Since launching in 2015, Keshet Studios, the U.S. division of Keshet International (Ki), has proved a model worth copying for international content producers looking to make it big in Hollywood. The company now develops and produces content for all the biggest broadcasters and streamers in several languages for both U.S. and international audiences. Led by president Peter Traugott, the outfit leans on Ki’s existing international catalog while also acquiring third party IP and developing new originals. Below, 10 Keshet Studio titles currently in development or production.
“La Brea” Ordered by NBC at the beginning of 2021, this original series was created by David Applebaum (“The Mentalist”) and Keshet Studios, which co-produces alongside Universal Television. Already picked up for a second season, it was this fall’s top-rated series among audiences 18-49 in the U.S., with more than 47 million viewers tuning in to the L.A.-based disaster thriller.
“The Missing...
“La Brea” Ordered by NBC at the beginning of 2021, this original series was created by David Applebaum (“The Mentalist”) and Keshet Studios, which co-produces alongside Universal Television. Already picked up for a second season, it was this fall’s top-rated series among audiences 18-49 in the U.S., with more than 47 million viewers tuning in to the L.A.-based disaster thriller.
“The Missing...
- 12/15/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Australian contemporary political thriller series “Total Control” has been licensed by broadcasters and streamers across Asia and Latin America, following the recent launch of a second season.
Starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, the show confronts a range of issues around race, diversity and First Nations rights. Produced by Blackfella Films, the narrative depicts a fearless Indigenous senator facing an election and the judgement of the people, after engineering a remarkable coup that unseated the Prime Minister.
Rights licensing outside North America is handled by independent distributor All3Media International. At the Asia Television Forum & Market in Singapore this week, the company announced that HBO Max Latin America has licensed both seasons.
In Asia, Korean streamer Watcha has secured rights for Japan. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has signed a multi-territory deal covering territories including Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan and Malaysia for the second season.
Acorn premiers the show in U.
Starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, the show confronts a range of issues around race, diversity and First Nations rights. Produced by Blackfella Films, the narrative depicts a fearless Indigenous senator facing an election and the judgement of the people, after engineering a remarkable coup that unseated the Prime Minister.
Rights licensing outside North America is handled by independent distributor All3Media International. At the Asia Television Forum & Market in Singapore this week, the company announced that HBO Max Latin America has licensed both seasons.
In Asia, Korean streamer Watcha has secured rights for Japan. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has signed a multi-territory deal covering territories including Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Pakistan and Malaysia for the second season.
Acorn premiers the show in U.
- 12/1/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
ABC is passing on three more drama pilots from its 2021 pilot season slate.
“National Parks Investigation,” “Triage,” and “Dark Horse” have all been passed over by the network after being in consideration for midseason pickups. Fellow dramas “Epic” and “Promised Land” remain in contention.
“National Parks Investigation” boasted Kevin Costner as co-writer and executive producer. The series revolved around the small group of elite Nps agents as they solve these crimes while protecting America’s national parks.
The cast included Billy Campbell, Angel Parker, Guillermo Diaz, Tiffany Dupont, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, Blu Hunt, Gerardo Celasco. Along with Costner, the show was written and executive produced by Aaron Helbing and Jon Baird. Barry Jossen, Tana Jamieson, Rod Lake, Ivan Cohen, and Ken Halsband also executive produced, with Anthony Hemingway directing and executive producing the pilot. A+E Studios and 20th Television produce.
“Triage” was a holdover from the 2020 pilot season. The medical drama followed a pioneering surgeon,...
“National Parks Investigation,” “Triage,” and “Dark Horse” have all been passed over by the network after being in consideration for midseason pickups. Fellow dramas “Epic” and “Promised Land” remain in contention.
“National Parks Investigation” boasted Kevin Costner as co-writer and executive producer. The series revolved around the small group of elite Nps agents as they solve these crimes while protecting America’s national parks.
The cast included Billy Campbell, Angel Parker, Guillermo Diaz, Tiffany Dupont, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, Blu Hunt, Gerardo Celasco. Along with Costner, the show was written and executive produced by Aaron Helbing and Jon Baird. Barry Jossen, Tana Jamieson, Rod Lake, Ivan Cohen, and Ken Halsband also executive produced, with Anthony Hemingway directing and executive producing the pilot. A+E Studios and 20th Television produce.
“Triage” was a holdover from the 2020 pilot season. The medical drama followed a pioneering surgeon,...
- 7/1/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths will be joined on screen by a host of new faces for the second season of the ABC/Blackfella Films’ Total Control, including Wayne Blair, who will also direct all six episodes.
Steph Tisdell stars in her first dramatic role, alongside other new cast members such as Alex Dimitriades, Colin Friels, Harry Greenwood, Rob Carlton, Daniella Farinacci, Brenna Harding, Benedict Hardie, and Anita Hegh.
Returning are Rob Collins, Anthony Hayes, William McInnes, Huw Higginson, Wes Patten, Lisa Flanagan and Harry Richardson.
Filming is currently underway, with production to take place across Sydney; Canberra, including at Parliament House, and Broken Hill.
The first season of the multiple Aacta Award-winning drama saw political newcomer Alex Irving (Mailman) engineer a coup against Rachel Anderson (Griffiths), the Prime Minister who appointed her to the Senate.
Season two sees Alex running as an independent. She’ll be ready for the...
Steph Tisdell stars in her first dramatic role, alongside other new cast members such as Alex Dimitriades, Colin Friels, Harry Greenwood, Rob Carlton, Daniella Farinacci, Brenna Harding, Benedict Hardie, and Anita Hegh.
Returning are Rob Collins, Anthony Hayes, William McInnes, Huw Higginson, Wes Patten, Lisa Flanagan and Harry Richardson.
Filming is currently underway, with production to take place across Sydney; Canberra, including at Parliament House, and Broken Hill.
The first season of the multiple Aacta Award-winning drama saw political newcomer Alex Irving (Mailman) engineer a coup against Rachel Anderson (Griffiths), the Prime Minister who appointed her to the Senate.
Season two sees Alex running as an independent. She’ll be ready for the...
- 3/25/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
William Jehu Garroutte’s pilot “Dark Horse” has been picked up by ABC. Garroutte recently participated in ABC’s writing program and served as a story editor for the network’s “Stumptown.” “Dark Horse” hails from Universal Television and ABC Signature in association with Tel Aviv-based media company Keshet Studios.
“Dark Horse” follows Alex Irving, a passionate Indigenous woman on her unconventional journey into politics, wherein she reckons with her own troubled past while juggling obligations to her family, culture and to a government that has never met anybody quite like her. Garroutte, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, writes and executive produces the series. Jessica Goldberg serves as showrunner and will also executive produce.
Prior to working on “Stumptown,” Garroutte was a story editor on the upcoming Sony International series “Unknown Girl” and was a staffer on John Rogers’ “The Kingkiller Chronicles” fantasy drama adaptation with Lin-Manuel Miranda on...
“Dark Horse” follows Alex Irving, a passionate Indigenous woman on her unconventional journey into politics, wherein she reckons with her own troubled past while juggling obligations to her family, culture and to a government that has never met anybody quite like her. Garroutte, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, writes and executive produces the series. Jessica Goldberg serves as showrunner and will also executive produce.
Prior to working on “Stumptown,” Garroutte was a story editor on the upcoming Sony International series “Unknown Girl” and was a staffer on John Rogers’ “The Kingkiller Chronicles” fantasy drama adaptation with Lin-Manuel Miranda on...
