Encore Magazine articles from August 2006

Encore Magazine archives from August 2006

A change is in the air: we'll have to wait several months before we know the outcome of the Government's far-reaching industry review but quite frankly, something's got to give.
August 1, 2006... BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS, THE DEADLINE FOR THE Federal Government's review of Australian Government Film Funding Support has closed and the public servants at DCITA are poring over the submissions lodged by industry lobby groups; that is to...

Jane Smith to leave the FTO: the NSW Film and Television Office boss will call it quits at the end of the year.(New South Wales)
August 1, 2006... THE NEW SOUTH WALES FILM AND Television Office is on the lookout for a new chief executive following the decision by the incumbent, Jane Smith, to leave the job when her contract expires at the end of 2006. Smith has been at the helm of the...

German soap to shoot in old.(PRODUCTION)
August 1, 2006... A 20-part remake of a steamy German soap is set tp be produced in Queensland, with filming to take place at Warner Roadshow Studios and on location. Bianca--Road to Happiness. is a Fremantle Media production for the US female-skewed Lifetime...

Liberty readies kidnapping film.(Liberty Films International makes a movie titled 'How to Change in Nine Weeks')(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Queensland's Liberty Films International is producing a feature based on the true story of a 20-year old woman's kidnapping, with Tony Cavanaugh as producer and Simone North in the director's chair. The film's working title is How to Change in...

Peter Bart.(Close Up: HEADLINES)
August 1, 2006... "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the wrong project at the wrong time, and everyone around Walt essentially told him so with relentless persistence." --Peter Bart, Boffo

Boffo! Giveaway.(Close Up: HEADLINES)
August 1, 2006... Encore has five giveaway copies of Peter Bart's Boffo! How I Learned to Love the Blockbuster and Fear the Bomb. For your chance to win, be one of the first five readers to email encore@reedbusiness.com.au with the answer to the following...

Cinema statistics.(Statistical table)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... CINEMA STATISTICS STATISTIC 2002 2003 2004 2005 No. cinema screens 1872 1907 1909 1943 City 121 120 108 108 Suburban...

FFC doles out $21.5m in first meeting for 2005/06: the long-awaited first Film Finance Corporation Australia funding round for the year saw the approval of nine documentaries, three features and five television shows.(FINANCE)
August 1, 2006... THE FIRST FILM FINANCE CORPORATION Australia (FFC) board meeting of the new financial year yielded $21.5 million in funds that will result in $57.5 million worth of production. The July meeting saw the FFC approve a diverse range of films...

Ned lands permanent place at head of SBSi; With his role as SBS independent general manager now confirmed, Ned Lander has a simple brief to boost local content levels Steve Misiura reports.
August 1, 2006... SBS INDEPENDENT ACTING GENERAL MANAGER NED LANDER HAS BEEN confirmed as the new General Manager of the SBS commissioning arm. "Having the green light to get involved in long term planning and following through on some of the things we want...

Stalled venture blamed on Tax Office 'suspicion': the Future Films debacle highlights the fact that efforts to develop a more 'film friendly' Tax Office appear to have failed. Steve Misiura and Fiona Williams report.(FINANCE)
August 1, 2006... IN SPITE OF ITS HIGH-PROFILE DECISION in July to abandon a $250 million film financing venture, Future Films Australia (FFA) is considering a return to the fray, having secured two belated Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Product Rulings for...

Govt media reform plans get mixed feedback: federal communications minister Helen Coonan has finally released her blueprint for the future of media in Australia. Steve Misiura reports on reactions to the package.(LEGISLATION)
August 1, 2006... MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan's announcement of details relating to reform to key media industry policies have been met with mixed reactions. ABC managing director Mark Scott welcomed the...

Melbourne lures 'Wild Things' adaptation: Spike Jonze to film classic children's story in Melbourne. Steve Misiura reports.(PRODUCTION)
August 1, 2006... US FEATURE FILM WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE IS SET TO FILM IN Melbourne. Alongside recent productions such as Bianca: Path to Happiness (a Fremantle/Grundy project for US network Lifetime) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) feature film The...

