s pitch to streaming services, it struggles to feel at all like a genuine story.
To be fair to the director Stuart McDonald and the screenwriter Josann McGibbon, who had to conceive of...
In theory, an interactive romcom in which you choose the suitor, and the confessions or evasions to get to them, sounds like a good idea. Who hasn’t yelled “not him!” or “don’t do that” at the screen when bemoaning a misguided protagonist’s choices? Choose Love, Netflix’s romcom entry into its nascent interactive oeuvre (following the Black Mirror episode Bandersnatch in 2019), at least tries to makes its choices seem organic to a theoretical audience’s different tastes in romantic interests. But as proof of a concept that sounds admittedly like a consultant’s pitch to streaming services, it struggles to feel at all like a genuine story.
To be fair to the director Stuart McDonald and the screenwriter Josann McGibbon, who had to conceive of...
- 8/31/2023
- by Adrian Horton
- The Guardian - Film News
Back in 2018 with “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch,” Netflix introduced interactive features as a way for viewers to take charge of a movie, using a controller to select diverse story paths. The filmmakers offered choices branching off from pivotal points within the narrative that led to a range of conclusions that either worked, eventually triggering the end credits, or didn’t, propelling the viewer back to an earlier point to try again. More programming utilizing this style shortly followed in other genres: the scripted comedy “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend,” the animated special “We Lost Our Human,” and the reality series “Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls.”
This innovative concept is now applied to the streamer’s growing stable of saccharine-but-sentimental romantic comedy features with “Choose Love.” Director Stuart McDonald (“A Perfect Pairing”) and writer-producer Josann McGibbon (“Runaway Bride”) center their tale on an indecisive career-driven woman who must choose...
This innovative concept is now applied to the streamer’s growing stable of saccharine-but-sentimental romantic comedy features with “Choose Love.” Director Stuart McDonald (“A Perfect Pairing”) and writer-producer Josann McGibbon (“Runaway Bride”) center their tale on an indecisive career-driven woman who must choose...
- 8/31/2023
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety Film + TV
HBO’s Ballers, the docuseries Depp v. Heard, the Adam Sandler-produced You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah and interactive rom-com Choose Love are among the new projects debuting on Netflix in August.
After adding all five seasons of Insecure last month, in the first time an HBO original series was available on Netflix in the U.S., Netflix is adding yet another HBO title on Aug. 15: the Dwayne Johnson-fronted Ballers.
The streamer is also set to add HBO series Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Six Feet Under at a future date, due to a co-exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s headline-making 2022 defamation case, over a Washington Post op-ed in which Heard called herself a domestic abuse survivor, is the subject of the three-part Depp v. Heard docuseries, which combines footage that was televised and livestreamed...
After adding all five seasons of Insecure last month, in the first time an HBO original series was available on Netflix in the U.S., Netflix is adding yet another HBO title on Aug. 15: the Dwayne Johnson-fronted Ballers.
The streamer is also set to add HBO series Band of Brothers, The Pacific and Six Feet Under at a future date, due to a co-exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s headline-making 2022 defamation case, over a Washington Post op-ed in which Heard called herself a domestic abuse survivor, is the subject of the three-part Depp v. Heard docuseries, which combines footage that was televised and livestreamed...
- 8/14/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix’s Choose Love gives romantic comedy fans a chance to decide who ends up with who. Choose Love, which just dropped a trailer, new photos, and a poster, allows viewers to pick the lead character’s career path and which of the assorted single males she’ll end up with.
Laura Marano (The Royal Treatment) leads the cast as Cami Conway, a recording engineer, and Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap) stars as Rex Galier, a British rock star. Scott Michael Foster (You) plays Paul, Cami’s boyfriend, and Jordi Webber (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) stars as Jack Menna, Cami’s first love. Rounding out the cast is Megan Smart (Class of ’07) as Amalia, Cami’s sister.
Stuart McDonald directs from a screenplay by Josann McGibbon. McGibbon, Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Mel Turner, and Axel Paton serve as producers.
Choose Love premieres on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Laura Marano as Cami...
Laura Marano (The Royal Treatment) leads the cast as Cami Conway, a recording engineer, and Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap) stars as Rex Galier, a British rock star. Scott Michael Foster (You) plays Paul, Cami’s boyfriend, and Jordi Webber (Power Rangers Ninja Steel) stars as Jack Menna, Cami’s first love. Rounding out the cast is Megan Smart (Class of ’07) as Amalia, Cami’s sister.
Stuart McDonald directs from a screenplay by Josann McGibbon. McGibbon, Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Mel Turner, and Axel Paton serve as producers.
Choose Love premieres on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Laura Marano as Cami...
- 8/1/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Have you ever been so frustrated by a romantic comedy that you wanted to choose who the main character ends up with yourself? Now you can with the Netflix interactive film “Choose Love,” the trailer for which was released on Tuesday.
The story introduces Laura Marano as Cami Conway, who seems pretty satisfied with her life and boyfriend Paul (Scott Michael Foster) until she goes to see a tarot reader who points out that her life might be missing something. She doesn’t exactly love her sound-mixing job, but the rest is manageable.
The fun begins when she stumbles upon multiple life choices that could lead her in a different direction. She bumps into childhood beau Jack Menna (Jordi Webber) one day after he hadn’t crossed her mind in many years, and shortly after that — if the choice is made where she doesn’t kiss him when they catch...
The story introduces Laura Marano as Cami Conway, who seems pretty satisfied with her life and boyfriend Paul (Scott Michael Foster) until she goes to see a tarot reader who points out that her life might be missing something. She doesn’t exactly love her sound-mixing job, but the rest is manageable.
The fun begins when she stumbles upon multiple life choices that could lead her in a different direction. She bumps into childhood beau Jack Menna (Jordi Webber) one day after he hadn’t crossed her mind in many years, and shortly after that — if the choice is made where she doesn’t kiss him when they catch...
- 8/1/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
There’s no doubt director Stuart McDonald’s “A Perfect Pairing” pairs perfectly with a nice bottle of wine on a lonely night at home. Providing a respite from our hectic reality, this romantic comedy centered on an assured woman who finds love and purpose in the land down under offers delightful entertainment while playing to our most wholesome sensibilities. Charming, cute and fairly satisfying, it follows the formula for Netflix branded content that’s typically reserved for their holiday films, going down smoothly and pleasing the palate.
Lola Alvarez (Victoria Justice) puts her clients’ happiness before her own. Though she loves her job as sales director at a wine distribution company, she despises her cruel, condescending boss Calder (Craig Horner). Her love life’s been on pause after a divorce a few years prior, and she hasn’t felt the need to press play since, using her busy work schedule as an excuse.
Lola Alvarez (Victoria Justice) puts her clients’ happiness before her own. Though she loves her job as sales director at a wine distribution company, she despises her cruel, condescending boss Calder (Craig Horner). Her love life’s been on pause after a divorce a few years prior, and she hasn’t felt the need to press play since, using her busy work schedule as an excuse.
- 5/18/2022
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix is expanding its interactive content offerings, with the streamer ordering the interactive romantic comedy film “Choose Love” from Josann McGibbon.
The cast includes Laura Marano (“The Royal Treatment”), Avan Jogia (“Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City”), Scott Michael Foster (“You”), and Jordi Webber (“Head High”). McGibbon is the writer and executive producer on the film, with Stuart McDonald directing. Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Mel Turner, Axel Paton serve as producers.
In the film, Cami Conway (Marano) has it all. She’s got the job she wants as a recording engineer and is headed towards engagement, marriage and kids with her wonderful boyfriend, Paul (Foster). And yet, she feels something is missing. Is it just Fomo and the fear of commitment that goes with it? Or is she actually missing out on an even better career, perhaps the long abandoned singing career she once dreamed of? And is Paul the love of her life?...
The cast includes Laura Marano (“The Royal Treatment”), Avan Jogia (“Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City”), Scott Michael Foster (“You”), and Jordi Webber (“Head High”). McGibbon is the writer and executive producer on the film, with Stuart McDonald directing. Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Mel Turner, Axel Paton serve as producers.