- 3/9/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
ABC is remaking Australian political drama Total Control and has handed the project a pilot order.
The Disney-owned network is piloting Dark Horse, written by Stumptown story editor William Jehu Garroutte with The Path creator Jessica Goldberg set as showrunner.
The original show, which was commissioned by ABC Australia with the working title Black Bitch, was co-created by Rachel Griffiths, who starred in HBO’s Six Feet Under and ABC’s Brothers & Sisters.
Dark Horse comes from Keshet Studios, Universal Television, where the U.S. arm of the Israeli company has a first-look deal, and ABC Signature.
The drama follows Alex Irving, a passionate Indigenous woman, on her unconventional journey into politics. As Alex reckons with her own troubled past, she juggles obligations to her family, to her culture, and to a political system that’s never seen anybody quite like her.
2021 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Jehu Garroutte (left...
The Disney-owned network is piloting Dark Horse, written by Stumptown story editor William Jehu Garroutte with The Path creator Jessica Goldberg set as showrunner.
The original show, which was commissioned by ABC Australia with the working title Black Bitch, was co-created by Rachel Griffiths, who starred in HBO’s Six Feet Under and ABC’s Brothers & Sisters.
Dark Horse comes from Keshet Studios, Universal Television, where the U.S. arm of the Israeli company has a first-look deal, and ABC Signature.
The drama follows Alex Irving, a passionate Indigenous woman, on her unconventional journey into politics. As Alex reckons with her own troubled past, she juggles obligations to her family, to her culture, and to a political system that’s never seen anybody quite like her.
2021 ABC Pilots & Series Orders
Jehu Garroutte (left...
- 3/9/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Deborah Mailman in ‘Total Control’.
Deborah Mailman is feeling anxious in the lead up to the Australian premiere of Blackfella Films’ Total Control on the ABC next month.
Despite being a staple on Australian screens for more than 20 years, Total Control sees Mailman in her first ever lead role, playing Senator Alex Irving, a blazing Indigenous female politician coerced into taking a role in Canberra for the greater good but used by others for political expediency.
“I am feeling the weight of it. Most [of my] work does feel ensemble and there are always other characters to carry the stories through. But the fact that I’m driving Alex’s story from beginning to end, that’s enormous pressure,” Mailman tells If.
However, standing ovations at the series premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and rhapsodising reviews should placate Mailman’s fears. Ultimately, the actress relished the role of Senator Irving...
Deborah Mailman is feeling anxious in the lead up to the Australian premiere of Blackfella Films’ Total Control on the ABC next month.
Despite being a staple on Australian screens for more than 20 years, Total Control sees Mailman in her first ever lead role, playing Senator Alex Irving, a blazing Indigenous female politician coerced into taking a role in Canberra for the greater good but used by others for political expediency.
“I am feeling the weight of it. Most [of my] work does feel ensemble and there are always other characters to carry the stories through. But the fact that I’m driving Alex’s story from beginning to end, that’s enormous pressure,” Mailman tells If.
However, standing ovations at the series premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and rhapsodising reviews should placate Mailman’s fears. Ultimately, the actress relished the role of Senator Irving...
- 9/26/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Black Bitch’ (Photo credit: John Platt).
The first two episodes of Blackfella Films’ ABC political drama Black Bitch will have their world premiere in the Primetime program at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Rachel Perkins and starring Rachel Griffiths as Australia’s embattled Prime Minister Rachel Anderson and Deborah Mailman as her rival Alex Irving, it’s one of six series from around the world in the line-up.
Perkins said: “News of our acceptance into Toronto, particularly given our series is one of the few chosen from the world, is a high point and a huge relief. Screening at Toronto is also special on a very personal level. It marks the 20th year of my collaboration with Deborah Mailman.
“My career has been built around her prodigious talent and I look forward to following our leading lady onto the red carpet.”
Among the other world premieres will be HBO’s Mrs.
The first two episodes of Blackfella Films’ ABC political drama Black Bitch will have their world premiere in the Primetime program at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Directed by Rachel Perkins and starring Rachel Griffiths as Australia’s embattled Prime Minister Rachel Anderson and Deborah Mailman as her rival Alex Irving, it’s one of six series from around the world in the line-up.
Perkins said: “News of our acceptance into Toronto, particularly given our series is one of the few chosen from the world, is a high point and a huge relief. Screening at Toronto is also special on a very personal level. It marks the 20th year of my collaboration with Deborah Mailman.
“My career has been built around her prodigious talent and I look forward to following our leading lady onto the red carpet.”
Among the other world premieres will be HBO’s Mrs.
- 8/15/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The Toronto Film Festival has unveiled its lineup for this year’s Primetime program, a total of six TV series from around the world including the world premieres of HBO’s Mrs. Fletcher starring Kathryn Hahn, USA Network’s Briarpatch starring Rosario Dawson, and Facebook Watch’s Limetown based on the crime podcast and starring Jessica Biel and Stanley Tucci.
Also in the mix are three international series with political themes: Australia’s Black Bitch, starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths at the Aussie prime minister; French drama Savages, about an Arabic candidate for the France presidency; and the Czech Republic’s The Sleepers which follows a woman (Táňa Pauhofová) and her political dissident husband after they flee 1977 communist Czechoslovakia. (See full lineup details below.)
Each screening in the Primetime sidebar will be followed by an onstage Q&a with members of the creative team, the festival said Thursday.
“Episodic...
Also in the mix are three international series with political themes: Australia’s Black Bitch, starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths at the Aussie prime minister; French drama Savages, about an Arabic candidate for the France presidency; and the Czech Republic’s The Sleepers which follows a woman (Táňa Pauhofová) and her political dissident husband after they flee 1977 communist Czechoslovakia. (See full lineup details below.)
Each screening in the Primetime sidebar will be followed by an onstage Q&a with members of the creative team, the festival said Thursday.
“Episodic...
- 8/15/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
With less than a month until the Toronto International Film Festival, the annual gathering has unveiled some intriguing TV entries in its 2019 schedule.
As part of the fifth incarnation of Tiff’s Primetime section, the festival announced a half-dozen series that will join this year’s lineup. The headliner for 2019 is HBO’s “Mrs. Fletcher,” the latest TV effort from Tom Perrotta based on one of novels. Featuring a pilot directed by Nicole Holofcener, the series stars Kathryn Hahn as Eve Fletcher, in search of fulfillment while her son looks for the same during his first year at college.
After making a Tiff splash at last year’s fest with “Sorry for Your Loss,” Facebook Watch is returning with another high-profile title. “Limetown,” starring Jessica Biel and Stanley Tucci, is adapted from the scripted podcast of the same name, a fictional spin on a mysterious true-crime investigation. Rounding out the U.
As part of the fifth incarnation of Tiff’s Primetime section, the festival announced a half-dozen series that will join this year’s lineup. The headliner for 2019 is HBO’s “Mrs. Fletcher,” the latest TV effort from Tom Perrotta based on one of novels. Featuring a pilot directed by Nicole Holofcener, the series stars Kathryn Hahn as Eve Fletcher, in search of fulfillment while her son looks for the same during his first year at college.
After making a Tiff splash at last year’s fest with “Sorry for Your Loss,” Facebook Watch is returning with another high-profile title. “Limetown,” starring Jessica Biel and Stanley Tucci, is adapted from the scripted podcast of the same name, a fictional spin on a mysterious true-crime investigation. Rounding out the U.
- 8/15/2019
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Tiff Industry Conference to hear from Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Fernando Meirelles.