Landmark Sydney cinema seeks broader appeal: re-opened Sydney institution, the Chauvel, is looking to attract patrons to the venue outside of conventional screening times. David Hull reports.(EXHIBITION)
August 1, 2006... ICONIC SYDNEY CINEMA THE CHAUVEL IS aiming to attract a younger demographic as the venue embarks on a new era under the ownership of Palace Cinemas. The Paddington-based cinema closed its doors in September last year when then operator,...

Dendy embraces digital with ambitious Canberra venture: Dendy Cinemas hopes to have its nine-screen successor to Canberra's Electric Shadows Cinema up and running by the end of 2006.(EXHIBITION)
August 1, 2006... DENDY CINEMAS' NEW NINE-SCREEN CANBERRA CINEMA COMPLEX WILL become Australia's first purpose-built art house multiplex, embracing digital projection with the installation of Panasonic 1.3K equipment--an alternative to the 2K specification as...

Film fests name directors: Sydney and Melbourne announce new festival directors fresh from the Australian centre for the moving image (ACMI). Steve Misiura reports.(FESTIVALS)
August 1, 2006... THE NEW CREATIVE DIRECTORS FOR SYDNEY Film Festival (SFF) and Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) have been announced. After the departure of James Hewison was announced before the festival, MIFF's chair Claire Dobbin appointed...

Eddie locks in Nine's new communicator.(Nine Network Australia Ltd. appoints Stephen Woodhill)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Stephen Woodhill will be the Nine Network's new director of communications and marketing from September this year. According to Nine's chief executive Eddie McGuire, the appointment is a very important step in his new management structure. "I...

PFTC Commissions independent review.(Pacific Film and Television Commission )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC) CEO Robin James has ordered an independent review into the organisation's strategic direction. He said the review would form the basis for PTFTC business planning for the next five years. "The PFTC...

Ten and ABC2 set sights on gamers.(Network Ten Proprietary Ltd. to launch 'Cybershack TV')(ABC2 to launch 'Good Game')(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Two new programs aimed at interactive gamers are scheduled for launch in coming months. Cybershack TV will compare real world activities like flying a fighter jet with the gaming equivalent The Network Ten program has been created to appeal to...

AWGIE nominations announced.(Australian Writers Guild, AWGIE Awards)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... THE Australian Writers Guild (AWG) will stage its annual AWGIE Awards in Sydney on August 25. Rolf de Heer (Ten Canoes), Ann Turner (Irresistible) and Alice Bell (Suburban Mayhem) are competing for the award for original feature film, and Reg...

Tench creates web buzz.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Andrew Denton's production company Zapruder's Other Films and Network Ten has been creating a buzz for its offering, The David Tench Tonight Show. Ten has combined on-air promos, featuring lame quotes from Tench, with a sophisticated online...

ABC considers more 'FAT' in schedule.(American Broadcasting Companies Inc. plans to relaunch the sports show 'The Fat')(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The ABC is contemplating reprising the defunct sports show The Fat for a stint during the Ashes cricket series, which is set to commence in November. Presenters Tony Squires and Rebecca Wilson have pitched the idea to ABC management and are...

BBC content bound for 3G phones.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... 3G phone users across Australia and New Zealand will be able to download clips from BBC titles The Office, Little Britain and Doctor Who after the conclusion of a deal between BBC Worldwide Australasia and Vodafone. Mobiles on both sides of the...

'Wil' heading to Rhode Island.(feature film 'Will' to premiere at Rhode Island International Film Festival)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Jeremy Weinstein's debut feature film Will is set to premiere at the Rhode Island International Film Festival. Made on $1.4m, solely from a single private investor, the film was selected for the festival from over 2000 entries. Set almost...

Submissions open for Crossover Australia.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Crossover Australia, a five-day interactive, residential workshop designed to brainstorm cross-platform projects, is calling for applications for February 2007 Crossover Australia is a creative think-tank bringing together national and...

ABC TV/ScreenWest Hunt for WA docs.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... ABC TV and ScreenWest have announced a new initiative to cofinance a 4 x 30 minute series for ABC TV's Tuesday 8pm documentary slot. ABC TV is looking for documentary series with self-contained stories with related themes, or one narrative...