In the film, Cami Conway (Marano) has it all. She’s got the job she wants as a recording engineer and is headed towards engagement, marriage and kids with her wonderful boyfriend, Paul (Foster). And yet, she feels something is missing. Is it just Fomo and the fear of commitment that goes with it? Or is she actually missing out on an even better career, perhaps the long abandoned singing career she once dreamed of? And is Paul the love of her life?...
- 3/30/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Victoria Justice (Afterlife of the Party) and Adam Demos (Sex/Life) have signed on to star in an untitled romantic comedy, which Stuart McDonald (Summer Heights High, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is directing for Netflix.
The film written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy centers on a hard-driving LA wine-company exec who travels to an Australian sheep station to land a major client. There, she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.
Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover, and Tracey Vieira are producing the pic, which will be shot on location in Queensland, Australia.
Tracey Robertson is exec producing with Nathan Mayfield, Elizabeth Hackett, Hilary Galanoy and Fernando Szew.
Production and post-production will be supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. The film will create around 120 jobs for Queenslanders.
“This new Netflix film is the latest...
The film written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy centers on a hard-driving LA wine-company exec who travels to an Australian sheep station to land a major client. There, she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.
Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover, and Tracey Vieira are producing the pic, which will be shot on location in Queensland, Australia.
Tracey Robertson is exec producing with Nathan Mayfield, Elizabeth Hackett, Hilary Galanoy and Fernando Szew.
Production and post-production will be supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy. The film will create around 120 jobs for Queenslanders.
“This new Netflix film is the latest...
- 8/11/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Victoria Justice and Adam Demos are teaming up for a new Netflix romcom, set to film on location in Queensland, Australia.
In the film, Justice stars as a hard-driving L.A. wine-company exec who, in order to land a major client, travels to an Australian sheep station where she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.
The as-yet-untitled movie will be directed by Stuart McDonald, from a script by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, who previously worked with Demos on 2019’s “Falling Inn Love,” which also starred Christina Milian.
The project is produced by Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover and Tracey Vieira. Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield, Hackett, Galanoy and Fernando Szew serve as executive producers.
Both Justice and Demos have a history with the streamer, as Justice is next set to star in the Netflix movie “Afterlife of the Party” and Demos starred in the steamy drama “Sex/Life.
In the film, Justice stars as a hard-driving L.A. wine-company exec who, in order to land a major client, travels to an Australian sheep station where she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.
The as-yet-untitled movie will be directed by Stuart McDonald, from a script by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, who previously worked with Demos on 2019’s “Falling Inn Love,” which also starred Christina Milian.
The project is produced by Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover and Tracey Vieira. Tracey Robertson, Nathan Mayfield, Hackett, Galanoy and Fernando Szew serve as executive producers.
Both Justice and Demos have a history with the streamer, as Justice is next set to star in the Netflix movie “Afterlife of the Party” and Demos starred in the steamy drama “Sex/Life.
- 8/11/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Adam Demos and US star Victoria Justice (Afterlife of the Party) will lead a new Netflix rom-com to be filmed in Queensland, helmed by Stuart McDonald.
The yet-to-be-titled feature follows an LA wine-company executive who travels to an Australian sheep station in an attempt to land a major client. While working as a ranch hand, she forms a connection with a rugged local.
The script is penned by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, with the film to be produced by Hoodlum Entertainment’s Deborah Glover and Tracey Vieira, alongside Robyn Snyder and Deborah Evans.
Hackett is also executive producing with Hoodlum’s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield, as well as Hilary Galanoy and Fernando Szew.
The film will be shot on location in Queensland, where it will be supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, and is expected to create approximately 120 jobs.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk...
The yet-to-be-titled feature follows an LA wine-company executive who travels to an Australian sheep station in an attempt to land a major client. While working as a ranch hand, she forms a connection with a rugged local.
The script is penned by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy, with the film to be produced by Hoodlum Entertainment’s Deborah Glover and Tracey Vieira, alongside Robyn Snyder and Deborah Evans.
Hackett is also executive producing with Hoodlum’s Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield, as well as Hilary Galanoy and Fernando Szew.
The film will be shot on location in Queensland, where it will be supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy, and is expected to create approximately 120 jobs.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk...
- 8/11/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Victoria Justice and Adam Demos, the star of the break-out Netflix series Sex/Life, are set to star in a new Netflix rom-com from the writers behind the streamer’s past feature Falling Inn Love and Love, Guaranteed.
Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy penned the untitled project that follows “a hard-driving LA wine-company exec that travels to an Australian sheep station, where she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.”
Stuart McDonald, whose credits include Summer Heights High and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, will direct.
Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover, and Tracey Vieira will produce, with Tracey Robertson, Nathan ...
Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy penned the untitled project that follows “a hard-driving LA wine-company exec that travels to an Australian sheep station, where she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.”
Stuart McDonald, whose credits include Summer Heights High and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, will direct.
Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover, and Tracey Vieira will produce, with Tracey Robertson, Nathan ...
- 8/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Victoria Justice and Adam Demos, the star of the break-out Netflix series Sex/Life, are set to star in a new Netflix rom-com from the writers behind the streamer’s past feature Falling Inn Love and Love, Guaranteed.
Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy penned the untitled project that follows “a hard-driving LA wine-company exec that travels to an Australian sheep station, where she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.”
Stuart McDonald, whose credits include Summer Heights High and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, will direct.
Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover, and Tracey Vieira will produce, with Tracey Robertson, Nathan ...
Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy penned the untitled project that follows “a hard-driving LA wine-company exec that travels to an Australian sheep station, where she ends up working as a ranch hand and sparking with a rugged local.”
Stuart McDonald, whose credits include Summer Heights High and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, will direct.
Robyn Snyder, Deborah Evans, Deborah Glover, and Tracey Vieira will produce, with Tracey Robertson, Nathan ...
- 8/11/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
‘Nekrotronic.’
Kiah Roache-Turner’s sci-fi horror comedy Nekrotronic will be released in the Us in select cinemas and on VOD and digital HD on August 9 by Momentum Pictures.
“I’m really excited: I think day-and-date is the future for most independent films in the Us,” Kiah tells If. “Some say it is the end of cinema but it’s not: it’s a different way of delivering films to eyeballs.”
One advantage of the day-and-date strategy is limiting the potential for piracy. The Roache-Turner brothers’ Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead was available on iTunes in the Us before the Australian release. “Piracy killed us,” he says.
Produced by Andrew Mason and Troy Lum for Hopscotch Features and Tristan Roache-Turner for Guerrilla Films, Nekrotronic stars Monica Bellucci as Finnegan, CEO of the sinister Daemokon corporation, who is determined to feast on every human soul on the planet via a new smartphone app.
Kiah Roache-Turner’s sci-fi horror comedy Nekrotronic will be released in the Us in select cinemas and on VOD and digital HD on August 9 by Momentum Pictures.
“I’m really excited: I think day-and-date is the future for most independent films in the Us,” Kiah tells If. “Some say it is the end of cinema but it’s not: it’s a different way of delivering films to eyeballs.”
One advantage of the day-and-date strategy is limiting the potential for piracy. The Roache-Turner brothers’ Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead was available on iTunes in the Us before the Australian release. “Piracy killed us,” he says.
Produced by Andrew Mason and Troy Lum for Hopscotch Features and Tristan Roache-Turner for Guerrilla Films, Nekrotronic stars Monica Bellucci as Finnegan, CEO of the sinister Daemokon corporation, who is determined to feast on every human soul on the planet via a new smartphone app.
- 6/14/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Watch the “Maybe She’s Not Such a Heinous Bitch After All” on mute, and it looks like one of the happiest things “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” has ever done. But as with the rest of the musical sequences on the show, there’s always more behind what Rebecca Bunch tells herself.