World premieres of crime drama Briarpatch starring Rosario Dawson and Nicole Holofcener’s empty nest drama Mrs Fletcher are among six series to screen in Toronto International Film Festival’s (Tiff) Primetime television line-up.
Tiff brass also announced on Thursday (Aug 15) the Tiff Industry Conference line-up, as well as the four international Tiff Rising Stars, each of whom stars in at least one of the festival’s selections this year.
Primetime
Five of the Primetime series, nearly two-thirds of which are created and directed by women, will...
World premieres of crime drama Briarpatch starring Rosario Dawson and Nicole Holofcener’s empty nest drama Mrs Fletcher are among six series to screen in Toronto International Film Festival’s (Tiff) Primetime television line-up.
Tiff brass also announced on Thursday (Aug 15) the Tiff Industry Conference line-up, as well as the four international Tiff Rising Stars, each of whom stars in at least one of the festival’s selections this year.
Primetime
Five of the Primetime series, nearly two-thirds of which are created and directed by women, will...
- 8/15/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Bong Joon-ho with the Sydney Film Prize. (Photo: Enzo Amato)
Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite has won the Sydney Film Festival’s $60,000 Sydney Film Prize.
The dark comedy, which also won the Palme D’or at the Cannes Film Festival, was selected out of 12 competition films.
Bong Joon-ho, who was in attendance at the festival, accepted the award at last night’s Closing Night Gala awards ceremony at the State Theatre, ahead of the Australian premiere screening of Danny Boyle’s Yesterday.
Accepting the award, he said: “This festival is really amazing, especially the audience… really special and extraordinary. This is the most meaningful prize for me – in this beautiful city and beautiful theatre, and one of the most beautiful audiences in the world.”
The festival jury was comprised of Australian producer John Maynard (president); Australian filmmaker Ana Kokkinos; Brazilian actor and director Wagner Moura; Kiwi filmmaker Gaylene Preston...
Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite has won the Sydney Film Festival’s $60,000 Sydney Film Prize.
The dark comedy, which also won the Palme D’or at the Cannes Film Festival, was selected out of 12 competition films.
Bong Joon-ho, who was in attendance at the festival, accepted the award at last night’s Closing Night Gala awards ceremony at the State Theatre, ahead of the Australian premiere screening of Danny Boyle’s Yesterday.
Accepting the award, he said: “This festival is really amazing, especially the audience… really special and extraordinary. This is the most meaningful prize for me – in this beautiful city and beautiful theatre, and one of the most beautiful audiences in the world.”
The festival jury was comprised of Australian producer John Maynard (president); Australian filmmaker Ana Kokkinos; Brazilian actor and director Wagner Moura; Kiwi filmmaker Gaylene Preston...
- 6/17/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Jolene Anderson and Remy Hii in ‘Harrow’ 2.
Here’s a shout-out to producers: The ABC is keen to find another genre series to fill a gap as Matchbox Pictures’ Glitch comes to its conclusion after three seasons.
The pubcaster is also looking for a multi-generational relationship drama, comedies for Wednesday nights and shows with diverse casts and creatives across all genres.
It is less interested in programs set in small country towns and procedural crime series, particularly with the second series of Hoodlum Entertainment’s Harrow premiering on May 12 and the second season of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road due to shoot later this year in Broome.
That’s the word from ABC head of scripted production Sally Riley. She hopes the funding for her domain – drama, comedy and Indigenous content – for the next financial year will not be less than the last couple of years, despite the federal government-imposed three-year $83.7 million funding cut.
Here’s a shout-out to producers: The ABC is keen to find another genre series to fill a gap as Matchbox Pictures’ Glitch comes to its conclusion after three seasons.
The pubcaster is also looking for a multi-generational relationship drama, comedies for Wednesday nights and shows with diverse casts and creatives across all genres.
It is less interested in programs set in small country towns and procedural crime series, particularly with the second series of Hoodlum Entertainment’s Harrow premiering on May 12 and the second season of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road due to shoot later this year in Broome.
That’s the word from ABC head of scripted production Sally Riley. She hopes the funding for her domain – drama, comedy and Indigenous content – for the next financial year will not be less than the last couple of years, despite the federal government-imposed three-year $83.7 million funding cut.
- 5/6/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths.
Blackfella Films’ Black B*tch (working title), a six-part drama for the ABC revolving around high stakes ambition, betrayal and treachery in the nation’s capital, started shooting today.
Directed by Rachel Perkins, the series stars Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving, a charismatic and contradictory Indigenous woman who is thrust into the national limelight after a horrific event.
Rachel Griffiths co-stars as Australia’s embattled Prime Minister Rachel Anderson, who, seeing a publicity goldmine for her party, makes her a captain’s pick for the Senate.
But Alex wants to be more than just a political stunt: she wants to make a difference. So after Alex is betrayed by the Pm she sets out for revenge that will send the political establishment into meltdown.
The supporting cast includes Harry Richardson, William McInnes, Aaron Pedersen, Rob Collins, Anthony Hayes, Celia Ireland, Trisha Morton-Thomas, James Sweeny, David Roberts,...
Blackfella Films’ Black B*tch (working title), a six-part drama for the ABC revolving around high stakes ambition, betrayal and treachery in the nation’s capital, started shooting today.
Directed by Rachel Perkins, the series stars Deborah Mailman as Alex Irving, a charismatic and contradictory Indigenous woman who is thrust into the national limelight after a horrific event.
Rachel Griffiths co-stars as Australia’s embattled Prime Minister Rachel Anderson, who, seeing a publicity goldmine for her party, makes her a captain’s pick for the Senate.
But Alex wants to be more than just a political stunt: she wants to make a difference. So after Alex is betrayed by the Pm she sets out for revenge that will send the political establishment into meltdown.
The supporting cast includes Harry Richardson, William McInnes, Aaron Pedersen, Rob Collins, Anthony Hayes, Celia Ireland, Trisha Morton-Thomas, James Sweeny, David Roberts,...
- 3/4/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Keshet International has headed down under to snap up its second global drama – picking up Australian political thriller Black B*tch (w/t).
The company has acquired the global rights to the drama, which stars Brothers & Sisters’ Rachel Griffiths and The Sapphires’ Deborah Mailman, the second third-party pick up for its Keshet International Fund that was launched in March during the In-tv conference in Jerusalem. It comes after picking up BBC One drama The Trial of Christine Keeler.
It will also work alongside Endeavor Content to co-distribute the six-part series in the U.S.
The series, which will air on Australian public broadcaster ABC, is produced by Blackfella Films. Directed by Mystery Road’s Rachel Perkins, Black B*tch is a story of high stakes ambition, betrayal and treachery, played out in Australia’s capital.
It follows Alex Irving, played by Mailman, a charismatic and contradictory Indigenous woman, who...
The company has acquired the global rights to the drama, which stars Brothers & Sisters’ Rachel Griffiths and The Sapphires’ Deborah Mailman, the second third-party pick up for its Keshet International Fund that was launched in March during the In-tv conference in Jerusalem. It comes after picking up BBC One drama The Trial of Christine Keeler.
It will also work alongside Endeavor Content to co-distribute the six-part series in the U.S.
The series, which will air on Australian public broadcaster ABC, is produced by Blackfella Films. Directed by Mystery Road’s Rachel Perkins, Black B*tch is a story of high stakes ambition, betrayal and treachery, played out in Australia’s capital.
It follows Alex Irving, played by Mailman, a charismatic and contradictory Indigenous woman, who...