Smith leads Ten's digital charge.(Network Ten Proprietary Ltd. appoints Damian Smith )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Damian Smith has joined Network Ten to take up newly-created role of general manager--digital media. Smith, whose career to date includes a six-year stint at internet company LookSmart, now reports to Ten's chief executive officer Grant...

VIC writers in the running for UK gongs.(Victoria scriptwriters Jen White and Anthea Wynn to participate in British Short Screenplay Competition)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Victorian scriptwriters Jen White and Anthea Wynn have been shortlisted for the British Short Screenplay Competition. Selected amongst 2000 entries, White's script A Sarcophagus for a Mouse and Wynn's The Returnee will compete for the honour....

Animated Slater film wins atonement.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Atonement Tonight, a short written, directed and produced by Anny Slater, has won a screenplay award at the Cleveland Film Festival Indie Gathering. The animated short previously won a Columbine award for best short screenplay at the Moondance...

'The Bridge' to screen at MoMA in NY.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Short film The Bridge is to be featured in the Museum of Modern Art's presentation of Another Wave: Global Queer Cinema in New York. The film, which tells the story of a gay couple from Georgia who escape to Australia to seek asylum because of...

SBS axes 'World Sport".(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... SBS Television has axed its prime-time sports show, Toyota World Sport, in favour of a one-hour nightly news bulletin. Despite the broadcaster's recent ratings success with the World Cup and the Tour de France, there have been concerns about...

1925-2006: industry mourns actors' advocate; David Hannay pays his respects to friend and colleague, Bob Allen.(Obituary: BOB ALLEN)
August 1, 2006... BOB ALLEN WAS BORN IN 1925 SO HIS early life was marked by two cataclysmic events of the 20th Century: The Great Depression and the Second World War We can but surmise that his moral, ethical and social values were marked by these events....

Digital cinema: why the delay? Encore sits down with top industry executives to discuss digital cinema and specifically, whether a widespread rollout of the technology is likely (or indeed necessary).(cinematography forecast and trends)(Discussion)
August 1, 2006... VENUE The White Horse Hotel PARTICIPANTS Geoff Brown, Executive Director of Screen Producers Association of Australia. Dominic Case, Atlab Group Director of Communications and renowned future gazer. Peter Cody General Manager--film,...

Barber's SFF swansong: 'marvellous'; The standard of films on show at the Sydney Film Festival scaled the heights of cutting edge cinema, albeit with a few exceptions. Bob Ellis appraises the program.(Rough Cut: REVIEW)
August 1, 2006... THIS MONTH: BOB ELLIS REVIEWS THE 2006 SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL: KANYINI, EDMOND, BATTLE IN HEAVEN, GOD ON MY SIDE, A PERVERT'S GUIDE TO CINEMA, WINTER SOLDIERS, ARMY OF SHADOWS, UNITED 93, ABDUCTION: THE MEGUMI YOKATA STORY, LA MOUSTACHE, THE...

Digital screen initiative helps indies take the leap: European correspondent Julian Newby outlines the endeavours of the UK Film Council to boost the percentage of local and specialised films on domestic cinema screens.(Euro Insider: EXHIBITION)
August 1, 2006... IF THEY WEREN'T STAYING INDOORS AND OUT OF THE major towns and cities in sweltering July to avoid temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, British cinemagoers would have been faced, as usual, with largely the same choices their US counterparts...

Digital work on the rise--and Australia stands to gain: Los Angeles-based Ausfilm commissioner Tracey Montgomery details the organisation's efforts to attract increased post, digital and visual effects work to Australia.(tax incentives)
August 1, 2006... HOW DOES A FILMMAKER BRING INACCESSIBLE locations--for example locations that existed hundredsof years ago or perhaps thousands of years ago, or even locations on other planets--to life? Invisible effects in films have been around for as...

'Super Agency' must stave off bureaucrats: accept the fact the tax schemes aren't working and embrace the planned shake up, says Screen Producers Association of Australia executive director Geoff Brown.(Above The Line: TAX REFORM)
August 1, 2006... WE NOW KNOW THE SHAPE OF THE Government's review of the industry. The Issues Paper has been released and we have the ridiculous timeline of August 11 to respond to what is potentially, the most significant shake-up of direct and indirect...