There’s Rebecca (Rachel Bloom), just off one of the lowest points in her life, finally being Ok with moving back home and living with her mom Naomi (Tovah Feldshuh). As she starts to accept Naomi’s sudden change in attitude, complete with homemade milkshakes and TV-watching cuddle sessions, her thoughts take the form of a Ronettes-style, Wall of Sound tribute. Singing the song takes her from Naomi’s living room, straight through to a black-and-white TV performance, with a pair of backup singers for good measure.
IndieWire was on set for the filming of “Maybe She’s Not Such...
There’s Rebecca (Rachel Bloom), just off one of the lowest points in her life, finally being Ok with moving back home and living with her mom Naomi (Tovah Feldshuh). As she starts to accept Naomi’s sudden change in attitude, complete with homemade milkshakes and TV-watching cuddle sessions, her thoughts take the form of a Ronettes-style, Wall of Sound tribute. Singing the song takes her from Naomi’s living room, straight through to a black-and-white TV performance, with a pair of backup singers for good measure.
IndieWire was on set for the filming of “Maybe She’s Not Such...
- 11/10/2017
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Plus: CinemaCon to anoint comedy trio; and more…
Dave Bautista will join Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Robin Wright in Alcon Entertainment’s Blade Runner sequel.
Plot points remain under the proverbial wraps, however Alcon said the Guardian Of The Galaxy and Spectre veteran would play “an important supporting role”.
Denis Villeneuve is scheduled to begin shooting in July. Warner Bros and Sony handle North American and international distribution, respectively.
Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick and Adam DeVine will receive the CinemaCon Comedy Stars Of The Year Award on April 14. The trio star with Aubrey Plaza in Fox’s comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, set to open in North America on July 8. CinemaCon runs in Las Vegas from April 11-14.Burt Reynolds and Amy Smart have joined Sweet Tomato Films and Character Brigade’s family film And There Was Light. As previously announced, Jack Griffo from Nickelodeon show The Thundermans also stars in the story of a young...
Dave Bautista will join Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford and Robin Wright in Alcon Entertainment’s Blade Runner sequel.
Plot points remain under the proverbial wraps, however Alcon said the Guardian Of The Galaxy and Spectre veteran would play “an important supporting role”.
Denis Villeneuve is scheduled to begin shooting in July. Warner Bros and Sony handle North American and international distribution, respectively.
Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick and Adam DeVine will receive the CinemaCon Comedy Stars Of The Year Award on April 14. The trio star with Aubrey Plaza in Fox’s comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, set to open in North America on July 8. CinemaCon runs in Las Vegas from April 11-14.Burt Reynolds and Amy Smart have joined Sweet Tomato Films and Character Brigade’s family film And There Was Light. As previously announced, Jack Griffo from Nickelodeon show The Thundermans also stars in the story of a young...
- 4/4/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
There was an underrated, Australian comedy entitled Red Dog, which hit screens back in 2011. Tongue-in-cheek and gloriously deadpan, the Kriv Stenders endeavour was a charming, unexpected joy – and much of the same can be said for Stuart McDonald’s Oddball and the Penguins, another dry-witted, Australian picture with a dog in the title
The post Oddball and the Penguins Review appeared first on HeyUGuys.
The post Oddball and the Penguins Review appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 2/11/2016
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
★★★☆☆ What is it about penguins? From marching toward mating grounds in the Antarctic, showing off mad tap-dancing skills or ensuring military-style precision in operations on Madagascar, these little critters know how to captivate a cinema audience. They may not be the first creatures that come to mind when thinking of the wildlife Australia has to offer but in the sleepy Victoria town of Warrnambool these little guys are a very big deal. Oddball and the Penguins is based on the true story of a conservationist family and their rambunctious, remarkable Maremma sheepdog. Stuart McDonald's film is a warm and big-hearted tale with just that right dose of magic, teaching valuable environmental and life lessons along the way.
- 2/11/2016
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
After merging his company with Wtfn and producing Oddball with Steve Kearney, Richard Keddie has returned to his roots as an independent producer.
Via his banner The Film Company, Keddie is developing a slate of film and TV projects including Stalking Julia, a feature film on Julia Gillard which will star Rachel Griffiths, who will also co-produce.
It was an amicable split from Wtfn after a partnership of two and a half years. .I decided I am happier running my own company,. he tells If.
He.s co-developing some projects with Us-based Sheila Hanahan Taylor, who was one of the producers on Oddball.
He describes his Gillard biopic, which is based partly on Kerry-Anne Walsh's book The Stalking of Julia Gillard, as completely different from the ABC.s The Killing Season.
Sarah Ferguson's three-part documentary, which examined the forces that shaped Labor during the Kevin Rudd / Julia Gillard leadership years,...
Via his banner The Film Company, Keddie is developing a slate of film and TV projects including Stalking Julia, a feature film on Julia Gillard which will star Rachel Griffiths, who will also co-produce.
It was an amicable split from Wtfn after a partnership of two and a half years. .I decided I am happier running my own company,. he tells If.
He.s co-developing some projects with Us-based Sheila Hanahan Taylor, who was one of the producers on Oddball.
He describes his Gillard biopic, which is based partly on Kerry-Anne Walsh's book The Stalking of Julia Gillard, as completely different from the ABC.s The Killing Season.
Sarah Ferguson's three-part documentary, which examined the forces that shaped Labor during the Kevin Rudd / Julia Gillard leadership years,...
- 11/19/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Australian films and feature documentaries released this year are set to surpass $80 million in B.O. receipts next week, an all-time record in dollars.
Through last Sunday, the total including holdovers from previous years was $76.5 million, according to the Mpdaa..
As If reported, the previous all-time box office record of $63.4 million set in 2001 was broken in early October.
Buoyed by exceptionally strong word of mouth, The Dressmaker collected $3.06 million in its second weekend, down a mere 3 per cent, boosting its earnings to $8.26 million.
Playing so broadly, Jocelyn Moorhouse.s film is unlikely to take a significant hit from Spectre, which opens on Thursday. The Universal release produced by Sue Maslin looks capable of reaching $20 million.
With such an upside for The Dressmaker and modest contributions from Oddball ($10.6 million after eight weekends) and Alex & Eve ($324,000 after three weekends), the calendar year total could go close to $90 million.
Produced by Wtfn's...
Through last Sunday, the total including holdovers from previous years was $76.5 million, according to the Mpdaa..
As If reported, the previous all-time box office record of $63.4 million set in 2001 was broken in early October.
Buoyed by exceptionally strong word of mouth, The Dressmaker collected $3.06 million in its second weekend, down a mere 3 per cent, boosting its earnings to $8.26 million.
Playing so broadly, Jocelyn Moorhouse.s film is unlikely to take a significant hit from Spectre, which opens on Thursday. The Universal release produced by Sue Maslin looks capable of reaching $20 million.
With such an upside for The Dressmaker and modest contributions from Oddball ($10.6 million after eight weekends) and Alex & Eve ($324,000 after three weekends), the calendar year total could go close to $90 million.
Produced by Wtfn's...
- 11/9/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Continuing the 2015 resurgence of Australian cinema, Oddball vaulted past Last Cab to Darwin last weekend to rank as the fourth most popular local film in cinemas this year.
As If foreshadowed last week, the Australian feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers were set to break the previous all-time calendar year record of $63.4 million in 2001, the year of Moulin Rouge!, Lantana, The Man Who Sued God and Crocodile Dundee in La.
Mission: accomplished, as the total surpassed an estimated $64 million on Monday.
Produced by Steve Kearney and Richard Keddie and directed by Stuart McDonald, Oddball collected $1.5 million in its third weekend (slipping by 17 per cent), propelling its earnings to $8.1 million.
Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin has reached $7.1 million while Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill: The Movie climbed to $2.3 million after pocketing $424,000 in its third session.
George Miller.s Mad Max: Fury Road is the No. 1 local title...
As If foreshadowed last week, the Australian feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers were set to break the previous all-time calendar year record of $63.4 million in 2001, the year of Moulin Rouge!, Lantana, The Man Who Sued God and Crocodile Dundee in La.
Mission: accomplished, as the total surpassed an estimated $64 million on Monday.