- 11/19/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths lead the cast of ‘Black B*tch’.
Leading the ABC’s drama slate in 2019 is Blackfella Films’ Black B*tch, starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, with the broadcaster reconfirming its commitment to Australian stories and diversity at its upfronts today.
Other new drama/comedy series on the ABC’s slate for new year include the previously announced Frayed, a Mermaid Television production that stars Sarah Kendall, RevLover’s Diary of an Uber Driver, Synchronicity Films’ The Cry, and 30-episode serial The Heights, from Matchbox and For Pete’s Sake Productions.
Speaking at the content launch, ABC acting MD David Anderson put forward that the ABC is Australia’s “chief storyteller”. He cited statistics from the most recent Screen Australia drama report – that showed the ABC invested more in Australian drama content than any other single broadcaster in the last financial year, and that its...
Leading the ABC’s drama slate in 2019 is Blackfella Films’ Black B*tch, starring Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths, with the broadcaster reconfirming its commitment to Australian stories and diversity at its upfronts today.
Other new drama/comedy series on the ABC’s slate for new year include the previously announced Frayed, a Mermaid Television production that stars Sarah Kendall, RevLover’s Diary of an Uber Driver, Synchronicity Films’ The Cry, and 30-episode serial The Heights, from Matchbox and For Pete’s Sake Productions.
Speaking at the content launch, ABC acting MD David Anderson put forward that the ABC is Australia’s “chief storyteller”. He cited statistics from the most recent Screen Australia drama report – that showed the ABC invested more in Australian drama content than any other single broadcaster in the last financial year, and that its...
- 11/19/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Dominic Minghella.
Australian producers who lament the time and resources devoted to developing projects that don’t eventuate can take heart from Dominic Minghella.
Despite a stellar track record as the creator of Doc Martin and Robin Hood, the UK producer/writer says his strike rate is just one in six of all the projects he’s developed.
“I have been incredibly lucky, but what you don’t see are the projects I wrote which I was sure would work and didn’t work,” he tells If via Skype from his home in London. “Development isn’t fun.”
Minghella will be a keynote speaker at Screen Producers Australia’s Screen Forever conference in Melbourne this November, marking just his second trip down under. In 2008 he took part in Spark, the script development program by the Australian Film Commission run in conjunction with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Aftrs...
Australian producers who lament the time and resources devoted to developing projects that don’t eventuate can take heart from Dominic Minghella.
Despite a stellar track record as the creator of Doc Martin and Robin Hood, the UK producer/writer says his strike rate is just one in six of all the projects he’s developed.
“I have been incredibly lucky, but what you don’t see are the projects I wrote which I was sure would work and didn’t work,” he tells If via Skype from his home in London. “Development isn’t fun.”
Minghella will be a keynote speaker at Screen Producers Australia’s Screen Forever conference in Melbourne this November, marking just his second trip down under. In 2008 he took part in Spark, the script development program by the Australian Film Commission run in conjunction with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (Aftrs...
- 11/8/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Silvey on set with stars Levi Miller and Angourie Rice.
'Jasper Jones' author Craig Silvey came on board to adapt his own novel after multiple drafts had been penned by Shaun Grant ('Snowtown', 'Berlin Syndrome')..
How involved were you in the development process?
I was the second screenwriter to come on board. I was more or less a consultant for a few years [beforehand] while I was touring the book and working on other things. Pre-production tends to move quite slowly. I came on board in a much more influential way later in the process..
Was it strange, returning to a story you thought you had put to bed?
It.s a process of identifying the key elements of the story. I had a really good opportunity to know what those were, simply because I.d toured the book so much and talked to so...
'Jasper Jones' author Craig Silvey came on board to adapt his own novel after multiple drafts had been penned by Shaun Grant ('Snowtown', 'Berlin Syndrome')..
How involved were you in the development process?
I was the second screenwriter to come on board. I was more or less a consultant for a few years [beforehand] while I was touring the book and working on other things. Pre-production tends to move quite slowly. I came on board in a much more influential way later in the process..
Was it strange, returning to a story you thought you had put to bed?
It.s a process of identifying the key elements of the story. I had a really good opportunity to know what those were, simply because I.d toured the book so much and talked to so...
- 3/12/2017
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Leah Purcell at Sydney's Belvoir Theatre. (Photo credit: Anthony Johnson).
Projects from the likes of Jocelyn Moorhouse, Leah Purcell, Vicki Madden, Rachel Perkins, Luke Davies, Sophie Hyde, Nicholas Verso, Abe Forsythe, Craig Silvey and Corrie Chen have received development funding from Screen Australia.
.This round of development funding reflects the vibrancy of the story landscape in Australia with thrillers and romance, crime and comedies, sports dramas and musicals,. said Screen Australia's Senior Development Manager Nerida Moore..
.We have projects from both seasoned storytellers and an exciting group of up-and-coming talents. And we are also seeing a greater mix of platforms from traditional features and high-end television to the ever-growing online drama and narrative Vr spaces..
Among the projects funded, which include 24 features, five online series and two "high-end" television projects, are:
Tasmanian-set gothic crime show The Gloaming, created and written by The Kettering Incident's Vicki Madden, who will produce...
Projects from the likes of Jocelyn Moorhouse, Leah Purcell, Vicki Madden, Rachel Perkins, Luke Davies, Sophie Hyde, Nicholas Verso, Abe Forsythe, Craig Silvey and Corrie Chen have received development funding from Screen Australia.
.This round of development funding reflects the vibrancy of the story landscape in Australia with thrillers and romance, crime and comedies, sports dramas and musicals,. said Screen Australia's Senior Development Manager Nerida Moore..
.We have projects from both seasoned storytellers and an exciting group of up-and-coming talents. And we are also seeing a greater mix of platforms from traditional features and high-end television to the ever-growing online drama and narrative Vr spaces..
Among the projects funded, which include 24 features, five online series and two "high-end" television projects, are:
Tasmanian-set gothic crime show The Gloaming, created and written by The Kettering Incident's Vicki Madden, who will produce...
- 2/13/2017
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Ready for This.
Three Australian productions.—.Doodles, Ready for This and Wild But True.—.are in the running for 2016 International Emmy Kids Awards.
The ABC.s multiplatform comedy Doodles is nominated in the Kids: Digital category. The animated series is produced by Ludo Studios with support from ABC3, Screen Australia and Screen Queensland.
ABC's Ready for This is up for a gong in the Kids: Series category. The Indigneous team drama was produced by Big Chance Films, a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions, and co-created by Liz Doran, Jo Werner, Darren Dale and Miranda Dear. It was financed by Screen Australia, Screen Nsw, the ABC and the Australian Children.s Television Foundation.
Shot primarily at Australia Zoo, Wild But True.— co-hosted by Robert Irwin, son of the Croc Hunter Steve — has been nominated in the Kids: Factual category. The series, supported by Screen Queensland, is a...
Three Australian productions.—.Doodles, Ready for This and Wild But True.—.are in the running for 2016 International Emmy Kids Awards.
The ABC.s multiplatform comedy Doodles is nominated in the Kids: Digital category. The animated series is produced by Ludo Studios with support from ABC3, Screen Australia and Screen Queensland.
ABC's Ready for This is up for a gong in the Kids: Series category. The Indigneous team drama was produced by Big Chance Films, a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions, and co-created by Liz Doran, Jo Werner, Darren Dale and Miranda Dear. It was financed by Screen Australia, Screen Nsw, the ABC and the Australian Children.s Television Foundation.