Focus on a Digital Dawn: the industry's progress towards a digital cinema future is a thread that runs through the seminars at this year's Australian International Movie Convention (August 14-17). David Hull reports.(AIMC 2006: PREVIEW)
August 1, 2006... THE 2006 AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL MOVIE CONVENTION (AIMC) comes at a time when the industry is buoyant after a fairly dismal 2005 showing at the box office. The performance of local films at the box office is one contributing factor;...

Exhibitor list 2006.(AIMC 2006: PREVIEW)
August 1, 2006... Amber Technology -- 14 PO Box 942 BROOKVALE NSW 2100 Phone: 029452 8600 Fax: 02 9972 7143 Arkles Entertainment -- 1 PO Box 125 GLEN WAVERLEY VIC 0751 johnj@arklesentertainment.com Phone: 1800 008 923...

Agenda 2006.(AIMC 2006: PREVIEW)(Calendar)
August 1, 2006... MONDAY August 14 8am AIMC Charity Golf Challenge 2006 (Royal Pines Resort) 10am Registration office open (Norfolk Hall) All day Trade show open (Royal Benowa Foyer) 11.30am MPEAQ AGM (delegates welcome after...

Cinema biz needs united front: National Association of Theatre Owners president John Fithian will head to Australia this month to address the Australian International Movie Convention. He spoke to Fiona Williams about the global issues that confront the exhibition sector.(AIMC 2006: EXHIBITION)(Interview)
August 1, 2006... FW: I'd like to get your take on how united you think the exhibition sector is in confronting issues like digital cinema, the theatrical release windows issue, the much-discussed decline in box office and piracy. JF: Part of the reason we...

Backed into a corner: the plethora of Australian films in cinemas is good news for audiences, but it has ignited debate about whether distributors should be more willing to stagger local releases. David Hull reports.(AIMC 2006: DISTRIBUTION)
August 1, 2006... A SHED LOAD OF AUSTRALIAN FEATURE FILMS WILL BE RELEASED on our cinema screens over the next two months. In August and September alone, audiences will have at least 10 local releases to choose from, which is in stark contrast to the first...

Meek plans bold assault on Aunty's drama output: ABC head of drama Scott Meek speaks about his determination to revitalise the national broadcaster's drama output. Steve Misiura reports.(Script: TV DRAMA)
August 1, 2006... IN 2004, AN AGE JOURNALIST WROTE A PIECE ON the then-incoming ABC head of drama Scott Meek, asking if he had what it takes to succeed at the ABC, "grubbing for money to produce quality television in circumstances where the cupboard is bareish,...

25 scripts picked for WA drama series.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... SBS Independent, Taylor Media and ScreenWest have selected 25 five-minute scripts, from some 1,748 submissions, for their upcoming drama series Marx and Venus, which will be based around two characters developed by Mother and Son and Grassroots...

Film VIC provides support grants.(Film Victoria)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Film Victoria has approved four Professional Development applications for attachments and travel grants within the film and television industry. The approvals will see John Foss work as a producer's attachee on Media World/SBS Independent...

Young filmmakers receive UK leg-up.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Young film and TV artists, Genevieve Bailey, Zoe Finch, Adnan Lalani and Rachel Givney have been named among 25 finalists for the British Council Australia Realise Your Dream program. The four were selected from a pool of 850 entries competing...

Viper FilmStream gains worldwide momentum: Thomson's 4:4:4 camera is yet to make its mark in Australia but its widespread use overseas has changed work practices. Scott Lehane reports.(Shoot: HD CAMERAS)
August 1, 2006... WHEN THOMSON FIRST UNVEILED ITS VIPER FilmStream camera in 2002, it was a little ahead of its time, and its enormous data output was considered unwieldy for long-form work. At the time, there was only one hard drive manufacturer that made a...