Produced by Steve Kearney and Richard Keddie and directed by Stuart McDonald, Oddball collected $1.5 million in its third weekend (slipping by 17 per cent), propelling its earnings to $8.1 million.
Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin has reached $7.1 million while Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill: The Movie climbed to $2.3 million after pocketing $424,000 in its third session.
George Miller.s Mad Max: Fury Road is the No. 1 local title...
- 10/5/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Propelled by Oddball and Blinky Bill: The Movie, next week Australian films are set to smash the record for the biggest B.O. total in a single year.
The feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers have amassed an estimated $61.8 million.
Produced by Steve Kearney and Richard Keddie and directed by Stuart McDonald, Oddball raked in $3.55 million in its second week, lifting its earnings to $6.3 million. Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill climbed to $1.9 million after pocketing a tad over $1 million in its sophomore session.
So by the end of next week the 2015 total will surpass the current record of $63.4 million set in 2001, the year of Moulin Rouge!, Lantana, The Man Who Sued God and Crocodile Dundee in La..
In that year the Australian films. market share was 7.8 per cent. If the 2001 total was adjusted for inflation then 2015 would not be a record in real terms but the market share is a consistent barometer.
The feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers have amassed an estimated $61.8 million.
Produced by Steve Kearney and Richard Keddie and directed by Stuart McDonald, Oddball raked in $3.55 million in its second week, lifting its earnings to $6.3 million. Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill climbed to $1.9 million after pocketing a tad over $1 million in its sophomore session.
So by the end of next week the 2015 total will surpass the current record of $63.4 million set in 2001, the year of Moulin Rouge!, Lantana, The Man Who Sued God and Crocodile Dundee in La..
In that year the Australian films. market share was 7.8 per cent. If the 2001 total was adjusted for inflation then 2015 would not be a record in real terms but the market share is a consistent barometer.
- 10/1/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Boosted by the school vacation and word of mouth, Stuart McDonald.s Oddball flew through its second weekend, beating two new high-profile Hollywood films. Roadshow.s rustic comedy featuring Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Alan Tudyk and a fluffy blonde maremma whistled up nearly $1.8 million on 293 screens (jumping by 82 per cent), elevating its tally to a terrific $4.5 million.
That was ahead of Roadshow.s Sicario, the violent Mexican drug cartel thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve and featuring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin. Sicario scored nearly $1.7 million on 228 screens and $2.1 million including the previous week.s advance screenings, a good result for an MA15+ rated film. Universal.s The Visit, a found footage horror/comedy featuring Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould and Deanna Dunagan, unearthed a middling $1.1 million in its first weekend on 180 screens. That genre typically is not as appealing here as it is in the Us, where writer-director...
That was ahead of Roadshow.s Sicario, the violent Mexican drug cartel thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve and featuring Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin. Sicario scored nearly $1.7 million on 228 screens and $2.1 million including the previous week.s advance screenings, a good result for an MA15+ rated film. Universal.s The Visit, a found footage horror/comedy featuring Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould and Deanna Dunagan, unearthed a middling $1.1 million in its first weekend on 180 screens. That genre typically is not as appealing here as it is in the Us, where writer-director...
- 9/28/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian films looks like maintaining their impressive momentum at cinemas after the premieres last weekend of Oddball and Blinky Bill: The Movie.
Stuart McDonald.s comedy inspired by the true story of chicken farmer Swampy Marsh, who deploys his sheepdog.to protect an endangered Fairy Penguin population, starring Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Coco Gillies.and Alan Tudyk,.rang up $1.07 million in its first four days on 289 screens, including limited previews. . Deane Taylor.s animated movie which features the voices of.Ryan Kwanten, Toni Collette, Robin McLeavy, David Wenham, Rufus Sewell, Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman, Barry Otto and Barry Humphries, took $335,000 on 266 screens, with previews. . Both are positioned to cash in on the two weeks school vacation with.Oddball appealing to families and Blinky Bill drawing young folk and their parents or carers, so their figures should lift during the week. . Steve Kearney, who produced Oddball with Richard Keddie and Sheila Hanahan Taylor,...
Stuart McDonald.s comedy inspired by the true story of chicken farmer Swampy Marsh, who deploys his sheepdog.to protect an endangered Fairy Penguin population, starring Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Coco Gillies.and Alan Tudyk,.rang up $1.07 million in its first four days on 289 screens, including limited previews. . Deane Taylor.s animated movie which features the voices of.Ryan Kwanten, Toni Collette, Robin McLeavy, David Wenham, Rufus Sewell, Richard Roxburgh, Deborah Mailman, Barry Otto and Barry Humphries, took $335,000 on 266 screens, with previews. . Both are positioned to cash in on the two weeks school vacation with.Oddball appealing to families and Blinky Bill drawing young folk and their parents or carers, so their figures should lift during the week. . Steve Kearney, who produced Oddball with Richard Keddie and Sheila Hanahan Taylor,...
- 9/21/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian films are poised to record their highest share of the national box-office for 14 years, which goes a long way towards regaining the faith of audiences after a long lean spell.
Through last Sunday, the feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers had racked up $52.9 million. With Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man earning tidy sums and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball and Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill the Movie opening on Thursday, the total will soon surpass 2009.s $54.7 million.
It might be a stretch but 2015 could come close to the all-time record of $63.4 million in 2001, the year of Moulin Rouge!, Lantana, The Man Who Sued God and Crocodile Dundee in La. After a strong start to the year from Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner, Paper Planes and That Sugar Film, Aussie films already have eclipsed 2014.s lowly $26.1 million (a market...
Through last Sunday, the feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers had racked up $52.9 million. With Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man earning tidy sums and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball and Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill the Movie opening on Thursday, the total will soon surpass 2009.s $54.7 million.
It might be a stretch but 2015 could come close to the all-time record of $63.4 million in 2001, the year of Moulin Rouge!, Lantana, The Man Who Sued God and Crocodile Dundee in La. After a strong start to the year from Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner, Paper Planes and That Sugar Film, Aussie films already have eclipsed 2014.s lowly $26.1 million (a market...
- 9/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Australian films are poised to record their highest share of the national box-office for 10 years, which goes a long way towards regaining the faith of audiences after a long lean spell.
Through last Sunday, the feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers had racked up $52.9 million. With Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man earning tidy sums and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball and Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill the Movie opening on Thursday, the total will soon surpass 2009.s $54.7 million, the best result in the past 10 years. After a strong start to the year from Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner, Paper Planes and That Sugar Film, Aussie films already have eclipsed 2014.s lowly $26.1 million (a market share of 2.43 per cent) and 2013's $38.5 million. Despite some critical acclaim, Ruben Guthrie, Women He.s Undressed and Partisan did not resonate strongly and Manny Lewis tanked.
Through last Sunday, the feature films and docs released in 2015 plus holdovers had racked up $52.9 million. With Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin and Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man earning tidy sums and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball and Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill the Movie opening on Thursday, the total will soon surpass 2009.s $54.7 million, the best result in the past 10 years. After a strong start to the year from Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner, Paper Planes and That Sugar Film, Aussie films already have eclipsed 2014.s lowly $26.1 million (a market share of 2.43 per cent) and 2013's $38.5 million. Despite some critical acclaim, Ruben Guthrie, Women He.s Undressed and Partisan did not resonate strongly and Manny Lewis tanked.
- 9/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Playing House, Season 2, Episodes 7 and 8, “Officer of the Year” and “Celebrate Me Scones”
Written by Vera Santamaria (“Officer of the Year”), Lennon Parham & Jessica St. Clair (“Celebrate Me Scones”)
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
Playing House ends its season with two of its strongest episodes to date, the warmly romantic “Officer of the Year” and the cameo-filled “Celebrate Me Scones,” hinting at what a season three might look like if the show gets renewed. “Officer of the Year” is Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham leaning hard into their love of romantic comedies, as Mark and Emma finally admit their feelings for one another at the policeman’s ball. “Celebrate Me Scones” is a buddy comedy of errors, as Maggie, Zach, and Emma attempt to sneak into a Kenny Loggins concert after they are unable to buy tickets. In the show’s timeline,...
