Encore Magazine articles from October 2007

Encore Magazine archives from October 2007

Cold comfort for 'final winter'; It's an all-too familiar story: a quality Australian film is released, and is supported by glowing, well-deserved reviews. But nobody goes to see it. What's going wrong?(Editorial)
October 1, 2007... TWO OF THE YEAR'S BEST FILMS WERE RELEASED IN cinemas within weeks of each other in September: The Final Winter and The Jammed. Both were made for modest budgets using private finance, and both earned rave reviews from critics for their...

Brooke-Hunt takes on kids' content role at ABC TV: after a career in production, Tim Brooke-Hunt has turned the tables to take on a challenging role to oversee kids' content at the ABC. David Hull reports.(PEOPLE)
October 1, 2007... STICKY PICTURES FOUNDER TIM BROOKE-Hunt has departed his post at the Sydney-based independent animation production company to take on the role of executive head of Children's at ABC TV Brooke-Hunt, who began at the ABC on September 12, said he...

SFF introduces $60K international prize.(FESTIVALS)(Sydney Film Festivals)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... THE SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL (SFF) WILL INTRODUCE AN OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION TO reward 'new directions in film' starting with next year's event to be held in June. The announcement was made on September 11 with a NSW Government cash...

Movielab closes shop.(BUSINESS)(Movielab Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... AFTER 16 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS operations at Sydney's Film Australia site, Movielab has shut down with managing director Kelvin Crumplin to focus on a career in producing. "I've just done my last job", Crumplin told Encore. "The processing...

Coote keen to boost Aussie input to Fox's film slate: as Dune Entertainment CEO, businessman Greg Coote is keen to use his Australian bias to boost Hollywood's interest in Australian films. Fiona Williams reports.(BUSINESS)
October 1, 2007... GREG COOTE WILL SEEK LARGE-SCALE feature projects from Australian creatives to develop for the Fox group of companies in his new role as chair and chief executive of Los Angeles-based Dune Entertainment, a production outfit born from a New York...

Beyond sale likely.(BUSINESS)(Beyond International Group Proprietary Ltd.)(Navis Media)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... PRODUCTION AND SALES GIANT BEYOND INTERNATIONAL LOOKS SET TO be acquired by Malaysian-based private equity firm Navis Media, now that Beyond's Board has backed the latter's $75 million takeover bid. Beyond's non-executive directors Ian...

Nine pilots 'Millionaire' spin-off, '50-50'.(IN BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... The Nine Network has bought the format rights to a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Spin-off, 50-50. The network is one of four to have acquired the format ahead of its official launch at this month's MIPCOM content market. The other buyers...

Film Vic boosts support for emerging sector.(IN BRIEF)(Film Victoria )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Film Victoria has overhauled its support mechanisms for the emerging sector, and from January 2008 the organisation will introduce project-specific funding for emerging filmmakers. The decision comes after a review into the way the organisation...

Seven, ten to introduce HD channels in Dec.(IN BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... The Seven Network and Network Ten have both announced plans to introduce high-definition TV channels in December. The two will trump rival Nine Network, whose digital plans are hampered by older equipment and the fact the network does not own...

Hoyts sold to equity firm.(IN BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... Controlling interests in the Hoyts Group (Australia and New Zealand), PBL and West Australian Newspaper Holdings Limited have sold off the company to Pacific Equity Partners. Aside its cinema chain, the Hoyts Group boasts operations in...

Cayzer named Ausfilm chair.(IN BRIEF)(Martin Cayzer)(international marketing body)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Panavision Australia managing director Martin Cayzer has been appointed as chair of international marketing body Ausfilm for a two-year term. Ausfilm board members appointed Cayzer to replace outgoing chair Ian Robertson, who has held the...

Clarification.(Correction notice)
October 1, 2007... In the December 2006 issue of Encore Wayne Covell was attributed as an author of the feature article 'Clash of the Titles'. Encore published the article in good faith based on information provided by a third party. Encore now acknowledges that...

Films with global outlook get green light from FFC.(FUNDING)(Film Finance Corporation)(political thriller, BALIBO )
October 1, 2007... ANTHONY LAPAGLIA WILL HEADLINE THE cast of Robert Connolly's political thriller, Balibo, which is one of four feature projects green it by Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC) at its September board meeting. Balibo will recreate events...

Directors gear up for conference: the Australian Directors Guild has undergone a transformation in the past year, with a new name and a new peer awards ceremony. The organisation's new Executive Director Drew MacRae gives us a preview of this month's annual ADG conference, which takes place in Sydney from October 12.(ADG: PREVIEW)
October 1, 2007... THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ONE OF CHANGE AND RENEWAL FOR the Australian Directors Guild--we have a new name, we have a new logo, we have a new Executive Director (namely me, Drew MacRae) and we will soon be getting a new website at long last But why...