Shot primarily at Australia Zoo, Wild But True.— co-hosted by Robert Irwin, son of the Croc Hunter Steve — has been nominated in the Kids: Factual category. The series, supported by Screen Queensland, is a...
- 10/20/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Noah Taylor and Yael Stone (and soundie) on set. (Photo: Sean O'Reilly)
An old shed on Glebe Island wharf, littered with boat-building machinery and tools, sets the tone for one of the dramatic final scenes of Sbs.s new four-part series, Deep Water, starring Noah Taylor and Yael Stone..
Stone and Taylor play detectives investigating a brutal murder case which appears to be connected to the real-life gay hate crimes that swept through Sydney in the .80s and .90s.
But it was a more recent murder which spurred Blackfella Films. producers Darren Dale and Miranda Dear to get the series moving.
Dear and Dale, coincidentally were both in Potts Point, Sydney, when a particularly violent murder took place.
.He [Darren] was leaving and I was heading in and we both saw fire engines, ambulances, police cars and Darren stopped at the Atm near the building and heard from residents what had happened,...
An old shed on Glebe Island wharf, littered with boat-building machinery and tools, sets the tone for one of the dramatic final scenes of Sbs.s new four-part series, Deep Water, starring Noah Taylor and Yael Stone..
Stone and Taylor play detectives investigating a brutal murder case which appears to be connected to the real-life gay hate crimes that swept through Sydney in the .80s and .90s.
But it was a more recent murder which spurred Blackfella Films. producers Darren Dale and Miranda Dear to get the series moving.
Dear and Dale, coincidentally were both in Potts Point, Sydney, when a particularly violent murder took place.
.He [Darren] was leaving and I was heading in and we both saw fire engines, ambulances, police cars and Darren stopped at the Atm near the building and heard from residents what had happened,...
- 8/31/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Blackfella films' Jacob Hickey, Rachel Perkins, Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
Blackfella Films is set to cast one of Australia's most prominent literary heroines as it moves into late stage development of an adaptation of Frank Moorhouse's Edith Trilogy.
This comes more than two years after Moorhouse optioned the right to Grand Days, Dark Palace and Cold Light to Blackfella Films, who have just finished shooting gay hate-crime drama Deep Water for Sbs in Sydney.
The production will be a six by one-hour adaptation of the three books commonly known as the Edith Trilogy for Foxtel.
Blackfella Films producer, Miranda Dear, told If, that Edith was the kind of heroine that everybody loved.
"It follows a young woman who goes off to work at the League of Nations in the 20s and takes her right the way through to the 60s in Canberra..
"In a way it explores the...
Blackfella Films is set to cast one of Australia's most prominent literary heroines as it moves into late stage development of an adaptation of Frank Moorhouse's Edith Trilogy.
This comes more than two years after Moorhouse optioned the right to Grand Days, Dark Palace and Cold Light to Blackfella Films, who have just finished shooting gay hate-crime drama Deep Water for Sbs in Sydney.
The production will be a six by one-hour adaptation of the three books commonly known as the Edith Trilogy for Foxtel.
Blackfella Films producer, Miranda Dear, told If, that Edith was the kind of heroine that everybody loved.
"It follows a young woman who goes off to work at the League of Nations in the 20s and takes her right the way through to the 60s in Canberra..
"In a way it explores the...
- 6/2/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Blackfella films' Jacob Hickey, Rachel Perkins, Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.
Blackfella Films is set to cast one of Australia's most prominent literary heroines as it moves into late stage development of an adaptation of Frank Moorhouse's Edith Trilogy.
This comes more than two years after Moorhouse optioned the right to Grand Days, Dark Palace and Cold Light to Blackfella Films, who have just finished shooting gay hate-crime drama Deep Water for Sbs in Sydney.
The production will be a six by one-hour adaptation of the three books commonly known as the Edith Trilogy for Foxtel.
Blackfella Films producer, Miranda Dear, told If, that Edith was the kind of heroine that everybody loved.
"It follows a young woman who goes off to work at the League of Nations in the 20s and takes her right the way through to the 60s in Canberra..
"In a way it explores the...
.
Blackfella Films is set to cast one of Australia's most prominent literary heroines as it moves into late stage development of an adaptation of Frank Moorhouse's Edith Trilogy.
This comes more than two years after Moorhouse optioned the right to Grand Days, Dark Palace and Cold Light to Blackfella Films, who have just finished shooting gay hate-crime drama Deep Water for Sbs in Sydney.
The production will be a six by one-hour adaptation of the three books commonly known as the Edith Trilogy for Foxtel.
Blackfella Films producer, Miranda Dear, told If, that Edith was the kind of heroine that everybody loved.
"It follows a young woman who goes off to work at the League of Nations in the 20s and takes her right the way through to the 60s in Canberra..
"In a way it explores the...
- 6/2/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Noah Taylor in the Spierig Bros' Predestination.
Noah Taylor and Orange is the New Black's Yael Stone will star in Sbs.s new four-part crime drama series, Deep Water, produced by Blackfella Films.
Joining them in the crime thriller are Stone's husband Dan Spielman (The Code, Accidental Soldier, Offspring), William McInnes (The Time of Our Lives, The Slap), Danielle Cormack (Wentworth, Rake, Miss Fisher.s Murder Mysteries), Craig McLachlan (The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Ben Oxenbould (The Kettering Incident, Old School, Rake), Simon Burke (Devil.s Playground), John Brumpton (Catching Milat, Miss Fisher.s Murder Mysteries) and others..
Sbs are billing Deep Water as its first "cross-genre, cross-platform event which will include a four-part drama series, a feature documentary and unique online web series and content".
The series is executive produced by Sbs.s Sue Masters, produced by Blackfella Films. Miranda Dear and Darren Dale and written by Kris Wyld...
Noah Taylor and Orange is the New Black's Yael Stone will star in Sbs.s new four-part crime drama series, Deep Water, produced by Blackfella Films.
Joining them in the crime thriller are Stone's husband Dan Spielman (The Code, Accidental Soldier, Offspring), William McInnes (The Time of Our Lives, The Slap), Danielle Cormack (Wentworth, Rake, Miss Fisher.s Murder Mysteries), Craig McLachlan (The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Ben Oxenbould (The Kettering Incident, Old School, Rake), Simon Burke (Devil.s Playground), John Brumpton (Catching Milat, Miss Fisher.s Murder Mysteries) and others..
Sbs are billing Deep Water as its first "cross-genre, cross-platform event which will include a four-part drama series, a feature documentary and unique online web series and content".
The series is executive produced by Sbs.s Sue Masters, produced by Blackfella Films. Miranda Dear and Darren Dale and written by Kris Wyld...
- 3/21/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Simon Baker will make his feature directing debut, Matchbox Pictures will adapt another Christos Tsiolkas. novel for the ABC and Endemol Australia will produce a female-driven drama for the Nine Network in projects funded by Screen Australia.
Among other funding recipients are a TV spin-off of Tomorrow, When the War Began, a Nowhere Boys telemovie for the ABC and a relationships comedy directed by Tim Ferguson and Marc Gracie.
In total Screen Australia is investing $13.4 million in 12 film and television projects which will trigger production worth $64.3 million.
Baker (The Mentalist) will direct and star in the screen adaptation of Tim Winton.s novel Breath, scripted by Top of the Lake.s Gerard Lee.
The producers are Mark Johnson (Breaking Bad, The Notebook), Baker and See Pictures. Jamie Hilton (Backtrack, The Little Death).