Written by Vera Santamaria (“Officer of the Year”), Lennon Parham & Jessica St. Clair (“Celebrate Me Scones”)
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
Playing House ends its season with two of its strongest episodes to date, the warmly romantic “Officer of the Year” and the cameo-filled “Celebrate Me Scones,” hinting at what a season three might look like if the show gets renewed. “Officer of the Year” is Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham leaning hard into their love of romantic comedies, as Mark and Emma finally admit their feelings for one another at the policeman’s ball. “Celebrate Me Scones” is a buddy comedy of errors, as Maggie, Zach, and Emma attempt to sneak into a Kenny Loggins concert after they are unable to buy tickets. In the show’s timeline,...
- 9/9/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Playing House, Season 2, Episode 6, “Kimmewah Cup”
Written by Christine Nangle
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
As Playing House’s second season winds down, “Kimmewah Cup” continues to explore how the transitions in Emma and Maggie’s lives have affected their friendship. Maggie is excited to spend a weekend alone with Emma—who’s been occupied with her new relationship with Rabbi Dan—at the lake house they went to every summer as kids. While at the lake house, Maggie is frustrated with Emma’s constant talk of her boyfriend, and the two have to renegotiate their friendship and Rabbi Dan’s role in their lives. “Kimmewah Cup” also helps to expand the ever-growing collection of fascinatingly named weirdos that inhabit the world of Playing House, as the Sklar Brothers play Emma and Maggie’s rivals from childhood, the Custerman twins.
Despite all of the potential of the episode,...
Written by Christine Nangle
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
As Playing House’s second season winds down, “Kimmewah Cup” continues to explore how the transitions in Emma and Maggie’s lives have affected their friendship. Maggie is excited to spend a weekend alone with Emma—who’s been occupied with her new relationship with Rabbi Dan—at the lake house they went to every summer as kids. While at the lake house, Maggie is frustrated with Emma’s constant talk of her boyfriend, and the two have to renegotiate their friendship and Rabbi Dan’s role in their lives. “Kimmewah Cup” also helps to expand the ever-growing collection of fascinatingly named weirdos that inhabit the world of Playing House, as the Sklar Brothers play Emma and Maggie’s rivals from childhood, the Custerman twins.
Despite all of the potential of the episode,...
- 9/2/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Playing House, Season 2, Episode 5, “Employee of the Month”
Written by Anthony King
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Employee of the Month” continues Playing House‘s trend of strong emotional episodes, as it deals with the aftermath of “Knotty Pine” and Mark and Tina’s decision to get a divorce. The episode is all about Mark’s tailspin, as he ends up crashing on Maggie and Emma’s couch, unable to address how much pain he’s in from the break-up. Maggie also realizes, after having a run-in with an old classmate, that her dream is to go back to nursing school. She feels called to this path, and yet is worried about how Emma will take the news. “Employee of the Month” is an episode about transition, as all the characters find themselves in the midst of change, wondering what the future will look like.
Written by Anthony King
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Employee of the Month” continues Playing House‘s trend of strong emotional episodes, as it deals with the aftermath of “Knotty Pine” and Mark and Tina’s decision to get a divorce. The episode is all about Mark’s tailspin, as he ends up crashing on Maggie and Emma’s couch, unable to address how much pain he’s in from the break-up. Maggie also realizes, after having a run-in with an old classmate, that her dream is to go back to nursing school. She feels called to this path, and yet is worried about how Emma will take the news. “Employee of the Month” is an episode about transition, as all the characters find themselves in the midst of change, wondering what the future will look like.
- 8/26/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Playing House, Season 2, Episode 4, “Knotty Pine”
Written by Vera Santamaria
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Knotty Pine,” the fourth episode of Playing House, marks the mid-point for the season and is the show’s finest installment, deftly moving between comedy and drama to deliver the best of both genres. The episode showcases the blossoming friendship between Tina, Maggie, and Emma, as they go on shopping dates and attend all-female woodworking classes. While the women’s friendship grows closer, Mark and Tina continue to drift apart. “Knotty Pine” culminates with an emotional conversation between Tina and Mark about the future of their relationship, a powerfully broken moment for a comedy, but one that feels completely at home in the world of Playing House.
While Playing House is a comedy, it is unlike other shows that pack a dense number of rapid-fire jokes into every scene.
Written by Vera Santamaria
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Knotty Pine,” the fourth episode of Playing House, marks the mid-point for the season and is the show’s finest installment, deftly moving between comedy and drama to deliver the best of both genres. The episode showcases the blossoming friendship between Tina, Maggie, and Emma, as they go on shopping dates and attend all-female woodworking classes. While the women’s friendship grows closer, Mark and Tina continue to drift apart. “Knotty Pine” culminates with an emotional conversation between Tina and Mark about the future of their relationship, a powerfully broken moment for a comedy, but one that feels completely at home in the world of Playing House.
While Playing House is a comedy, it is unlike other shows that pack a dense number of rapid-fire jokes into every scene.
- 8/19/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Anzac Girls. Sara West and Mystery Road.s Samara Weaving head the cast of Bad Girl, writer-director Fin Edquist.s psychological thriller which starts shooting in Perth on August 31.
West plays 16-year-old Amy, the title character who has to fight for her adoptive parents when her new best friend Chloe (Weaving) tries to supplant her.
Playing the parents are Felicity Price, who stars in Joel Edgerton.s Us thriller The Gift and her partner Kieran Darcy-Smith.s upcoming Western By Way of Helena, and Benjamin Winspear (House of Hancock, Rake, The Babadook).
The film marks a departure in tone for Edquist, who scripted the animated family pics Maya the Bee and Blinky Bill: The Movie, which opens in cinemas on September 10.
The producers are Steve Kearney (Oddball, My Mistress), Bruno Charlesworth (Good Vibrations, The Extra) and Tenille Kennedy. This is the feature producing debut for Kennedy, who co-produced three...
West plays 16-year-old Amy, the title character who has to fight for her adoptive parents when her new best friend Chloe (Weaving) tries to supplant her.
Playing the parents are Felicity Price, who stars in Joel Edgerton.s Us thriller The Gift and her partner Kieran Darcy-Smith.s upcoming Western By Way of Helena, and Benjamin Winspear (House of Hancock, Rake, The Babadook).
The film marks a departure in tone for Edquist, who scripted the animated family pics Maya the Bee and Blinky Bill: The Movie, which opens in cinemas on September 10.
The producers are Steve Kearney (Oddball, My Mistress), Bruno Charlesworth (Good Vibrations, The Extra) and Tenille Kennedy. This is the feature producing debut for Kennedy, who co-produced three...
- 8/16/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Playing House, Season 2, Episode 3, “Cashmere Burka”
Written by Gavin Steckler
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Cashmere Burka,” the third episode of Playing House, tackles the dramatic arts this week as it expands on the importance of being true to one’s self in relationships, romantic and otherwise. Gwen (Jane Kaczmarek), Emma’s mother, writes a play about her experiences growing up, and is nervous as all get-out to present it to the public. At the same time, Emma starts dating Dan, the cute guy carrying bread she met at the end of the second episode, who’s played by a winsome Kyle Bornheimer (that guy in everything, now in Playing House). Both Emma and Dan are worried about what other people will think of their relationship. Between interesting pronunciations of the word “wet” and an overabundance of scarves, “Cashmere Burka” is an episode...
Written by Gavin Steckler
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
“Cashmere Burka,” the third episode of Playing House, tackles the dramatic arts this week as it expands on the importance of being true to one’s self in relationships, romantic and otherwise. Gwen (Jane Kaczmarek), Emma’s mother, writes a play about her experiences growing up, and is nervous as all get-out to present it to the public. At the same time, Emma starts dating Dan, the cute guy carrying bread she met at the end of the second episode, who’s played by a winsome Kyle Bornheimer (that guy in everything, now in Playing House). Both Emma and Dan are worried about what other people will think of their relationship. Between interesting pronunciations of the word “wet” and an overabundance of scarves, “Cashmere Burka” is an episode...