A full-time Hobby: independent producer any Hobby is a keynote at this month's SPAA Fringe conference. Tracey Prisk spoke to her on the eve of her visit.(SPAA FRINGE: PROFILE)(Conference news)
October 1, 2007... SPAA FRINGE'S KEYNOTE SPEAKER AMY HOBBY IS A JACK-OF-ALL-trades. Having worked as a director, cinematographer and producer, she firmly believes that one of her greatest skills is her broad working knowledge of all areas of production. "It...

The world finally sees Red: the Red 4k digital camera is striving to deliver on its outlandish promises and marketing hype, says Stuart Finlayson in part one of his report on IBC, the annual European production industry trade show that took place in Amsterdam in September.(IBC: CAMERAS)
October 1, 2007... IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS IN THE OFFING AND HAS MET WITH A fair degree of scepticism along the way, but all of that dissipated at this year's IBC, which coincided with the shipping of the first batch of Red digital 4K cameras. Since the...

Disney sounds the bell for local production: Australia's Disney Channel is ramping up its Australian production slate with a new local comedy series, as the bell rings. Fiona Williams visits the set.(On Location: AS THE BELL RINGS)
October 1, 2007... THE 'MOUSE HOUSE' IS ON THE LOOK OUT FOR AUSTRALIAN CONTENT. You heard it here first. The move is part of the Disney HQ's mandate to develop and create local content in all Disney territories. Disney Channel Australia creative director...

'SeaChange' creator gets serious for new drama: Deb Cox and Roger Monk tackle life-changing themes in East of Everything but they do it with a characteristically deft touch. Tracey Prisk reports from the set.(On Location: EAST OF EVERYTHING)
October 1, 2007... SCRIPTWRITERS/SERIES CREATORS DEB COX AND ROGER MONK ARE BOTH based in the Northern Rivers region, and their six x one-hour series East of Everything has given them the opportunity to explore concepts of melancholy, regret and waste, all from...

A exercise in restraint: subtlety and poignancy underpin both the final winter and the Jammed. According to Bob Ellis, these two very different films demonstrate the best that Aussie cinema has to offer.(Rough Cut: REVIEW)
October 1, 2007... THIS MONTH: NO RESERVATIONS (DIRECTOR: SCOTT HICKS, DISTRIBUTOR: ROADSHOW FILMS); THE FINAL WINTER (DIRS: BRIAN ANDREWS, JANE FORREST, DIST: PARAMOUNT PICTURES); THEJAMMED (DIR: DEE MCLACHLAN, DIST: TITAN VIEW); RUSSIAN RESURRECTION FILM...

Stockpiling in tinseltown: Ausfilm's Tracey Vieira reports on a period of frenetic production activity in Hollywood. Studios are stockpiling to safeguard against a possible 2008 labour strike.(LA Insider: INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS)
October 1, 2007... AUSTRALIA'S FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY IS already feeling the impact of possible strike action by the American Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Writers Guild (WGA), as they start negotiations with the...

Market to beef up London Film Fest: European correspondent Julian Newby previews the 51st London international film festival and in particular, its decision to launch a production market.(Euro Insider: FESTIVALS)
October 1, 2007... THE SUBJECT OF FILM FINANCE IS HIGH ON THE agenda at the 51st London Film Festival, held at a number of venues across the British capital from October 17 through to November 1. The event is host to a special Production Finance Market for the...

Six of one half a dozen of the other: Screen Producers Association of Australia Executive Director Geoff Brown encourages filmmakers to make the most of the election fever to quiz local candidates abut their arts policies.(Above The Line: REBATE)
October 1, 2007... HERE WE ARE IN THE LEAD UP TO AN ELECTION having to make up our minds as to which of the two major parties will best serve the independent film and television industry over the next three years. Both support the Producer Offset and...

Scott film gets film VIC backing.(IN BRIEF)(Jane Scott)(Bill Garner)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... A new project from Shine producer Jane Scott is among several projects to secure development funds from Rim Victoria. The organisation committed $147,000 in development funding to the projects of 14 Victorian writers and producers. This...

'Clubland' wins the jackpot at AWGIES.(IN BRIEF)(Keith Thompson)(Australian Writers Guild's annual awards)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Scriptwriter Keith Thompson was this year's big winner at the Australian Writers Guild's annual awards, the AWGIES, where his script for Clubland won top honours. The 40th Annual Australian Writers' Guild AWGIE Awards took place on August 31 at...

Propagandist panda bound for grown up audiences: the team at Sixty 40 are developing their Eduganda Panda concept into a series of seven-minute episodes mixing 2D animation with live action.(Script: ANIMATION)
October 1, 2007... SYDNEY-BASED ANIMATION AND DESIGN STUDIO SIXTY 40 is developing an adult animation series which picks up from its 26 x 30-second program The Eduganda Panda Show, two series of which have screened during the Nine Network's The Music Jungle on...