Arclight is pitching the 1970s-set project to prospective buyers at the Cannes Film Market. The novel focusses on two teenagers,...
Among other funding recipients are a TV spin-off of Tomorrow, When the War Began, a Nowhere Boys telemovie for the ABC and a relationships comedy directed by Tim Ferguson and Marc Gracie.
In total Screen Australia is investing $13.4 million in 12 film and television projects which will trigger production worth $64.3 million.
Baker (The Mentalist) will direct and star in the screen adaptation of Tim Winton.s novel Breath, scripted by Top of the Lake.s Gerard Lee.
The producers are Mark Johnson (Breaking Bad, The Notebook), Baker and See Pictures. Jamie Hilton (Backtrack, The Little Death).
Arclight is pitching the 1970s-set project to prospective buyers at the Cannes Film Market. The novel focusses on two teenagers,...
- 5/13/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A chance meeting at the 2013 Logie awards was the catalyst for the launch of a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
- 3/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A chance meeting at the 2013 Logie awards was the catalyst for the launch of a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
- 3/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A chance meeting at the 2013 Logie awards was the catalyst for the launch of a joint venture between Blackfella Films and Werner Film Productions.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
Big Chance Films. first production, Ready for This, a teenage drama with mostly Indigenous characters commissioned by ABC3, is now shooting in Sydney.
The ensemble cast includes two newcomers, rapper/singer Majeda Beatty who competed in The X Factor, and Liam Talty, who studied at the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in Brisbane.
They join Aaron McGrath (The Code, Redfern Now, The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Leonie Whyman (Redfern Now), Madeleine Madden (The Code, Jack Irish: Dead Point, Redfern Now), Christian Byers (Puberty Blues season 2), Christine Anu (Dance Academy, Outland) and Lasarus Ratuere (The Mule, Mabo, Terra Nova).
Set in inner city Sydney, the plot follows five Indigenous kids who come to the city to pursue their dreams. Anu and Ratuere play the couple who run the kids. boarding house.
- 3/15/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The telemovie Redfern Now: Promise Me almost certainly won.t be the final chapter in the saga of the mostly indigenous residents of inner-city Sydney.
ABC TV head of programming Brendan Dahill hopes the creative team will get back together for another instalment in the franchise.
In a sense the drama produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear, which starred Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Leah Purcell, Aaron Pederson, Rarriwuy Hick, Lisa Flanagan, Kelton Pell and Kirk Page, is a victim of its own success.
Dahill tells If, .The first two series were so popular the cast members are in heavy demand. But we hope to get the team back together when they are available..
Due to air in the next couple of months, Redfern Now: Promise Me will explore the impact of a violent crime on two women and the fight for justice that ensues. Anthony Hayes, Daniella...
ABC TV head of programming Brendan Dahill hopes the creative team will get back together for another instalment in the franchise.
In a sense the drama produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear, which starred Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Leah Purcell, Aaron Pederson, Rarriwuy Hick, Lisa Flanagan, Kelton Pell and Kirk Page, is a victim of its own success.
Dahill tells If, .The first two series were so popular the cast members are in heavy demand. But we hope to get the team back together when they are available..
Due to air in the next couple of months, Redfern Now: Promise Me will explore the impact of a violent crime on two women and the fight for justice that ensues. Anthony Hayes, Daniella...
- 2/1/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The ailing screen production sector is set to get a major boost with more than $80 million worth of films, TV dramas and a documentary receiving funding from Screen Australia.
The agency is investing more than $12 million in four features, four adult dramas, two children.s dramas and a theatrical doc. In addition Scroz is providing completion funding to sex comedy The Little Deaths, writer-director Josh Lawson.s feature debut.
The projects include a Blinky Bill animated movie, a comedy set during the Cronulla race riots, the long-mooted Molly Meldrum TV drama and The Principal, the first drama commissioned by Sbs since Better Man.
.We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices, . said Screen Australia head of production Sally Caplan.
.The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have...
The agency is investing more than $12 million in four features, four adult dramas, two children.s dramas and a theatrical doc. In addition Scroz is providing completion funding to sex comedy The Little Deaths, writer-director Josh Lawson.s feature debut.
The projects include a Blinky Bill animated movie, a comedy set during the Cronulla race riots, the long-mooted Molly Meldrum TV drama and The Principal, the first drama commissioned by Sbs since Better Man.
.We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices, . said Screen Australia head of production Sally Caplan.
.The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have...
- 8/6/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
If the 3rd annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards could be categorised as a David vs Goliath battle between The Rocket and The Great Gatsby, Goliath is the hands-down winner.
Baz Luhrmann.s opulent romantic drama won six awards tonight, for best film, director, adapted screenplay, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, supporting actor Joel Edgerton and supporting actress Elizabeth Debicki.
That.s in addition to the six awards in craft categories plus the Aacta award for outstanding achievement in visual effects bestowed on Luhrmann.s film on Tuesday.
Kim Mordaunt's The Rocket, which had 12 nominations versus 14 for Gatsby, had to be content with just one trophy, for Mordaunt.s original screenplay.
The outcome is likely to reignite the debate about the near-impossibility of comparing a lavishly-mounted 3D film financed by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, which cost $160 million, with an independently-funded Lao-set film from a first-time director budgeted at about $2 million.
Baz Luhrmann.s opulent romantic drama won six awards tonight, for best film, director, adapted screenplay, lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio, supporting actor Joel Edgerton and supporting actress Elizabeth Debicki.
That.s in addition to the six awards in craft categories plus the Aacta award for outstanding achievement in visual effects bestowed on Luhrmann.s film on Tuesday.
Kim Mordaunt's The Rocket, which had 12 nominations versus 14 for Gatsby, had to be content with just one trophy, for Mordaunt.s original screenplay.
The outcome is likely to reignite the debate about the near-impossibility of comparing a lavishly-mounted 3D film financed by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, which cost $160 million, with an independently-funded Lao-set film from a first-time director budgeted at about $2 million.
- 1/30/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The second season of award-winning series Redfern Now will commence filming in and around Redfern on May 1. Produced by Blackfella Films. Miranda Dear and Darren Dale, alongside story producer Jimmy McGovern, the second instalment of the popular series will see many of the cast members reuniting to play their original characters. Those returning in season two include Wayne Blair, this year.s Most Outstanding Actress Logie winner, Deborah Mailman, Ursula Yovich, Lisa Flanagan, Stephen Curry, Dean Daley Jones and the Aacta Award-winning Leah Purcell. Adding to the mix will be Aaron Pederson, Craig McLachlan, Meyne Wyatt, Ernie Dingo, Steve Bisley, Sarah Woods and Tammy Clarkson. The first season of the show proved to be successful both with audiences and critics, and was nominated for five Aacta awards in 2013 (taking home the awards for Best Screenplay in Television and Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama) as well as scooping the...
- 4/29/2013
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
The second season of award-winning series Redfern Now will commence filming in and around Redfern on May 1. Produced by Blackfella Films. Miranda Dear and Darren Dale, alongside story producer Jimmy McGovern, the second instalment of the popular series will see many of the cast members reuniting to play their original characters. Those returning in season two include Wayne Blair, this year.s Most Outstanding Actress Logie winner, Deborah Mailman, Ursula Yovich, Lisa Flanagan, Stephen Curry, Dean Daley Jones and the Aacta Award-winning Leah Purcell. Adding to the mix will be Aaron Pederson, Craig McLachlan, Meyne Wyatt, Ernie Dingo, Steve Bisley, Sarah Woods and Tammy Clarkson. The first season of the show proved to be successful both with audiences and critics, and was nominated for five Aacta awards in 2013 (taking home the awards for Best Screenplay in Television and Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama) as well as scooping the...