- 8/12/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Playing House, Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2, “Hello, Old Friend” and “Sleepless in Pinebrook”
Written by Lennon Parham & Jessica St. Clair (“Hello, Old Friend”), Anthony King (“Sleepless in Pinebrook”)
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
When Playing House finished its first season in early 2014, its future was very much in flux. The show was an experiment for USA Network, which made a name for itself as the home of predictable and breezy dramas about lawyers and sports doctors. Playing House was one of the network’s first comedies, and it was clear USA Network was confused on how to market it to viewers. Despite this, the show still managed to find a loyal, albeit small, fanbase of viewers and critics alike and got picked up for a second season.
Created and starring Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham, regulars on the podcast circuit and Upright Citizens Brigade (Ucb) improv veterans,...
Written by Lennon Parham & Jessica St. Clair (“Hello, Old Friend”), Anthony King (“Sleepless in Pinebrook”)
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 10pm (Est) on USA Network
When Playing House finished its first season in early 2014, its future was very much in flux. The show was an experiment for USA Network, which made a name for itself as the home of predictable and breezy dramas about lawyers and sports doctors. Playing House was one of the network’s first comedies, and it was clear USA Network was confused on how to market it to viewers. Despite this, the show still managed to find a loyal, albeit small, fanbase of viewers and critics alike and got picked up for a second season.
Created and starring Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham, regulars on the podcast circuit and Upright Citizens Brigade (Ucb) improv veterans,...
- 8/5/2015
- by Elena Rivera
- SoundOnSight
Led by Mad Max: Fury Road, The Water Diviner and Paper Planes, Australian films collectively have raked in $44.8 million at cinemas this year and 2015 is on track to rank as the best for local cinema in the past 10 years.
B.O. receipts already have eclipsed the meagre 2014 calendar year total of $26.1 million (a market share of 2.43 per cent) and 2013's $38.5 million.
With Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin launching on Thursday after winning plaudits at the Sydney Film Festival and a slew of Aussie films set to open in the next few months, the total will overtake 2012.s $47.8 million and 2009.s $54.7 million, the latter the best result in the past 10 years. The upcoming line-up includes Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man (August 27); Kriv Stenders' Kill Me Three Times (multi-platform release via eOne), Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill the Movie, Tony Ayres. Cut Snake and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball...
B.O. receipts already have eclipsed the meagre 2014 calendar year total of $26.1 million (a market share of 2.43 per cent) and 2013's $38.5 million.
With Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin launching on Thursday after winning plaudits at the Sydney Film Festival and a slew of Aussie films set to open in the next few months, the total will overtake 2012.s $47.8 million and 2009.s $54.7 million, the latter the best result in the past 10 years. The upcoming line-up includes Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man (August 27); Kriv Stenders' Kill Me Three Times (multi-platform release via eOne), Deane Taylor.s Blinky Bill the Movie, Tony Ayres. Cut Snake and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball...
- 8/4/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has started a scoping study to figure out new approaches to building pride in Australian films.
The workshopping of ideas is a tacit recognition that the Australian cinema .brand. was tarnished last year by a string of films that underperformed at the B.O., reflected in the lowly market share of 2.43 per cent.
Arguably the brand wasn.t the underlying problem as audiences this year have readily embraced The Water Diviner, Paper Planes, Mad Max: Fury Road and That Sugar Film, in addition to the well-received Frackman and Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead.
Moviegoers may well feel more even confident about the entertainment value of national cinema with Brendan Cowell.s Ruben Guthrie and Gillian Armstrong's Women He's Undressed launching next week, followed by Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin, Simon Stone's The Daughter, Jocelyn Moorhouse's The Dressmaker, Neil Armfield's Holding the Man and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball.
The workshopping of ideas is a tacit recognition that the Australian cinema .brand. was tarnished last year by a string of films that underperformed at the B.O., reflected in the lowly market share of 2.43 per cent.
Arguably the brand wasn.t the underlying problem as audiences this year have readily embraced The Water Diviner, Paper Planes, Mad Max: Fury Road and That Sugar Film, in addition to the well-received Frackman and Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead.
Moviegoers may well feel more even confident about the entertainment value of national cinema with Brendan Cowell.s Ruben Guthrie and Gillian Armstrong's Women He's Undressed launching next week, followed by Jeremy Sims' Last Cab to Darwin, Simon Stone's The Daughter, Jocelyn Moorhouse's The Dressmaker, Neil Armfield's Holding the Man and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball.
- 7/9/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Australian B.O. is running hot, outpacing last year by more than 14%, and some industry mavens predict 2015 will set an all-time record.
Distributors and exhibitors are more than usually confident about the second half release line-up, including at least half a dozen Australian films.
Powered by Mad Max: Fury Road ($20.5 million in five weeks), Paper Planes and The Water Diviner,. local films have raked in $42.8 million this year, already eclipsing the paltry 2014 calendar total of $26.1 million and 2013.s $38.5 million.
The Sydney Film Festival looks like being an effective launching pad for Brendan Cowell's Ruben Guthrie (which opens on July 16 via Madman), Gillian Armstrong's Women He's Undressed (Rialto, also July 16), Jeremy Sims'. Last Cab to Darwin (Icon, August 6), Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man (Transmission, August 27) and Simon Stone.s The Daughter (Roadshow, September 10).
There is a positive buzz about other upcoming releases including Stuart McDonald.s rustic comedy Oddball (Roadshow,...
Distributors and exhibitors are more than usually confident about the second half release line-up, including at least half a dozen Australian films.
Powered by Mad Max: Fury Road ($20.5 million in five weeks), Paper Planes and The Water Diviner,. local films have raked in $42.8 million this year, already eclipsing the paltry 2014 calendar total of $26.1 million and 2013.s $38.5 million.
The Sydney Film Festival looks like being an effective launching pad for Brendan Cowell's Ruben Guthrie (which opens on July 16 via Madman), Gillian Armstrong's Women He's Undressed (Rialto, also July 16), Jeremy Sims'. Last Cab to Darwin (Icon, August 6), Neil Armfield.s Holding the Man (Transmission, August 27) and Simon Stone.s The Daughter (Roadshow, September 10).
There is a positive buzz about other upcoming releases including Stuart McDonald.s rustic comedy Oddball (Roadshow,...
- 6/18/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Led by Mad Max: Fury Road, Australian films collectively have raked in $34.6 million at cinemas this year, eclipsing the paltry 2014 calendar year total of $26.1 million.
With $12.6 million in the till after its second weekend (a modest drop of 33%), George Miller.s high-octane action-adventure is the top earning local release.
Some Aussie exhibs expect Miller's film to reach $20 million so the 2015 total will soon overtake 2013's $38.5 million... .
Given the upcoming line-up, which includes Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin, Brendan Cowell.s Ruben Guthrie, Jocelyn Moorhouse.s The Dressmaker, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Michael Petroni.s Backtrack and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball, there is plenty of upside for the industry.
If there are at least one or two break-out hits and a couple of solid performers, it may not be a stretch to beat 2012.s $47.8 million. In the past 10 years the record is 2009.s $54.7 million.
The Water Diviner and Paper Planes...
With $12.6 million in the till after its second weekend (a modest drop of 33%), George Miller.s high-octane action-adventure is the top earning local release.
Some Aussie exhibs expect Miller's film to reach $20 million so the 2015 total will soon overtake 2013's $38.5 million... .
Given the upcoming line-up, which includes Jeremy Sims. Last Cab to Darwin, Brendan Cowell.s Ruben Guthrie, Jocelyn Moorhouse.s The Dressmaker, Simon Stone.s The Daughter, Michael Petroni.s Backtrack and Stuart McDonald.s Oddball, there is plenty of upside for the industry.
If there are at least one or two break-out hits and a couple of solid performers, it may not be a stretch to beat 2012.s $47.8 million. In the past 10 years the record is 2009.s $54.7 million.