'Bastards' to relive docks saga for ABC.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Production on four-part series Bastard Boys has commenced. Commissioned by ABC head of drama Scott Meek, the drama comes from Brides of Christ writer Sue Smith and tells the story of the 1998 battle between Patrick Corporation and the Maritime...

Oliver franchise gets cooking in Victoria.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Crackerjack has commenced pre production on naked chef and UK national treasure Jamie Oliver's new television project Jamie's Kitchen Australia. The program is an Australian version of Oliver's UK series and will see cameras following the...

'Dream' croc shoot underway in Kakadu.(director Darlene Johnson begins shooting of his new movie 'Crocodile Dreaming')(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Filming has commenced on writer/director Darlene Johnson's latest project, Crocodile Dreaming. A modern day, supernatural myth about two estranged brothers, played by indigenous actors David Gulpilil and Tom E. Lewis, the 25-minute film will be...

Frantic 'returns' to set up shop in local VFX market: Canadian VFX company Frantic Films broke the mould by setting up a Sydney office off the back of extensive work on Superman Returns. David Hull reports.(Sync: VFX)
August 1, 2006... WARNER BROS' SUPERMAN RETURNS IS A PRIME example of the globalisation of the visual effects sector, as there were no fewer than nine far-flung vendors involved in the project. One of these was Canadian firm Frantic Films, which set up a local...

SMPTE fellowships for Lieng, Maizels.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... The Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) has created two new Fellows in Australia. They are John Maizels, current chair of the Australia Section and Spencer Lieng from the ABC. Lieng is honoured for his work on developing...

LaB perks up 3D dept with BrightDrive.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Post production facility The LaB Sydney (part of the Omnilab Group) has installed a Bright Systems BrightDrive shared media system for use within its 3D department. The purchase, through local supplier Future Reality, is the first of its kind...

FSM adopts Flame on Linux platform.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Sydney post house Frame, Set & Match (FSM) is the first VFX house in the region to buy Autodesk's Discreet Flame on Linux. FSM has upgraded to an all-Autodesk workflow with the installation of two Flame Linux platforms. The Linux-based Flames...

HHB releases Flash recorder microphone.(HHB Communications)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... British company HHB Communications has released the world's first digital recording microphone, spelling the end of unweildy cables for television interviews. The FlashMic contains a 1GB Flash recorder built into the microphone body. The...

Aunty goes mobile, serving up content for vodcast: the ABC is taking its first tentative steps into the world of video podcasting, offering up a limited suite of programming as mobile content. Steve Misiura reports.(Industry: SCREEN)
August 1, 2006... NATIONAL BROADCASTER ABC HAS JUMPED ON board the mobile content bandwagon, offering portions of its jtv programming and entire episodes of its hit satire The Chaser's War on Everything for vodcast (or video podcast) to mobile viewing devices....

Working title changes title.(Working Title Films changes name of its planned move Middle of Nowhere to 'Gone')(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Working Title Films' upcoming Ringan Ledwidge-directed featured is now called Gone. The film, which carried the working title Middle of Nowhere, is a Universal Pictures and Working Title Films production in association with the Film Finance...

ABC picks up 'Punishment'.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Melbourne documentary filmmakers Kim Beamish and Shannon Owen's documentary Just Punishment has been picked up by ABC TV where it will screen later this year. Produced by Liz Burke, the project, about the trial and execution of 23-year old...

Germans pick Frayne's 'Modern Love'.(Modern Love movie to be shown at Hof International Film Festival)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Australian feature Modern Love, directed and produced by Alex Frayne, will screen at the 2006 Hof International Film Festival, Germany, from October 23-29. The film, which world premieres at this year's Moscow International Film Festival, will...

Listings.(television production chart)
August 1, 2006... EVERY MONTH Encore's production report includes all known features, television drama and factual television programs which have a network presale. Projects in the planning stage appear once only and the listing ends when a project...

Julietta Boscolo.(Interview)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Job Title: Director's/Producer's Assistant/P.A. First Break: Working at Karl Marks Industry Mentor/s: While I was at Karl Marks I was very fortunate to receive feedback and support from Ray Lawrence that enriched my storytelling...