- 4/29/2013
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia says it has not mismanaged its finances by spending its annual production funding in just six months - a state of affairs which it says reflects the strength of the local film industry.
The government screen agency revealed in mid-December 2012 that it had spent its entire annual $42 million drama production allocation due to the unprecedented number of quality feature film and television projects seeking support. The shock announcement was reminiscent of the agency's abrupt decision to cut its investment cap in 2009 while several films were mid-financed. That decision.threw several major Australian productions into dissaray including The Tree and the biggest box office hit of.2010, Tomorrow When the War Began (Omnilab Media had to increase its investment at the last minute to ensure production).
Overspending on such a scale has never occurred before, even going back to the era of Screen Australia.s predecessor funding arm, the Film Finance Corporation.
The government screen agency revealed in mid-December 2012 that it had spent its entire annual $42 million drama production allocation due to the unprecedented number of quality feature film and television projects seeking support. The shock announcement was reminiscent of the agency's abrupt decision to cut its investment cap in 2009 while several films were mid-financed. That decision.threw several major Australian productions into dissaray including The Tree and the biggest box office hit of.2010, Tomorrow When the War Began (Omnilab Media had to increase its investment at the last minute to ensure production).
Overspending on such a scale has never occurred before, even going back to the era of Screen Australia.s predecessor funding arm, the Film Finance Corporation.
- 2/6/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
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
Actor/director Leah Purcell added to writing team for Redfern Now series two
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
- 11/12/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested almost $5.5 million in two feature films, My Mistress and Son of a Gun, as well as a second series of indigenous TV program Redfern Now.
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
- 11/12/2012
- by Staff Reporter
- IF.com.au
ABC’s new drama Redfern Now premiered last night on ABC1 as the second most watched show in its timeslot behind Seven’s Beauty and the Geek.
Billed as the first TV series completely written, directed and produced by Indigenous Australians, the six-part series follows six different stories of life in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Redfern.
Last night’s episode, directed by Satellite Boy’s Catriona McKenzie and starring Leah Purcell, debuted with 721,000 total viewers, across the five city metro markets, according to preliminary ratings from OzTAM.
The drama, which was 12th for the night, beat Nine’s Australian Federal Police which rated 702,000 and Ten’s Law and Order: Svu on 681,000.
Cameras began rolling in May on the series which is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear with Cracker’s Jimmy McGovern as story producer. The Sapphires’ Deborah Mailman and Sheri Sebbens as well as director Wayne Blair...
Billed as the first TV series completely written, directed and produced by Indigenous Australians, the six-part series follows six different stories of life in Sydney’s inner-city suburb of Redfern.
Last night’s episode, directed by Satellite Boy’s Catriona McKenzie and starring Leah Purcell, debuted with 721,000 total viewers, across the five city metro markets, according to preliminary ratings from OzTAM.
The drama, which was 12th for the night, beat Nine’s Australian Federal Police which rated 702,000 and Ten’s Law and Order: Svu on 681,000.
Cameras began rolling in May on the series which is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear with Cracker’s Jimmy McGovern as story producer. The Sapphires’ Deborah Mailman and Sheri Sebbens as well as director Wayne Blair...
- 11/2/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Blackfella Films, Electric Pictures, Great Wight Productions, Playmaker Media and Wild Fury are the latest recipients of Screen Australia’s Enterprise program. These production companies will receive $3m in support over three years. Blackfella Films (Rachel Perkins, Darren Dale), Electric Pictures (Andrew Ogilvie), Great Wight Productions (Andrew Wight, Peter Robinson, Monica Wight), Playmaker Media (David Maher, David Taylor) and Wild Fury (Tina Dalton, Veronica Fury, Hugh Marks) were chosen because their business plans showed “a strong vision for how they can build capacity and achieve ongoing business viability”, according to Screen Australia CEO Ruth Harley. The companies’ plans incorporate strategies for growth including diversification, new partnerships and alliances, marketing and innovative distribution, and expansion across state borders and into international markets. This funding will enable Blackfella Films to recruit Miranda Dear, previously head of drama at the ABC, as creative producer to oversee development of a varied slate of documentary,...
- 10/25/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Ta fan Miranda send us the video she made in diary style of Bellas pain when Edward leaves her in New Moon. nbspHere is the video from Miranda Dear Diary Bellas pain The day Edward Left I must say I sobbed all the way through this video. The music really gave me shivers and the whole text in the video is just heartbreaking. Its really original and well put together! What do you think of this video as a whole with this different concept? Any parts that you specifically liked?...
- 7/5/2009
- twilightersanonymous.com
SYDNEY -- As the Australian Broadcasting Corp. continues to lift its level of local drama production from a record low of 20 hours in 2005, the national broadcaster's director of television, Kim Dalton, announced Miranda Dear's promotion to head of drama.
Dear, formerly executive producer of drama, takes over the role held by Scott Meek, who resigned last year only months after Dalton was appointed director of television in May.
A former production and acquisitions consultant at the U.K.'s Channel 4 and Film Four, Dear has been at the ABC since August 2005 and has co-executive produced dramas "The Silence", "Stepfather of the Bride", "Curtin" and "Bastard Boys" as well as the currently-in-production series "Valentine's Day", "Rain Shadow", "Librarians" and "East of Everything".
"Miranda brings a fresh perspective and energy to our drama, at a time when we are significantly increasing our level of production," Dalton said in announcing the appointment. "Miranda has a long association with the development and production of diverse and high-quality film and television drama."
Prior to joining the ABC, Dear was a senior commissioning editor at Australia's other public broadcaster, SBS.
Dear, formerly executive producer of drama, takes over the role held by Scott Meek, who resigned last year only months after Dalton was appointed director of television in May.
A former production and acquisitions consultant at the U.K.'s Channel 4 and Film Four, Dear has been at the ABC since August 2005 and has co-executive produced dramas "The Silence", "Stepfather of the Bride", "Curtin" and "Bastard Boys" as well as the currently-in-production series "Valentine's Day", "Rain Shadow", "Librarians" and "East of Everything".
"Miranda brings a fresh perspective and energy to our drama, at a time when we are significantly increasing our level of production," Dalton said in announcing the appointment. "Miranda has a long association with the development and production of diverse and high-quality film and television drama."
Prior to joining the ABC, Dear was a senior commissioning editor at Australia's other public broadcaster, SBS.
- 3/13/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SYDNEY -- A single crime-scene snapshot paints 1,000 dreadful words, and The Silence expertly taps into the mysterious allure of a vintage photo collection to tell the story of a traumatized cop's redemption.
The enduring fascination with police procedurals guarantees this moody Australian mystery an audience, and an artful mounting by the team behind the coming-of-age drama Somersault broadens its appeal beyond the "Law & Order" fan club.
Originally made as a two-part TV drama for Australia's public broadcaster, the ABC, Toronto is screening a feature-length version that will air on pay TV in Australia this year.
As with the dreamy Somersault, director Cate Shortland uses textured visuals and a varied palette to articulate the characters' feelings for them -- particularly useful for Detective Richard Treloar, who is gagged by the twin traits of being male and a cop.
The female perspective -- the screenwriters and producer also are women -- means Silence is just as much about the trouble Richard has communicating his inner torment as it is about solving the 40-year-old murder that anchors the elaborate plot.