The Water Diviner and Paper Planes...
- 5/26/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Emma Slade, Steve Kearney, Briget Callow-Wright heading for the UK’s Production Finance Market.
Sales agents from across the world yesterday voted New Zealand’s Emma Slade as the producer at the 37º South Market who most deserves a spot at the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October, plus $1,860 (A$2,000) in travel assistance.
Runner-ups Steve Kearney and Bridget Callow-Wright from Australia also won places – but no cash.
Organizers said 2,203 meetings were held as part of the eighth edition of the co-financing film market, which is part of the business arm of the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff).
Slade will be seeking a sales agent for The Love Of Humankind, the lead project in her slate, during her visit to London.
The “vodka-fuelled tragicomedy about unrequited love” is to be directed by comedian Danny Mulheron (Fresh Meat) from a script by he and Brian Sergent.
Based on a stage play, her one-liner...
Sales agents from across the world yesterday voted New Zealand’s Emma Slade as the producer at the 37º South Market who most deserves a spot at the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October, plus $1,860 (A$2,000) in travel assistance.
Runner-ups Steve Kearney and Bridget Callow-Wright from Australia also won places – but no cash.
Organizers said 2,203 meetings were held as part of the eighth edition of the co-financing film market, which is part of the business arm of the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff).
Slade will be seeking a sales agent for The Love Of Humankind, the lead project in her slate, during her visit to London.
The “vodka-fuelled tragicomedy about unrequited love” is to be directed by comedian Danny Mulheron (Fresh Meat) from a script by he and Brian Sergent.
Based on a stage play, her one-liner...
- 8/4/2014
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Now shooting in Melbourne and country Victoria, the comedy Oddball is breaking all the rules which say you should never work with children, animals, birds and on or near water.
.You name the risk, we.re taking it,. Wtfn.s Richard Keddie, who is producing with Steve Kearney and Sheila Hanahan Taylor, tells If.
Based on a true story, the film stars Shane Jacobson as Swampy Marsh, an eccentric chicken farmer who, helped by his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks.
Saran Snook plays Swampy.s daughter Emily, a single mother, with Coco Gillies as her daughter and Alan Tudyk as an American tourism consultant who is hired to help the town get back on its feet.
Richard Davies is a local conservationist, Deborah Mailman is the mayor, Frank Woodley is a dogcatcher and Meeko, a maremma, is Oddball.
Animal trainer...
.You name the risk, we.re taking it,. Wtfn.s Richard Keddie, who is producing with Steve Kearney and Sheila Hanahan Taylor, tells If.
Based on a true story, the film stars Shane Jacobson as Swampy Marsh, an eccentric chicken farmer who, helped by his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks.
Saran Snook plays Swampy.s daughter Emily, a single mother, with Coco Gillies as her daughter and Alan Tudyk as an American tourism consultant who is hired to help the town get back on its feet.
Richard Davies is a local conservationist, Deborah Mailman is the mayor, Frank Woodley is a dogcatcher and Meeko, a maremma, is Oddball.
Animal trainer...
- 5/12/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Shane Jacobson, Saran Snook, Alan Tudyk, Deborah Mailman and a dog named Meeko head the cast of Oddball, a comedy which starts shooting in Melbourne and country Victoria on Monday.
Based on a true story, the film features Jacobson as Swampy Marsh, an eccentric chicken farmer who, helped by his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks.
In the process he reunites his family and saves their seaside town.
The director is Stuart McDonald (Summer Heights High, Super Fun Night), replacing the originally announced Clayton Jacobson who left the project a couple of week ago.
The cast includes Sarah Snook (These Final Hours, Not Suitable For Children), Alan Tudyk (I, Robot, Serenity, Frozen, Knocked Up), Coco Gillies (Maya the Bee Movie), Richard Davies (Offspring, Howzat! Kerry Packer.s War), Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires, Bran Nue Dae, Offspring), Frank Woodley (Kath & Kimderella, The...
Based on a true story, the film features Jacobson as Swampy Marsh, an eccentric chicken farmer who, helped by his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a wild penguin sanctuary from fox attacks.
In the process he reunites his family and saves their seaside town.
The director is Stuart McDonald (Summer Heights High, Super Fun Night), replacing the originally announced Clayton Jacobson who left the project a couple of week ago.
The cast includes Sarah Snook (These Final Hours, Not Suitable For Children), Alan Tudyk (I, Robot, Serenity, Frozen, Knocked Up), Coco Gillies (Maya the Bee Movie), Richard Davies (Offspring, Howzat! Kerry Packer.s War), Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires, Bran Nue Dae, Offspring), Frank Woodley (Kath & Kimderella, The...
- 5/2/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Back in the Game, Season 1, Episode 4, “The Change Up”
Written by Joe Lawson
Directed by Eyal Gordin
Airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm Est on ABC
Wednesday night is shaping up to be the worst night of the week for network television. Week after week the comedies continue to disappoint for a number of different reasons. New shows such as Back in the Game and Super Fun Night struggle to find their footing, some incorporating too much whilst others not enough. This week’s episode of Back in the Game, “The Change Up” returns to the awkward narrative structure we first saw in the pilot and once again it doesn’t work. The biggest problem with the show is that it continues to send the completely wrong message. Each week Terry must overcome sexist male obstacles in order to achieve. This week even more generalisation is incorporated into the show when...
Written by Joe Lawson
Directed by Eyal Gordin
Airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm Est on ABC
Wednesday night is shaping up to be the worst night of the week for network television. Week after week the comedies continue to disappoint for a number of different reasons. New shows such as Back in the Game and Super Fun Night struggle to find their footing, some incorporating too much whilst others not enough. This week’s episode of Back in the Game, “The Change Up” returns to the awkward narrative structure we first saw in the pilot and once again it doesn’t work. The biggest problem with the show is that it continues to send the completely wrong message. Each week Terry must overcome sexist male obstacles in order to achieve. This week even more generalisation is incorporated into the show when...
- 10/17/2013
- by Catstello
- SoundOnSight
After her unforgettable appearances in We Can Be Heroes and Summer Heights High, Ja.mie King has landed her own series on the ABC.
The creation of writer-performer Chris Lilley, the racist/snobbish/blissfully ignorant schoolgirl will star in a six-part half-hour series to air later this year. on the ABC, BBC3 and HBO in the Us.
Ja.mie: Private School Girl will follow the recalcitrant teenager in her final few weeks at Hillford Girls Grammar School as she gets caught up in events that change her life.
The series is co-produced by Chris Lilley and Laura Waters' Princess Pictures in association with ABC TV and HBO in the Us.. The directors are Chris Lilley and Stuart McDonald.
.I find teenage girls endlessly funny,. said Lilley. .So being able to write for and play the meanest bitch in school has been so fun. I can't wait to show everyone what Ja'mie's been up to.
The creation of writer-performer Chris Lilley, the racist/snobbish/blissfully ignorant schoolgirl will star in a six-part half-hour series to air later this year. on the ABC, BBC3 and HBO in the Us.
Ja.mie: Private School Girl will follow the recalcitrant teenager in her final few weeks at Hillford Girls Grammar School as she gets caught up in events that change her life.
The series is co-produced by Chris Lilley and Laura Waters' Princess Pictures in association with ABC TV and HBO in the Us.. The directors are Chris Lilley and Stuart McDonald.
.I find teenage girls endlessly funny,. said Lilley. .So being able to write for and play the meanest bitch in school has been so fun. I can't wait to show everyone what Ja'mie's been up to.
- 9/8/2013
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
Happy Endings, Season 3, Episode 2: “Sabado Free-Gante”
Written by Josh Bycel and Jonathan Fener
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 9pm (Et) on ABC
Who wants to go as the Jackson 5 Marionette? Yeah, that would be the award winning costume that our six abnormally weird friends go as for Halloween this year on Happy Endings. After the first few seconds of the opening, we can tell that this episode is going to be a lot funnier than last week’s premiere. Dave dressed up as Latoya, alone, is hysterical. And it brings forth the quick witted, crazy lines that we are used to, “Why you got to be so stupid, Latoya?!” “Look the beer’s all over Latoya’s beard!”