Reliance on contracts keeping IR laws at bay: the industry's tradition of employing numerous casuals and freelancers has helped protect it from the government's workplace reform. Tracey Prisk reports.(industrial relations)
August 1, 2006... THE SCREEN PRODUCTION INDUSTRY'S RELIANCE ON contracts and individual agreements appears to have provided some immunity to the Federal Government's far-reaching workplace reforms, judging from early observations of the unions and industry lobby...

Isai appointed to South Aussie role.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) has appointed Defrim Isai as its new head of Screen Industry Programs. Isai has served as project manager at both the Pacific Film & Television Commission and Film Queensland. As vice-president of...

Nine makes new additions.(Nine Network Australia Ltd. appoints Michelle Stamper)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Nine Network has appointed Michelle Stamper as head of publicity for GTV-9 Melbourne. An ex-staffer at Seven, Ten, News Ltd and Nine, Stamper was recently general manager for Telstra Dome. In other Nine news, Mia Freedman, the former...

Moore back to Aunty for new program.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... Reporter Ali Moore has returned to the ABC to present Lateline Business, the new nightly business, news and current affairs program, which launches this month. Moore is returning to her role at the broadcaster after leaving Nine's Business...

Sydney's Viewfinder locates Watts.(Viewfinder Location Services appoints David Watts )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Sydney-based Viewfinder Location Services has enlisted David Watts to join its ranks as part of a company expansion. Watts has extensive production experience in south-east Asia and in Sydney as a location manager and was part of the NSW Film...

Henry back to head up Popcorn Taxi.(IN BRIEF)
August 1, 2006... The former national publicity manager at Catherine Lavelle Public Relations Natasha Henry has been appointed to the newly created position of general manager of the filmmaker showcase event Popcorn Taxi. Henry previously headed up the publicity...

Chauvel Cinema Opening Night (below).(People)
August 1, 2006... [WHAT] The Chauvel Cinema Re-opening Gala [WHEN] July 24 2006 [WHERE] Chauvel Cinema, Sydney PHOTOS: PATRICK RIVERIE, GETTY IMAGES

Miff Opening Night (below).(People)
August 1, 2006... [WHAT] The 55th Melbourne International Film Festival Opening Night [WHEN] July 26 2006 [WHERE] Regent Theatre, Melbourne PHOTOS: JIM LEE

Pay TV sector gives locals the green light: industry insider Harvey shore keeps his eyes peeled and his ears close to the ground to report the latest goings on in the capricious world of television production.(Hearsay: PAY TV)
August 1, 2006... BRIAN WALSH, FOXTEL'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF television and marketing, continues building his reputation as a Renaissance man in the local production industry. While free-TV networks wind down development funds, limit new programs to proven...

'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' delivers dream ratings.(Outtakes)
August 1, 2006... The TNT anthology Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King has received dream ratings in the US. The series was shot in Melbourne last year. The first instalment 'Battleground,' starring William Hurt, drew 5.2 million total...

Is that a fact?(movie projections trends and forecast)(first person to project a film was Carl Hertz)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... On August 22 1896, Carl Hertz, who was apparently a magician by the age of nine, was the first person to project a film for a paying audience in Australia. The film was screened as part of a variety show act at Harry Rickards' Melbourne Opera...

"Hi, I'm a pre-recorded marketing strategy".(Al Gore's political strategy of promoting the movie 'An Inconvenient Truth')(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... It shouldn't come as any surprise that political heavyweight Al Gore has adopted a political strategy for the promotion of the doco about his efforts to stem global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. Variety reports that some 300,000 New Yorkers...

"Honey, I muted the curtains".(Outtakes)
August 1, 2006... Marantz has just launched a range of 'Universal Remote Controls", designed to condense all the household remotes into one device. According to figures in the Marantz press release, "83 percent of Australians wish they had one remote to control...

The production diary of Matty le marr: the whirlwind life of a wannabe.(television producer assistant)
August 1, 2006... 10pm. Sitting staring at computer screen. Overjoyed. Have never been so happy in entire life. Can't believe Alone--which the AFC turned down I hasten to add--got through the first round of Project Green Lights. It's the most amazing idea ever...