Richard Roxburgh is superb as the repressed detective, whose life started to unravel the moment he failed to stop the fatal shooting of a female informant. Suspended from active duty, he now is working at the police museum, curating an exhibition of crime scene photography from the 1960s.
He seems at ease with the mute, two-dimensional nature of the dead-eyed stares and blood-spattered corpses that surround him, and soon becomes intrigued by a dark-haired beauty who repeatedly crops up in the background of a series of crime scenes.
Curiosity turns to obsession when he comes across a picture of her murdered body laid out on a Sydney Harbor wharf and he launches his own investigation into the cold case.
As he begins to spend more time with the dead, he pushes the living away, particularly his girlfriend and fellow cop, Helen (Alice McConnell), and a clumsy but compassionate police psychologist named Juliet (Essie Davis), assigned to counsel him back to mental health.
When his No. 1 suspect -- a retired cop and boxer (Tony Barry) -- turns up dead and Richard is hauled before his former colleagues in the homicide squad, his quest to tie the past to the present takes on a new urgency.
Shortland and her Somersault cinematographer Robert Humphreys have created a fractured world that mirrors Richard's crumbling psyche. Black and white photos seem to watch from every corner, little noir dramas from the city's past. The banality of the details belies the horror of the crimes. So it is with the familiar streetscapes through which Richard wanders, visions of the mysterious woman in the blue silk dress haunting the edges of the frame.
The atmospheric visuals are grounded by naturalistic performances, including a standout turn by Emily Barclay (who stars in Suburban Mayhem, also in Toronto) as Richard's smart-mouthed young assistant.
Beyond the densely plotted whodunit, Silence plays as an empathetic look at the way men construct layers of barricades to hide emotional pain. Even as the strands of the murder mystery are tied together in a too-neat bow, thanks to Roxburgh's raw vulnerability the final moments are heart-breaking.
THE SILENCE
ABC Enterprises
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. and Film Finance Corporation Australia present a Jan Chapman Films production
Credits:
Director: Cate Shortland
Screenwriters: Alice Addison, Mary Walsh
Producer: Jan Chapman
Executive producers: Miranda Dear, Scott Meek
Director of photography: Robert Humphreys
Production designer: Melinda Doring
Music: Anthony Partos
Co-producer: Anthony Anderson
Costume designer: Emily Seresin
Editor: Scott Gray
Cast:
Richard: Richard Roxburgh
Juliet: Essie Davis
Helen: Alice McConnell
Evelyn: Emily Barclay
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 104 minutes...
The enduring fascination with police procedurals guarantees this moody Australian mystery an audience, and an artful mounting by the team behind the coming-of-age drama Somersault broadens its appeal beyond the "Law & Order" fan club.
Originally made as a two-part TV drama for Australia's public broadcaster, the ABC, Toronto is screening a feature-length version that will air on pay TV in Australia this year.
As with the dreamy Somersault, director Cate Shortland uses textured visuals and a varied palette to articulate the characters' feelings for them -- particularly useful for Detective Richard Treloar, who is gagged by the twin traits of being male and a cop.
The female perspective -- the screenwriters and producer also are women -- means Silence is just as much about the trouble Richard has communicating his inner torment as it is about solving the 40-year-old murder that anchors the elaborate plot.
Richard Roxburgh is superb as the repressed detective, whose life started to unravel the moment he failed to stop the fatal shooting of a female informant. Suspended from active duty, he now is working at the police museum, curating an exhibition of crime scene photography from the 1960s.
He seems at ease with the mute, two-dimensional nature of the dead-eyed stares and blood-spattered corpses that surround him, and soon becomes intrigued by a dark-haired beauty who repeatedly crops up in the background of a series of crime scenes.
Curiosity turns to obsession when he comes across a picture of her murdered body laid out on a Sydney Harbor wharf and he launches his own investigation into the cold case.
As he begins to spend more time with the dead, he pushes the living away, particularly his girlfriend and fellow cop, Helen (Alice McConnell), and a clumsy but compassionate police psychologist named Juliet (Essie Davis), assigned to counsel him back to mental health.
When his No. 1 suspect -- a retired cop and boxer (Tony Barry) -- turns up dead and Richard is hauled before his former colleagues in the homicide squad, his quest to tie the past to the present takes on a new urgency.
Shortland and her Somersault cinematographer Robert Humphreys have created a fractured world that mirrors Richard's crumbling psyche. Black and white photos seem to watch from every corner, little noir dramas from the city's past. The banality of the details belies the horror of the crimes. So it is with the familiar streetscapes through which Richard wanders, visions of the mysterious woman in the blue silk dress haunting the edges of the frame.
The atmospheric visuals are grounded by naturalistic performances, including a standout turn by Emily Barclay (who stars in Suburban Mayhem, also in Toronto) as Richard's smart-mouthed young assistant.
Beyond the densely plotted whodunit, Silence plays as an empathetic look at the way men construct layers of barricades to hide emotional pain. Even as the strands of the murder mystery are tied together in a too-neat bow, thanks to Roxburgh's raw vulnerability the final moments are heart-breaking.
THE SILENCE
ABC Enterprises
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. and Film Finance Corporation Australia present a Jan Chapman Films production
Credits:
Director: Cate Shortland
Screenwriters: Alice Addison, Mary Walsh
Producer: Jan Chapman
Executive producers: Miranda Dear, Scott Meek
Director of photography: Robert Humphreys
Production designer: Melinda Doring
Music: Anthony Partos
Co-producer: Anthony Anderson
Costume designer: Emily Seresin
Editor: Scott Gray
Cast:
Richard: Richard Roxburgh
Juliet: Essie Davis
Helen: Alice McConnell
Evelyn: Emily Barclay
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 104 minutes...
SYDNEY -- Carole Sklan is ending a four-year run as head of film development at the Australian Film Commission to take over as commissioning editor of drama at SBS Independent, the local production arm of public broadcaster the Special Broadcasting Service, the network announced Friday. The Melbourne-based appointment becomes effective Nov. 30. Sklan will replace Miranda Dear, who recently jumped ship to join the drama department of the Australian Broadcasting Corp. under Scott Meek. In a statement Friday, AFC chief executive Kim Dalton acknowledged Sklan's "major contribution" to the commission, where she introduced the SPARK script workshop and established the broadband production initiative with ABC's New Media arm as well as low-budget feature film initiative IndiVision.
SYDNEY -- Miranda Dear has jumped ship from the drama department of SBS to take up executive producer duties with national broadcaster the Australian Broadcasting Corp., the ABC announced Wednesday. The appointment comes in the wake of recent public pleas to the government from ABC managing director Russell Balding to increase funds in order to stem the steep drop in the the broadcaster's drama production, from over 100 hours in 2001 to around 20 hours in 2004. British-born Dear will oversee the development and production of various ABC dramas, reporting to head of drama Scott Meek, a Scotsman who executive produced the high profile U.K. series "Hamish MacBeth" and the feature film "Velvet Goldmine" before taking up his position at the ABC last year.
SYDNEY -- As Australian broadcasters and producers increasingly shy away from committing to big 26-episode series orders in favor of short-order commissions and miniseries, the production slate for minis is mushrooming. "We're not in a position financially to extend series to 26 episodes," SBS independent commissioning editor Miranda Dear said Monday. "Doing short-run drama like this allows audiences to 'suck it and see, ' and if they like it, the series may be extended." She was speaking on the first day of shooting for pubcaster SBS' miniseries RAN, one of a series of short-run projects that are in the pipeline for the broadcaster.
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