The second episode of the season definitely doesn’t disappoint. We see each of the six splitting into pairs for three separate storylines: Penny and Jane buying a car,...
Written by Josh Bycel and Jonathan Fener
Directed by Stuart McDonald
Airs Tuesdays at 9pm (Et) on ABC
Who wants to go as the Jackson 5 Marionette? Yeah, that would be the award winning costume that our six abnormally weird friends go as for Halloween this year on Happy Endings. After the first few seconds of the opening, we can tell that this episode is going to be a lot funnier than last week’s premiere. Dave dressed up as Latoya, alone, is hysterical. And it brings forth the quick witted, crazy lines that we are used to, “Why you got to be so stupid, Latoya?!” “Look the beer’s all over Latoya’s beard!”
The second episode of the season definitely doesn’t disappoint. We see each of the six splitting into pairs for three separate storylines: Penny and Jane buying a car,...
- 10/31/2012
- by Joshua Bouye
- SoundOnSight
Clemenger Bbdo Melbourne was named agency of the year at the Melbourne Advertising & Design Club Awards tonight.
The agency won top honours for the second year running. However, rival Gpy&R Melbourne – which won more lions at Cannes this year than any Australian agency – did not enter for the second consecutive year. Last year, Patts Ecd Ben Coulson cited cost reasons for not supporting the event, which is Melbourne’s top awards show.
The awards list in full:
The Adstream Award for Agency of the Year
Winner
Clemenger Bbdo Melbourne
The Madc Award for Best in Show
Winner
Guilt Trips V/Line Agency McCann
The Madc Award for Lifetime Achievement
Winner
Scott Whybin, Whybin Tbwa
The Blackley Award for Creative Leader of the Year
Winner
Jason Williams, Leo Burnett
The Madc Award for Client of the Year
Winner
Carlton United Brewers
The Exit Films Award for Best Junior
Winners
Jono...
The agency won top honours for the second year running. However, rival Gpy&R Melbourne – which won more lions at Cannes this year than any Australian agency – did not enter for the second consecutive year. Last year, Patts Ecd Ben Coulson cited cost reasons for not supporting the event, which is Melbourne’s top awards show.
The awards list in full:
The Adstream Award for Agency of the Year
Winner
Clemenger Bbdo Melbourne
The Madc Award for Best in Show
Winner
Guilt Trips V/Line Agency McCann
The Madc Award for Lifetime Achievement
Winner
Scott Whybin, Whybin Tbwa
The Blackley Award for Creative Leader of the Year
Winner
Jason Williams, Leo Burnett
The Madc Award for Client of the Year
Winner
Carlton United Brewers
The Exit Films Award for Best Junior
Winners
Jono...
- 10/4/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Margaret Pomeranz delivered a powerful keynote speech at the opening of the Spaa Conference yesterday in Sydney, and Encore has the full transcript of her meditation on the state of Australian film and television – and why Government and audiences should appreciate the arts a little more.
I’m extremely grateful to Spaa for inviting me to give this keynote speech today. It is the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture and I want to honour the man today. Hector put Australian television on the map, he made Australian accents acceptable in the media. Do you remember when we could only stomach New Zealanders reading our news because they sounded more English than us? Brian Henderson was a prime example. But more than that Hector validated Australian writers, Australian actors, directors, designers, a whole Australian infrastructure, Some of those people are still working today. In a very significant way Hector created an industry,...
I’m extremely grateful to Spaa for inviting me to give this keynote speech today. It is the Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture and I want to honour the man today. Hector put Australian television on the map, he made Australian accents acceptable in the media. Do you remember when we could only stomach New Zealanders reading our news because they sounded more English than us? Brian Henderson was a prime example. But more than that Hector validated Australian writers, Australian actors, directors, designers, a whole Australian infrastructure, Some of those people are still working today. In a very significant way Hector created an industry,...
- 11/18/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
David Michod has won the Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction – Feature Film for Animal Kingdom – and shared the Best Stand Alone Documentary with Jennifer Peedom for Solo.
This is a summary of our live Twitter coverage of the event, which took place on Thursday night in Sydney:
Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge gives opening speech, talking about the state’s well known and publicised screen plans… such as AFI awards coming to Sydney, $25m extra funding, etc. Best Direction Tvc: Tim Bullock, Nothing Soft Gets In (Toyota). Best Original Online Program: Clayton Jacobson, Mordy Koots. Best Cross-Platform Interactive Project: Marcus Gillezeau, Storm. That’s a new category this year. Best Music Clip: Craig Melville, The Bedroom Philosopher – Northcote. So hungover. That was the title, not a statement! Highly Commended to the only other music clip nominee, The Glue Society, The Bumblebeez – Misfit. Best Student Film: Ariel Kleiman,...
This is a summary of our live Twitter coverage of the event, which took place on Thursday night in Sydney:
Minister for the Arts Virginia Judge gives opening speech, talking about the state’s well known and publicised screen plans… such as AFI awards coming to Sydney, $25m extra funding, etc. Best Direction Tvc: Tim Bullock, Nothing Soft Gets In (Toyota). Best Original Online Program: Clayton Jacobson, Mordy Koots. Best Cross-Platform Interactive Project: Marcus Gillezeau, Storm. That’s a new category this year. Best Music Clip: Craig Melville, The Bedroom Philosopher – Northcote. So hungover. That was the title, not a statement! Highly Commended to the only other music clip nominee, The Glue Society, The Bumblebeez – Misfit. Best Student Film: Ariel Kleiman,...
- 9/23/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The Australian Directors Guild has published its list of nominees for this year’s awards, with Jeremy Sims, Rachel Perkins, David Michod, Claire McCarthy and Robert Connolly competing in the feature film category.
Television nominees include Tony Tilse for Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 and Amanda Brotchie for Lowdown; there are also nominations for environmental efforts and online projects.The wiinners will be announced on September 23 at Star City, Sydney.
This is the full list of nominees:
Feature Film
Beneath Hill 60 Jeremy Sims Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins Animal Kingdom David Michôd The Waiting City Claire McCarthy Balibo Robert Connolly
Television Mini series
East West 101: Atonement Peter Andrikidis The Circuit II: Sorry Business Steve Jodrell The Circuit II: Of Mice and Men James Bogle
Documentary Feature
Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia John Hughes Three Boys Dreaming Michael Cordell The Burning Season...
Television nominees include Tony Tilse for Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Peter Andrikidis for East West 101 and Amanda Brotchie for Lowdown; there are also nominations for environmental efforts and online projects.The wiinners will be announced on September 23 at Star City, Sydney.
This is the full list of nominees:
Feature Film
Beneath Hill 60 Jeremy Sims Bran Nue Dae Rachel Perkins Animal Kingdom David Michôd The Waiting City Claire McCarthy Balibo Robert Connolly
Television Mini series
East West 101: Atonement Peter Andrikidis The Circuit II: Sorry Business Steve Jodrell The Circuit II: Of Mice and Men James Bogle
Documentary Feature
Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia John Hughes Three Boys Dreaming Michael Cordell The Burning Season...
- 8/30/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
One of the most redeeming qualities of the social media landscape revolves around the unique ability microblogging (eg. Twitter, Facebook status updates, Blog comments) offers in the creation of "Thought Viruses." Everyone knows you can't really "create" a "thought virus" however there are people in the social Web who gracefully dance the waltz of maven and connector into what I call "Thought DJ's." These individuals are the uber-talented social media curators who skillfully bring the proper mix of humor, wit, intelligence and interesting "tinyurls" and create an environment of heavily anticipated tweets. Much like an influential music DJ who "breaks" and "discovers" new music today's "Thought DJ" delivers news, information, insights and even concepts to us with a freshness that is reminiscent of the day we used to buy 45's at the local record store. Their ability to be on the cutting edge of information combined with their innovative point...
- 9/1/2009
- by James Andrews
- Fast Company
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