Aussie duo hit for six by Indian cricket fanatacism: Stuart McCarney and Matthew Duffy experienced the Indian equivalent of 'Beatle-Mania' in documenting Greg Chappell's tenure as Indian cricket coach.(Shoot: DOCUMENTARY)
October 1, 2007... DURING THE COURSE OF MAKING THEIR ONE-HOUR documentary on Australian cricket legend Greg Chappell's stint as coach of the Indian national team, filmmakers (and cricket fans) Matt Duffy and Stuart McCarney witnessed first-hand the passion and...

'Millionaire' gets a Lifeline on nine.(IN BRIEF)(Nine Network Australia Ltd.)(Who Wants to be a Millionaire)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The Nine Network is reprising its Who Wants to be a Millionaire? game show in a revised 5 x 30 min format to run at 7pm weeknights for the remaining six weeks of the ratings year. The program is returning this month after an 18-month hiatus,...

VCA's Norris wins Filmschool comp.(IN BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... Victorian College of the Arts film student, David Norris has won the Australia national first prize of the 2007 Kodak Filmschool competition for his cinematography on Wax. The 6-minute short film, directed by fellow student, Virginie Tetoofa,...

'The Square' in production.(IN BRIEF)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Nash Edgerton's debut feature The Square commenced a seven-week shoot on September 10 with production taking place in Sydney and in the Sutherland Shire (in the city's south). Matthew Dabner penned the script with Nash's brother Joel, who was...

Park Road appoints Italian producer.(IN BRIEF)(appointment of Eleonora Sparagna)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Wellington-based post production and effects house Park Road Post has appointed Eleonora Sparagna to the position of senior producer Sparagna hails from Italy and has worked extensively in the U.S. She joins Park Road Post witl a list of...

NZ's Digipost takes second spirit.(IN BRIEF)(New Zealand)(Digipost has purchased Spirit 2K DataCine system from Thomson Grass Valley)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... New Zealand post and effects outfit Digipost has purchased a Grass Valley Spirit 2K DataCine system from Thomson for its new $6.5 million post production facility in Auckland. The system will work in tandem with the company's existing Spirit,...

Cutting edge signs Pearson and Maclean.(IN BRIEF)(appointments of Sharon Pearson and Scott Maclean at Cutting Edge Sydney)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Cutting Edge Sydney has recruited two new staff to its Sydney facility. Executive producer Sharon Pearson has over 20 years in the advertising industry and has joined the company from rival Sydney post house, Frame Set & Match. Cutting Edge has...

'Acts' soundtrack gives insights into afterlife: sound design was crucial to conveying Harry Houdini's efforts to contact the afterlife in Gillian Armstrong's Death Defying Acts. Peter Galvin reports.(Sync: DEATH DEFYING ACTS)
October 1, 2007... DIRECTOR GILLIAN ARMSTRONG'S NEW UK-Australian co-production Death Defying Acts mixes real life with a fictional romance in a narrative that centres on famous magician of the early twentieth century, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce). A...

'Satisfaction' for new Pay Channel.(IN BRIEF)(Showtime Networks Inc.)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Showtime will launch a new premium channel, Showcase, on Foxtel and Austar in December. The channel will be available for subscribers of the Showtime suite of channels and is being billed as the destination for landmark television, such as...

Indigenous channel signs with Foxtel.(IN BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... Australian Subscription TV viewers will soon have access to National Indigenous Television's (NITV) signal via retransmission on Foxtel. NITV and Foxtel have signed an agreement to commence satellite retransmission from November 1, with cable...

US broadcaster buys 'fairies' format.(IN BRIEF)
October 1, 2007... New York-based broadcaster V-me Media will produce a US version of Australian children's series The Fairies, created by Adelaide's Jen Watts. The Fairies is a live-action, musical series for pre-schoolers that features the beautiful young...

Consumers spoilt for choice in DVD format wars: the competition is heating up in the race to decide which of the high definition DVD formats will become the standard. Peter Galvin surveys the landscape.(Screen: FORMATS)
October 1, 2007... CONSUMER EXPERTS HAVE PREDICTED THAT BY Christmas 2007 the format war between the competing hi-definition DVD home viewing products, the Sony backed Blu-ray disc and Toshiba's HD DVD will have bottomed out where it counts--in the U.S. One...

Listings.(Production Report)(List)
October 1, 2007... EVERY MONTH ENCORE's production report includes all known features and television drama and non-drama television programs which have a network presale. Projects in the planning stage appear once only and the listing ends when a...

Networks talking up a storm: right now, everyone's on the lookout for a winning talk show formula, says television columnist Harvey Shore. It's just a matter of finding the right host (and then holding onto them).(Hearsay: TALK SHOWS)
October 1, 2007... TALK IS CHEAP--COMPARED TO PRIME TIME DRAMA. Big studio talk shows cost less than half the budget of average drama episodes. Yet in the USA, on NBC, Jay Leno's Tonight Show is the second biggest earner after the morning Today show. Graham...